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Roasted and Marinated Beets with Burrata, Charred Kale, and Hazelnut Vinaigrette

This sophisticated roasted beetroot and burrata salad offers a masterclass in contrasting textures and bold, earthy flavours. The dish features tender marinated beetroot and hardy Tuscan kale, which is vigorously massaged in a zesty lemon and pecorino dressing before being flash-charred for a smoky finish. Combined with the creamy, indulgent centre of fresh burrata cheese, it creates a vibrant vegetarian centrepiece that is both hearty and refined.

Ideal as a substantial starter or a light main course, this nutrient-dense salad relies on seasonal produce and high-quality pantry staples like hazelnut oil and fresh thyme. The addition of toasted hazelnuts provides a delightful crunch, perfectly balancing the richness of the cheese. Serve this colourful platter at your next dinner party for a homemade dish that looks as impressive as it tastes.

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Ingredients for Roasted and Marinated Beets with Burrata, Charred Kale, and Hazelnut Vinaigrette

  • 30g grated Pecorino or Parmigiano cheese

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1/2 teaspoons honey

  • 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoons crushed red chilli flakes

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 large bunch black Tuscan kale, ribs removed and coarsely chopped

  • 1/4 heaping cup hazelnuts, toasted in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant and then finely ground

  • 45ml hazelnut oil

  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped shallot

  • 1 teaspoon minced thyme leaves

  • 1/2 teaspoons honey

  • 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 3 cranks black pepper

  • Roasted and marinated beets

  • 2 balls burrata or fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into rough chunks

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 80g coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts

In a large bowl, combine the cheese, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, garlic, honey, salt, chilli flakes, and pepper. Add the kale and toss to combine—really get in there and work the kale with your hands; this isn’t a gentle massage. Set the kale aside to marinate at room temperature for 2 hours or in the fridge overnight. Alternatively, you could toss the kale in with the just-roasted, marinating beets along with the cheese, olive oil, et al., and let the mixture sit at room temperature for 2 hours or in the fridge overnight. They’ll marinate just the same.

Combine the hazelnuts, hazelnut oil, vinegar, shallot, thyme, honey, salt, and pepper in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake it until the dressing comes together. Set aside until ready to serve or store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Preheat a large cast-iron pan over high heat for 5 minutes. When the pan looks very hot (you see little wisps of smoke), add the marinated beets and char on one side for 1 minute, just long enough to get some char. Remove the beets from the pan and add the kale, again charring for 1 minute. You are looking to just heat the kale, not fully cook it. You also could do this over the high heat of a grill. Remove the pan from the heat.

Spread the cheese over a large platter. Season it a bit with salt and pepper. Scatter the charred kale and beets over the cheese, douse with the hazelnut vinaigrette, and finish with the chopped hazelnuts

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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