Looking for an easy and delicious beet salad recipe? Look no further! This step by step guide with photos will help you create a tasty and colorful salad to enjoy.

Beet Salad uses cooked beets and a simple vinegar-based sauce to create the perfect side dish.

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Simple Beet Salad

It’s my favorite season which is Garden Season. I love when my garden (it’s really my Dad’s) is in full swing, and when everyone else’s garden is in full swing. The weekly farmer’s market is so much fun to stock up on fresh veggies.

These beautiful beets were one of the first produce I purchased at our seasonal farmer’s market. I saw them, and my mouth started watering. I absolutely love beets. They didn’t have enough for me to make my usual which is Grandma’s Pickled Beets, so I turned to this tasty warm beet salad recipe. It a wonderful side dish to serve along side your favorite grilled meat.

This simple beet salad can be served warm or cold depending on your preference.

Ingredients for Diced Beets in a Vinegar Sauce

I found this easy beet salad recipe in my cook book called The Wilson Farm Country Cook Book. It’s one of the first places I look when I have fresh produce and I’m stumped on how to use it.

Fresh Beets
Butter
Red Wine Vinegar
Sugar
Worcestershire Sauce
Minced Onion
Salt

Diced beets are the star of this easy beet salad dressed with a simple vinegar sauce.

How to prepare a beet salad?

Step by Step Instructions

Cook beets in your favorite manner, or follow my preferred method. Trim beet leaves leaving approximately 1 inch left on the stem. Discard leaves, or save to make beet greens. Boil beets in a large saucepan in salted water or steam over boiling water until a knife easily cuts into the beet.
Drain water, and run cold water over the beets to cool.
Put on gloves before handling, and then peel the skin off and discard.
Dice the beets into bite-sized pieces or cubes.
In a small skillet or small saucepan, melt butter.
Add onions, red wine vinegar, salt, sugar and Worcestershire sauce, and bring to a simmer. Whisk until incorporated.
Continue to simmer for 3 – 4 minutes.
Add the diced beets to the sauce, tossing until coated. Heat gently until the beets are your desired temperature.
Serve hot.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

For the full ingredient amounts and recipe steps for easy beet salad, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Easy Beet Salad uses cooked beets and a simple vinegar-based sauce to create the perfect side dish.

Recipe FAQs

The recipe calls for 6 medium-sized beets, but feel free to use smaller beets or larger beets, but be sure to adjust the quantity.
If you prefer to cook your beets using sous vide or the oven method, then go for it.
Be sure to wear disposable gloves when handling beets to prevent staining.

A bowl of easy beet salad is the perfect way to use fresh beets for a simple side dish.

Recipe Variations

If you don’t have red wine vinegar on hand, try white wine vinegar, rice vinegar or plain white vinegar instead.
Golden beets (yellow beets) would work instead of red beets.
Use shallots instead of onions, if desired.
Substitute margarine for butter, if needed. Or, go healthy with some extra virgin olive oil.
Try using these vinegar beets served on top of a green salad of spinach or arugula, feta cheese or goat cheese, and some nuts such as pecans or walnuts.
Before serving, garnish with fresh herb such as parsley.

Is it necessary to peel beets?

Yes, it is necessary to peel beets before consuming them. This is because the skin can be tough and bitter, so it’s best to remove it before cooking or eating. Plus, peeling beets can also prevent the earthy taste that some people find unappealing.

How to get the earthy taste out of beets?

One method is to pair the beets with sweet or tangy ingredients, such as vinegar, honey, or citrus fruits, to help mask the earthy taste. Or try peeling and slicing the beets thinly to help reduce the intensity of the earthy flavor.

How to cook beets in the oven?

To cook beets in the oven, trim the stems to 1 inch and leave the beets whole, or trim off the stems completely and cut the beets in half. Wrap in aluminum foil and place on a sheet pan, and bake in a preheated 375 degree F oven until fork-tender. The time will depend on the size of the beets and if you left them whole or not. Run the cooked beets under cold water to easily remove the skin.

Serve this easy beet salad as a simple side dish for your summer dinner.

What to pair with beets?

Pair a simple vinegar beet salad with grilled chicken or salmon or along side of beautiful sweet potatoes. It also complements a simple green salad topped with a balsamic vinaigrette.

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Looking for an easy and delicious beet salad recipe? Look no further! This step by step guide with photos will help you create a tasty and colorful salad to enjoy.

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