22 Beet Recipes That You Can't Beat (2024)

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22 Beet Recipes That You Can't Beat (1)Hazel WheatonUpdated: Nov. 16, 2023

    These beet recipes put this wonderful root vegetable to work! Beets add a sweet, earthy flavor to salads, soups, sides and more.

    Pickled Beets

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    The pickled beets my mother made came from our garden and were canned for the winter months. Even as a child I loved beets because they brought so much color to our table. —Sara Lindler, Irmo, South Carolina

    Beet Salad with Lemon Dressing

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    I was looking for a recipe for pickled beets and saw one with lemon instead of vinegar. I immediately thought of making a tabbouleh-inspired salad with beets instead of tomatoes. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

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    Taste of Home

    This grilled beet pizza scores big with me for two reasons. It encourages my husband and son to eat greens, and it showcases fresh produce. —Sarah Gray, Erie, Colorado

    Nectarine and Beet Salad

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    Beets, nectarines and feta cheese make for scrumptious additions to mixed greens. While the combination of ingredients may seem unlikely, I guarantee it will become a favorite salad on your home menu. —Nicole Werner, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Air-Fryer Beets with Orange Gremolata and Goat Cheese

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    My grandma always grew beets and then pickled or canned them, but I prefer to prepare them differently. These roasted beets with fresh herbs and tangy goat cheese are wonderful in the winter or they can be enjoyed all year. —Courtney Archibeque, Greeley, Colorado

    Honey Beet Bread

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    22 Beet Recipes That You Can't Beat (6)

    If you have any leftovers from dinner, you’ll find this savory beet bread makes great sandwiches, too. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

    Minted Beet Salad

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    Taste of Home

    We have neighbors who share vegetables from their garden, and every year my husband and I look forward to their beets. My interest in Mediterranean food inspired this beet salad recipe—the vinegar and oil dressing with fresh mint will tone down the sweetness of the beets, and the kalamata olives add a salty touch. —Barbara Estabrook, Appleton, Wisconsin

    Berry-Beet Salad

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    Taste of Home

    Here’s a delightfully different salad that balances the earthy flavor of beets with the natural sweetness of berries. If you prefer, substitute crumbled feta for the goat cheese. —Amy Lyons, Mounds View, Minnesota

    Harvard Beets

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    Taste of Home

    This pretty side dish’s bright, citrusy flavors are an ideal companion for down-to-earth entrees—and for people who usually shy away from beets. —Jean Ann Perkins, Newburyport, Maryland

    Beet and Sweet Potato Fries

    Oven-baked beets and sweet potatoes put a colorful and flavorful twist on traditional French fries and add interest to a meal as a side dish. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan

    Russian Borscht Soup

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    With beets, carrots, cabbage and tomatoes, this Russian borscht soup recipe is great for gardeners like myself. Not only is it delicious, but its bright crimson color is eye-catching on the table. —Ginny Bettis, Montello, Wisconsin

    Roasted Beet Wedges

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    This beet recipe makes ordinary beets taste tender and delicious with just a few sweet and good-for-you ingredients. —Wendy Stenman, Germantown, Wisconsin

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    Taste of Home

    Glistening citrus and beets star in this colorful, tangy salad. It’s a refreshing mix of bright flavors—just add chicken and it’s a complete meal. —Peter Eldridge, Clermont, Florida

    Pickled Eggs with Beets and Hot Cherry Peppers

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    Taste of Home

    Because my grandmother didn’t measure anything when she cooked, I had to guess when I decided to duplicate her recipe for pickled eggs with beets. The color becomes more intense the longer they marinate. —Judie Thurstenson, Colcord, OK

    Red Flannel Stew

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    When I was a child, every Saturday night was red flannel night. Grandpa and I wore our red flannel long underwear to supper and Grandma, the cook, dressed in a long calico dress and sunbonnet. We’d eat this beet stew spooned over fluffy southern-style biscuits. Grandma learned to make the stew from earlier generations of our family. —Kathy Padgett, Diamond City, Arkansas

    Harvest Salad with Cherry Vinaigrette

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    Taste of Home

    Mixed greens and plenty of beets make this salad so satisfying, and it’s gorgeous to serve for special occasions. —Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids, Michigan

    Fall Garden Medley

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    Taste of Home

    I like to make this beet recipe in the fall and winter for special occasions because it’s very colorful, tasty and healthy. It’s a hearty side that complements many different meat dishes. —Krystine Kercher, Lincoln, Nebraska

    Winter Beet Salad

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    Taste of Home

    To save a little time on this sweet and savory beet salad, we recommend using packaged salad greens in this original recipe. The simple dressing is easy to assemble. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Pickled Eggs with Beets

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    Ever since I can remember, my mother served this pickled egg recipe at Easter. It was a tradition that my family expected. I made them for my granddaughter the last time she visited and they were all gone before she left. —Mary Banker, Fort Worth, Texas

    Originally Published: June 21, 2018

    22 Beet Recipes That You Can't Beat (20)

    Hazel Wheaton

    Hazel is a writer and editor who has worked in the publishing industry for over 25 years in the fields of travel, jewelry arts and food. As the editor of the Taste of Home Christmas Annual (among other titles), she's in the holiday spirit all year round. An enthusiastic baker, she's known for her cookies, cakes and other baked goods. And she still wishes she could cook like her mother.

    22 Beet Recipes That You Can't Beat (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the tastiest way to eat beets? ›

    You can use cooked beets in salads, to make hummus or to blend into smoothies. They can be diced for slaw, quartered for a grain bowl or mashed to make a dip or spread. Their thick and chewy texture is even great in a galette or quesadilla.

    What can you add to beets to make them taste better? ›

    Flavors that pair well with roasted beets:

    Arugula and other bold greens, including collard greens. Avocado. Balsamic vinegar, as well as red wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar. Black pepper.

    How do you make beets more palatable? ›

    My favorite way to cook beets is to roast them, which gives a sweeter, richer, and deeper flavor than boiling does. Another advantage is that they don't bleed as much, especially if they're roasted whole.

    Why not peel beets before roasting? ›

    Then, I picked up a transformative piece of information: you do not need to peel beets when roasting.
    • The skins of beets are thin.
    • With a thorough scrubbing with a vegetable brush beforehand, once the beets are sliced and roasted, the skin is hardly perceptible.

    What brings out the flavor of beets? ›

    Pair them with bright, fresh flavors- By adding vinegar, lemon juice, fresh herbs, tangy cheese or yogurt to your dish, you will help balance the flavor. This is why you commonly see roasted beets and goat cheese together.

    Is it okay to eat beets every day? ›

    Can you eat beets everyday? It's always best to follow a varied diet. Eating a small amount of beetroot every day is unlikely to do any harm, but a high intake could lead to low blood pressure, red or black urine and feces, and digestive problems for anyone with a sensitivity to the nutrients.

    Why do I feel better after eating beets? ›

    Indeed, beet juice has been shown in studies to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Plus, a nitrate-rich diet has also been linked to improved brain function. Because nitrates widen blood vessels, this allows for an increased flow of blood to the brain, which is beneficial to cognitive function.

    Why add vinegar to beets? ›

    Usually we boil them and toss them in a sweet sour vinaigrette and keep them in the refrigerator to eat all week. The vinegar in the dressing "pickles" the beets, helping them last longer in the fridge.

    What pairs well with beets? ›

    Looking for a quick answer? The best side dishes to serve with beets are steamed vegetables, green beans, salad Nicoise, goat cheese dip, radish chips, potato rosti, zucchini noodles, roasted asparagus, quinoa salad, crispy kale chips, hummus, sautéed spinach, feta and watermelon salad, and corn on the cob.

    What is the healthiest way to cook beets? ›

    Roast Them

    Roasting is an overall healthy cooking method with minimal vitamin loss, particularly vitamin C. Roasted beets are rich and sweet with slight mineral flavors. Remember to avoid long cooking times and high temperatures, as these can reduce nutrients. Try using smaller bulbs if you want to prepare them faster.

    Is it better to bake or boil beets? ›

    But roasting transforms beets from something crunchy into something silky and tender. Although it requires a hot oven, I prefer roasting over boiling or steaming because roasting concentrates the beet's flavors and brings out its sweeter side.

    How to make beets taste like meat? ›

    Cure your vegetables as you would a piece of meat for a couple of days. This can be achieved by rubbing the vegetable or mushroom with salt at a concentration of 1.75% of the vegetable's weight, wrapping it tightly in plastic or vacuum sealing it, and letting it sit in the fridge for 2-3 days.

    What does beetroot do to your body? ›

    Beetroot and its juice help your heart and lungs work better during exercise. Nitric oxide from beets increases blood flow to your muscles. Some athletes eat beetroot or drink beet juice when exercising to improve their performance. Beets are rich in folate (vitamin B9), which helps cells grow and function.

    How long do beets last in the fridge? ›

    Do not trim the tail. Store beets in a plastic bag in the refrigerator at or below 41 °F for 7 to 10 days. Beets may be frozen for up to ten months. For best quality and nutritive value, preserve only what your family can consume in 12 months.

    Can dogs eat beets? ›

    Beets are safe for dogs to eat and offer numerous nutritional benefits. They can function as a healthy dog treat for a pet with a taste for human food. Dog owners can safely serve small pieces of beets to their pets, either mixed in with dog food or given separately.

    Is it better to eat beets raw or cooked? ›

    Raw or Cooked? Cooked. Low in calories and high in nutrients, cooked beets reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Benefits: Naturally occurring compounds in beets improve blood flow, help keep arteries healthy and reduce LDL cholesterol (the 'bad' kind).

    How do you make beets taste like meat? ›

    Cure your vegetables as you would a piece of meat for a couple of days. This can be achieved by rubbing the vegetable or mushroom with salt at a concentration of 1.75% of the vegetable's weight, wrapping it tightly in plastic or vacuum sealing it, and letting it sit in the fridge for 2-3 days.

    How do you cover the taste of beets? ›

    One of the best ways to mask the dirt taste of beets is to pair it with a sweeter flavor. Try adding some honey, maple syrup, or agave to the beets when cooking them. You can also pair the cooked beets with other savory ingredients like bacon, onion, or garlic to balance out the sweetness.

    Do fresh beets taste better than canned? ›

    Beets retain their flavor even when canned, but fresh beets (cooked or raw) have an even sweeter taste and crisp texture. Actually there are more canned beets sold in the United States than fresh!

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