Winter Black Gum Tree Salad with Roasted Beets and Citrus Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

A vibrant salad inspired by the striking winter silhouette of the black gum tree, featuring roasted beets, crisp greens, and a bright citrus vinaigrette. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 50 minutes, pairs baby arugula, roasted beets, navel 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 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

• 4 cups baby arugula
• 2 medium, peeled and cubed roasted beets
• 1 medium, segmented navel orange
• 1/3 cup, roughly chopped toasted walnuts
• 1/4 cup, crumbled feta cheese
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 2 medium peeled and cubed beets with 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt, then spread on a baking sheet and roast for 30-35 minutes until tender and edges are slightly caramelized.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, whisk together 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified to make the citrus vinaigrette.
3. Step 3: In a large salad bowl, combine 4 cups baby arugula, the roasted beets, 1 medium segmented navel orange, and 1/3 cup toasted walnuts. Drizzle the citrus vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese over the top and serve immediately to enjoy the mix of earthy, bright, and nutty flavors with a nod to the winter-inspired theme.