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A rustic bowl filled with vibrant Moroccan Beet Salad, featuring roasted beets, fresh herbs, and pickled onions.
Layla

Moroccan Beet Salad

Sweet roasted beets meet warm spices and bright citrus in this stunning salad that's as beautiful as it is delicious.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Moroccan, North African
Calories: 145

Ingredients
  

For the Beets
  • 1.5 lb medium beets about 4 beets, scrubbed, tops trimmed to 1 inch
  • 1 tbsp olive oil plus more for rubbing
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
For the Dressing
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 0.25 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice from about 1 lemon
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 0.5 tsp fine sea salt plus more to taste
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Salad
  • 0.25 cup flat-leaf parsley roughly chopped
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp toasted sliced almonds optional, for crunch

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small Skillet

Method
 

Roast the Beets
  1. Preheat oven to 400F. Rub beets lightly with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Roast until a paring knife slides in easily, 45 to 55 minutes depending on size. Let cool until you can handle them, about 15 minutes. Slip off the skins using your fingers or a paper towel - they should peel right off. Cut into 1-inch wedges.
  2. While beets cool, warm a small dry skillet over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and shake the pan until fragrant and slightly darker, about 2 minutes. Immediately pour into a large mixing bowl to stop cooking. Add cinnamon and stir to combine.
  3. To the warm spices, whisk in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust - it should be bright, warm, and slightly sweet.
  4. Add warm beet wedges to the bowl and toss gently to coat. Let sit for 10 minutes so the beets absorb the dressing. Fold in parsley and cilantro. Transfer to a serving platter, spoon any remaining dressing over top, and scatter with almonds if using. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Notes

Wear gloves when peeling roasted beets to avoid stained hands. The salad keeps beautifully for 3 days refrigerated - the flavors actually improve overnight. For a heartier version, crumble 2 oz of feta over the top before serving.