26 Beet Recipes That Celebrate This Earthy, Vibrant Vegetable (2024)

26 Beet Recipes That Celebrate This Earthy, Vibrant Vegetable (1)

Are you a fan of beets? We think these colorful bundles are a real package deal. Whether you go for gold or red, the roots pack nearly four grams of fiber per cup and the leaves contain potassium, calcium, and iron. Our recipes bring out the natural flavor of beets and add vibrancy to every dish. If you're not a fan of beets' famously bright hues, cover your work surfaces. Then start peeling, slicing, and grating. The key to peeling beets is rubbing a towel against their skin soon after they've cooked but are still warm. The skin should come off easily without breaking the beet.

Fresh, flavorful beets are easy to find, especially from late spring through fall. Look for beets that are firm and not too big, with taut, smooth skins and greens that look fresh enough to eat (in fact, beet greens are edible, too). If you can, snap up tender baby beets—they cook faster and taste sweeter. To store, cut the greens from the roots, leaving an inch of stem attached, and place the parts in separate plastic bags and refrigerate. Beet roots will last at least a month, but you should use the greens within three or four days. Once the greens start to wilt, it's a sign you should toss them out (or compost!).

Now get to work! Beets are most popular in savory recipes, but don't underestimate their power to add moistness and a fudgy texture to desserts, too. You can also use beets to dye foods, as well. While we usually steer clear of getting too comfortable with this technique, sometimes it's worth embracing. It can transform the color of ingredients to match its deep purple hue. When used on salmon, for example, beet dye turns the peach flesh into a lovely burgundy hue. It's an absolute show stopper when made for a crowd.

Of course, the best and most common ways to use beets are to steam or roast the beets, then slice or dice them for toast, salads, or whirred into a creamy soup. If you're ready to add more beets your meals, we're sharing our most spectacular recipes to inspire you.

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Raw-Beet and Celery-Root Salad

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This colorful salad looks like a sunset with its thin slices of red onion, matchstick beets, fresh parsley leaves, and giant shavings of Parmesan cheese. Beets are a top source of plant-based iron; pairing them with citrus helps your body absorb the nutrient.

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02of 26

Caramelized Beet-Lentil Pilaf

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When you're craving a healthy lunch or dinner on the weekends, this is it. Grated beets are simmered with rice and lentils. Together, they provide 10 grams of fiber per serving.

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03of 26

Sautéed Beet Greens

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This clean-eating, super quick side dish makes good use of nearly four cups of torn beet leaves finished with the lightest-ever vinaigrette.

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04of 26

Beet Muhammara

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Looking for a departure from creamy, mayonnaise-based dips? This vegan dip is made from a flavorful combination of walnuts, red beets, garlic, olive oil, and spices. Serve with crudités or pita.

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05of 26

Smoked-Salmon Flatbread with Pickled Beet

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Quick-pickled beets bring our brunch time version of a lox bagel to new heights. Other elements of the appetizer include garlic-herb cheese and smoked salmon, which are layered over store-bought pizza dough (a welcome time saver!).

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06of 26

Beet-and-Carrot Juice Salad

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There are more nutrients in this crunchy salad than in a daily juice. Beets, carrots, and Granny Smith apples are peeled and julienned, then tossed with fresh mint leaves and a ginger-lemon dressing.

07of 26

Escarole, Beet, and Cherry-Tomato Salad

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This salad has it all: color, crunch, and flavor, thanks to beets, escarole, funky slices of blue cheese, and a light lemony vinaigrette.

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08of 26

Beet-and-Dill Roasted Wild Salmon

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Here's an impressive main. Layer a mixture of grated beets, dill, horseradish, and lemon zest on top of an entire side of wild salmon for 30 minutes. The resting time infuses the fish with tons of flavor and a rich pinkish-purple hue that is guaranteed to wow guests.

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09of 26

Warm Duck Salad with Caramelized Beets

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Looking for the perfect vegetable to accompany a rich, meaty duck? Beets are the answer. Here, they're roasted and caramelized for extra sweetness and tossed with grapefruit pieces and citrus juices.

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10of 26

Gingery Beet Soup

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Just right for a cold winter day, this vegetarian soup is creamy and comforting thanks to a combination of cooked red beets and Yukon Gold potatoes.

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11of 26

Beet-and-Tahini Dip

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Classics never go out of style but it's always fun to give them an update. In this take on hummus, swap in red or golden beets for chickpeas, which add an earthy flavor.

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12of 26

Beet Noodles with Parsley Pesto and Parmesan

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Rather than pasta noodles, this recipe uses healthy spiralized beet noodles. They add an earthy flavor and dramatic hue to your dinner bowl. Finish the dish off with more traditional pasta toppings such as pesto and Parmesan cheese.

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13of 26

Potato-and-Pickled-Beet Salad

Skip the mayo and add a bit of tang with this take on the ever-popular potato salad that's vegan to boot. If you're planning to bring this to a party, make it up to two days in advance so all you have to do on the day is transport it and serve.

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14of 26

Beet Farinata

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Farinata is an unleavened pancake made from chickpea flour—so it's gluten-free. Bake it in a cast-iron skillet, then top with a fresh mixture of thinly sliced beets, chopped anchovies, and fresh basil leaves.

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15of 26

Fudgy Chocolate Beet Cake

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Steamed beets add moisture to this rich chocolate cake, but their earthy flavor certainly doesn't take away from the decadence of this sweet treat. Thanks to spelt flour, this cake has a bonus dose of fiber, protein, and vitamins.

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16of 26

Slow-Roasted Salmon Salad with Barley and Golden Beets

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The salmon in this recipe is delicious, but golden beets are the real star of the meal. They're sliced super-thin on a mandoline and stir-fried with scallions until they begin to caramelize. Toss the vegetable with barley before serving to play up its already earthy and nutty flavors.

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17of 26

Roasted-Carrot-and-Beet Tart

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Consider serving this tart for a holiday feast like Thanksgiving, or any special dinner party. The gorgeous hues of roasted carrots and purple beets pop against a nutty cilantro-based sauce known as chermoula.

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Grapefruit and Vinegar-Roasted Beets with Salsa Verde

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Talk about a beauty! The contrast of juicy tart grapefruits and sweet baby beets is absolutely delectable.

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19of 26

Seared Beets with Turmeric-Tahini Broccoli and Salmon

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In this healthy entrée, beets are treated like a juicy piece of steak. They're cut into slices and seared until the center is tender and the exterior is crisp. Serve the crunchy slices with salmon and broccoli cooked on a sheet pan, and drizzle our tahini-lime juice-turmeric sauce on top before serving.

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20of 26

Green Salad with Roasted Beets and Pickled Rhubarb

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Eating a diet rich in color is the perfect way to pack in some nutrition and this salad does just that. Roasted beets are mixed with pickled rhubarb and tender lettuces, making a simple spring salad that shines when tossed with a mustard-dill dressing.

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21of 26

Beets with Greens and Ricotta on Toast

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Have avocado toast fatigue? This recipe will give your usual breakfast a major upgrade. Ground coffee is sprinkled over beets to temper their sweetness and bring out the earthy flavors. Once roasted, slice the beets and serve over toast spread with ricotta cheese.

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22of 26

Roasted Beets with Dill-and-Chive Yogurt Dressing

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When you want color and crunch, this stunning salad should do the trick. Sliced roasted beets are topped with mini cucumbers, green apple slices, and jalapeño peppers. Garnish with a fragrant creamy dill dressing.

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Roasted Beet and Dandelion Greens Salad

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Goodbye arugula, hello dandelion greens! They star alongside red, golden, and Chioggia beets in this roasted-meets-raw salad. Toasted cumin seeds add a flavorful finishing touch.

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24of 26

Beet, Cheddar, and Apple Tarts

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Thinly sliced beets add beautiful color to these small tarts, which are just the right size for appetizers. Use store-bought puff pastry for the easiest, fastest shells ever.

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25of 26

Beet and Yogurt with Pickled Rose Petals

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Bursting with hues of purple from two types of baby beets and rose petals, this yogurt is the perfect thing to serve with homemade Poppy-Seed Lavash or a store-bought lavash.

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Roasted Golden-Beet, Avocado, and Watercress Salad

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A crumbled, soft-ripened goat cheese, such as Humboldt Fog, provides a hit of tang and freshness in this delicate summer salad. And while avocado adds richness, golden radishes imparts an earthy, nutty flavor. It's the perfect balance.

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26 Beet Recipes That Celebrate This Earthy, Vibrant Vegetable (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.

What's the best way to prepare beets? ›

Bring a large pot filled halfway with water to a boil under high heat. Add a steamer basket on top of the pot, making sure it's not touching the water beneath it. Place the beets in the steamer basket and cover. Steam on high until the beets are fork tender, about 30-40 minutes, depending on the size.

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 is vinegar added in water for boiling beetroot? ›

Directions. Place the beets in a large saucepan and add water to cover and the lemon juice or vinegar. This will help to keep the beets from bleeding. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

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.

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.

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 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 better to boil or bake beets? ›

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. Incidentally, to get beet stains off your hands, wet them, rub them with coarse salt, then wash with soap.

Do you cook beets with the skin on or off? ›

Cut off the stems and leaves at the top (you can cook beet greens as well). While some people peel beets, they're kind of messy and to be honest, it's not necessary to do before cooking. Once cooked the skins just slide right off. If the beets are large, cut them in halves or quarters so they cook faster.

What drink pairs well with beets? ›

The sweet, earthy taste of a beet is the perfect complement to warming spirits like bourbon and Scotch, but takes on a more fresh, vegetal character when paired with gin. Plus, thanks to their naturally blood-red color, beet co*cktails are a sophisticated answer to the Halloween drink conundrum.

What are the pros and cons of beets? ›

While it may seem like a good idea to have beets daily because of their benefits, you may need to exercise caution when eating them. Eating beets or drinking beet juice may lead to kidney stones, a potential food allergy, or stool or urine color changes.

What flavor compliments beets? ›

Search for beetroot pairings

We see that other root vegetables share their earthy aromas with the beetroot. Also ingredients like dark chocolate, nuts, coffee or roasted onions have earthy flavors and pair well with beetroot.

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 more palatable? ›

Roast for Sweetness

Roasting beets deepens their natural sugars while tempering bitterness. Bake whole, wrapped beets at 400°F for 60-75 minutes until easily pierced by a fork. Allow to cool before peeling and juicing. Incorporating roasted beets creates a smoother, mellower, almost nutty-flavored blended juice.

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.

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