Roasted Beet & Pear Salad with Feta

🥗 Roasted Beet & Pear Salad with Feta

⏱ Time

• Prep: 15 minutes

• Roast: 30–40 minutes

• Total: ~50 minutes

🍽 Serves

4 people

🧾 Ingredients

For the salad

• 3 medium beets, peeled and cut into wedges or cubes

• 2 ripe but firm pears, sliced

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or spring mix)

• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

• ¼ cup walnuts or pecans (optional), lightly toasted

For the dressing

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Roast the beets

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Place beets on a baking sheet, toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper.

3. Cover loosely with foil and roast for 25–30 minutes, until fork-tender.

4. Remove foil for the last 5–10 minutes to lightly caramelize.

2. Prepare the pears

• You can leave pears fresh or roast them:

  • Toss pear slices with 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • Roast on a separate tray for 10–12 minutes until just soft

3. Make the dressing

• Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.

4. Assemble the salad

1. Arrange mixed greens on a large plate or bowl.

2. Top with roasted beets and pears.

3. Sprinkle with feta and nuts (if using).

4. Drizzle with dressing just before serving.

❓ Q & A

Q: Can I use canned or pre-cooked beets?

Yes! Drain and rinse them well. You can roast them briefly (10–15 minutes) to boost flavor or use them as-is.

Q: What type of pears work best?

Bosc or Anjou pears are ideal because they hold their shape when sliced or roasted.

Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes!

• Roast beets up to 2 days in advance

• Store dressing separately

• Assemble right before serving to keep greens fresh

Q: What can I use instead of feta?

• Goat cheese

• Blue cheese

• Vegan feta (plant-based)

Q: Is this salad healthy?

Yes 👍
It’s rich in:

• Fiber (beets & pears)

• Healthy fats (olive oil, nuts)

• Calcium & protein (feta)

Q: Can I add protein?

Absolutely:

• Grilled chicken

• Chickpeas or lentils

• Quinoa