Winter Citrus Salad with Beets & Goat Cheese

I’m going to be honest here. Whenever I hear the word “Beets”, I think of an episode of The Office where Jim is mocking Dwight and he says “Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica”. That show was so funny and that’s probably one of my favorite episodes.

I never even thought I liked beets until about a year ago. I think hearing “they taste like dirt!” enough times will make you run away from them.  Yup, I was a beet hater.  Finally I decided to form my own opinion on them and it turns out they’re not so bad!  Roasted beets from the farmers market are SO pretty. Paired with goat cheese, you really can’t go wrong!

Love Beets is new company here in the US and they have unique beet products for salads and more.  These aren’t your plain old beets, either. They offer different marinades and shredded varieties–which are great for baking or throwing in smoothies.  The beet juice is still more of an acquired taste, but I have found it fun to pour into baking mixes to make a gorgeous pink tint for cakes or cookies. I also put a splash into my green smoothies.

Since I’m still new to the beet game, I’m pinning as many recipes as I can. I really want to add the BBQ Beet shreds to a turkey burger.  The Love Beets site has TONS of great ideas to get the wheels turning. What I love about the packages is that they do all of the hard work for you. Everything is ready to eat in convenient sizes.

This salad is a perfect stepping stone for anyone new to eating beets. It has many familiar favorite flavors: avocado, oranges, almonds, plus the classic combo of beets and goat cheese. While any vinaigrette will work, this simple honey mustard dressing is TO DIE FOR. I caught Olivia eating it with a spoon–no joke.

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Winter Citrus Salad with Beets

Ingredients

• 6-8 handfuls of Mixed Greens (I like Earthbound Farm Power Greens)
• 1 package Love Beets Marinaded Beets , sliced
• 1 avocado , cubed
• 2 oz goat cheese
• 1 orange , peeled and cut into segments
• 1/4 cup almonds , chopped
• Dressing
• Juice of 1 orange , plus zest
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon grain mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon chia seeds (or poppy seeds)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a mason jar, or container with a lid, add all ingredients for dressing. Shake and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. (Double the recipe for a larger salad)
2. In a large salad bowl or plate, add greens, avocado, beets and orange segments--scattering them in even portions.
3. Sprinkle with almonds.
4. Top with goat cheese, pinching off segments or cutting in cubes.
5. Drizzle dressing on top, saving some for service and serve immediately.

This salad is perfect for a date-night at home or for a light starter meal when you have a party. No one has to know how simple it is!

Do you like beets? Share your favorite recipes!

Disclosure: This post is a collaboration with Love Beets and Mambo Sprouts. I received beets to make this recipe, but all opinions are my own.