Love this Sweet and Crunchy Beet Salad! A tad of sweetness and a whole lot of crunch. I tried a similar salad at a restaurant and have since been trying to replicate it. This version is probably the closest to it. The apples in the salad add juiciness, and the cabbage and crispy onions add crunch. Together, it's crispy, juicy goodness!
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Just like this Olivier Salad, or the Eggplant Salad Stuffed Tomatoes, this salad is perfect for a dinner party. It's not something common that you see on every dinner party table. It's definitely unique!
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Why we love this salad
- Nutritious: the beets, carrots, apples, and cabbage all have a ton of vitamins and minerals.
- Crunchy! The cabbage and crispy onions add crunchiness to the salad.
- Juicy: the apple, when grated, releases its juices, and the beetroot, when grated and mixed with the sour cream and a little bit of mayo makes the salad even juicier.
Ingredients
- Beets: red beets will add nutrition and a beautiful color to the salad
- Apple: the sweeter the apple the better. Fuji, Gala, or Golden Delicious are great. If you like to add a little tart flavor, use Granny Smith or McIntosh apples.
- Carrot: 1 medium carrot, grated- if you can, investing in an electric grader makes grating the carrot (and the beet) so much easier.
- Cabbage: green cabbage adds crunchiness to the salad. Plus, it's super healthy!
- Dressing: just a little salt, mayo, and sour cream
- Crispy onions: I purchase a bag of crispy onions from the store and toss them into different salads and top them on my Crispy Onion Shrimp Lettuce Tacos. I don't like to use them often, because they are fried :), but they do add flavor and so much crunchiness. See "What Is A Good Substitution For Crispy Onions" below.
Substitutions and Variations
- Crispy onions: Packaged crispy onions are usually available at any grocery store. You can usually find them next to packaged bacon bits. But, if they are not available Tortilla Strips or Salad Noodles will work great as well. Just as with the crispy onions, add the tortilla strips or salad noodles right before serving, so they don't become soggy in the salad.
You may also like to add one or more of these ingredients:
- Prunes: a little bit of chopped pitted prunes will add more sweetness to the salad. Half a cup should be plenty.
- Dried cranberries: half a cup of dried cranberries will add some tart flavor.
- Toasted walnuts: also half of a cup. This will add some more crunch and some nutty aroma to the salad.
- Celery: a few diced stalks of celery will add extra crispiness and nutrition.
- Pomegranate: ⅓ cup of pomegranate seeds will also work great; adds crunchiness, sweetness, and a little bit of a sour flavor
- Add acidity: you can add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar for a hint of acidity.
Preparation
STEP 1: Prepare the Cabbage
Thinly slice the cabbage using a sharp knife or mandoline and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Soften the cabbage a little by gently massaging, or teasing, it with your hands.
STEP 2: Prepare the Other Ingredients
Grate the apple, peeled carrot, and beets, and add them to the mixing bowl with the cabbage. Add the mayo and sour cream. Keep the crispy onions separate from the rest of the salad until ready to serve.
STEP 3: Season and Mix
Season with salt and mix the ingredients in the mixing bowl so they are well combined.
STEP 4: Add crispy onions
Right before serving, stir in the crispy onions. Right before serving, stir in the crispy onions. Taste the salad and adjust the salt according to your liking - depending on the crispy onions you purchase, they may add additional salt.
Top Tips
- Take the time to gently massage or tease the cabbage with your hands. This not only softens the cabbage but also helps in distributing flavors.
- To avoid staining your hands when peeling and grating the beets, you can wear kitchen gloves
- Grate the carrot, beets, and apple finely for a more delicate texture in the salad. You can use a box grater or a food processor with a grating attachment.
- Adjust the mayo and sour cream quantities according to your taste preferences. You can start with less and add more if needed.
- Keeping the crispy onions separate until serving ensures they maintain their crunchiness.
- If you have the time, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for some time before serving. This allows the flavors to meld, and it can enhance the overall taste of the salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether to peel the apple for your cabbage salad is a matter of personal preference. I did not peel the apple in my salad. Leaving the peel on will provide extra texture to the salad. If you enjoy the crunch, keep the peel. The peel of an apple also contains additional nutrients, such as fiber and antioxidants. If you're unsure, you can experiment with both peeled and unpeeled apples to see which version you prefer.
Grilled or roasted chicken breasts or thighs pair nicely with beets. A steak (such as flank or sirloin) can provide a hearty protein source that contrasts well with the sweetness of beets. Baked or grilled salmon works well also. The rich, flaky texture and flavor of salmon can enhance the overall taste of the dish. If you prefer a vegetarian or vegan option, quinoa is a complete protein that pairs well with beets. It has a mild flavor that won't overpower the dish.
Yes, Greek yogurt can be a healthier alternative to sour cream with a similar creamy texture. It might alter the flavor slightly, so adjust to taste.
Start with the recommended amounts and adjust according to your taste preferences. You can add more mayo or sour cream if you prefer a creamier texture.
Storing Suggestions
Store leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Because the crispy onion gets soggy after a while in the salad, it's best to add them right before serving and only to the portion you are serving. If you use a large mixing bowl to mix all the ingredients and then use a smaller serving salad bowl for the salad, only add the crispy onions to the serving bowl.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the salad with our Sweet and Savory Stuffed Chicken Quarters or our Super Easy Sautéed Chicken Thighs with some Oven Roasted Potato Cubes on the side. If you're serving it at a dinner party, this Asparagus in Smoked Salmon and Cucumber appetizer, or this Cinnamon Pineapple and Beef Appetizer are great alongside the salad.
Try these other salads
If you tried this Sweet and Crunchy Beet Salad or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Sweet and Crunchy Beet Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 350 gm green cabbage
- 2 medium beets or 3 small beets, peeled and grated
- 1 apple grated, sweet apple such as Fuji, Golden Delicious
- 1 carrot medium, peeled and grated
- ½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 cup crispy onion see notes for other options
Instructions
- Thinly slice the cabbage using a sharp knife or mandoline and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Soften the cabbage a little by gently massaging, or teasing, it with your hands.
- Grate the apple, peeled carrot, and beets, and add them to the mixing bowl with the cabbage. Add the mayo and sour cream. Keep the crispy onions separate from the rest of the salad until ready to serve.
- Season with salt and mix the ingredients in the mixing bowl so they are well combined.
- Right before serving, stir in the crispy onions. Taste the salad and adjust the salt according to your liking - depending on the crispy onions you purchase, they may add additional salt, so make sure to taste it after you add the onions.
Notes
- Packaged crispy onions are usually available at any grocery store. You can usually find them next to packaged bacon bits. But, if they are not available Tortilla Strips or Salad Noodles will work great as well. Just as with the crispy onions, add the tortilla strips or salad noodles right before serving, so they don’t become soggy in the salad.
- If you have the time, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for some time before serving. This allows the flavors to meld, and it can enhance the overall taste of the salad.
- Adjust the mayo and sour cream quantities according to your taste preferences. You can start with less and add more if needed.
- Grate the carrot, beets, and apple finely for a more delicate texture in the salad. You can use a box grater or a food processor with a grating attachment.
- Keeping the crispy onions separate until serving ensures they maintain their crunchiness.
- To avoid staining your hands when peeling and grating the beets, you can wear kitchen gloves
- Take the time to gently massage or tease the cabbage with your hands. This not only softens the cabbage but also helps in distributing flavors.
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