Saltbush and Spinach Salad with Roasted Beetroot and Feta
A vibrant salad combining native saltbush leaves with roasted beetroot, fresh spinach, and creamy feta for a balanced Australian-inspired vegetarian dish. This australian-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs roughly chopped fresh saltbush leaves, baby spinach, olive oil 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 220 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, roughly chopped fresh saltbush leaves
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes beetroot
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup, crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup, chopped toasted walnuts
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 2 medium peeled and cubed beetroot with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes until tender and edges caramelize.
- Step 2: In a large salad bowl, combine 1 cup roughly chopped fresh saltbush leaves and 3 cups baby spinach.
- Step 3: Add the roasted beetroot to the greens along with 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese and 1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts.
- Step 4: Whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 5: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine just before serving for fresh, earthy flavors.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Saltbush and Spinach Salad with Roasted Beetroot and Feta take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Saltbush and Spinach Salad with Roasted Beetroot and Feta?
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 baby spinach from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Saltbush and Spinach Salad with Roasted Beetroot and Feta?
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 Saltbush and Spinach Salad with Roasted Beetroot and Feta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Saltbush and Spinach Salad with Roasted Beetroot and Feta vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.