Spicy Shredded Beet Salad
This Spicy Shredded Beet Salad is a quick side dish or lettuce-less salad that comes together in mere minutes. It’s perfect for a spring picnic, potluck dinner, side dish for taco night, or paired with a lean protein for a flavor-packed meal.
Gluten Free, Grain Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Nut Free, Egg Free
I was looking in my fridge and had a bag of shredded carrots and steamed beets staring back at me.
So I thought… OK, what can I do with these?
It just so happened to be taco night around here and I was looking for a side dish that would accompany my fish tacos beautifully. I didn’t have my usual go-to cabbage to make a slaw in the fridge, so I improvised.
And made a DELISH spicy shredded beet salad…
Some of the best recipes I’ve made and shared on this blog were pure accidents (helloooo pancake cookies). I had a bunch of random ingredients in the fridge and I wanted to see how I could put them together.
This was another beautiful experiment that I’ve since replicated because it’s THAT good!
A note on stocking your fridge
When you stock your fridge with nourishing and healthy ingredients, you can easily make deliciously nutritious meals in minutes.
(Do you have my Pantry Staples list?!)
I always have a pack of steamed beets in my fridge (I order them from Thrive Market – I think they’re the cheapest!). They’re vacuum-packed so they stay fresh longer and you don’t have to deal with the complete MESS of roasting beets yourself. If I don’t know what to put in a salad, I’ll add the beets with some mixed greens and it instantly tastes delicious!
I also always keep some flavorful ingredients on hand that instantly elevate any recipe. These include:
- Herbs
- Spicy peppers (like jalapeños in this case)
- Spices
- Olives
- Cheese
- Marinades and dressings
- Vinegars
- And more
Here’s what you need to make this Spicy Shredded Beet Salad:
Beets – The base of a beet salad is going to be beets! I used vacuum-packed beets so I didn’t have to deal with a mess, but you can also use shredded raw beets (you can get them from a salad bar instead of shredded them yourself!). Beets impart sweetness to this otherwise spicy salad.
Shredded carrots – Adds a fun crunch to this salad, which complements the softer cooked beets nicely. Save time and buy pre-shredded carrots at the supermarket.
Red onion – With a bit of a sharp bite, the red onion adds crunch and flavor to this salad. I don’t suggest omitting this ingredient or subbing another onion type.
Jalapeños – This salad wouldn’t be spicy without a kick from the best-known spicy pepper. You can adapt the level of spice to your liking by either removing or leaving the seeds and ribs of the peppers.
Cilantro – If you love cilantro, it works SO well in this salad. If you’re not a fan, you could sub parsley or even spicy arugula for a pop of green.
Apple cider vinegar – Any vinegar will impart a tang to the dressing, but apple cider vinegar specifically has an underlying sweeter note that complements the beets well. For some added health benefits, choose a raw apple cider vinegar, like this one.
Food Prep This Lettuce-Less Salad
I especially love to make lettuce-less salads for food prep because they don’t get soggy.
The carrots and beets hold up really well to this light dressing. I actually think the longer this salad marinates, the better it tastes. In fact, the first time I made this beautiful accident of a salad, I served it the following day for a brunch party I was throwing and it was even better.
And a bit spicier from the jalapeños I left seeded. If you’re not a fan of spice, de-seed the jalapeños!
Since you can prep this in advance, it’s great for food prep. Add a lean protein and some high fiber starchy carbohydrate and you’ll have a well-balanced meal. I think it goes great with grilled salmon or shrimp.
Here are some other veggies that hold up really well in lettuce-less salads:
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Artichokes
- Green beans
Other recipes made with beets:
This Spicy Shredded Beet Salad is…
- Spicy and sweet
- Crunchy
- Refreshing
- Easy to make
- Perfect for food prep
- Great for a picnic or outdoor activity
- Portable
- Vegan
Spicy Shredded Beet Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded carrots
- 5 small steamed beets, julienned
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 jalapeno, de-seeded and deveined, thinly sliced
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼–½ teaspoon honey
Instructions
- In a large bowl toss together carrots, beets, red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and honey.
- Toss salad in dressing. Serve cold.
Don’t Forget to PIN IT…
XO