The Ultimate Beet Salad Recipe: Your Perfect Refreshing BBQ Side Dish!

Hello, WiseRecipes readers and fellow lovers of side dishes that are as vibrant and beautiful as they are delicious! Are you looking for a unique, flavorful, and incredibly easy make-ahead dish for your next gathering? Then you absolutely must try my Ultimate Beet Salad recipe! This creamy beet salad recipe made with tender red beets, carrots, mayo, and fresh cilantro is light, refreshing, and the perfect make-ahead side for BBQs, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.

Imagine a stunning, jewel-toned bowl of perfectly cooked, tender beets and carrots, gently tossed in a light, creamy dressing with a hint of fresh cilantro and onion. This easy creamy beet salad with carrots and mayonnaise is so well-balanced and delicious that even beet skeptics will love it! It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the earthy sweetness of beets in a completely new and exciting way. This is truly the best make ahead beet salad for potlucks and bbqs.

My journey with this Beet Salad recipe was all about creating a simple, classic, and comforting salad that’s both nostalgic and fresh. We’ll explore how to make a simple cooked beet salad from scratch that will become a staple in your recipe collection. This is your go-to for a quick healthy side dish recipe with red beets and cilantro.

So, if you’re ready to create a flavorful chilled beet and carrot salad with mayo dressing that’s bursting with color and taste, let’s get cooking this amazing Beet Salad recipe!

Why This Beet Salad is a Refreshing, Crowd-Pleasing Favorite

If “even beet skeptics will love it” isn’t enough, here’s why this Beet Salad recipe is a standout:

• Vibrant & Beautiful Color: The deep magenta hue of the beets makes this a stunning and eye-catchy addition to any table. This is the heart of our Beet Salad recipe.
• Deliciously Balanced Flavor: Earthy sweet beets, sweet carrots, a hint of sharp onion, and a light, creamy mayonnaise dressing create a perfect harmony.
• Light & Refreshing: Despite its creaminess, this salad feels surprisingly light and is a wonderful, cool side dish for heavier mains.
• Perfect Make-Ahead Dish: The flavors meld and improve as it chills, making it ideal for stress-free entertaining.
• Incredibly Easy to Make: Simple boiling and chopping are the main skills required for this easy creamy beet salad with carrots and mayonnaise.
• Wholesome & Nutritious: Beets and carrots are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
• Versatile Side Dish: Pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, chicken, fish, or as part of a larger potluck spread.

Gather Your Garden-Fresh Ingredients: What You’ll Need

Let’s get our vibrant and wholesome components ready for this delightful Beet Salad recipe, based on the provided list.

Key Ingredients (Yields 6 cups, serves 6):

• Large Red Beets: 4, washed and stems cut off.
• Carrots: 2 cups, peeled (about 3-4 medium carrots).
• Cilantro (Fresh): 2 tablespoons, chopped, plus more for garnish.
• Diced Onion (Yellow or Red): 2 tablespoons, finely diced.
• Light Mayonnaise: ¼ cup.
• Kosher Salt: To taste.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground, to taste.

Crafting Your Vibrant Beet Salad: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s create this stunning and delicious Beet Salad recipe!

Step 1: Cook the Beets and Carrots

1. Cook Beets: Place the 4 whole, washed beets in a large pot. Cover them with water. Boil beets in water until soft, about 50 minutes. They are done when a fork or a sharp knife can be easily inserted into the center. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your beets.
2. Cook Carrots: Add the 2 cups of peeled carrots to the boiling water with the beets (if they are a similar size, add them for the last 15-20 minutes of the beets’ cooking time, or cook them separately). Cook 15-20 minutes until tender.
3. Cool & Peel Beets: Drain the beets and carrots. Run the beets under cold water until they are cool enough to handle. The skins should slip off easily with your hands or by gently rubbing with a paper towel. (Be mindful that beet juice stains!)
4. Dice Vegetables: Peel and cut the cooked beets into small ½” cubes. Drain and cut the cooked carrots into similar bite-size cubes. This is how you start building your beautiful Beet Salad recipe.

Step 2: Assemble Your Creamy Beet Salad

1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium or large serving bowl, combine the diced onion, cooked and diced carrots, cooked and diced beets, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste. This is how to make a simple cooked beet salad from scratch.
2. Mix Gently: Using a rubber spatula or large spoon, gently stir everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated with the mayonnaise and cilantro. The mayonnaise will take on a beautiful pink hue from the beets.
3. Taste and Adjust: Taste the salad. Does it need more salt or pepper? Some people might like a tiny squeeze of lemon juice for brightness, but the classic recipe is beautifully simple. Perfect your Beet Salad recipe to your liking.

Step 3: Chill and Serve Your Delicious Creation!

1. Chill for Best Flavor: While you can serve it immediately, this salad is fantastic when chilled. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30-60 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
2. Garnish & Serve: Before serving, give the Beet Salad recipe another gentle stir. Garnish with a little extra chopped fresh cilantro if desired.
3. Enjoy: Serve chilled or at room temperature as the perfect side dish for BBQs, potlucks, or any weeknight dinner! This is the best make ahead beet salad for potlucks and bbqs.

Wise Tips for the Best Beet Salad Experience

Make your Beet Salad recipe truly exceptional with these hints:

• Don’t Underestimate Cooking Time for Beets: Beets are dense and can take a while to become tender. Test them with a fork; it should pierce easily.
• Easy Peeling: The skins of boiled beets slip off very easily once cooled slightly under running water. It’s much easier than peeling them raw!
• Protect Against Stains: Beet juice can stain your hands, cutting boards, and clothes. Consider wearing gloves when peeling and chopping them, or rub your hands with a little lemon juice to help remove stains.
• Uniform Dice: Try to cut your beets and carrots into similar-sized cubes for a more pleasant texture and appearance in your Beet Salad recipe.
• Start with Less Mayo: You can always add more mayonnaise to reach your desired creaminess, so start with the recommended amount and adjust from there.
• Fresh Cilantro is Key: Fresh cilantro adds a bright, herbaceous note that really complements the earthy beets. Don’t skip it if you can help it!
• Make it Ahead: This flavorful chilled beet and carrot salad with mayo dressing truly benefits from chilling time, making it an ideal make-ahead dish.

Delicious Variations & Creative Twists

This classic Beet Salad recipe is a wonderful base for your creativity!

• Add Hard-Boiled Eggs: A classic addition to this style of salad! Gently fold in 2-3 chopped hard-boiled eggs.
• Include Potatoes: Add 1-2 medium boiled and diced potatoes for an even heartier, more traditional Eastern European-style salad.
• Add a Tangy Crunch: Stir in a finely diced dill pickle or a tablespoon of drained sweet pickle relish.
• Different Herbs: Fresh dill is a fantastic substitute or addition to cilantro.
• Make it Creamier: If you like a very creamy salad, you can increase the mayonnaise or stir in a few tablespoons of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
• Roast the Beets: For a different, more concentrated and sweeter flavor, you can roast the beets instead of boiling them. Wrap them in foil and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 45-60 minutes until tender.

Storing Your Vibrant Beet Salad

This Beet Salad recipe is excellent for making ahead and for leftovers.

• Storage: The recipe notes, “Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.” Storing it longer is possible, but the texture might change slightly.
• Note on Color: The beautiful magenta color from the beets will infuse everything in the salad, which is part of its charm!
• Serving Leftovers: The salad is best served chilled. Give it a gentle stir before serving again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Beet Salad Recipe

Your common questions about this delicious and colorful side dish:

1. Can I use canned beets for this Beet Salad recipe?
   Yes, you can use canned, cooked, diced beets as a significant shortcut. Ensure they are plain (not pickled) and drain them very well. You will still need to cook the carrots separately. The flavor and texture will be slightly different from using fresh-boiled beets, but it’s a great time-saver.
2. My salad seems a bit bland. What can I add?
   Be sure you’ve seasoned it adequately with salt and pepper! A small squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar can brighten the flavors. You could also try adding a little more finely diced onion or a different fresh herb like dill.
3. Do I have to peel the carrots?
   It’s recommended to peel the carrots for the best texture in this creamy salad, as carrot peel can sometimes be a bit tough or fibrous.
4. Is this Beet Salad recipe healthy?
   Yes! It’s packed with nutrients, vitamins, and fiber from the beets and carrots. Using light mayonnaise or substituting some with Greek yogurt can make it even healthier. It’s a great quick healthy side dish recipe with red beets and cilantro.
5. What does this Beet Salad pair well with?
   It’s a fantastic side dish for grilled or roasted chicken, pork chops, steak, or fish. It’s also a classic addition to a potluck or BBQ spread alongside other salads and main dishes.

This Beet Salad recipe is a true celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients transformed into a vibrant, delicious, and surprisingly refreshing side dish. It’s an easy creamy beet salad with carrots and mayonnaise that proves a best make ahead beet salad for potlucks and bbqs can be both incredibly easy and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Learning how to make a simple cooked beet salad from scratch like this will add a stunning and flavorful dish to your repertoire!

I am so excited for you to try this recipe and discover how delicious and versatile beet salad can be! If you make this Beet Salad, please come back and share your experience in the comments below! Did it convert any beet skeptics in your family? Happy cooking!