Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

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Raw Citrus Beet Salad is a gorgeous, bright, and incredibly easy to make vegan super food side dish salad recipe bursting healthy flavor.

It will even have non-beet lovers asking for more.

Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why this recipe works:
  • How to make this recipe:
  • Recipe tips:
  • Related recipes:
  • Raw Citrus Beet Salad Recipe Recipe

Why this recipe works:

This easy vegetarian side dish is almost a cross between a salad and a coleslaw.

  • Fresh beets have never tasted so good. It is seriously amazing how only a few ingredients can come together to create something with so much flavor.
  • This recipe is easy to make. In as little as 15 minutes you can serve it up, although the longer it sits, the more the flavors develop.
  • Delicious healthy ingredients! We’re talking bright, vibrant super food.
  • Even people who swear they don’t like beets end up loving this raw beetroot salad.

How to make this recipe:

  1. Beets come with a thin layer of skin that will need to be peeled. Then remove the stem, shred beets, and add to bowl.
  2. Add zest and juice from entire orange. Add zest and juice from lime to taste (this amount is subjective).
  3. Add olive oil and toss to combine. Add salt to taste and toss, once again, to combine.
  4. Add chives just before serving.
Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2)

Recipe tips:

  • You can either thinly shave or grate the beets. Using a food processor with the grater blade will make easy work and easy clean up. You can use a box grater, but beets will splatter and stain.
  • Don’t discard the beet greens! You can throw them int a smoothie or saute them up as a side dish.
  • The grated beets can be dressed and kept in the refrigerator, covered well, for a couple of days. They become more tender but don’t lose their texture, and the mixture becomes even sweeter as the beet juices mingle with the citrus. Toss again before serving.
Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (3)

There are so many sweet and savory beet recipes that can be made with fresh or roasted beets. Here are some of my favorites.

Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (4)

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Raw Citrus Beet Salad Recipe

Prep15 minutes mins

Total15 minutes mins

Servings 4

Author Krissy Allori

Fresh beets have never tasted so good. This vibrant fresh beet salad will even have non-beet lovers asking for more. This is a gorgeous bright super easy to make super food side dish.

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Video

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 medium to large beets peeled and trimmed*
  • 1 valencia orange with zest
  • 1 lime with zest
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt to taste
  • 1/2 cup chives minced

Instructions

  • Shred beets and add to bowl. Add zest and juice from entire orange. Add zest and juice from lime to taste (this amount is subjective).

  • Add olive oil and toss to combine. Add salt to taste and toss to combine.

  • Add chives just before serving.

Notes

  • You can either thinly shave or grate the beets. Using a food processor with the grater blade will make easy work and easy clean up. You can use a box grater, but beets will splatter and stain.
  • Don’t discard the beet greens! You can throw them int a smoothie or saute them up as a side dish.
  • The grated beets can be dressed and kept in the refrigerator, covered well, for a couple of days. They become more tender but don’t lose their texture, and the mixture becomes even sweeter as the beet juices mingle with the citrus. Toss again before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 48mg, Potassium: 291mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 310IU, Vitamin C: 28.2mg, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 0.7mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave me acomment below

This post was originally created in July 2014 and has been updated with process photos, helpful information, and recipe tips. Don’t worry – I didn’t change the recipe!

Salads Side Dish Summer Recipes Valentine's Day Vegetarian

Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (6)

Hi! I’m Krissy.

I love to create the BEST versions of your favorite recipes. If you love to cook, love to eat, or just have a deep appreciation for good food, you're in the right place! Stick around... I have hundreds of recipes for you to make.

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27 Comments

  1. I shall try this, sounds yummy.

    And to share:

    Grate raw beets, grate raw carrot. Add a squeeze of lemon and toss veges together in this.
    Blend or crush 3 cloves of garlic with any salad or olive oil.
    Put all into a bowl or plastic bag, toss so that it’s all combined.
    To serve, add a few sunflower and roasted pumpkin seed and perhaps chopped water chestnuts.

    I usually make this a day before and leave the beets/carrot to marinate in the garlicky oil (refrigerated) overnight.

    Reply

  2. Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (11)
    I’ve made a variation of this adding shredded carrots and copped walnuts with an orange juice dressing. The friend I made it for absolutely loved it. Raisins are also a nice addition

    Reply

    1. Your take on this recipe sounds fabulous..I’m gonna try it! Thx for sharing.

      Reply

  3. Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (12)
    I’ve made this with red beets and golden beets. Love it!!!! This is the only way I’ll eat beets now and it’s a winner in my bi-weekly rotation. To be honest, plain beets taste like grass to me, but the citrus flavors make beets sing!!! I used a Cuisinart food processor (6-cup, heavy duty) with the fine shred blade, then I minced up the leftover chunky pieces with a chef’s blade. Ordinarily, I don’t cook with salt, but did add 2 T EVOO and 1/4 tsp Himalayan pink salt to my 3.5lbs worth of beet salad. Thanks for this fantastic recipe!!!

    Reply

  4. Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (13)
    Great recipe, I love the orange and lime flavours with the beetroot, it’s a winner, many thanks 🙏

    Reply

  5. Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (14)
    This is the very best way to eat beets – the citrus dressing makes this an absolutely divine salad. I served it over power greens.

    Reply

  6. Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (15)
    Wonderful summer recipe to not heat up the kitchen. Enjoyed it thoroughly.

    Reply

    1. I found your recipe searching for different preparation offers as a way to consume my garden full of beets. This recipe caught my interest since there are few beet recipes where raw or uncooked beets are used. I love this salad idea! Kinda like coleslaw with similar crunch. I did not have a fresh orange when preparing so added a heaping tablespoon of orange marmalade. The sweetness definitely took it to “coleslaw” with the lime zest and juice it was excellent. Could add this to dome shredded cabbage for extra crunch and profound pinkness.

      Reply

  7. Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (16)
    Made it and loved it. It is a fabulous summer salad. Recently, following the less-than-ideal food consumption that occurs over the Christmas and New Years holidays, I found myself craving this salad again. My fridge is stocked, and I’ll happily be making it again today!

    Reply

  8. I love this salad , can’t wait for my family to try it.

    Reply

  9. Hey, can you please provide the sources of the statements you are making in the health benefits section above? Just wondering because by law, health claims cannot be made about a food or supplement unless proven in at least two double blind placebo trials with a large amount of participants. Thanks; can’t wait to see the scientific research.

    Reply

    1. Hi Eliza, As stated in the post, I just did a quick google search for “health benefits of beets” and I summarized what I found. I’m not making any specific claims and haven’t collected any scientific research on my own; I simply summarized what I found. Personally, I love to eat anything I can grow in my garden and really just love the taste of fresh beets. Sounds like you’re not a big fan of beets and/or don’t believe they can be that good for you? 😉

      Reply

    2. This is literally a salad recipe and that’s all it has to be. If you are questioning that beets in general are healthy for you then just Google and read a scientific paper of your choice and conduct unnecessary experiments.

      Reply

  10. Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (17)
    This is my go to beet recipe. Its simple and fantastic. Sometimes I add spiralized carrots and/or apple. Getting ready to make for a worksite I coach at to demonstrate that beets can be yummy!

    Reply

Raw Beet Salad Recipe {Citrus Vinaigrette} | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to eat raw beets? ›

Raw beets can be tough, so they must be sliced or grated ultra-thin to be crispy and edible. They're great in slaws, salads and relishes. Raw beets can also be spiralized.

How to make beet root salad? ›

Divide beets between 2 pieces of foil; bring edges together and crimp to make packets. Roast until the beets are just tender when pierced with the point of a knife, about 1 1/4 hours. Unwrap the beets and let them cool. Meanwhile, whisk oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl to make dressing.

How do you cut raw beets for salad? ›

How to Cut Beets
  1. Cut off the root end and the stem end using a Hardy Slicer.
  2. Peel the skin using a Vegetable Peeler or Paring Knife.
  3. Place the beet flat side down on the cutting board and cut into slices of desired thickness.
  4. Stack the slices to cut into planks.
  5. Cut the planks crosswise to dice.
Jul 17, 2018

How do you make beets more flavorful? ›

Roasting brings out their natural sweetness, which is enhanced by a drizzle honey and balsamic vinegar. Roasting beets also give them the best texture (not mushy like boiled beets). Roasted beets taste like vegetable candy, and are so delicious my kids love them too!

What happens to your body when you eat raw beets? ›

Beetroots and beetroot juice have been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increased exercise performance. Many of these benefits are due to their high content of inorganic nitrates. Beetroots are delicious raw but more frequently cooked or pickled.

Who should not eat raw beets? ›

Who Should Avoid Beetroot? Beets are high in oxalates, which can lead to kidney stones. If you've had kidney stones, avoid beets or eat them only as a rare treat.

Why do you put vinegar in beets? ›

Beets are a weekly ritual around here. Usually we boil them and toss them in a sweet sour vinaigrette and keep them in the refrigerator to eat all week. The vinegar in the dressing "pickles" the beets, helping them last longer in the fridge.

Why do you put vinegar on beetroot? ›

Beets are naturally sweet and earthy, making them a versatile vegetable to incorporate into your meals. By adding vinegar to the boiling process, you can elevate the flavors of beets and give them a delightful tangy kick.

Do you have to peel beets for salad? ›

Forget what you thought you knew about food prep: You don't HAVE to peel your vegetables (well, most of them, anyway).

How do you keep beets from bleeding in salad? ›

Add lemon or vinegar for vibrant beets

A simple trick to prevent your beets from bleeding color, according to The Spruce Eats, is to add a tablespoon of lemon or vinegar to the boiling water.

How do you stop beetroot from bleeding in a salad? ›

Directions. Place the beets in a large saucepan and add water to cover and the lemon juice or vinegar. This will help to keep the beets from bleeding. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Is it better to roast or boil beets for salad? ›

The softest texture will be the boiled beets, the roasted beets will be tender, but will still have a little “bite” to them. The steamed beets will be somewhere in the middle. If using the beets in a salad, or serving them as a side dish, I prefer the roasted or steamed beets.

What flavors pair well with beets? ›

Also ingredients like dark chocolate, nuts, coffee or roasted onions have earthy flavors and pair well with beetroot. This could be explained by the presence of 'pyrazines', which are aromatic structures formed during the process of roasting ingredients. These pyrazines also contain an earthy smell.

What is the healthiest way to eat beets? ›

Eating beets raw or juicing and roasting them may be more beneficial than boiling them. Beetroots, commonly known as beets, are a vibrant and versatile type of vegetable. They're known for their earthy flavor and aroma. Many people call them a superfood because of their rich nutritional profile.

Can you eat raw uncooked beets? ›

A: Yes, you can eat raw beets. They are often served peeled and sliced, but they are safe to eat with the skin on. (15) You can eat raw beets plain or with seasoning. Alternatively, you can add raw beets to a salad for a sweet crunch.

Is it OK to eat raw beets everyday? ›

While it may seem like a good idea to have beets daily because of their benefits, you may need to exercise caution when eating them. Eating beets or drinking beet juice may lead to kidney stones, a potential food allergy, or stool or urine color changes.

How much raw beets should you eat a day? ›

The oxalates found in beets can increase your uric acid level, meaning that too many beets can lead to gout. To avoid this, stick to no more than a single half-cup serving of beets per day.

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