Roasted-Beet Salad With Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Pistachios Recipe (2024)

  • Gluten-free Salads
  • Vegetarian Salads
  • Roasted Vegetables
  • Pistachios
  • Beets

Roasting enhances the sweetness of the beets while creamy horseradish sauce adds a touch of heat.

By

J. Kenji López-Alt

Roasted-Beet Salad With Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Pistachios Recipe (1)

J. Kenji López-Alt

Culinary Consultant

Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated January 27, 2024

Why It Works

  • Roasting beets in foil concentrates their flavor while keeping them juicy and tender.
  • Hot horseradish is a classic pairing with sweet, earthy beets.
  • Pistachios add texture and a toasty, nutty flavor.

I typically think of beets as a late-fall or winter vegetable, since they store very well after their growing season. But early to mid-summer is the best time to enjoy the sweetest, smallest beets of the year. Beets and horseradish are a classic Slavic/Jewish combination, and I think they work particularly well when those beets are roasted to enhance their sweetness and the horseradish comes in the form of a creamy sauce.

I start by roasting beets using mytried-and-true method: I form a pouch out of aluminum foil; place the beets inside with a little bit of oil, salt, and pepper (you can also add some herbs for extra aroma if you like); then seal it tight and throw it on a tray and into a 375°F (190°C) oven. The beets end up roasting in their own steam, which gives them a deep beet-y flavor. As soon as they're tender enough to pierce easily with the tip of a toothpick or a metal skewer, they're done; it should take about an hour and a half total. You can poke your toothpick or skewer straight through the foil to test.

Roasted-Beet Salad With Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Pistachios Recipe (2)

The best part is that roasting beets like this makes them extremely easy to peel. Their skins slip right off under cool running water.

While the beets roast, I toss together the horseradish cream, which is as simple as it gets: crème fraîche andprepared horseradish, seasoned to taste with some salt and pepper. This combo, by the way, isn't good for beets only—it's an excellent sauce for cold roast beef or steamed asparagus, or on seared tuna or a potato salad or any number of other cold or green dishes. Horseradish and crème fraîche is one of my go-to combos.

Roasted-Beet Salad With Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Pistachios Recipe (3)

I let it sit in the fridge (after doing a few extra taste tests with my finger, of course) to allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to mingle as the beets finish up.

Beets love horseradish, but, as with any proper love affair, they need a little saucing up first. I like to give the beets a base layer of flavor by tossing them with a simple vinaigrette made with minced shallots, lemon juice, and olive oil, flavored with a touch of honey—I love the way the sweetness of honey brings out the natural earthy sweetness of the beets—and some minced tarragon and chives.

To serve, I pool some of the horseradish cream in the bottom of a bowl, then pile the beets on top.

Roasted-Beet Salad With Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Pistachios Recipe (4)

It's really delicious, and near perfect as is, but if you're feeling a little experimental, there's no harm in inviting a third guest to the party. Pistachios are another classic and natural pairing with beets—they add texture and a great toasty flavor to the mix.

Roasted-Beet Salad With Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Pistachios Recipe (5)

April 2017

Recipe Details

Roasted-Beet Salad With Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Pistachios Recipe

Prep10 mins

Cook90 mins

Active20 mins

Total100 mins

Serves4 servings

Ingredients

For the Beets:

  • 2 pounds (about 1kg) beets, unpeeled, greens removed, scrubbed clean

  • 1 tablespoon (15ml)extra-virgin olive oil

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Horseradish Crème Fraîche:

  • 4 ounces (100ml) crème fraîche

  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) prepared horseradish, store-bought orhomemade

For the Dressing and to Serve:

  • 1 tablespoon (15ml)fresh juice from 1 lemon

  • 1 tablespoon (about 5g) mincedfresh tarragon

  • 1 tablespoon (about 5g) minced fresh chives

  • 1 small shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons; 15g)

  • 1 teaspoon (5ml)honey

  • 3 tablespoons (45ml)extra-virgin olive oil

  • 4 ounces pistachios (115g), toasted and roughly chopped

Directions

  1. For the Beets: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Fold a 12- by 24-inch sheet of aluminum foil in half to form a square. Crimp together foil on 2 sides of the square to form a pouch with an opening on one side. In a medium bowl, toss together beets, 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste until beets are coated. Add to pouch and crimp remaining side to seal. (If using beets of multiple colors, roast in separate pouches.)

    Roasted-Beet Salad With Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Pistachios Recipe (6)

    Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and place in oven. Roast until beets are completely tender and a toothpick or cake tester inserted into a beet through foil meets little to no resistance, about 1 1/2 hours. Remove from oven and allow to cool. When beets are cool enough to handle, peel by gently rubbing skin under cold running water. Cut beets into 1 1/2–inch chunks. Beets can be cooked and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Roasted-Beet Salad With Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Pistachios Recipe (7)

  2. For the Horseradish Crème Fraîche: In a small bowl, stir together crème fraîche and horseradish. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.

    Roasted-Beet Salad With Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Pistachios Recipe (8)

  3. For the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, tarragon, chives, shallot, and honey. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while stirring vigorously with a fork. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.

  4. To Serve: In a large bowl, toss beets with dressing. Spoon half of crème fraîche mixture on the bottom of a serving plate. Place beets on top and drizzle with remaining crème fraîche mixture. Sprinkle with pistachios and serve.

    Roasted-Beet Salad With Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Pistachios Recipe (9)

Special Equipment

Rimmed baking sheet, aluminum foil

Read More

  • Beet and Citrus Salad With Pine Nut Vinaigrette
  • Roasted-Beet Salad With Goat Cheese, Eggs, Pomegranate, and Marcona Almond Vinaigrette
  • Roasted-Beet and Citrus Salad With Ricotta and Pistachio Vinaigrette
  • How to Roast Beets
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
496Calories
38g Fat
35g Carbs
11g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories496
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 38g49%
Saturated Fat 10g51%
Cholesterol 31mg10%
Sodium 684mg30%
Total Carbohydrate 35g13%
Dietary Fiber 8g29%
Total Sugars 23g
Protein 11g
Vitamin C 16mg78%
Calcium 95mg7%
Iron 3mg19%
Potassium 1049mg22%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Roasted-Beet Salad With Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Pistachios Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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

My favorite way to cook beets is to roast them, which gives a sweeter, richer, and deeper flavor than boiling does. Another advantage is that they don't bleed as much, especially if they're roasted whole.

Why not peel beets before roasting? ›

No need to peel before or after baking. The skin, which is perfectly edible, just seems to disappear during the baking process. The trick to pan-roasted beets is to drop the temperature a bit. I always roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and pretty much all the other veggies at 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

How long does beet salad last in fridge? ›

Storage. This raw beet and carrot salad will last up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator. It's great as leftovers for quick lunches.

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 long does it take to roast beets in the oven? ›

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place each beet on a piece of foil. Drizzle generously with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap the beets in the foil, place on a baking sheet, and roast for 35 to 60 minutes, or until fork-tender.

What makes beets taste better? ›

Pair them with bright, fresh flavors- By adding vinegar, lemon juice, fresh herbs, tangy cheese or yogurt to your dish, you will help balance the flavor. This is why you commonly see roasted beets and goat cheese together.

What fruit goes well with beets? ›

Fruits like citrus, berries, melons, apples, pineapple, grapes, kiwi, pears and peaches all mix exceptionally well with beets. Their sweet, tart notes help temper the intense vegetal taste of the beets.

Is it better to freeze beets raw or cooked? ›

Can You Freeze Beets? Raw beets are prone to sogginess when frozen and thawed, so it's best to cook the beets first if you plan on freezing them. To freeze beets, we suggest boiling them for around 25 minutes, or until they are easily pierced with a knife, then transferring them to an ice-water bath to cool.

What does beetroot do to the body? ›

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.

How do you roast beets without making a mess? ›

Time to get wrapping! Place each trimmed beet on a piece of foil that's big enough to wrap the beet up. Then, rub the beet lightly with a little olive or avocado oil; you don't need much, just a small coating. This will help the skins to slip off, ultimately, after roasting.

Can you eat beet skin after roasting? ›

Sometimes beets are peeled before cooking. They may also be scrubbed and cooked until tender with their skins on; the skins slip off fairly easily after cooling. (Some people are happy to leave the skins on; they are fine to eat.)

Can dogs eat beets? ›

Yes! Beets are safe for your dog to eat in moderation and are a healthy source of vitamin C, fiber, folate, manganese, and potassium. These vitamins and minerals are good for your dog's digestion and immune system as well as a healthy skin and coat. While it's rare, some dogs can be allergic.

What is the best cooking method for beets? ›

If you have a steamer basket, I recommend steaming over boiling the beets. They maintain more of their nutrients when steamed, making it the healthiest way to cook beets. Beets are a great source of antioxidants. And they're so rich in nutrients that they're considered a superfood.

Should I boil my beets before I roast them? ›

You can roast beets without boiling, without foil, and without peeling! Simply slice the beets (a sheet of parchment will keep your cutting board clean), roast them with olive oil and seasonings, and then use the beets however you like.

Are beets healthier raw or roasted? ›

Raw beets contain more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than cooked beets (yes, you can eat beets raw!). Like many vegetables, the longer you cook beets—especially in water—the more the colorful phytonutrients leach out of the food and into the water.

What is the tastiest way to eat beets? ›

You can use cooked beets in salads, to make hummus or to blend into smoothies. They can be diced for slaw, quartered for a grain bowl or mashed to make a dip or spread. Their thick and chewy texture is even great in a galette or quesadilla.

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