Just Beet It! 18 of Our Favorite Root Recipes (2024)

Did you know that the word beautiful is rooted in the word beet (bee[t]‑ü‑ti‑fəl)? Okay, while that may not be true is definitely not true, it should be, because beets are totally the most gorgeous root vegetables of all. From their deep blood reds to candy cane-stripes to sunny golden hues, brighten up your plate this winter with these 18 un-beet-able recipes!

1. Roasted Beets and Lemon Greens Wrap: Nestled into a homemade yogurt flatbread, roasted beets and their greens mingle with tangy goat cheese and a bright lemon vinaigrette. (via Lore)

2. Beet Almond Cookies: No drops of food color here. A touch of beet puree adds a lovely hue (and a vitamin boost) to these healthy gluten-free, grain-free cookies. (via Veggie Style With Daphne)

3. Egyptian Beetroot Dip: Roasting the beets and garlic sweetens their flavors, making an irresistible spread to enjoy with your favorite cracker. (via Delicious Everyday)

4. Rainbow Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing: We’re all over rainbow-colored recipes around here, and this one’s no exception. (via Feasting at Home)

6. Warm Lentil Salad with Roasted Beets and Goat Cheese: Whether you’re easing back into solid food after a juice cleanse or simply looking for a healthy meal that feels indulgent, this salad is it. (via Many Kitchens)

7. Vegetable Nori Rolls with Crunchy Lentils and Turmeric: If you can’t stomach the swimming stuff in sushi, dip your toes into the nori-wrapped world of vegan, gluten-free rolls with this veggie-packed version. (via Food Fitness FreshAir)

8. Beet Latkes with Horseradish Crème Fraîche: Another terrific latke recipe to add to your repertoire. These beet-based fritters are thoughtfully seasoned with dill and chives, then served with a dollop of kicky crème fraîche. (via The View from Great Island)

9. Roasted Beet, Arugula, Goat Cheese, and Honey Crostini: Whether you make a meal out of these crostini or serve them up as an app at your next party, you can’t go wrong. (via Gimme Some Oven)

10. Beet Green and Mushroom Frittata: Don’t just toss the greens from your next bunch of beets, make this veggie-packed frittata instead. (via Fig + Honey)

11. Wine Poached Pears with Beet and Pomegranate: Whether you use red wine or not, these spiced pears will take on a gorgeous ruby hue courtesy of the beets and pomegranate seeds! (via Elephants and the Coconut Trees)

12. Spiced Dark Chocolate Beet Cake with Cardamom Infused Cream: Would you guess that this decadent chocolate cake is both flourless AND contains about a half pound of beets? (via Two Loves Studio)

13. Lemon Dijon Beet Salad: The dressing for this gorgeous salad gets a bit of a creamy boost courtesy of coconut milk. (via Poppies and Papayas)

14. Pancetta, Golden Beet, and Gorgonzola Pasta: It’s hard to spot the golden-colored beets tucked among the pasta, making this dish a great way to sneak in a little veggie action. The cheese and a touch of Italian bacon don’t hurt either. (via Bitchin’ Camero)

15. Caramelized Onion and Beet Soup: This soup raids the root cellar and your pantry to create this creamy, sippable soup. (via Gobo Root)

16. Raw Beet and Berry Liver Cleanse: After shaking your way through our co*cktail archives, this juice may be just what the doctor ordered. (Granted, we’re not medical experts, but whatever.) (via Bare Root)

17. Sumac Thyme Roast Chicken with Strawberry-Beet Watercress: We’d never in a million years think to combine beets and strawberries, but Ms. Mollenkamp makes it work as a terrific spring-summer accompaniment to roast chicken. Yum! (via Aida Mollenkamp)

18. Poached Eggs with Greens and Garlic on Toast: Put a bird egg on it! Another terrific way to use up those beet greens, these toasts would be a terrific centerpiece for your next brunch. (via Paprika Red)

Have you already fallen for this sometimes under-appreciated, earthy veg or are you still rooted in doubt? Talk to us in the comments!

Heather Sage

Heather Sage is a gluten-free recipe developer and freelance writer living in Orlando by way of the Silicon Valley. When she isn’t playing around with alternative flours in the kitchen, she can be found tackling DIY projects around the house or exploring her neighborhood. Check out her gluten-free recipe blog, A Sage Amalgam.

Just Beet It! 18 of Our Favorite Root Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to cook beet root? ›

Wash the beets gently, making sure that you don't tear the skins, then place in a pan of warm water, bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer until tender – around 20–30 minutes. Alternatively, you can steam whole beetroot or bake them in the oven for 2–3 hours at 150°C/gas mark 2.

Do you peel beets before cooking? ›

Keep checking whichever method you're using. Don't remove the beet skin before cooking. It's really not necessary and it's much easier to do so after cooking. Some also find that removing the skin prior to cooking takes away some of the beet's earthy test.

Is it better to roast or boil beetroot? ›

For meals, the two most common ways to prepare this root vegetable is to roast or boil it. Roasted beetroot provides a nourishing, hearty taste, and boiling brings bright and vibrant colour.

What is the healthiest way to eat beetroot? ›

Retain the good-for-you nutrients in beets by roasting them or sautéing them instead. Or lightly steam them for just a few minutes, suggests Doyle.

Is it better to eat beetroot raw or cooked? ›

Eating raw beets isn't just possible, it may be the more nutritious choice. "Raw beets provide the most nutritional benefit, as they lose antioxidant concentration once they are cooked," says registered dietitian Whitney Stuart, RDN, CDE.

What does beetroot do to the body? ›

Packed with nutrition, beets have antioxidants like betalains that fight cell damage and inflammation, potentially offering protection against cancer and heart disease. Health benefits of beets include more stamina during exercise, heart disease and stroke prevention, and lower blood pressure.

How many minutes should I cook beetroot? ›

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until fork-tender, 25 to 35 minutes for medium beets or 45 minutes to 1 hour for large beets. 3. Immediately move the cooked beets into ice-cold water and peel off the skins.

Can I eat raw beetroot? ›

A: Yes, you can eat raw beets. They are often served peeled and sliced, but they are safe to eat with the skin on. (15) You can eat raw beets plain or with seasoning. Alternatively, you can add raw beets to a salad for a sweet crunch.

How long do beets last in the fridge? ›

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.

Do you boil beets covered or uncovered? ›

Place washed beets in a large pot. Fill the pot with water to cover the beets. Bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer the beets for about 20-50 minutes depending on the size and desired tenderness.

Why is vinegar added in water for boiling beetroot? ›

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. Place pot under running cold water and let rinse until beets can be handled.

Can you 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.

Can you drink the beet juice from boiling beets? ›

Yes, you can. It's completely safe to drink water that has been used to boil beetroots. Why can't I eat them raw? Actually, beets can be eaten raw, especially when grated or made into a salad.

Is it better to drink beet juice or eat beets? ›

Most research conducted on athletic performance, blood pressure, and other notable benefits of beets used beetroot juice in their studies. Therefore, it's suggested that beetroot juice is likely a better option for those who are taking beets for those benefits.

How much beetroot should you eat a day? ›

The oxalates found in beets can increase your uric acid level, meaning that too many beets can lead to gout. To avoid this, stick to no more than a single half-cup serving of beets per day.

How do you eat beetroot without losing nutrients? ›

How to Prepare Beets
  1. Store Them Properly. After bringing beets home from the grocery, try to store them immediately unless you're cooking them right away. ...
  2. Roast Them. Roasting is an overall healthy cooking method with minimal vitamin loss, particularly vitamin C. ...
  3. Stir-Fry Them. ...
  4. Use Stainless Steel Cookware.
Aug 22, 2018

Can you eat beetroot straight from the garden? ›

It is the cooking that softens it up, though it can be eaten raw. I grate some raw beetroot into salads and stuff occasionaly, just for fun. I'm not sure what to say about the smell thing. I think that raw beetroot generally smells a little earthy, especially if you haven't peeled it yet.

Do you peel beetroot if eating raw? ›

Most people do peel beets, because the skin is a bit unattractive and can be dirty even after a good scrub. But beet skins are rich in nutrients and perfectly fine to eat too.

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