This fun, healthy Spiralized Beet Quinoa Salad is packed with wholesome ingredients, protein, vitamins and minerals. Spiralized beets make a wonderful alternative to other spiralized vegetables and pasta.
Disclaimer: I was compensated by Peapod.com to create this recipe. However, like always, the opinions are entirely my own. Promise!
You guys know I love to keep it real, so here it goes.
I don't like beets.
At all.
Not even a little bit.
That is, until now.
I've tried roasting them which so many people tell me is the best way to eat them....Nope.
I've tried them raw in a salad. Not a chance. They tasted like dirt to me. Sorry beet lovers!
I've tried them pickled. I am just going to say a big HECK NO.
So spiralizing beets was my last attempt. I decided that if this didn't work, then I am done with beets. And I think that's fair.
But.... I LOVED spiralized beets!
Well, I loved spiralized beets in this recipe. We'll see if I still like them in other ways.
If you are looking for some more healthy vegetarian recipes, you will love this Butternut Squash Caramelized onion Burrata Pizza, Caprese Quinoa Salad and this Brown Rice Kale with Roasted Tomatoes!
All of these would be even more yummy with some Low Carb Bulletproof Hot Chocolate, Apple Chai Latte, Eggnog Latte and definitely some Spiked Apple Cider!
Also, my cookbooks are both on sale now and would make a great gift! The Everything Wheat Free Diet Cookbook and The Greek Yogurt Cookbook are both the lowest prices I have seen!
Why You Should Make This Spiralized Beet Quinoa Salad
This is a basic (but still insanely delicious) beet quinoa salad. Remaining true to myself, I am keeping the recipe simple because you all know I don't do crazy, difficult recipes and I never will. I don't have the patience or the desire.
I wanted to share the picture of me spiralizing the beets which is so easy, but my hands got so messy and covered in red (from the beets) that the pictures came out awful. And blurry.
And basically stained in red. I forgot how messy they can be.
You'd think I'd remember after Red Velvet Cookie Cups with Prosecco Buttercream. They are delicious, but yes, a bit messy.
After you spiralize the beets (and throughly wash your hands) you simply sauté them in a pan with some olive oil, onion and garlic. And then basically add the remaining ingredients.
Oh how I love toasted pecans!
You can obviously leave out the feta cheese to make this a vegan salad if you would like. Trust me, if you have no aversion to dairy and are not vegan, please keep the feta in there because it adds so much flavor.
But this is coming from a true feta lover.
Don't you just LOVE the color? These gorgeous red "noodles" would be perfect for the upcoming holidays...just saying...
Recipe Tips
To make this recipe even easier, I ordered all of these groceries from Peapod.com and had them delivered straight to my door. I am all about simplifying these days!
I love that I can order everything I need on my computer in the convenience of my own home. With 3 extremely busy boys, I'd love to say I have hours to browse the grocery stores these days (don't laugh at me- I used to LOVE to browse grocery stores before I had kids!) but now that I am working and I'm a bus driver for my kids and their friends to activities, I love that I can order groceries while laying on my couch.
In sweats.
With my hair in a bun on top of my head.
Possibly sipping a glass of wine.
You get the picture.
Also, ordering from Peapod.com also helps to prevent me from impulse shopping. You know when you are grocery shopping and you are HANGRY and start to add every last bag of chips and cookies that you lay eyes on to you cart?
Here's a secret, Peapod.com also sells already spiralized beets so if you don't have the time or just don't feel like getting your hands red or pink, go for it. I won't tell. And I loooooove anything convenient!
Related Recipes
Arugula Beet Salad with Candied Pecans from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Squash Noodles with Kale Pesto and Crunchy Chickpeas from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Please feel free to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram! Thanks for stopping by!
Spiralized Beet Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 medium sized beets will end up being about 3 ½ cups spiralized beets, peeled and spiralized
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup quinoa rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups water
- 2 cups spinach
- ¼ cup crumbled feta
- ¼ cup pecans toasted
Instructions
- Add oil, onion and garlic to a large sauce pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until onions become translucent.
- Add spiralized beets, salt and apple cider vinegar to the sauce pan and cook for 10 minutes until beets soften.
- While beets are cooking, cook quinoa and water in a separate pot according to instructions on the box.
- Once quinoa is cooked, remove from heat and set aside.
- Place spinach in a large bowl, top with quinoa, then add beets.
- Top with crumbled feta cheese.
- Place pecans in a small saucepan (and no oil) and toast for a few minutes.
- Sprinkle pecans on top and enjoy!
Brandy | Nutmeg Nanny
LOVING the beets! never thought if this!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Brandy!
Colleen
What a beautiful salad! Those "noodles" are gorgeous!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Colleen!
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish
You know I love beets ALL THE WAYS.... but I especially love them spiralized! This salad looks perfect. I can't wait to make it!! xoxo, K
lauren.kelly
I knew you would LOVE this salad!! XO
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
OK you have given me hope that I can actually like Beets one day! I have never tried them spiralized so I need to give this a try.
lauren.kelly
I hope you like it Ashley!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
Just pinned this! I've never made spiralized beets before and now I want to make them asap! I love the color!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Angie!
Joy
I love beets but never had them spiralized. This looks incredible and so pretty too. Can't wait to try it
Martha @ A Family Feast
Such a gorgeous salad! And we're huge fans of Peapod too - so convenient to order groceries online and have them delivered!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
Looks vibrant and very appetizing!
carrie @ frugal foodie mama
I have never seen beets spiralized before! This is genius and looks so delicious too! 🙂
lauren.kelly
Thanks Carrie!
Taylor Kiser
Love the colors of this spiralized beet salad! Looks so delicious - I have to try this asap!
Karin Vail
I have not tried spiralizing veggies, this one I must try! Is this served hot?
lauren.kelly
I've eaten it hot (which I loved because the spinach wilted) and then had leftovers cold and both were delicious! Your choice 🙂
Alyssa | EverydayMaven
I also love spiralized beets! This salad looks great 🙂
lauren.kelly
Thank you Alyssa!
Lauren Gaskill
Love the feta, beet and pecan combo, Lauren! It's been awhile since I spiralized beets (it seems like I'm always spiralizing squash and zucchini) so I'll have to make this soon! XOXO
lauren.kelly
Me too, Lauren, I needed a break from spiralizing squash and zucchini!
Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Gorgeous salad! I love beets, so I'm sure this will be a winner. I'm with you on the toasted pecans. I will put them on everything!!
lauren.kelly
Yes, toasted pecans on EVERYTHING, Katie!
Heather Kinnaird
I already love beets, but now cannot wait to try and spiralize them!! such a gorgeous salad
lauren.kelly
Thanks so much Heather!