With a variety of textures and flavors, this delicious beetroot and cucumber salad will delight your senses. The beets add sweetness, the cucumbers add crunchiness, and the spicy yogurt dressing adds creaminess. Requiring just 6 ingredients and 10 minutes to prepare, this salad is easy-peasy!
After enjoying beetroot raita and sautéed beetroot, get ready for another amazing beetroot dish. It has a stunning contrast of colors that will wow you!
Beetroot is a wonder vegetable that boosts your health. It is rich in antioxidants, fiber, and folate. This salad is also light and refreshing, ideal for a quick lunch on a busy day.
What is your favorite beetroot dish? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to know. Padma
This post contains helpful notes and tips to help you make the perfect dish. However, if you are in a rush, please use the "Jump to Recipe" link above or the "Jump to" links below to get to the section you want.
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Are beets healthier raw or cooked?
If you love beets, then this question is a great topic for a debate! I personally like them cooked. Oven roasted beets are my favorite. However, there may be some differences in the health benefits depending on how you prepare them.
Raw beets maintain their natural nutrients and enzymes, making them a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, they can be a bit tough to digest and might not be as flavorful for some people.
Cooking beetroot can break down their tough fibers, making them easier to digest and potentially releasing more nutrients.
How do you like having your beetroot? Cooked or raw? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to know. Padma
Allergens Free Labels
This cucumber beetroot salad has no added oil and is:
- Gluten-free
- Grain free
- Nut-free
- Allium-free
- Soy Free
Zaatar contains sesame seeds.
Why this beet cucumber salad is the best!
- This dish is a feast for the eyes, as they say. It has a gorgeous appearance that will make you want to dig in.
- This dish is also a delight for the taste buds. It has a combination of different textures and flavors that will satisfy you. You will enjoy the softness and sweetness of the beets, the crunchiness and freshness of the cucumbers, and the creaminess and spiciness of the yogurt dressing.
- This dish is not only delicious, but also easy to make. You only need 6 ingredients and 10 minutes to prepare it. You can use canned beets, cooked beets, or oven roasted ones. You can also customize the spice blend to your liking. See the notes below for some suggestions.
- This salad is also healthy, with only 213 calories per serving (see nutrition chart below the recipe card for more details). It is rich in antioxidants, fiber, and folate from the beets, as well as probiotics from the yogurt. It is a great way to nourish your body and enjoy a tasty meal.
Recipe overview
Texture: This beet and cucumber salad is a feast for the senses. It has a wonderful contrast of textures, with the soft and sweet beets and the crunchy cucumbers. It also has a beautiful contrast of colors, with the red of the beets and the green of the cucumbers. The yogurt adds a touch of creaminess and freshness to the salad.
Flavor: I like this salad best for its earthy and juicy flavors. The beetroot and the cucumber complement each other perfectly. The chili pepper adds a bit of spice, while the yogurt dressing adds a bit of zest.
Ease: This salad is so simple and quick to make. You only need 10 minutes and 6 ingredients to prepare it. You can use any kind of beets, whether they are steamed, oven roasted, cooked, or canned.
Proportions: You can adjust this recipe to suit your taste. You can change the ratio of beetroot and cucumber depending on what you prefer. For example, if you want more beetroot in your salad, you can add more beetroot pieces. Or if you want more cucumber in your salad, you can add more cucumber pieces.
Ingredients for beet and cucumber salad recipe
Just 6 ingredients, that's it and no oil required!
See the recipe card for quantities.
Beetroot: I have used oven roasted beetroot for this recipe. Boiled, steamed, or canned beetroot will work well too. Read the notes below to know if raw beetroot will work for this recipe.
Yogurt: I have used natural style Greek yogurt. Any store-bought or homemade unflavored yogurt will work well for this recipe.
Zaatar: This is a Middle Eastern spice blend that consists, most commonly, of thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, oregano, and sea salt. Check the notes below for other spices that you can use instead.
Salt: Be careful with the salt, as the Zaatar already contains some. Taste the salad before adding more salt, and only do so if needed.
Chili peppers: Add them if you like some spice. They will give a nice kick to the salad. But if you don’t want it too hot, you can remove the seeds from the peppers. Or you can skip them altogether if you prefer.
Have a question regarding the ingredients? Feel free to ask in the comments section below and I will try my best to answer it for you.
How to make cucumber beet salad
Recipes cannot get easier than this, honestly!
Begin with beetroot that has been either steamed, roasted in an oven, or cooked on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot.
Step 1: Prepare the beetroot and cucumber:
- Peel the roasted beets and cut it into pieces that are easy to bite. If using canned beets, drain off the water, pat them dry and then chop them.
- Chop the cucumbers into similar-sized pieces as the beetroot.
- Chop chili peppers finely.
Step 2: Make the yogurt dressing:
- Pour the yogurt into a salad bowl.
- Whisk it until it becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add the zaatar and salt. Finally, stir well to combine.
Step 3: Put the salad together:
- Add the beetroot, chili pepper, and cucumber to the bowl with the yogurt dressing.
- Then, toss everything well to coat.
- Taste and adjust the salt if needed.
That's it, the salad is ready! I told you it is easy, did I not?!
Refrigerate until you are ready to serve it.
Notes, Serving, and Storage
Can I make this salad with raw beets? Yes you can. But you should slice them very thin (like with a mandolin) or grate them because raw beets are hard to digest.
I recommend using cooked beets for this recipe. Cooking beets can make them sweeter and more flavorful. My favorite way to cook beets is to roast them in the oven.
Serving size: The quantities mentioned above are good enough, as a meal, for 1 person or, as a snack, for 2 persons.
No Zaatar? No worries! Keep it simple with just some freshly milled black pepper and roasted cumin powder. If you love garlic and curry flavor, try this curry spice blend and let me know how you like it!
Optional additions:
- To add more crunch to the salad, you can add some toasted and chopped walnuts (the salad will not be nut-free) and / or toasted pumpkin seeds.
- You can add some crumbled goat or feta cheese or to make it more filling.
- For a more refreshing taste of summer, finish it off with some fresh mint leaves and a dash of fresh lemon juice.
- If you like to add some oil to this salad, feel free to add some olive oil (or any other oil of your choice).
Serving: This salad tastes best when served chilled or at room temperature. Do not heat the salad.
Storage: Store it in a fridge-safe container with tight-fitting lid, for up to 2 days.
Any doubts or questions? Feel free to ask via the comments below. I will try my best to answer them for you. - Padma
More salad recipes
FAQs
Absolutely, you can definitely eat beetroot and cucumber together! In fact, combining these two vegetables can create a delicious and refreshing contrast of flavors and textures in your dishes. The earthy sweetness of beetroot pairs well with the crisp, mild flavor of cucumber.
For example, you could create a beetroot and cucumber salad by slicing both vegetables and tossing them together with a light vinaigrette or yogurt-based dressing. This combination would give you a mix of colors, flavors, and nutrients that can make for a delightful and healthy side dish.
Beetroot has a unique earthy sweetness that pairs well with a variety of flavors, such as:
- Goats cheese and Feta
- Citrus fruits
- Nuts and seeds - especially walnuts and pumpkin seeds
- Yogurt
- Fresh herbs for example mint and dill.
- Grains such as couscous, millets and pseudo grains such as quinoa and buckwheat.
- Balsamic vinegar or a light vinaigrette,
Absolutely, beetroot can be enjoyed as a salad!
Beetroot salad is a popular dish that combines the earthy sweetness of beets with other complementary ingredients to create a delicious and nutritious meal.
If you have made this delicious beetroot and cucumber salad, please take a moment to leave a comment and a rating below. This will make me super happy and motivate me to create more good content for you! You can also engage with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram xx Padma
📖 Recipe
Quick and Easy Beetroot and Cucumber Salad
Equipment
- 1 salad mixing bowl
- 1 mixing spoon
- 1 whisk
Ingredients
- 1 medium (~160g) beetroot (roasted/cooked and peeled)
- 1 medium (~200g) cucumber
- 1 chili pepper, or more, if you like spice
Salad dressing
- 3 and ½ tablespoons yogurt
- 1 tablespoon za'atar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Prep the veggies
- Chop the beetroot into bite sized pieces.
- Dice the cucumber.
- Finely chop the chili pepper.
Make the dressing
- Add the yogurt to the salad bowl. Whisk it for a few seconds until it is smooth and creamy. Add the zaatar and salt. Mix well.3 and ½ tablespoons yogurt, 1 tablespoon za'atar, ¼ teaspoon salt
Assemble the salad
- Add the chopped beetroot, chili pepper, and cucumber to the yogurt dressing. Mix. Check for salt and add more, if required. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.1 medium (~160g) beetroot (roasted/cooked and peeled), 1 medium (~200g) cucumber, 1 chili pepper
Notes
- To add more crunch to the salad, you can add some toasted and chopped walnuts (the salad will not be nut-free) and / or toasted pumpkin seeds.
- You can add some crumble feta cheese or goats cheese to make it more filling.
- If you like to add some oil to this salad, feel free to add some olive oil (or any other oil of your choice).
- For a more refreshing taste of summer, finish it off with some fresh mint leaves and a dash of fresh lemon juice.
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only.
Allergens Disclaimer
Our content aims to be informative and educational, but it should not replace professional medical advice. Since manufacturing processes can vary and cross-contamination is possible, it's essential to verify product labels and allergen information. Make sure all ingredients align with your specific allergies. As readers, you bear the responsibility for ensuring allergen safety when buying or consuming foods.
Disclosure: The nutritional information is calculated using an online calculator and is based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionists' advice. Changing the quantities and cooking technique will alter the nutritional calculations.
Kristine says
Yum! Beet and cucumber salad sounds awsome. Thanks for another great recipe!
Padma Kumar says
Thank you, Kristine!
Mina says
It looks so good! The vibrant color of the beetroot is just perfect! I'm also into yogurt, so I'd love to try this.
Padma Kumar says
It is so delicious that I am eager for you to try it soon!
swathi says
Beetroot cucumber salad looks really delicious and great to cool down during this heat wave here.
Padma Kumar says
Thank you Swathi.
Gloria says
I have never thought of paring cucumbers and beets together. Sounds like a great plan. Healthy and nutritious as well.
Padma Kumar says
The softness of the beetroot against the crunchy cucumbers works so well. Looking forward to you trying it soon!
Jerika says
Wow! This beetroot and cucumber salad are so delicious and nutritious. Perfect for my diet now. Thanks!:)
Padma Kumar says
Yay! So happy to note that this fits in your diet plan.
Andréa Janssen says
I loved this salad. Earthy and refreshing and so vibrant with colors. And all the flavors combined very well, it was delicous!
Padma Kumar says
You said it Andrea 🙂
Conchetta says
I really enjoyed this salad- so easy! This is a great site
Padma Kumar says
Thank you so much Conchetta.