Roasted Beet & Citrus Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette
A refreshing salad featuring earthy roasted beets, zesty citrus segments, and crunchy walnuts in a vibrant vinaigrette, perfect for a light lunch or side dish. This mediterranean-inspired salads (gluten-free, vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs medium, peeled and cubed beets, olive oil, segmented orange 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 320 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 4 medium, peeled and cubed beets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1, segmented orange
- 1, segmented blood orange
- 4 cups arugula
- 1/2 cup, toasted walnuts
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
- pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 4 medium peeled and cubed beets with 2 tbsp olive oil on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper, then roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Step 2: Whisk together 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and a pinch of black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 3: Let roasted beets cool slightly, then arrange 4 cups arugula on a plate. Top with cooled beets, 1 segmented orange, and 1 segmented blood orange.
- Step 4: Drizzle with 1/4 of the vinaigrette, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup toasted walnuts. Serve immediately, adding remaining vinaigrette to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Roasted Beet & Citrus Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Roasted Beet & Citrus Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Beet & Citrus Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Roasted Beet & Citrus Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Roasted Beet & Citrus Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free, vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.