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This Russian Beet Salad is made from grated cooked beets, combined with mayo and sour cream for creaminess. Garlic and chopped nuts complete the flavor and texture profile.
Welcome to Day 2 of Beet Week! If you have missed yesterday's intro, check it out here.
There also is a giveaway for an awesome food processor (at the bottom) and a recipe for delicous red (beet) pasta in yesterday's post.
So yesterday, we had beets for dinner as an awesome pasta, and today, we have beet salad. Yum!
Beets Have a Transforming, Fascinating Flavor Profile
I am always amazed with beets. First of all, there is the amazing, intoxicating colour once you remove the (sometimes very dirty-looking) skin.
And then there is the flavor. Raw, they tasteso earthy and kind ofwild. Then you cook (or roast) them and they turnalmost sweet! I am not saying that the earthiness completely disappears when they are cooked, but (depending on cooking time) it is greatly reduced.
This flavor transformation is definitely happening in this Russian Beet Salad as well.
This Russian Recipe Comes From Mom
As with most Russian recipes (or more accurately the countries of the Former Soviet Union), I learned this beet salad from my mom. I have helped her make this salad on many occasions, but usually I was just grating the beets. I let my momapply her expertise in fine-tuning the remaining ingredients for aperfect creamy texture.
This harvest season, I suddenly found myself with a surplus of beets. With my mom 8 hours away, I decided it was time to learn to make this Russian Beet Salad all by myself - from start to finish.
The Recipe Begins With Cooking the Beets
First, the beets must be cooked. I place them in a saucepan covered in water and boil them on medium heat until they are very soft. This takes 45-60 minutes. You can also roast the beets in the oven or steam them in the Instant Pot.
Next, I need disposable gloves. They are essential when preparing red beets and you don't want to run around with stained fingers for the next 24 hours or so.
Once the beets are cooked, you can pretty much just pull off the skin - no need for a peeler. To grate the beets, a food processor with shredding disc comes in very handy (Hint hint: I am giving one away here). But since they are quite soft when cooked, a handheld graterdoes a quick job too.
Add Garlic, Mayo/Sour Cream, and Nuts!
The salad is seasoned with just salt + pepper, parsley, and a healthy dose of pressed or grated garlic. The garlic is a perfect companion to beets (in my opinion), but feel free to scale down the garlic to taste.
The creaminess of the salad comes from a mixture of mayonnaise and sour cream. The amounts I mention in the recipe box below are approximates. Since beets don't come in all uniform sizes, feel free to also adjust these as needed.
And now my favorite part of the salad: nuts! I love the crunchy texture contrast thatthe nuts (use pecans or walnuts) provide to the creamy salad.
A few more nuts and parsley for garnish and there you have a colorful and oh-so-flavorful salad!
Creamy Russian Beet Salad
5 from 4 votes
This Russian Beet Salad is made from grated cooked beets, combined with mayo and sour cream for creaminess. Garlic and chopped nuts complete the flavor and texture profile.
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Salad
Cuisine Russian
Servings 6 servings (as a side)
Ingredients
- 3 medium beets ~1.5 pounds/680 g
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- ¼ cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves pressed or grated
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
- salt & pepper to taste
- extra parsley and nuts for garnish
Instructions
Cook the beets in a large saucepan with plenty of water until they are very soft (45-60 minutes).
When the beets have cooled enough, pull off the peel (using disposable gloves) and grate the beets.
Combine the grated beets with mayonnaise, sour cream, nuts, garlic, parsley and salt & pepper to taste.
Garnish salad with nuts and parsley. Chill for at least 1 hour for flavors to meld together.
Keyword Russian Beet Salad
Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment below! Share a picture on social media with tag #leelalicious !
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Random Questions
What is a Russian beet salad?
A Russian beet salad is a dish made from grated cooked beets, combined with mayo and sour cream for creaminess. It often includes garlic and chopped nuts for added flavor and texture.
Where did beet salad come from?
Beet salad has its roots in Russian cuisine, where it has been a popular dish for generations. It is known for its vibrant colors and rich, earthy flavors that are characteristic of Russian cooking.
What is beetroot salad made of?
Beetroot salad typically consists of cooked beets that are grated or thinly sliced, mixed with various ingredients such as garlic, herbs, and a dressing made from a combination of mayonnaise and sour cream. Nuts are often added to provide a crunchy texture.
What is Russian salad dressing made of?
Russian salad dressing is typically made of a blend of mayonnaise and sour cream, combined with seasonings such as salt, pepper, and sometimes mustard or vinegar. This creamy dressing is commonly used in various Russian salads, including beet salad.
Why is Russian dressing so good?
Russian dressing is known for its rich and creamy texture, along with its well-balanced flavors. The combination of mayonnaise and sour cream provides a smooth and velvety base, while the addition of spices and herbs adds depth and complexity to the overall taste. The dressing's versatility allows it to complement a variety of ingredients, making it a popular choice for many dishes.
