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Blood Orange & Beet Salad with Yogurt, Tarragon, and Hazelnuts

Bold flavors and vibrant colors unite in this elegant salad—sweet beets, tangy blood orange, luscious yogurt, and spiced hazelnuts bring autumn to your table.

By Medha deb

Created on Jun 1, 2025

Bold flavors and vibrant colors unite in this elegant salad—sweet beets, tangy blood orange, luscious yogurt, and spiced hazelnuts bring autumn to your table.

Blood Orange & Beet Salad: Seasonal Elegance in a Bowl

There’s something irresistible about a salad that is as stunning to look at as it is satisfying to eat. This Blood Orange & Beet Salad with Yogurt, Tarragon, and Hazelnuts brings a symphony of colors and flavors to your table—earthy roasted beets, tart-sweet blood orange slices, tangy Greek yogurt, and the crunch of toasted hazelnuts, all brightened with a touch of fresh tarragon. Built for fall and winter but welcome any time, it’s a dish that embodies both artful simplicity and culinary sophistication.

Celebrating Seasonal Ingredients

Roasted beets and citrus fruits like blood oranges peak during the cooler months, providing not only nutritional benefits but also deep, vibrant colors that pop against a creamy bed of yogurt. Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or elevating your weekday lunch, this salad transitions effortlessly from casual to festive.

Inspiration Behind the Salad

This salad comes from Athena Calderone, a tastemaker renowned for combining minimal ingredient lists with maximal visual and sensory impact. Her approach—highlighted in her collection, Cook Beautiful—blends taste and beauty in every dish. Here, Athena’s inspiration is the interplay between the earthy sweetness of beets and the lively acidity of blood oranges, creating a dish that is both bold and balanced.

Ingredients

4 medium red beets
4 medium golden beets
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
4-5 sprigs fresh thyme
1/4 cup hazelnuts
3 blood oranges
1 small shallot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3/4 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
4-5 sprigs fresh tarragon

Step-By-Step Instructions

Prepare the Beets
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the red beets on a large sheet of foil, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and add a few sprigs of thyme. Seal the foil to form a packet. Repeat separately with the golden beets to keep the colors pristine. Place both packets on a rimmed baking sheet.
Roast the Beets
Roast until the beets are fork-tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Allow them to cool slightly, then slip off the skins (they should peel away easily with your fingers or a paper towel).
Toast the Hazelnuts
While the beets roast, spread the hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven for 4-6 minutes until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a kitchen towel and rub to remove as much of the skins as possible. Roughly chop the nuts and, if time allows, toss them with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper for extra flavor.
Make the Citrus Shallot Dressing
Juice half a blood orange into a bowl. Add the finely chopped shallot and red wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper, then whisk in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until well combined.
Prepare Beets & Oranges
Use a sharp knife to peel and remove the white pith from the remaining 1.5 blood oranges. Slice them crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Cut the cooled beets into wedges, placing golden and red beets into separate bowls, and toss each with some of the citrus vinaigrette to keep colors vivid.
Assemble the Salad
Season the yogurt with salt and pepper, then spread it as a creamy base on a platter. Artistically arrange beet wedges and blood orange slices atop the yogurt, layering for color contrast. Spoon extra dressing over the top, scatter with chopped hazelnuts, and finish with fresh tarragon.

Pro Tips for Presentation

Roast beets of different colors separately to prevent their colors from bleeding together and achieving a more visually striking salad.
Use a shallow platter for arranging the salad—this allows every ingredient to shine and encourages guests to scoop up a little bit of everything in each bite.
Enhance the nuts’ flavor by seasoning them with olive oil, sea salt, and fresh pepper right after toasting.
Try swapping Greek yogurt for fresh ricotta for a creamier, milder variation.
This salad is perfect for make-ahead prep—roast the beets and toast the nuts the night before, then assemble just before serving.

Why This Salad Works

Color and Texture: The deep reds of beets, sunny golds, and jewel-toned blood oranges create an edible work of art.
Balance of Flavors: Earthy, sweet roasted beets meet citrusy tang, yogurt’s creamy acidity, and the nutty crunch of hazelnuts.
Nutritional Powerhouse: Beets provide antioxidants and fiber, oranges bring immune-boosting vitamin C, while yogurt offers protein and probiotics.
Versatility: Great as a starter, a light main course, or a side for roasted meats and grains.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

Add fresh greens (arugula or watercress) for an extra layer of peppery flavor and crunchy texture.
Try a cheese variation: Swap yogurt for soft goat cheese or ricotta for even more creaminess.
Switch up the nuts: Pistachios or walnuts work nicely if hazelnuts aren’t available.
Spice it up: A sprinkle of crushed pink peppercorns or a dash of za’atar can bring a unique twist.
Make it more substantial: Serve with quinoa or farro for a heartier salad.

Nutritional Highlights

Ingredient	Key Nutrients	Benefits
Beets	Folate, Fiber, Antioxidants	Supports heart health, immune function, and digestion
Blood Oranges	Vitamin C, Anthocyanins	Boosts immunity, provides anti-inflammatory benefits
Greek Yogurt	Protein, Probiotics, Calcium	Supports gut health and bone strength
Hazelnuts	Healthy fats, Vitamin E, Magnesium	Promotes heart and brain health
Tarragon	Phytonutrients	Adds a fresh, aromatic dimension

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Roasting beets in advance: You can roast, peel, and store beets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Toasted hazelnuts: Toast and chop hazelnuts ahead and keep them in a sealed jar.
Dressing: Prepare the dressing up to 3 days ahead; whisk before using.
Assembling: Spread yogurt and arrange salad components just before serving to maintain freshness and color.

Entertaining with Blood Orange & Beet Salad

This salad is a showstopper for dinner parties or holiday gatherings, serving as a festive centerpiece due to its vibrant colors and sculptural plating. Pair it with simply roasted poultry, grilled seafood, or plant-based mains for a meal that feels both decadent and nourishing. Its make-ahead components also mean you can plate it quickly when guests arrive, creating a relaxed and seamless entertaining experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use just red beets, or do I need both red and golden?

A: You can use only red or golden beets if that’s what you have on hand, but using both colors creates a more visually stunning salad and offers subtle differences in flavor and sweetness.

Q: What’s the best way to keep beet colors from bleeding?

A: Roast red and golden beets in separate foil packets, and toss them with dressing in separate bowls. This prevents colors from mixing and keeps each ingredient vibrant.

Q: Is it possible to make this salad dairy-free?

A: Absolutely! Substitute a thick dairy-free plain yogurt or a cashew-based spread as the base in place of Greek yogurt.

Q: Can I prepare the salad ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can roast beets and toast hazelnuts up to several days in advance. Assemble the salad just before serving for the freshest presentation.

Q: What wine pairs well with this salad?

A: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Noir both complement the earthy and citrus notes of the salad beautifully.

Final Thoughts: The Art of Simple, Beautiful Food

The Blood Orange & Beet Salad captures what makes modern home cooking extraordinary: honoring the seasons, using straightforward methods, and presenting every meal as a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. It’s a reminder that the most memorable meals are often those that celebrate beauty in simplicity, and flavor in freshness. Invite this salad to your next gathering, and discover just how inspiring, delicious, and easy entertaining can be.