Beetroot, Feta & Orange Salad with Avocado and Maple Dressing

Beetroot, Feta & Orange Salad with Avocado and Maple Dressing is a colourful, fresh salad combining earthy beetroot, juicy orange segments, creamy avocado, salty feta, and crunchy toasted walnuts. Finished with a bright maple dressing made with orange juice, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and lemon, it makes a simple yet flavour-packed side dish or light meal.

Ingredients

For the Salad

• 3 medium beetroot, cooked, peeled, and sliced or cubed
• 2 large oranges, peeled and segmented
• 1 large ripe avocado, sliced
• 4 cups (120 g) mixed greens or rocket
• 1/2 cup (75 g) crumbled feta cheese
• 1/3 cup (40 g) walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley or mint, chopped
• 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced, optional

For the Maple Dressing

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

How to Make Beetroot, Feta & Orange Salad

1. Prepare the Beetroot

If using raw beetroot, roast or boil it until tender. Allow it to cool completely, then peel and slice into wedges or bite-sized cubes.

2. Toast the Walnuts

Place the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden. Set aside to cool.

3. Prepare the Maple Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, maple syrup, fresh orange juice, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.

Continue whisking until the dressing is smooth and glossy.

4. Build the Salad

Arrange the mixed greens or rocket on a large serving platter. Add the beetroot, orange segments, and sliced avocado.

5. Add the Feta & Walnuts

Scatter the crumbled feta and toasted walnuts generously over the salad. Add the thinly sliced red onion and fresh parsley or mint if using.

6. Add the Maple Dressing

Drizzle the maple dressing evenly over the salad just before serving.

7. Finish & Serve

Gently toss the salad or leave it layered for a more colourful presentation. Finish with a little extra orange zest, fresh herbs, and freshly cracked black pepper if desired.

Serve immediately while the ingredients are fresh and the avocado is creamy.

Why You’ll Love This Salad

This salad brings together a beautiful mix of colours, flavours, and textures. Earthy beetroot pairs naturally with sweet and juicy orange, while creamy avocado and salty feta add richness.

Toasted walnuts provide a satisfying crunch, and the maple dressing ties everything together with a sweet, tangy finish.

Tips for the Best Beetroot & Orange Salad

• Cool the beetroot completely: This helps keep the salad fresh and prevents the greens from wilting.
• Toast the walnuts: A few minutes in a dry skillet brings out their flavour and adds extra crunch.
• Add the avocado last: This helps keep the slices intact and fresh.
• Dress just before serving: Drizzling the maple dressing at the end keeps the greens crisp.
• Keep it colourful: Layering the beetroot, orange, avocado, feta, and walnuts creates an especially attractive presentation.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Beetroot, Feta & Orange Salad as a colourful side dish alongside a main meal, or enjoy it as a light lunch. It also works beautifully as part of a Mediterranean-style spread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pre-cooked beetroot?

Yes. The recipe calls for cooked beetroot, so pre-cooked beetroot can be used. Simply peel if necessary and slice or cube before assembling the salad.

Can I use rocket instead of mixed greens?

Yes. The recipe lists mixed greens or rocket, so either can be used as the base.

Can I leave out the red onion?

Yes. The red onion is optional and can simply be omitted.

When should I add the dressing?

Add the maple dressing just before serving. This helps keep the greens fresh and crisp.

Nutrition & Timing

Details	Amount
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	3 minutes
Total Time	18 minutes
Servings	4
Calories	Approx. 360 per serving
Protein	Approx. 8g per serving

Final Thoughts

Beetroot, Feta & Orange Salad with Avocado and Maple Dressing is an easy way to turn simple ingredients into a vibrant and satisfying salad. The combination of beetroot, orange, avocado, feta, toasted walnuts, and maple dressing gives every bite a lovely balance of sweet, savoury, creamy, crunchy, and tangy flavours.

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