Pickled Beets
I have a confession to make. I really love pickled beets. They are the best on salads or just as a quick little snack. They are a little sweet, a little tangy, and have a nice texture. In my opinion, they are delicious but there’s so much more to love about them! Beets are high in nutrients and antioxidants making them a vitamin-packed “superfood”.
How to Pickle Beets
Wash and trim – Scrub and rinse beets. If boiling, leave some of the stem on so the colors don’t bleed out. If roasting, you can trim down further, exposing the red part of the beet.Boil or roast – Boil the beets (leaving the skin on) for 25-40 minutes depending on the size of the beets. To roast (my favorite method), follow our easy step-by-step guide on how to roast beets.Make a brine – Make a brine from boiling 1 part sugar to 2 parts vinegar.Slice (or cube) – Cut into slices, wedges, or cubes (use gloves to keep hands from staining).Put in jars – Gently pack beets into pint jars and pour brine over the beets until they are covered.Refrigerate – Cover and refrigerate. For best results, refrigerate at least 3-4 days before serving.
Roasting Beets
Roasting the beets before pickling is my preferred way of softening the beets before pickling. Our roasted beets recipe is my favorite way of doing this. I feel like it beings out the flavor of the beet more than boiling and gives the beets a richer color. Boiling also will work well for pickling, it really just comes down to preference.
What Vinegar Should You Use for Pickled Beets?
For the vinegar, I really like the flavor of apple cider vinegar the best. You can use white vinegar or rice wine vinegar if that’s what you have on hand. If you plan on pressure canning make sure you are using a vinegar with 5% acidity. Most apple cider vinegars will have 5% acidity but its always a good idea to check.
Additions and Variations
This recipe is a very simple recipe for pickled beets. The ingredients are easy and basic, which is a good thing because it makes it easier to dress up. Think of this as a base recipe and then you can add other flavors to your liking. Here’s some ideas of some ingredients you can add to your brine (add them right along with the vinegar and sugar and bring to a boil):
1 cinnamon stickpickling spice (1-2 teaspoons wrapped in cheese cloth and tied shut like a tea bag)5-6 whole clovesMustard seeds PeppercornsSliced onion or pearl onions (add to the jars with the beets)Salt (or canning salt if canning)Water (to dilute vinegar mixture if you find it too strong)
How to Use Pickled Beets
Pickled beets are great on their own as a side dish but are most commonly served over salad. Our beet salad recipe is one of our favorite salads. Its packed with flavor and is absolutely delicious! If served as a side dish, add some goat cheese and walnuts to add more flavor and texture. Beets can also be sliced thin and served on sandwiches or even grilled pizza.
How to Store Pickled Beets
These pickled beets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. Be sure to keep them in an airtight container while in the fridge. For best results, refrigerate the beets for at least 3 days so the beets have a good amount of time to soak up the brine.
Pressure Canning or Water Bath Canning Pickled Beets
If you want to store longer that 2 months, you may want to consider pressure or water bath canning the beets. The recipe will change slightly if you plan on canning the beets rather than just refrigerating them. You will want to add canning salt and follow the canning guidelines at the National Center for Home Food Preservation. You can also pressure can your beets whole, sliced, or cubed by following the Home Food Preservation Guidelines for pressure canning vegetables.
Don’t Toss Out That Beet Juice
After eating up your beets, or even before they are totally gone, add some peeled, hard-boiled eggs to the jars. The beet brine will give the eggs a delicious pickled flavor. Eat the eggs whole or slice them over salads. Need help boiling eggs? Make them in the Instant Pot or use our guide on how to boil eggs on the stovetop.
How to Make Pickled Beets
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