This easy and nutritious Slow Cooker Beetroot, Cannellini Bean, and Baby Spinach Salad is a vibrant and filling dish. Packed with tender beetroot, sweet carrots, and creamy goat’s cheese (optional), it’s perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Customize it with your favorite cheese and enjoy the versatility of this wholesome salad.
Jump to Recipe Print RecipeRecipe Ingredients
- 600–700 g (1 lb 5 oz–1 lb 9 oz) small beetroot (beets) or 3 large beetroot
- 1 bunch baby carrots, ends trimmed, scrubbed
- 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red onion, cut into thin wedges
- 2 x 400 g (14 oz) tins of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 100 g (3½ oz) baby spinach leaves
- 150 g (5½ oz) goat’s cheese or feta cheese (optional)
For the Balsamic Dressing
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to top up pan juices, if necessary
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
How To Make Slow Cooker Beetroot, Cannellini Bean And Baby Spinach Salad
- Prepare the Vegetables: Peel the beetroot and cut smaller ones in half and larger ones into wedges.
- Cook the Vegetables: Place the beetroot, whole carrots, fennel seeds, olive oil, and onion into the slow cooker. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook on high for 2½ hours.
- Prepare the Salad: Transfer the beetroot and carrots to a serving dish. Carefully pour the pan juices into a small dish and allow to cool. Cool the vegetables for 15 minutes or until cold if serving the salad cold.
- Make the Dressing: Measure the pan juices and top up to 2 tablespoons with extra olive oil if necessary. Combine with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and the balsamic vinegar, then season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cannellini beans and spinach to the cooled vegetables and toss gently to combine. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and crumble over the cheese, if using.
- Serve: Serve the salad with crusty bread, if desired.
Recipe Tips
- Cook the Vegetables Gently: Make sure to cook the beetroot and carrots on high for exactly 2½ hours in the slow cooker to get them tender but not overcooked.
- Cool the Vegetables Before Serving: If you’re serving the salad cold, let the beetroot and carrots cool for about 15 minutes to avoid wilting the spinach.
- Use Fresh Spinach: Fresh baby spinach leaves work best as they stay crisp and add a nice contrast to the warm vegetables.
- Adjust the Dressing to Taste: If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to balance the balsamic vinegar.
- Choose Your Cheese Wisely: For a creamier texture, go for goat’s cheese; for a firmer bite, feta cheese works wonderfully in this salad.
Recipe FAQs and Variations
Can I Use Other Beans?
Yes, you can substitute cannellini beans with other white beans like great northern beans or navy beans for a similar texture.
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad a day before. Store the vegetables and dressing separately and toss together just before serving.
Is This Salad Suitable for Vegans?
Yes, simply omit the goat’s cheese or feta and use a vegan-friendly cheese or skip it altogether for a delicious vegan version.
Can I Add Other Vegetables?
Yes, roasted sweet potatoes, parsnips, or even butternut squash make great additions to this salad for extra flavor and texture.
How Can I Make This Salad Spicier?
To add a kick, sprinkle some chili flakes or drizzle a bit of hot sauce over the salad before serving.
Check out More Recipes:
Slow Cooker Beetroot, Cannellini Bean And Baby Spinach Salad
Course: Side Dish, SaladsCuisine: MediterraneanDifficulty: Medium4
servings15
minutes2
hours30
minutes260
kcalThis easy and nutritious Slow Cooker Beetroot, Cannellini Bean, and Baby Spinach Salad is a vibrant and filling dish. Packed with tender beetroot, sweet carrots, and creamy goat’s cheese (optional), it’s perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Customize it with your favorite cheese and enjoy the versatility of this wholesome salad.
Ingredients
600–700 g (1 lb 5 oz–1 lb 9 oz) small beetroot (beets) or 3 large beetroot
1 bunch baby carrots, ends trimmed, scrubbed
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 red onion, cut into thin wedges
2 x 400 g (14 oz) tins of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
100 g (3½ oz) baby spinach leaves
150 g (5½ oz) goat’s cheese or feta cheese (optional)
- For the Balsamic Dressing
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to top up pan juices, if necessary
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Directions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Peel the beetroot and cut smaller ones in half and larger ones into wedges.
- Cook the Vegetables: Place the beetroot, whole carrots, fennel seeds, olive oil, and onion into the slow cooker. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook on high for 2½ hours.
- Prepare the Salad: Transfer the beetroot and carrots to a serving dish. Carefully pour the pan juices into a small dish and allow to cool. Cool the vegetables for 15 minutes or until cold if serving the salad cold.
- Make the Dressing: Measure the pan juices and top up to 2 tablespoons with extra olive oil if necessary. Combine with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and the balsamic vinegar, then season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cannellini beans and spinach to the cooled vegetables and toss gently to combine. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and crumble over the cheese, if using.
- Serve: Serve the salad with crusty bread, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
4 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories260
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
12g
19%
- Saturated Fat 2g 10%
- Cholesterol 6mg 2%
- Sodium 477mg 20%
- Total Carbohydrate
32g
11%
- Dietary Fiber 8g 32%
- Sugars 5g
- Protein 8g 16%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
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