It’s summer in Australia. The sky is bluer than blue and the days are long, hot and lazy.
The schools are still on holidays so my five year old daughter spends each morning splashing happily in a local pool, learning to swim. As I type this my toddler son is running around the house with just a nappy on, a piece of watermelon clutched tightly in one hand, the juice dripping down his chin.
I don’t feel like cooking elaborate meals during this relaxed time so salads are perfect. 
This recipe was inspired by a salad my old school friend, Megan, brought over for lunch recently. Megan was the first person I met on my first day of high school and we’ve been best friends ever since.
Megan used canned beetroots in her salad but I’ve roasted my beetroots for a milder flavour (canned beetroots often have vinegar and sugar added). But if you’re in a hurry, canned beetroots would be perfectly fine.
Most salads are at their best when they have just been made but this salad holds up surprisingly well the next day. The leaves aren’t as crisp as they were, and the beetroot stains everything bright pink, but the flavours come together beautifully.
Serve this salad with sourdough bread and salted butter for a simple lunch or supper (serves 2-3 people), or with duck or venison as part of a special dinner menu.
Beetroot, Feta, Walnut & Mint Salad
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
Description
A vibrant and flavorful salad featuring roasted beetroots, creamy Danish feta, and crunchy walnuts, perfect for a light lunch or paired with duck for a special dinner.
Ingredients
- 3 medium-large beetroots
- 142 grams (5 oz) mixed rocket, baby spinach and mixed lettuce leaves
- 200 grams (7 oz) Danish feta cheese (I love the creaminess of Danish feta)
- 1 small red onion, peeled and diced
- 30 grams (1 oz) roasted and salted pepitas (sunflower seeds)
- 30 grams (1 oz) walnut pieces
- Handful fresh basil leaves
- Handful fresh mint leaves
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- Juice of 1/4 lemon
- Pinch sea salt (you don't need much because the fetta is salty)
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (160 degrees fan-forced).
- Wash the beetroots thoroughly and wrap each beetroot in tinfoil.
- Place the wrapped beetroots on a baking tray and roast for 50-60 minutes, or until a skewer easily pierces the largest beetroot.
- Allow the beetroots to cool slightly, then peel and cut them into wedges.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed leaves, beetroot wedges, sliced red onion, toasted walnuts, and mint leaves.
- Crumble the Danish feta cheese over the salad.
- Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.
Notes
- Roasting beetroots gives a milder flavor compared to canned ones.
- This salad can be prepared ahead and holds up well the next day, though the leaves may lose some crispness.
- Serve with sourdough bread and salted butter for a simple meal.
- Canned beetroots can be used as a quicker alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Australian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10 grams
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 24 grams
- Carbohydrates: 25 grams
- Fiber: 6 grams
- Protein: 12 grams
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned beetroot instead of roasting my own?
Yes — the article specifically says canned beetroots work fine if you’re short on time. The author’s preference is roasted because roasting gives a milder flavour (canned beets often have vinegar and sugar added), but both approaches produce a delicious salad.
Why does the recipe specify Danish feta rather than Greek feta?
The author notes she loves the creaminess of Danish feta specifically. Because the feta is quite salty, the dressing uses only a pinch of sea salt — so the type of feta you choose will noticeably affect the salad’s salt level and texture.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
The article says it holds up surprisingly well the next day — the beetroot stains everything bright pink and the leaves soften a bit, but the flavours come together beautifully. The notes confirm it can be prepared ahead and refrigerated.
What main dishes pair well with this salad?
The article suggests two approaches: serve it with sourdough bread and salted butter for a simple lunch or supper (for 2–3 people), or pair it with duck or venison as part of a special dinner menu.
Roasting the beets was worth the extra hour for me. That earthiness the oven pulls out sits differently against the feta and walnuts than the canned version I’d eaten before. Salad holds up a full day ahead, which mattered when I brought it to a picnic and needed it ready to travel.
This is a lovely, refreshing salad, perfect for summer. The mint gives it a wonderful taste. I didn’t have enough beets, so I added some roasted radishes which worked well.
Thanks for the recipe! I just bought some gorgeous golden beets at the Pike Place Market and wanted to try something different with them. I also found a lovely little head of frisee, which I think might make a perfect bed for this salad.
Tamara at Extra! Extra!
http://extraextrarecipes.blogspot.com