Description
A festive platter-style Roasted Beet and Pear Salad with tender roasted beets, lightly caramelized pear slices, tangy feta, crunchy pistachios, and a glossy honey-balsamic drizzle. Perfect as a holiday side dish or elegant appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium beets, roasted, peeled, and sliced
- 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced and lightly caramelized
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
- 2 cups fresh arugula (optional)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap beets in foil and roast for 45–60 minutes, or until tender. Allow to cool, then peel and slice.
- In a small skillet over medium heat, lightly sauté pear slices in a teaspoon of butter or oil until golden and caramelized, about 3–4 minutes per side. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Arrange arugula (if using) on a long white platter to form a bright green base. Layer roasted beet slices over the arugula, followed by caramelized pear slices.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta and chopped pistachios evenly over the top.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until glossy and emulsified. Drizzle over the salad just before serving.
- Serve immediately as a festive appetizer or holiday side dish.
Notes
- Choose pears that are ripe but still firm so they caramelize without turning mushy.
- Roast beets until a knife slides into the center easily; under-roasted beets can taste firm and less sweet.
- Add pistachios right before serving to keep them crunchy.
- Whisk the dressing until glossy so it emulsifies and clings to the beets and pears instead of pooling.
- For make-ahead: roast/slice beets and caramelize pears ahead, then assemble and dress just before serving.
- Arugula is optional but adds a peppery bite and a bright green base for presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g (estimate)
- Sodium: 320 mg (estimate)
- Fat: 9 g (estimate)
- Saturated Fat: 3 g (estimate)
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g (estimate)
- Trans Fat: 0 g (estimate)
- Carbohydrates: 22 g (estimate)
- Fiber: 5 g (estimate)
- Protein: 6 g (estimate)
- Cholesterol: 15 mg (estimate)