German Beet Salad Rote-Bete-Salat Recipe
Rote-Bete-Salat is a simple German salad made from cooked beets with apple and onion in a light sweet-and-sour dressing. It often appears as a side dish to meat or sausages, especially in northern and eastern regions of Germany. The flavors are very similar to Polish beet salads, but the dressing is lighter and more wine-like than typical beet horseradish.
This salad combines familiar beet flavors with a light, wine-like dressing that keeps it refreshing rather than heavy. The addition of crisp apple and raw onion gives it a pleasant contrast of textures and a gentle sweetness.
Chef's tips
Cook the beets with the skins on and without cutting off the ends too much, so they don’t lose their color and sweetness into the water. Let the salad rest in the fridge; it tastes better after the flavors have had time to blend. If your beets are very sweet, reduce the sugar or skip it entirely.
How to serve
Serve slightly chilled, not ice-cold, so the flavors are more pronounced. It pairs well with roasted poultry, pork roasts, grilled sausages or vegetarian patties. For a light meal, add a handful of cooked lentils and serve with dark rye bread.
Ingredients
- beets fresh, small or medium - 500 g
- apple crisp, slightly tart - 1 piece
- onion small - 0.5 pieces
- apple cider vinegar or wine vinegar - 2 tablespoons
- oil neutral, e.g. rapeseed - 3 tablespoons
- mustard mild - 1 teaspoon
- sugar - 1 teaspoon
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- dill chopped, optional - 2 tablespoons
- water for the dressing - 1 tablespoon
Preparation
- Wash the beets thoroughly but do not peel them. Place in a pot, cover with water so they are fully submerged, add a little salt and cook for 35–40 minutes, until tender – a fork should slide in easily.
- Drain the cooked beets, cover with cold water, and once slightly cooled, peel off the skins, which should come off easily.
- Cut the peeled beets into thin slices or sticks, depending on your preference.
- Wash the apple, remove the core and cut into thin sticks or small cubes. Finely dice the onion.
- In a small bowl, mix the vinegar, water, oil, mustard, sugar, a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the dressing is smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the beets, apple and onion. Pour over the dressing and gently mix so you don’t crush the pieces.
- Finally, add the chopped dill and toss lightly once more.
- Chill the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can meld. Taste before serving and adjust with extra salt, pepper or a little more vinegar if needed.
Storage
Store the salad in the fridge in a closed container for up to 2–3 days. Stir before serving and adjust the seasoning, as the flavors may mellow over time.
