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Dinner

Grain Expectations: Roasted Beet & Quinoa Salad

Roasted red and golden beet quinoa salad with white beans, arugula, orange segments and pumpkin seeds in a ceramic bowl.

Ruby beets, fluffy quinoa, creamy white beans and juicy orange team up in a colourful dinner salad with crunch, brightness and no sad desk-lunch energy.

Grab this

  • 3 medium beets, peeled and cut into bite-size wedges
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt, divided
  • 1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 can (398 mL) low-sodium white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 5 cups baby arugula
  • 1 large orange, peeled and cut into segments
  • 1/3 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Do this

  1. Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Toss the beet wedges with 1 tablespoon olive oil and half the salt. Spread them on the baking sheet and roast for 30 to 35 minutes, turning once, until tender and browned at the edges.
  3. While the beets roast, combine the rinsed quinoa, water and remaining salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
  4. Remove the quinoa from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and cool for about 10 minutes.
  5. Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil with the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup and black pepper in a large bowl.
  6. Add the quinoa, roasted beets, white beans, arugula, orange segments and pumpkin seeds. Toss gently until everything is lightly coated, then divide among four bowls.

Easy swaps

  • Use canned chickpeas or cooked lentils instead of white beans.
  • Baby spinach or chopped kale can replace the arugula. Massage kale with a spoonful of dressing before adding the remaining ingredients.
  • Replace quinoa with 3 cups cooked brown rice or farro. Allergen note: farro contains wheat and gluten; quinoa and rice are naturally gluten-free, but check packages for cross-contact.
  • Sunflower seeds can replace pumpkin seeds. Allergen note: check seed packages for peanut and tree-nut cross-contact when allergies are a concern.
  • Use lemon juice instead of balsamic vinegar for a brighter dressing.
  • Allergen note: the standard dressing contains mustard, a priority allergen in Canada. For a mustard-free version, omit it and whisk in 1 teaspoon tahini or sunflower-seed butter. Tahini contains sesame.
  • For a fully gluten-free version, confirm that the mustard, vinegar, beans and other packaged ingredients are certified or labelled appropriately.

Estimated per serving

Nutrition at a glance

Calories
450
Fat
15g
Saturated fat
2g
Carbohydrates
64g
Fibre
12g
Sugars
13g
Protein
16g
Sodium
260mg

Quinoa, white beans and pumpkin seeds provide a useful combination of plant protein and fibre.

Estimates vary with ingredient brands, substitutions and serving size.