Summary

  • Preserve beets through pickling, lasting up to eight weeks in the fridge, for a tangy snack or salad addition.
  • Make creamy beet hummus by roasting beets and blending with ingredients.
  • Roast beets to caramelize natural sugars for a sweet side dish or salad topper.

Are you growing beets in your vegetable garden and looking for a few new beet recipes to try at home? Beets are a low-maintenance root vegetable that grows beneath the soil, producing tender, juicy root bulbs with fresh, crisp greens. All parts of the plant are edible, from its roots to its leafy greens, making a tasty and healthy addition to your diet.

Whether you have beets growing in the garden, or you simply purchased some at the grocery store, there are plenty of ways to incorporate this nutrient-rich vegetable into your diet. Beets are high in antioxidants, folate, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium. In fact, beets contain high amounts of betalain, which is a powerful antioxidant that reduces inflammation in the body and may reduce your risk of cancer. Other health benefits include lowering blood pressure and heart disease, along with improving your digestive health. Overall, this small but mighty vegetable is a nutrient powerhouse!

Discover five beet recipes that will change your mind about this root vegetable, from beet salad recipes to beet green recipes and more!

1 Crunchy Quick Pickled Beets

Extend the shelf life of your beets by pickling

A simple and easy beet recipe, pickling allows you to preserve your root vegetables and store them in the fridge for up to eight weeks at a time. Of course, the longer they sit and marinate in the brine, the better your beets will taste. Pickled beets have a tangy, crunchy, and sweet flavor that makes a great addition to your beet salad recipes, or eat them as a snack straight out of the jar!

Always store your quick-pickled beets in the fridge to maintain freshness. Unlike regular canning, these beets are not shelf-stable and must be kept in your fridge.

In order to pickle your beets, you first need to gather your brining and canning materials.

  • 2 ½ cups of beets
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • ⅓ cup of apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup of water
  • 2 tbsp of sugar
  • 1 ½ tbsp of kosher salt
  • ½ tsp of black peppercorns

Start your pickled beets the right way with some simple steps!

Step 1: Prepare the Beets

To begin, thoroughly wash and remove the leaves from your beets. Using a vegetable peeler or sharp knife, remove the skin, and cut your beets into quarters or slices.

Step 2: Boil Your Beets

Next, fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add your beets to the water and cook on high for 15 to 20 minutes until fork tender. Strain and set the beets aside and allow them to cool.

Step 3: Prepare Brine

Prepare your brine by combining water, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and kosher salt in a pot. Heat the brine until the salt and sugar dissolve. Set aside and allow the brine to come to room temperature.

Step 4: Pour Brine Over Beets

In a jar, add the peppercorns and beets. Carefully pour the brine over your beets, filling them to the top of the jar. Cover with a lid and store in the fridge for six to eight weeks.

2 Rich and Creamy Beet Hummus

Transform roasted beets into a delicious and creamy dip

beet hummus Image credits: carlamonsoncm0 via Pixabay

One of the best beet recipes is a creamy and delicious hummus dip, which has a garlicky kick and earthy flavor. With a bright pink color and a subtle taste of beets, roasted beets add nutrients and tons of flavor to this classic hummus dip. Not only is it healthy and low in calories, but it comes together in only a few minutes in a food processor!

Gather your ingredients and materials before making this yummy hummus dip!

  • 1 large beet
  • 1 can of chickpeas
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp of cumin
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 3 tbsp of tahini
  • 2 tbsp of olive oil
  • 2 tbsp of water
  • Fresh dill for topping (optional)

Once you have everything, it's time to start cooking!

Step 1: Roast Beet in the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and drizzle 1 large beet with olive oil. Cover it with foil and roast in the oven for approximately 30 minutes until fork tender. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients in a Food Processor

In a food processor, add the chickpeas, beet, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, sea salt, tahini, olive oil, and water. Pulse several times until smooth.

Step 3: Store in an Airtight Container

Serve your hummus with a sprinkle of fresh dill alongside fresh vegetables or pita chips. Transfer your hummus to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to a week.

3 Easy Balsamic Roasted Beets

Roasting beets brings out their natural sweetness

roasted beets Image credits: Sunvic via Shutterstock

When it comes to delicious beet recipes, balsamic roasted beets are a must-try recipe that requires very few ingredients. Roasting beets enhances the flavor of this root vegetable, as they caramelize in the oven, which brings out their natural sweetness. Enjoy your balsamic roasted beets as a side dish or as a tasty topping for your next salad!

Grab your beets, your utensils, and your creativity! Gather the following:

  • 3 large beets
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp of salt
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp of honey

Preheat your oven and get to cooking!

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prep Your Beets

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and spray or grease your baking sheet with oil. Peel your beets and cut them into ½ inch cubes.

Step 2: Roast Beets

Toss the beets with olive oil and salt, and then spread onto a baking sheet, spacing evenly. Roast in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 3: Prep Your Balsamic Glaze

While the beets are roasting, make your balsamic glaze. Combine the balsamic vinegar and honey, and stir until well combined.

Step 4: Toss Beets in Glaze and Bake Again

Next, remove the beets from the oven. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze, and return to the oven to cook for another 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Serve warm as a healthy side dish.

4 Fresh Arugula and Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

A sweet and savory healthy beet salad recipe

beet arugula and nut salad Image credits: DronG via Shutterstock

Beets make a wonderful addition to your salads, adding a sweet, earthy component that simply melts in your mouth! The best part is that beet salad recipes are easy to throw together, and are packed with flavor too. Combine the peppery taste of arugula with the sweet taste of beets in this nutritious salad that comes together quickly and is perfect for those busy weeknights. Serve it as a side dish to your favorite meal, or top it with a protein of your choice to make it a complete meal.

You'll need to gather some ingredients before constucting this tasty treat.

  • 6 cups of arugula
  • 6 small beets
  • ½ cup of walnuts (or nuts of your choice)
  • ¼ cup of dried cranberries
  • 4 oz of goat cheese
  • ¼ cup of olive oil
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Now that you have everything on hand, it's time to start cooking!

Step 1: Roast the Beets

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. To make your roasted beets, drizzle each beet with olive oil and cover with foil. Roast in the oven for approximately 30 minutes until fork tender. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. After cooling, cut into ½ inch cubes.

Step 2: Prepare Your Salad and Dressing

In a large bowl, combine arugula, beets, walnuts, dried cranberries, and goat cheese. To prepare the dressing, add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper to a small bowl. Whisk to combine.

Step 3: Mix Together

Drizzle your homemade dressing over the salad and gently toss together until combined. Serve right away.

5 Simple Sautéed Beet Greens

A healthy and easy way to use your leafy greens

beet greens Image credits: Mondgesicht via Pixabay

Beet green recipes allow you to use the leafy greens from your beets, so nothing goes to waste! The tops of beets are nutrient-dense and make an easy side dish that takes only 10 minutes to make. When cooked in broth and garlic, these leafy greens are bursting with fresh flavor, and have a similar taste and texture to Swiss chard.

Start by grabbing your beet greens and other essentials.

  • 1 bunch of beet greens (from three to four beets)
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • ½ tbsp of apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp of olive oil
  • Salt to taste

To make sautéed beet greens, you'll need to follow some directions.

Step 1: Chop Vegetables

To begin, chop your onion, beet greens, and stems into small pieces and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté Your Onion and Beet Stems

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. First, add in the beet stems and onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 3: Add in Beet Greens

Next, stir in the beet leaves and chicken broth and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add in apple cider vinegar and salt to taste. Remove everything from the heat and plate.

Un-beet-able Recipes Packed with Flavor and Nutrients

Explore the unique and delicious taste of root vegetables by adding any of these easy beet recipes to your weeknight routine! Whether you are looking for new beet salad recipes, or beet green recipes that allow you to utilize all parts of your homegrown beets, there is a recipe for every flavor palette. Enhance the flavor of your beets by pairing them with fresh garlic or balsamic vinegar, or toss a few into your next garden salad. To bring out their natural sweetness, try roasted beets, which have a richer flavor profile than boiled or raw alternatives.