Xanthan Gum Free Cilantro-Lime Arugula and Roasted Beet Salad
Earthy roasted beets, creamy avocado, and peppery baby arugula come together in a salad that feels genuinely restaurant-worthy without a lot of fuss. The cilantro-lime dressing is whisked together from scratch using olive oil, fresh lime juice, honey, and cumin — nothing processed, nothing mysterious, just bright and bold flavor that coats every leaf. Bottled dressings are one of the sneakiest places to find unwanted thickeners and stabilizers, so making your own here is both the smarter and tastier move. Roasting the beets low and slow in foil is the real secret — it concentrates their sweetness and makes the skins slip right off, no peeling required. Crunchy dry-roasted pepitas add a satisfying finish that keeps every bite interesting. This is the kind of salad that converts people who think salads can't be a real meal.
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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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