Beef Free Cilantro-Lime Arugula and Roasted Beet Salad
Earthy, bright, and genuinely beautiful on the plate, this salad brings together roasted beets, creamy avocado, and peppery baby arugula in a way that feels restaurant-worthy without a lot of fuss. The beets get wrapped in foil and slow-roasted until tender, developing a deep, almost sweet flavor that plays perfectly against the sharp arugula underneath. A cilantro-lime dressing whisked with honey and cumin ties everything together with a citrusy kick that keeps each bite feeling fresh and lively. Crunchy dry-roasted pepitas scattered over the top add a satisfying texture contrast that makes this salad feel like a complete, filling dish rather than a side thought. Everything here is plant-based and naturally free from any meat, so there's zero need to swap or substitute a single ingredient — it just works as written. It's the kind of recipe that looks impressive enough for a dinner party but comes together with straightforward steps and a short ingredient list. Serve it immediately after dressing so the arugula stays crisp and the avocado stays vibrant.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 3 medium beets (about 1 lb), scrubbed and trimmed
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, for roasting
- ¼ tsp salt
- 5 oz baby arugula
- 1 large avocado, pitted and sliced
- ¼ cup dry-roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Place each beet on a square of aluminum foil, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt. Wrap each beet tightly in the foil and arrange on a baking sheet.
- 2
Roast the beets until a paring knife slides through the center with no resistance, 40–50 minutes depending on size. Unwrap and let cool for 10 minutes, then rub off the skins using the foil or a paper towel. Cut into 1/2-inch wedges.
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