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Beets & Blood Orange Salad

A vibrant raw beet and blood orange salad, tossed with a citrusy vinaigrette, and topped with fresh mint and crunchy pistachios. Naturally energizing and packed with nutrients.
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Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bean salad, beets, healthy, wholesome
Servings: 2 serving
Author: Hong Thaimee

Ingredients

Salad

  • 3 whole beets you can use variety of beet you love
  • 3 whole blood orange supremed or sliced
  • 1 brunch mint clean, picked
  • 1/4 cup pistachio chopped, and safe some for garnish

Vinaigrette

  • 1 whole blood orange juiced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup optional
  • salt a pinch
  • pepper a pinch

Instructions

Grate the beets:

  • Clean the beets well and use the kitchen towel to dry and wipe all dirt and root one more time (my preferred method) or peel and grate the beets using the large holes of a box grater or a food processor with grating attachment. Set aside.

Make the Vinaigrette:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the blood orange juice, vinegar, mustard, and honey/maple syrup, if using. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking, until fully emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Assemble:

  • On a platter or in a wide bowl, bring in grated beets and supremed or sliced blood orange and chopped pistachio to the bowl.  Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad. Toss well.

Platting:

  • Bring all the salad to the serving platter. Sprinkle with fresh mint and chopped pistachios just before serving.

Video

Notes

Why You’ll Love It

This salad isn’t just a flavor explosion — it’s a boost of feel-good nourishment.
Beets are rich in folate, fiber, and antioxidants like betalains, known for their anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties. They also support healthy blood flow and endurance.
Blood oranges bring a sweet, berry-like citrus punch and are especially high in vitamin C and anthocyanins — a powerful antioxidant not typically found in regular oranges.

Notes & Tips

  • You can easily swap in other citrus varieties — Cara Cara oranges or mandarins work beautifully too.
  • Prefer a more herbaceous flavor? Finely chop the mint and toss it right into the salad.
  • Beets are naturally sweet, so honey or maple syrup is totally optional. I usually skip it, but feel free to adjust to your taste.
  • When it comes to mustard, Dijon or grainy mustard both work well — choose whichever you love or have on hand.
  • This salad shines on its own, but it also makes a perfect side for baked fish, grilled chicken, or even steak.
  • Last but not least — I use pistachios in this recipe for their color and subtle crunch, but feel free to use the nuts of your choice. Hazelnuts or walnuts would be just as lovely.