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Recipe

Swedish-Inspired Christmas Beet and Apple Salad

Sweet cooked beets and crisp apple meet a creamy mustard dressing in this Swedish-inspired Christmas lunch, served with rye bread and a scattering of dill.

Swedish-Inspired Christmas Beet and Apple Salad
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound (450 g) plain cooked, peeled beets, chilled
  • 1 large crisp apple (about 180 g), cored
  • 1/4 cup (35 g) finely diced red onion
  • 1/2 cup (120 g) plain Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons (45 g) mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 slices rye bread (about 40 g each), to serve

Instructions

  1. Drain the cooked beets thoroughly and pat dry. Dice into approximately 1/2-inch pieces on a washable cutting board; beet juice can stain porous surfaces.
  2. Cut the apple into similarly sized pieces, leaving the peel on if you like. Toss immediately with the lemon juice in a large mixing bowl to slow browning.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk the yogurt, mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper until smooth. Scrape the sides so no unmixed pockets remain.
  4. Add the beets and onion to the apple. Fold in the dressing gently until everything is evenly coated, keeping the beet pieces intact.
  5. Stir in the chopped dill. Taste and adjust with a little extra lemon if your beets are especially sweet; add salt cautiously because mustard and mayonnaise vary.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes so the flavors settle and the salad is thoroughly chilled. Stir once before serving.
  7. Divide among four plates and serve each portion with one slice of rye bread. Keep extra salad refrigerated while guests eat.
  8. Store covered at 40°F (4°C) or colder and use within 3 days. Discard salad left out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour in temperatures above 90°F (32°C).

Bright beetroot and crisp apple make a colorful Christmas lunch that can be prepared before guests arrive. This Swedish-inspired version balances a creamy dressing with lemon and mustard, then adds rye bread to turn the salad into a simple meal.

Start with plain cooked beets, not vinegar-pickled beets: their flavor and salt levels are different. Pat them dry before dicing so the dressing stays creamy. The salad turns pink as it chills; that is part of its appeal.

Starting with raw beets

The stated time assumes cooked beets. If using raw beets, cook until easily pierced, then cool, peel and chill before starting; allow additional cooking and cooling time.

A lighter lunch plate

Add leafy greens if desired. This is a vegetable-centered lunch rather than a high-protein main course; eggs or beans can be served separately and are not included in nutrition.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use pickled beets?

You can, but drain them very well and reduce the lemon and salt to taste. The result will be sharper than this version.

Can it be made the day before?

Yes. Keep the bread separate and refrigerate the salad covered. The apple will soften slightly.

Nutrition notes

Nutrition values are approximate editorial estimates per serving, not laboratory measurements or a verified nutritional analysis. Actual values vary with brands, portion size and substitutions. These original recipe drafts have not been kitchen-tested; cooking times are guides.

Estimate includes full-fat mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt and a 40 g slice of rye bread per person; bread and condiment brands affect sodium.

Allergen information: Milk; Egg (mayonnaise); Wheat/gluten (rye bread); Mustard. Check all ingredient labels and individual dietary needs.

Per serving

Nutrition facts

Serving size: One quarter of the salad plus one slice of rye bread (estimated nutrition)

Calories
300
Total fat
10 g
Saturated fat
2 g
Cholesterol
10 mg
Sodium
590 mg
Total carbohydrate
46 g
Dietary fiber
7 g
Total sugars
22 g
Protein
8 g

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