15-30 min6 servingsAmerican

The Best Beet Salad

By Heather Schlueter

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6 servings

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15-30 min

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Easy

The Best Beet Salad
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Recipe Details

Course: Side Dish

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 15 min

Total Time: 15-30 min

Cooking Technique: Pressure Cook

Cuisine: American

Diet: Low Carb, Low Fat, Low Sodium, Vegetarian

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 8-10 medium or large beets
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2 cups lettuce of choice
  • 1 large shallot
  • 1 bulb fennel
  • 1/2 cup walnut pieces
  • 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
  • fennel fronds
Making a beet salad, like this colorful, uber-healthy version, used to take hours, but now you can make it in minutes and enjoy it any time. Thin slices of fennel add crunch and extra freshness to the mix.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Remove the leafy green stalks and roots from the beets, being careful not to cut the skin. Do not peel the beets.
  2. Position the Instant Pot steam rack in the Instant Pot inner pot and add 1 cup of water. Place the beets on top of the steam rack. Secure the lid, ensuring the valve is turned to the Sealing position. Select Pressure Cook and set the time to 15 minutes.
  3. When cooking is complete, turn the valve to the Venting position to release the pressure. Remove the lid and, using tongs, lift the beets out of the pot.
  4. Let the beets cool for 5–10 minutes. When the beets are cool enough to handle, run them under cool water in the sink. Using a paper towel, scrub the skin off the beets under the running water.
  5. Cut the clean beets into 1-2-inch pieces.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Set the bowl aside.
  7. Spread the lettuce on a serving platter and top the greens with the beets, shallots, fennel, walnuts, and blue cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the top and serve the beets warm or cold. Garnish with fennel fronds, if desired.

Notes

TIP: Beets can temporarily stain your hands and countertops, so use gloves when you handle them, and promptly wipe down any surfaces that come in contact with beet juice.

About the chef

Heather Schlueter

Heather Schlueter

Heather Schlueter, the voice behind The Spicy Apron, combines her experience as a former litigation attorney and CEO with her love for food and family. A mother of five, Schlueter is no stranger to the chaos of feeding a large crowd—often cooking for 12 to 20 people at a time. Her journey into the culinary world started as a personal challenge to cook dinner five nights a week, and it evolved into a blog sharing approachable, flavorful recipes for both home cooks and outdoor enthusiasts. Schlueter’s goal is to simplify cooking while keeping it fun and flavorful, whether it's a weeknight dinner or a camping adventure.

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