Roasted Beet & Orange Quinoa Salad

This vibrant Roasted Beet & Orange Quinoa Salad is the perfect lunchtime meal or dinner side. Whip up this vegetarian delight in just 30-minutes!

I have to admit that I don’t really like beets. They have a very strong earthy taste that I just don’t enjoy when they are on their own. But this roasted beet salad with oranges and quinoa has changed my mind!

The earthy beets with the juicy oranges and creamy feta is a winning combination. I can even now say that I enjoy beets!

Nutrition of beets

Beets are the star of the show in this quinoa salad recipe. And with good reason, since beets are extremely nutritious and good for you. This royal purple root vegetable is packed with nutrients, like antioxidants, vitamins, mineral and fiber.

Let’s take a closer look at the nutrition facts of beets. One cup of raw beets has:

• 120 calories
• 2 grams protein
• 13 grams carbs
• 0 grams fat
• 4 grams fiber (16% daily value)
• a good source of iron, potassium and folate

Beets also contain an antioxidant called betaine. Antioxidants help reduce inflammation and contribute to overall healthy and wellness.

Lastly, beets contain helpful nitrates, which help increase blood flow. As a matter of fact, the nitrates in beetroot juice has been shown to help with athletic performance.

How to make this salad

Let’s dive into how to make this yummy salad. You do not need to peel the beets, but run them under cold water and scrub them clean. After all, these root veggies grow down in the dirt and may have some residue.

The first step is to cut and roast the beets. I recommend chopping the beets into bite-sized pieces. Then place them on a baking sheet with oil and salt and bake for 30-40 minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile, cook the quinoa in a small pot. This will only take about 10 minutes, so set the quinoa aside when it’s cooked.

Whisk together the dressing ingredients– oil, dijon mustard, maple syrup and balsamic vinegar.

Lastly, compile the salad. In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, beets, orange slices, feta, chopped pecans and baby kale. I like to dress the salad when I’m eating it, rather than dress all at once and save for later.

How to store it

This salad will stay really well in the fridge for up to 5 days. Since the kale is a hearty green that doesn’t wilt easily, it’s fine to mix it all together and store in an air-tight container.

Store the dressing in a separate container in the fridge and dress the salad when you’re ready to eat.

What to serve with a Roasted Beet Salad

I ate this salad as my lunch for an entire week, and it was filling and satisfying. But if you feel like you want a little something more to go with the salad, try some of these tasty snacks or other light dishes:

• Chickpea Salad Sandwich with Dried Cranberries & Apple
• Brussels Sprout Naan Pizza With An Egg On Top
• Moroccan Lentil Soup
• Sweet Potato & Kale Quesadilla
• Vegan Pumpkin Chili
• Greek Lentil Power Bowl

How to make it vegan

If you love the idea of this salad but want to make it vegan, all you have to do is leave out the feta cheese. Everything else in this salad is already vegan. Even the dressing uses maple syrup instead of honey!