This salad was like the most delish accident on the history of the planet.
Don’t you lurve when that happens?! I came home from a Barre class starving my hiney off because I only had time to grab a banana before I left. My body is quite used to a normal spread in the a.m., so it wasn’t happy with that sad excuses for breakfast. I was actually planning on making my beet and green bean salad from last year, but I decided to change it up because I was super in the mood for a lettuce-less salad. Honestly, I only added the cannelini beans for quick and easy protein; but little did I know, the buttery beans were a beyond perfect match for the sweet beets, crunchy walnuts and tangy dijon dressing. Adjectives much? Boom shaka laka!
This salad is straight up splendid. It’s like health on a plate!!
It’s a flavor and texture explosion. I felt like endorphins were being released in my brain after each bite. Like it was weird. Maybe I was just starving. Or maybe this salad is just the bombdotcom.
I’m one of those people that adds every vegetable, nut and bean possible at the salad bar and ends up with a totally overloaded and mediocre salad. Too much going on, ya know? For once in my life, I actually didn’t go overboard on the salad. I stopped after the walnuts. Be glad.
P.S. I think that people who don’t like beets just don’t know that they actually like beets. Beets are like tofu. They look all weird and funky but if you don’t like them, odds are you’ve just never had them prepared well. I understand not liking mayo and mushrooms and caviar but come on…beets are so freaking beautiful!! You’re kind of sort of totally obligated to give them a try just because they’re drop dead gorgeous.
I like the ease of using canned beets because it makes this salad come together it minutes, but it would be even more incredible with roasted beets. Anotha notch! Whatever you fancy.
Oh and lettuce is overrated.
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PinDescription
This tangy salad is bursting with color and packed with flavor and antioxidants!
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 1 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Small squirt of honey
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
For the salad:
- 8 oz green beans (I used frozen)
- 1–15oz can cannelini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1–15 oz can sliced beets, drained and chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients and set aside.
- Cook green beans according to package directions. Set aside to cool.
- Combine cooked green beans, cannelini beans, green onions and walnuts in a large bowl. Pour dressing over top and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve cold.
Notes
Adapted from my beet and green bean salad with tangy dijon dressing
Shashi @runninsrilankan says
“…people who don’t like beets just don’t know that they actually like beets” I could not agree more!!! My daughter always used to turn up her nose at beets, till she tasted them (ok so the first time she tasted them, they were in cupcake form) but she loves them -in all forms- now! :) And speaking of which, we could seriously throw down on this beet and beans salad! Love the honey in the dressing!
Leah says
Haha, I had the same reaction when I read that :) I couldn’t agree more. It’s all in the preparation!
★★★★★
Alexis says
Agreed sista!
Alexis says
Mmmmmm I’ll take beets in cupcake form any day!
Dona-Marie says
This is such a delicious dish. Simple to make & a hit at the party I brought it to.
★★★
Alexis says
I’m thrilled you like it! Thanks for reporting back!
Lauren says
This salad looks so good! I love beets! They are a nightmare to prepare without staining everything but I still love them! I love beet crisps the best. Ok enough about beetroot! This salad looks great – easy, fresh and delicious, what more do you want?
Alexis says
Thanks lovely! I hate how they stain my hands, that’s why I went with canned from Whole Foods. I was feeling extra lazy!
Alexis says
Mmmm beet crisps sound incredible!!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
totally agree on the beets part! It’s like when people say they don’t like cheese….they don’t know what they’re missing!
Alexis says
I bought some epic feta this week. Cheeze haters…pshhhh.
Shannon says
I looove when I read new recipes online and I have all the ingredients at home.
YES! Making this for dinnahhhh. Thanks for finding a way for me to use my beets! haha
Alexis says
That is the BEST feeling. Hope you love it!
Ang @ Nutty for Life says
I bet that this not only tastes like perfection but it has SUCH a beautiful tint thanks to the beets! I love happy accidents.
Alexis says
It all gets freakishly purple, but hey….long hair don’t careeee!
Julia says
“I think that people who don’t like beets just don’t know that they actually like beets.” I always knew I wuved you.
This salad seriously whets my whistle! a good clean beet-y salad always fuels my energy tank and I seriously think beets make my metabolism a trillion times faster. They’re so freaking super, it makes me want to cry.
I need this salaaaad!
★★★★★
Alexis says
I know how much you appreciate a good beet salad, friend! Dare I say that you could even spiralize the beets?! WOAH SHIT JUST GOT CRAY.
Jo from yummyvege says
Looks absolutely delicious, just what I need for dinner.
Alexis says
That’s what I’m sayin!!!
April says
AND THE BEET GOES ON! Dangggg gurl, this looks amaze. Crunchy and tangy and summery goodness all up in mah face. Again, why aren’t you my roommate?! Or at least neighbor, c’mon. I loooove beets. Roasted would be over the moon but ain’t nobody got time for that. Ok it’s really not that hard, I’m just really lazy. Making this soon for sure – I plan on making yer cold peanut noodle salad bowl tonight. Will likely sprinkle some sesame seeds on top to make myself feel fancy. Because I freaking deserve it, ya know?! Also, not to get too cray, but I think a little crumbled goat cheese in this salad wouldn’t be the worst idea I ever had…
★★★★★
Alexis says
Every time I make roasted beets I literally eat the whole pan when they come out of the oven. It’s a problem. That + laziness = canned ones! Omg–the goat cheese addition sounds epic times three.
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
A, this looks amazing- And a salad with lettuce is a salad wasted.
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
If this is good with canned beets I can only imagine how amazing it would be with roasted beets. I have to admit, canned beets remind me of 1980’s Thanksgivings that I don’t really want to revisit, but you better believe I’ll roast some up to try this beauty! Pinning. :)
Alexis says
Canned beats do kind of sound gross now that I think about it…is it bad that I’m less grossed out by the ones from Whole Foods? Totally biased.
Erica {Coffee & Quinoa} says
Salads sans lettuce are where it’s at! So glad you created this one, because I’m like you, and tend to go way overboard with adding everything I can get my hands on. I am loving this combo and it’s going to be happening in my kitchen this week!
Alexis says
Glad I’m not the only one who goes a tad overboard in the toppings department!
Cassie says
I always love bean/beet salads but I never think to make them… this looks amazeeee.
Alexis says
Not gonna lie…the canned kind from Whole Foods makes it much easier!
Jamie says
I made this today and it was perfection!