Beet Walnut Salad with Sweet Dijon Vinaigrette

I can’t stop eating salads. I don’t think that’s a bad thing though, is it?? Especially when it’s a beet walnut salad with sweet dijon vinaigrette?

It’s hot out and I’m in the midst of moving so my apartment is in disarray. Salads are about all I’ve been able to come up with in a half-packed kitchen.

Eating for Nutrient-Density

Grated beets and carrots are some of my favourite salad ingredients and I always include a big batch in my weekly food prep. They’re perfect for adding to all my salads and both pack loads of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. One thing I like to keep in mind when creating meals is nutrient-density. I like knowing the food I’m eating is providing me with the energy, vitamins, minerals and macronutrients I need to stay healthy and active.

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Consistently choosing nutrient-dense, whole foods over nutrient-poor, highly processed foods is a great way to ensure you’re covering all your nutritional basis, especially if you’re vegan or vegetarian.

This beet walnut salad features both along with heart-healthy walnuts, chopped dates, purple cabbage and a simple, sweet dijon vinaigrette with fresh dill.

More Reading: 

Where to Start: 17 Simple Healthy Eating Tips
Vegan Food Prep Tips for Healthy Meals All Week
Meal Planning Tips for a Healthy Vegan Diet

Homemade Salad Dressings

Salad dressing is something I always make at home. It’s so easy to make and is a healthy alternative to commercial, store-bought dressings. This sweet dijon vinaigrette requires just 5 ingredients to make, or you can leave out the dill and it’s even easier.

I typically don’t use recipes for salad dressings because they’re so easy to quickly mix up and adjust as you go. I’ve listed below some of the key ingredients you keep on hand for making homemade salad dressings. With different combinations of these ingredients you can make everything from caesar salad dressing, to tahini ranch and spicy lime almond.

Best Ingredients for Homemade Salad Dressing

• oils like avocado and olive
• nut butters like peanut and almond
• various mustards like whole grain and dijon
• liquid stevia
• vinegars like apple cider vinegar, balsamic and red wine
• hot sauce
• soy sauce
• avocado
• plenty of dried herbs and spices
• fresh herbs
• lemons and limes
• tahini
• soft tofu
• cashews
• nutritional yeast

Sweet Summer Beet Walnut Salad

Alrighty, beet walnut salad time!!! Beets and walnuts should be together forever and ever. They’re just made for each other, aren’t they.

Add something sweet like raisins or chopped dates to the mix too? Oh ya. What else? Grated carrot and purple cabbage because they’re both so pretty and nutritious and add plenty of flavour and texture.

Enjoy this sweet summer beet walnut salad

Beet and Walnut Salad with Sweet Dijon Dill Vinaigrette

• Author: Deryn Macey
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 10 mins
• Yield: 1
• Category: Salad

Ingredients

• 2 handfuls of mixed field greens
• 1 carrot, peeled and grated
• 1 beet, peeled and grated
• 1/2 cup red cabbage, very finely chopped
• 1/4 cup walnut pieces
• 1/4 cup raisins or finely chopped dates
• For the Dressing:
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp very finely chopped fresh dill

Instructions

1. Place all the salad ingredients in a bowl.
2. Add all the dressing ingredients to a container and shake vigorously.
3. Pour over salad and enjoy!