Pickled Beet Salad
Pickled Beet Salad is a vibrant, tangy dish made primarily from beets that have been pickled in a vinegar-based brine, often combined with onions and other vegetables. It is a staple side dish in many Eastern European cuisines, particularly in Russia and Ukraine, where it's known as 'vinegret' or simply as a pickled beet side. The dish is celebrated for its bright color, sweet-and-sour flavor, and crisp texture.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This salad is generally low in fat and protein but provides a good source of carbohydrates from the natural sugars in beets. It is particularly rich in essential nutrients like folate, manganese, and potassium, with a typical serving containing around 80-120 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 100 kcal |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbs | 20 g |
| Fat | 0.5 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
| Folate | 140 mcg |
| Manganese | 0.5 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Vitamin C | 8 mg |
| Iron | 1.2 mg |
| Magnesium | 30 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.1 mg |
| Copper | 0.15 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, pickled beet salad is a cornerstone of festive meals and everyday fare in Eastern Europe, often served during holidays like Christmas and Easter. Nutritionally, the pickling process not only preserves the beets but also enhances their availability of certain antioxidants, and the dish is a fantastic source of dietary nitrates, which are linked to improved blood flow and exercise performance.
