Pickled Beet Salad
A vibrant and tangy salad combining sweet beets with the tartness of vinegar and the richness of mayonnaise. The jellied base adds a unique texture, making it an eye-catching side dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a refreshing addition to any meal that benefits from bold flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Drain juice from beets and add it to vinegar, then add enough water to make 2 cups of liquid.
- Add sugar and cloves to the liquid and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cloves.
- Pour the hot liquid over the prepared Jell-O and stir until dissolved.
- Add the diced beets to the Jell-O mixture and mold.
- Serve the salad on shredded lettuce with mayonnaise.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider using apple cider vinegar instead of regular vinegar. If you're not a fan of cloves, try substituting with allspice or cinnamon sticks for a unique twist. Be sure to let the Jell-O mixture cool completely before molding to achieve the best texture. If you want to make this dish a bit healthier, consider reducing the sugar or using a sugar substitute.
Serving Suggestions
This pickled beet salad is lovely served on a bed of shredded lettuce, and pairs beautifully with sandwiches or grilled meats. Consider adding some crumbled feta or goat cheese on top for added creaminess. For a complete meal, serve alongside a light soup or a refreshing fruit salad, like Cranberry Salad Mold.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover pickled beet salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The flavors will continue to develop as it sits. If you prefer to enjoy it warm, you can gently reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 30 seconds, but it's best served chilled.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pickled Beet Salad contains roughly 131 calories, with 2g protein, 30g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (27% of the Daily Value) and vitamin C (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron. It also contributes 8g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to be vegan by using a plant-based gelatin substitute instead of Jell-O, which is often made with animal products. Just follow the package instructions for the substitute to achieve the same consistency and flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).