Northern Grain Salad with Roasted Beets and Feta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-10 · Updated 2026-05-10

A vibrant salad featuring nutty grains, sweet roasted beets, and tangy feta, brightened with fresh herbs and a citrus vinaigrette. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 50 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, beets, peeled and cubed into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 3 medium beets, peeled and cubed
• 3 tbsp, divided olive oil
• 1 tsp, divided sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp honey

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 3 medium peeled and cubed beets with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 30-35 minutes until tender and caramelized.
2. Step 2: While beets roast, bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium pot. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to make the dressing.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, roasted beets, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently to combine.