Simple Beet, Arugula and Feta Salad

This simple salad features a few marvelously complementary flavors: earthy beets, bitter arugula, salty feta, savory pepitas and tangy balsamic dressing.

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This healthy salad features a few marvelously complementary flavors: earthy beets, bitter arugula, salty feta, savory pepitas and tangy balsamic dressing. - cookieandkate.com

This simple salad features a few marvelously complementary flavors: earthy beets, bitter arugula, salty feta, savory pepitas and sweet and tangy balsamic dressing.

Beet, arugula and feta salad with balsamic dressing - cookieandkate.com

Raw beet salad recipe - cookieandkate.com

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Simple Beet, Arugula and Feta Salad with Balsamic Dressing

  • Author: Cookie and Kate
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 salads
  • Diet: Vegetarian

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 22 reviews

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This simple salad features a few marvelously complementary flavors: earthy raw beets, bitter arugula, salty feta, savory pepitas and sweet and tangy balsamic dressing. Recipe yields 4 salads and is easy halved or doubled.

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup raw pepitas (green pumpkin seeds)
  • 2 medium red beets (about 12 ounces; we’ll use them raw*)
  • 3 cups arugula (3 ounces), roughly chopped
  • ⅔ cup (2 ½ ounces) crumbled feta
  • Homemade balsamic vinaigrette, to taste (about ¼ cup)

Instructions

  1. First, toast the pepitas in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant and making little popping noises, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer them to a bowl to cool.
  2. Peel the rough skin from the beets with a vegetable peeler, then slice off and discard the tip and rough end of the beet. If you have a mandoline, use it to slice the beets into thin matchsticks (watch your fingers!). If you don’t have a mandoline, place the larger flat side against the cutting board and slice the beet into super-thin pieces. Working in reasonable batches, stack a few slices on top of each other and cut them into long, thin matchsticks.
  3. In a medium-sized serving bowl, combine the beets, arugula, crumbled feta and pepitas. Drizzle in just enough dressing to lightly coat the salad once tossed. Toss and serve. (If you intend to have leftovers, wait to dress individual servings when you’re ready to eat them—store the salad and dressing separately in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days.)

Notes

2025 recipe edits: I revised this recipe for clarity and adjusted the amounts for a balanced salad that yields 4 salads. I doubled the pepitas, tripled the arugula and more than doubled the feta.

Make it dairy free/vegan: Omit the feta. Substitute a large ripe diced avocado, and stir a tiny splash of olive oil and pinch of salt into the pepitas before using (or try sliced Kalamata olives to make up for feta’s saltiness).

*Beet notes: Raw beets are great and offer some crispness to the salad. If you’re skeptical, you could substitute thinly sliced roasted beets or store-bought cooked beets, such as Love Beets brand,

Nutrition

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.

Kate and Cookie

HELLO, MY NAME IS

Kathryne Taylor

I'm a vegetable enthusiast, dog lover, mother and bestselling cookbook author. I've been sharing recipes here since 2010, and I'm always cooking something new in my Kansas City kitchen. Cook with me!

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Comments

  1. bev @ bevcooks

    That.looks.piiiiiiimp.

  2. Danielle {Styelleish }

    I adore arugula with my whole heart. Although I am not 100% sold on beets, this dish will probably finding its way to my table soon!

    1. Kate

      I’ve only recently learned to appreciate beets, and so far this salad is my favorite preparation! They play so nicely with arugula.

  3. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat

    These are the companies I LOVE to hear about! What an inspiring story, and holy smokes – that is a LOT of veggie burgers! I just so happen to have some beets in my fridge and I think I need to make your salad tonight. :)

  4. Tori@Gringalicious.com

    This salad is stunning! Love all the fresh color and that dressing sounds amazing!

  5. Amy @ Parsley In My Teeth

    Such beautiful colors! And thanks for the back-stage tour at Hilary’s plant — it’s always interesting and informative to see how these things are made.

  6. Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run

    I love Hilary’s veggie burgers!

  7. Kimberly | Chic & Sugar

    Hilary sounds like an awesome lady. Three million veggie burgers last year – wow. Your salad looks great – such a great selection of ingredients that you don’t normally see in salads.

    1. Kate

      She is indeed! Thanks, Kimberley!

  8. Rebecca @ DisplacedHousewife

    My beets are just about ready to pull from the garden…this looks like such a delicious way to use them. The dressing sounds amazing!

    1. Kate

      Perfect! Hope you give this salad a shot, it’s so simple and delicious!

  9. jaime : the briny

    what an awesomely simple salad. the colors! i crave them. i want to slide the contents of that bowl into my mouth like a pelican and fly away and crunch the beets all afternoon.

    1. Kate

      Haha, love it!

  10. Tessa | Natural Comfort Kitchen

    I love the simplicity of this salad. And that mural!

  11. Jaclyn

    This salad is beautiful! I definitely want to give those veggie burgers and this dressing a try!

  12. Mary

    What a fabulous company! your salad looks SO good – I”m just beginning to fall in love with beets!
    Mary

  13. Lindsey

    such a great story, kate! totally inspiring :)

    1. Kate

      Thanks, Lindsey! xo.

  14. KJo

    I used to hit up Local Burger all the time when I lived in Lawrence. I buy the veggie burgers still but miss being able to go in for a fresh one with veganaise!

    Thanks for featuring Hillary. As someone local (in KC now), it’s nice to hear :)

    1. Kate

      I’m sad I missed out on Local Burger! One of my friends works at KU and says it was one of her favorite places to eat. I heard there’s a chance it might come back.

  15. Trish @ Well Worn Fork

    Awesome story – thanks for sharing! Also, beet salads have my heart.

  16. Andrea

    Hey, it’s your first beet recipe! If you’re brave enough to try them, maybe I’ll give them a go, too! ;) I remember eating a beet puree in France that was pretty amazing, but I’ve never cooked with them before. Thanks for an easy recipe!

    1. Kate

      It is!!! I’m not so sure about roasted beets… yet… but I really love them raw in this salad. Hope you’ll give it a try!

  17. Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life

    It sounds like she has put so much thought into her company and the products they use and sell. What an inspiration! I wish we could get these delicious products here, but I guess I’ll just have to try them when I travel to the US later this year :)
    I love this combination of beetroot, feta, and rocket with a balsamic dressing. Perfect for anytime of the year, and a great accompaniment to a veggie burger!

    1. Kate

      She really has! Thanks, Amy!

  18. Clever Girl Reviews

    I love beets. I might try this with a golden and red beet mix!

  19. Isadora

    I knew you would come around to beets! They are so good! I love the way you cut them for this salad, they looks so fancy :) I used to love that show unwrapped on Foodnetwork where they go into the factories and show how things are made, so I think I would have had some much fun watching those burgers being made! I need that thyme balsamic dressing in my life!

    1. Kate

      Right?! Finally! I feel like learning to like beets is a major accomplishment. Now I want to look up that Food Network show! It’s always fascinating to see how food is prepared in bulk. I’ve seen how olive oil and hummus are made, too. :)

  20. Kristin @ Tasty Joy

    What a story; fascinating and inspiring! I can’t wait to try this salad, and now I’m in the mood to create a veggie burger!

  21. Gaby

    This looks delicious! I will have to look for Hilary’s dressing when I am at Whole Foods!

  22. Jessica

    Such an interesting way to slice beets — never would have thought of that! Can’t say no to a beet salad and that dressing sounds scrumptious:)

  23. kristie {birch and wild}

    Love this post! So insightful and thoughtful. And the salad looks delicious, too!

  24. Evi @ greenevi

    I love raw beet salads, this one sounds delish! Hilary’s company seems awesome too :)

  25. Cindy

    Hi Cookie and Kate
    My name is Cindy and I must say, I love your blog!
    All your recipes have worked so well and I really love them and make them again and again! I like your banana bread and pumpkin muffins best :)
    Your blog has also inspired me alot and helped me eat alot healthier. It also inspired me to start my own food blog for fun as well http://cindyavocado.blogspot.co.nz but it is nowhere as awesome as yours. From the name I should probably say, my favoruite food of all time is avocado

    Thanks so much
    Cindy

    1. Kate

      Hi Cindy, thank you! So glad to hear you’ve been enjoying my recipes! Your blog is absolutely beautiful, best of luck with it!

  26. mike @ Cheap Windows VPS

    Those people are just the inspiration that I need to get back in shape, awesome! Love the recipe, I have to try that one day :)

  27. cecilia

    Another delicious recipe!! So good and healthy:)) You really have a gift Kate!!!

    1. Kate

      Thank you, Cecilia! :)

  28. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables

    Haha part way through the first paragraph I’m like “omg wait, is this THE hilary?!?!” We love love love her veggie burgers. (It’s seriously what we always have in our freezer.) I’m glad the girl herself is just as wonderful as her burgers!!

  29. Neko

    Two out of the park! It’s Thanksgiving here in Canada and I was asked to bring a salad for a group dinner. I decided to try this beet salad, but when a friend said she was bringing a green salad I decided to make your couscous and summer veg salad instead. It was a big hit (of course). Since I had the ingredients for the beet salad, I made it at home for tonight. What?! Another hit?! Yes, another solid hit. I’m loving your recipes, looking forward to the book!

    1. Kate

      Hip hip! Thank you, Neko. :)

  30. Franki

    This is, quite literally, my new favorite salad! I have made it for several friends – who all have adored it – and have added it to my weekly food staples. I’ve never actually made it with pumpkin seed – I substitute pistachios instead, or omit the nuts altogether if I am not eating it right away, and the homemade balsamic is fantastic…YUMMMM!

    1. Kate

      Thank you, Franki! Great to hear it!

  31. Erin

    This recipe inspired me to create something a little different. I used turnips instead of beets because that is what came in our CSA box this week. I sauteed them until just tender with chopped onion, minced garlic, and a couple tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. After chilling, I added some leftover roasted red pepper, tomato, and the feta and served it with your balsamic vinaigrette on top of arugula. Mmmmmm

  32. Kelsey

    Hi Kate! My mom absolutely loves beets, but can’t have any seeds or nuts due to a digestive condition. Do you have any other suggestions for a crunchy alternative?
    I know my mom would love if I brought this for thanksgiving!
    Thanks!

  33. Chase

    I loved the idea of this salad but the raw beets didn’t work for me or my family. I will make this again but next time I will roast the beets and add more greens.

  34. Lindsay

    This looks amazing!!! I love beets! What a wonderful combo.

  35. Jeff

    I love the matchstick beets, and I have a mandoline! Thanks for the awesome idea.

  36. Tori

    Loved it! Used golden beets instead of the red ones. Also made the homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Easy and tasty!

    1. Kate

      Wonderful! Thanks, Tori.

  37. Ewa

    Another fantastic salad. Kate, you are simply the best! I use your recipes every day and they are always amazing.

    1. Kate

      Thank you, Ewa, for the kind comment! I have the best readers.

  38. Hala

    This recipe looks amazing. I am in the process of making it but want to make sure that the beets are left raw. Do I cook them first?

    1. Kate

      Yes! The beets are raw for this recipe. That is what makes it so great and quick. :)

  39. Jan

    Are the beets in your beet-arugula-feta salad cooked or raw?

    1. Jan

      Thanks — can’t wait to try it!

    2. Kate

      They are raw :)

  40. Eileen Jason

    I just made this salad and have to say it is delicious. The pepitas really take it up a notch!! I loved it so much that I posted the recipe on my FB page. Thank you Cookie and Kate for these healthy and fabulous recipes!!

    1. Kate

      Thanks for the support, Eileen! You’re welcome and happy you enjoyed it.

  41. Madison

    Do you par oil the beets at all or just raw?

    Thanks!

    Madison

    1. Kate

      Hi Madison! They’re just raw.

  42. Julie

    I’m a big fan of yours and a cookbook owner, too. We’ve recently had to go vegan due to my daughters’ condition–what would you put in place of the feta in this recipe? Thanks!

  43. Maryann J Witte

    Do you mean raw beets?

    1. Kate

      Yes! This recipe calls for raw beets.

  44. Dena Englander

    Did you try this with roasted beets? I never had raw. Im thinking of roasting and cutting them a little thicker.

    1. Kate

      Sure! You could try that.

  45. Deanna Wargowski

    Are the beets raw? I saw no instruction to cook them.

    1. Kate

      Yes! These are raw.

  46. Blumah

    Do you roast the beets first for the beet argula salad or use them raw? Thank you! Bw

    1. Kate

      These are raw!

  47. Estelle

    First there was the Best Lentil Soup, I souped up the cumin and curry and found a friend. Then there was the French Carrot Salad when my neighbour brought me his fresh dug carrots left in ground over the winter. Now last years beets, still in the ground are calling out and some baby dandelion in my herb garden offering to substitute for arugula. And so for todays adventure…
    I can not rate this until after lunch.
    Thank you for opening my eyes to the diamond in my back yard.

    1. Estelle

      Really really good! Loved the dressing. My husband enjoyed it too. He has not encouraged me in this new way choosing healthy food. He has not wanted to change his way of eating. I have made lots of mistakes with my learning curve, but not with your recipes. Good recipes and instructions

    2. Kate

      You’re welcome!

  48. Allison

    This is a great recipe! I brought this to a BBQ competition and won an award for best side dish! Love your site :)

    1. Kate

      Thank you, Allison!

  49. Lora

    Am I to understand that these beets are raw? That is perhaps why you are cutting them into matchstick shapes. Of they are raw, I would certainly stress that each individual make sure they are eating organic beets. Beets are a crop that farmers use to to take up toxins and contaminates from the soil. They also find there way to markets. I love beets and do eat them raw sometimes, but I only eat organic ones. Not only is this recipe gorgeous, the flavors will be perfect together.

  50. Barbara Leeds

    The recipe does not state – are the beets cooked or raw?
    Thank you!
    Barbara, who loves beets