Polish Beet Slaw (Surόwka z Buraka)

Polish beet slaw is made using a handful of pantry staples and comes with a simple 4-ingredient dressing. It's quick and easy to put together, crunchy, delicious, full of colour and nutritious ingredients.

Check out also Polish sauerkraut salad!

Beet slaw, called 'surόwka z buraka' in Polish (from the word 'surowy', meaning 'raw' and 'burak', which means 'beet'), can be served with practically any main. It's a quick and easy everyday salad requiring minimal effort. Just shred the ingredients, combine with a simple dressing and serve!

What does beet slaw taste like

Beets have an earthy, bitter-sweet flavour, especially in their raw form, so the best way to tone it down is by combining them with other ingredients. Carrot and apple are sweet, complement the flavour of beetroot (but aren't quite as crunchy), which makes them the perfect accompaniment to beets.

The result is a crunchy, delicious, refreshingly zesty salad!

Is Polish beetroot slaw healthy

Yes, it is! Beetroot is a highly nutritious vegetable, especially in its raw form (some nutrients can be lost during cooking). Beetroot is low in calories, high in fibre, folate and potassium as well as other minerals and vitamins. The addition of the other raw ingredients and a simple oil-based dressing makes this salad an exceptionally nutritious dish.

Is it better to eat beets raw or cooked

Although some of the nutrients are lost during cooking beetroot is healthy however you choose to serve it. Yes, raw beetroot has the most nutrients but it only works in salads and juices. If you want to make sure your cooked beetroot retains most of its nutrients roast it rather than cook in water.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Beets.
• Carrots.
• Apple: use a sweet rather than sour variety.
• Red onion: you can use any mild, sweet tasting onion.
• Vegetable oil: any mild, neutral tasting oil will work.
• Lemon juice: you can also add a drop of cider vinegar for a more acidic flavour.
• Honey: this is the most commonly used sweetener in Polish salad recipes but you can use maple syrup or agave syrup instead and enjoy it vegan.
• Mustard.
• Parsley: can be replaced by dill or chives (or use a combination of herbs).
• Sunflower seeds: you can use pumpkin seeds instead.
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Should I peel the beets

It's absolutely fine to use the carrots and apple unpeeled, but I recommend peeling the beets.  Raw beets are quite earthy (and tricky to clean) and leaving the skin on might intensify this and overpower the overall flavour.  

Do I have to use a food processor

I strongly recommend it. The quickest way of preparing this beet coleslaw is by shredding the beets, carrots and apple in a food processor (using a grating disc).  I do not recommend using a box grater - not only will it be a drawn out affair, but your vegetables won't be as crispy and you might end up with a soggy salad.

Assembling the recipe

1.Prepare the dressing by placing the ingredients in a small bowl and stirring until thoroughly combined.  Set aside.

2. Shred the beets, carrots and apple in a food processor (using the grating disc).

3. Transfer into a large bowl (without the juice which may have collected at the bottom of the food processor bowl), add the sliced onion, chopped parsley and pour over the dressing.

4. Stir thoroughly, season to taste, scatter over the sunflower seeds and refrigerate your raw beet salad for 30 minutes before serving (if possible).

Serving suggestions

Shredded raw beet salad in Poland is typically served with fish, chicken, turkey or pork dishes, often alongside mashed potatoes. It works equally well, however, in sandwiches, wraps as well as burgers (any!).

Top tips and FAQs

• I recommend preparing the ingredients just before assembling the salad (so they are fresh and crunchy).
• I do not recommend grating the vegetables by hand. Use a food processor for a crunchy, crispy finish.
• Use a sweet, rather than sour apple variety.
• Transfer the shredded beets, carrots and apple from the food processor into a bowl without the juice (which may have collected in the food processor).
• Best served chilled. Refrigerate your slaw with beets for 30 minutes before serving, if possible. 
• Not suitable for freezing.

How long does this salad last

Not very long, I am afraid. Raw vegetables have a high water content so after a while they will start to release juice and lose their crunch. For best results keep your beet slaw covered, refrigerated for up to 2 hours. It will still be delicious for another few hours after that but just not as crunchy.

Related recipes

• Polish Cold Beet Salad
• Polish-Style Beet and Potato Salad
• Crispy No-Mayo Coleslaw (Dairy Free)
• Polish Horseradish Beets

Check out also these other delicious salads as well as traditional Polish recipes!

Keep in touch!

If you make this Polish beet slaw recipe I'd love to know how it turned out for you.  Did you make any substitutions? What did you serve it with? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!

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