A Make-Ahead Salad that Stays Fresh and Vibrant? YUP.
Beets aren’t just another pretty face—although their striking magenta color is a big bonus—they’re also a kitchen workhorse. This simple beet salad will save the day this holiday season, because you can make it up to FIVE days ahead. Oh yes, that’s right! You’ll have time to make it, forget that you made it and then remember again and be thrilled that you were smart enough to work so far ahead. Drizzled with a citrusy, cumin-spiced Moroccan dressing and paired with the purple sharpness of raw onions, it’s a bright and vibrant salad that will perk up just about any meal. Winter salads can be just as exciting as summer salads, and this Moroccan red beet salad recipe proves it!
How to Cook Beets for Salad
OK, so roasting is definitely the trendy way to cook beets (and everything else) these days, and we get that. We’re into roasting, too! BUT, when it comes to cooking beets for this orange-y, herby cold beet salad, we like to boil this knobby root vegetable. A few things to note:
- Be a bit patient—cooking beets whole takes time. We let them boil for at least 30 minutes, and sometimes it takes longer. Check for doneness by piercing them with a fork.
- No need to peel the beets before boiling them. This is one reason why boiling is one of our favorite ways to cook beets—it’s so, so easy. Just chop off the beet greens, and toss your beets whole into boiling water.
- You do eventually have to peel the beets, of course. Our trick is to peel them—after they’ve cooked and cooled—under cold running water. They’ll be soft and yielding after boiling, and the skin should come off easily.
3 Classic Moroccan Flavors that Make this Beet Salad Dressing Sing
When whisked together with olive and a bit of salt to make a simple salad dressing, these three familiar ingredients take on an exotic, Moroccan flair:
- Cumin. A member of the parsley family, cumin’s warm, pungent flavor is a backbone of Moroccan cuisine and it is a defining flavor of our beet salad, too.
- Mint! Arguably one of Morocco’s most well-known culinary delights is mint tea—the famous open-air markets of Marrakesh brim with vendors selling this warm, sweet refreshment that celebrates fresh mint.
- Orange! Orange juice and orange zest add sweetness and a bit of acid—the perfect foil for beets earthy sweetness.
BTW, Are Beets Healthy?
You can basically see the health benefits of beetroot in their brilliant royal-purple hue, right? Any vegetable that can stain your clothes (or hands—watch out!) like this almost guaranteed to be super, super healthy. Not only does there seem to be a connection between beet consumption and lower blood pressure, they’re a uniquely good source of antioxidants. Beets are high in fiber, folic acid and potassium, too. In other words—eat your beets! P.S. don’t just toss those beet greens! They’re actually a superfood in their own right—full of calcium, iron, vitamins and antioxidants, too. Rinse them well—they have a tendency to be a bit gritty—and sauté with a little olive oil and garlic for an easy, tasty, healthy side dish.
Tools You’ll Need:
- Stock pot for boiling the beets.
- A salad bowl for tossing and serving.
- A sharp knife.
- A whiskand small bowl, for mixing up the dressing.
4 Winter Salad Recipes to Brighten These Short Days
Four salad recipes sure to liven up heavy wintertime meals:
- Roasted Beet Salad with Chevre Green Goddess Dressing
- Maple Roasted Squash Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Creamy Maple Dressing
- Celery Pear and Hazelnut Salad
Try This Make-Ahead Salad—Your Sanity Will Thank You.
Actually enjoying the holidays—not just surviving—is all about planning ahead, so that when the “big” moments come, you’re able to relax and enjoy them (in other words, you’re not stuck in the kitchen). We hope this salad saves you some time, and wins you some hard-earned praise this season, too! Let us know how it goes over! Snap a photo of your Moroccan beet salad, and maybe even a video of the beautiful people you share it with. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!
