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    Home » Lunch

    Raw beet quinoa salad

    January 9, 2023 by Caroline's Cooking

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    Whether you're looking for a lunch box idea, a potluck dish or a light meal, this raw beet quinoa salad is a great choice. It's bright, light, easy and delicious. Not to mention versatile too. #salad #beet #potlucksalad #lunch #vegetarian #glutenfree

    Whether you're looking for a lunch box idea, a potluck dish or a light meal, this raw beet quinoa salad is a great choice. It's bright, light, easy and delicious. Not to mention versatile too.

    Jump to Recipe
    plate of raw beet quinoa salad garnished with parsley

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    I always find it a little funny when I post recipes that have a good amount of beets in them as I didn't grow up with them. By that I don't mean we couldn't get them, but it was one of the few things my mum didn't like so we never had them at home.

    I think it's that she only knew those overly vinegar-y pickled ones rather than working with the raw vegetable itself. I keep meaning to try out some of my favorites on her, like golden beet and avocado toast, winter beet salad with goat's cheese dressing or beetroot tarte tatin. At some point.

    raw beet quinoa salad from side showing pieces of feta and raisins in it

    I have, however, made something very similar to this for her that she liked so there is hope 🙂 And I can completely understand why, this salad is a winner.

    What makes this beet quinoa salad so great?

    Yes, it has a fantastic bright color, but that’s not the extent of what makes this salad such a star:

    • it's easy to make
    • you can make it ahead
    •  it transports well (great for a potluck or picnic)
    • it's adaptable – just add protein such as chicken, fish or steak for a fuller meal
    • it's vegetarian and gluten free with lots of great good-for-you ingredients.
    grated beets on chopping board with grater to side

    Why raw beets?

    Whether they’re grated or thinly shaved, beets are wonderful to eat raw. You get more of the sweet flavor than when they are cooked. If you are not used to using beets raw, they work really well grated. 

    They are still firm, so raw beets add a lovely crunch to the salad, but the pieces are small enough they are easy to eat.

    partial view of plate of raw beet quinoa salad topped with parsley sprig

    The gentle sweetness of the beets works really well with the other flavors in this salad. Plus, the quinoa takes on the beautiful color of the beets giving this salad a vibrant color.

    That color is one to watch, though. Just like cooked beets, raw beets bleed color, so just keep this in mind with the board and dishes you use.

    dressing ingredients in small bowl ready to mix

    A flavorful feta dressing

    One of the other things I love here is the feta dressing. You might think it a little unusual putting feta and cumin in a dressing, but believe me they both work so well.

    I've used feta in a dressing in my grilled chicken and blueberry salad before, but the cumin here adds a little more earthiness, to go with the beets.

    True, a feta dressing doesn’t necessarily blend as smoothly as some other dressings, but it really doesn’t matter once you mix it up. And it's so worth it for the flavor it adds.

    This raw beet quinoa salad is easy, flavorful and so incredibly versatile. Whether as a lunch box dish, for potlucks or a light main, it's as delicious as it is vibrant.

    plate of raw beet quinoa salad with tan cloth behind

    Looking for more ideas with quinoa? Try these!

    • Caprese quinoa salad with beets and avocado
    • Quinoa stuffed squash with cranberries and chestnuts
    • Leftover steak and quinoa bowl
    • Plus get more lunch recipes and vegetarian meals in the archives.
    plate of raw beet quinoa salad from overhead
    Print Recipe
    5 from 5 votes

    Beet quinoa salad

    This raw beet quinoa salad is bright, light, easy and delicious. Not to mention versatile too.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Lunch or main, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4 (as side/light main)
    Calories: 303kcal
    Author: Caroline's Cooking
    SaveSaved!

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup quinoa
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 ½ cups beets coarsely grated
    • ½ cup raisins
    • ½ cup parsley chopped

    For the dressing

    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ¼ cup feta crumbled
    • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin

    Instructions

    • Put the quinoa and water in a pan and cover with a lid. Bring to the boil and reduce heat to simmer for around 12-15 minutes until all the water has gone and the tendrils of the quinoa bloom.
    • While quinoa is cooking, prepare the rest of the salad - grate the beets, chop the parsley and mix together the dressing ingredients. Try to mash the feta into the dressing to be relatively smooth.
    • Once quinoa is cooked, remove from the heat and add the dressing and beets. Mix through well. Leave to cool a little more before adding raisins and parsley. Serve room temperature or cool. You can add a little more crumbled feta to the salad if you like, as in the pictures above.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 303kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 476mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 690IU | Vitamin C: 16.3mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 2.6mg

    See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store. 

    This recipe was first shared in October 2018 and has been updated, primarily with new photos and added video.

    Remember to pin for later!

    Whether you're looking for a lunch box idea, a potluck dish or a light meal, this raw beet quinoa salad is a great choice. It's bright, light, easy and delicious. Not to mention versatile too. #salad #beet #potlucksalad #lunch #vegetarian #glutenfree
    Whether you're looking for a lunch box idea, a potluck dish or a light meal, this raw beet quinoa salad is a great choice. It's bright, light, easy and delicious. Not to mention versatile too. #salad #beet #potlucksalad #lunch #vegetarian #glutenfree
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    1. Zouhair

      January 10, 2023 at 5:25 am

      5 stars
      Stunning and Healthy Easy recipe...we do not have quinoa in our Markets..Instead we Have ""Burghul""(Crushed Wheat which we use for Tabbouleh) can we substitute ?? Besides ,for"" Tabbouleh"" we soak Burghul in Lemon Juice 2-3 hours ahead instead od Boiling..Is it Ok??Such method we have very tasty salad..Thank you

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        January 10, 2023 at 11:28 am

        Yes burghul/bulgar wheat should be just fine in this too. Enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Emily Hill

      October 23, 2018 at 9:37 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely LOVE beets so I bet I'd love this quinoa salad!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        October 24, 2018 at 9:17 pm

        Thanks, I imagine you would too - do give it a try!

        Reply
    3. Ellen

      October 23, 2018 at 9:02 pm

      Such a beautiful color. Yum!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        October 24, 2018 at 9:17 pm

        Beets give such a great color.

        Reply
    4. Danielle

      October 23, 2018 at 8:36 pm

      5 stars
      This looks like the perfect salad for fall! I love the color the beets give to the quinoa.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        October 24, 2018 at 9:17 pm

        Thanks, I agree the color is great!

        Reply
    5. Annissa

      October 23, 2018 at 8:18 pm

      5 stars
      That's a great-looking salad! So healthy and filling!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        October 24, 2018 at 9:16 pm

        Thanks, it's a lovely easy combination.

        Reply
    6. Marisa Moore

      October 23, 2018 at 8:03 pm

      5 stars
      What an amazing color! And so healthy too!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        October 24, 2018 at 9:16 pm

        Thanks, and indeed it is!

        Reply

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