This vibrant Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Mint is healthy, refreshing and delicious. Ready in minutes, earthy roasted beets pair perfectly with crisp cucumber, and creamy feta. All tossed in a zesty lemon dressing its a perfect summer salad or light weeknight dinner.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Family Food Kitchen
This is one of my favorite salad recipes. It's perfect any time of year, but particularly over the summer months when we need dinner ideas which don't require a stove!
In my cucumber beet salad recipe I like to pair the fresh vegetables with a simple lemon vinaigrette. I like making my own salad dressings so that I can keep them free from refined sugars and preservatives.
I refer to both beets and beetroot within this post, they are one and the same. Here in the US we call them beets, whereas in the UK we'd call them beetroot.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Beet Cucumber Salad
- Beet and Cucumber Salad Ingredients
- How to Make Beet Cucumber Salad - Step-By-Step
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Variations & Substitutions
- Tips & Tricks For Making
- How To Serve
- Pin This Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta & Mint Recipe For Later
- What Do You Think?!
- More Easy Salad Recipe Ideas
- Printable Recipe
- Beet Cucumber Salad Recipe with Feta & Mint
- Reader Comments & Ratings
Why You'll Love This Beet Cucumber Salad
- Beet and cucumber salad can be served as a hearty side salad alongside a main meal, or is substantial enough to have for dinner on its own.
- I use ready cooked beets in this quick salad so it only takes only 10 minutes from start to finish.
- Cucumber and beetroot salad is ideal for celiacs or anyone following gluten free diet.
- Try some of my other easy salad recipes:
Beet and Cucumber Salad Ingredients
Find the full list and quantities in the recipe card below.
Beets - I've used red beets but you can use any color of beet in this cucumber beet salad recipe like golden beets. For ease I've opted to use a pack of ready cooked beets which you can pick up in your local grocery store.
Cucumber - I like to use English cucumber as it has a softer skin which you don't need to peel. Just cut it straight into thin slices.
Feta - I add crumbled feta cheese to the salad which adds a little saltiness. You could also use a crumbly goat cheese.
Mint - for the best flavor I always use freshly chopped mint leaves in this salad.
Dressing - I like to make a simple lemon vinaigrette dressing which contains olive oil, honey and mustard along with the lemon.
How to Make Beet Cucumber Salad - Step-By-Step
Find the full printable recipe below.
Arrange the cucumber, beets and red onion on a large plate or shallow large bowl then top with the crumbled feta.
In a small jar or bowl, shake or whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, sea salt and black pepper to make the dressing.
Dress by pouring on the desired amount of the dressing just before eating - don't toss the salad or it will go pink! Garnish with mint leaves and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ready cooked beets good for you?
Yes, packaged beets retain a lot of their nutrients and are a great source of fibre, iron and folate. I always look for beets that are packaged without any added salt or sugar.
What pairs well with beets?
Beets have a great earthy flavor that pairs well with robust flavors like fresh herbs, horseradish, anchovy, and salty flavors like goats cheese. I also works well with citrus flavors like lemon and sweet orange. I like to mix soft beets with vegetables like crunchy cucumbers, onion and radish, also nuts like walnuts and pistachio.
Variations & Substitutions
For ease I've used packaged beets, but you can roast fresh beets if you prefer and it's a great way to use up an abundance of your own beets if you grow your own. Check this Beetroot Salad Recipe for instructions on how to roast raw beets.
Tangy feta cheese works really well with earthy beetroot and is a great addition to this vibrant salad. Feel free to swap with any other cheese, try a creamy or crumbly goats cheese, mozzarella or Parmesan.
I've used mint in this fresh cucumber beetroot salad recipe but feel free to swap for other herbs like fresh dill, parsley or basil.
I've used Dijon mustard in the salad dressing, but you could also use a wholegrain mustard for extra flavor. Avoid yellow mustard as it is too strong and will overpower the rest of the ingredients.
If following a plant based vegan diet, swap the feta for a vegan feta cheese, and use maple syrup instead of honey in the salad dressing.
Add some chopped nuts to the salad which add crunch and texture. Walnuts, almonds, pecans or pistachios are great options. You could also add seeds like toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
Tips & Tricks For Making
To get ahead I like to prepare everything in advance then store in individual containers until I am ready to assemble and serve the salad. Don't assemble earlier as the beetroot will bleed into the feta cheese and cucumber, turning the salad pink.
Don't be tempted to use jarred pickled beets from the grocery store as the vinegar is too sour and will overpower the rest of the ingredients in the salad.
Make sure you taste and properly season the salad dressing, as it's the salad dressing that will be seasoning your salad veggies.
The lemon salad dressing stores really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It will separate a little when left to sit, but just give it a quick whisk (or shake) to emulsify the ingredients again.
How To Serve
This delicious salad can be served either as a side salad, or as a light salad main with a side of crusty bread. If you want to add a bit more to the salad, add some extra protein like grilled chicken, steak or salmon.
As a tasty side salad, serve it with any meat or seafood main as beets pair really well with both. Try it with my Greek Roast Chicken Thighs, Easy Salmon & Veggies or Bavette Steak.
Pin This Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta & Mint Recipe For Later
What Do You Think?!
I'd love to know what you think about this recipe! I'd be so grateful if you scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave a star rating and comment.
Don't forget to go over to Facebook and Instagram and make sure you're following me so you can join in the chat. And remember to save this recipe to your Pinterest too!
More Easy Salad Recipe Ideas
Printable Recipe
Beet Cucumber Salad Recipe with Feta & Mint
Ingredients
- 1 English Cucumber - thinly sliced into rounds
- 8 oz Ready Cooked Beets - sliced into bite sized pieces
- ¼ Red Onion - thinly sliced
- ½ cup Feta Cheese - crumbled
- Fresh Mint Leaves
Dressing
- 4 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice - fresh
- 1 tsp Honey - or Maple Syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard - optional for a tangy kick
- Sea Salt and Black Pepper - to taste
Instructions
- Arrange the cucumber, beets and onions on a large plate or shallow bowl.
- Top with the crumbled feta.
- In a small jar or bowl, shake or whisk together all the dressing ingredients.
- Dress by pouring on the desired amount of the dressing just before eating - don't toss the salad or it will go pink!
- Garnish with mint leaves and serve.
Comments
No Comments