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 do I get the most out of my beetroot? ›

Steaming beets is a healthful cooking method because they retain most of their vitamins and minerals—they're not boiled out in water—and stay incredibly vibrant. Plus, steaming small beets or beet quarters is quick and easy for weeknights.

How do you cook beets for maximum benefits? ›

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.

Do you eat beet root? ›

All parts of fresh beets can be eaten raw or cooked. Recipes for cooking the roots may include roasting, boiling, microwaving, steaming, or pickling. While they can be eaten raw, leaves and stems are often sautéed or added to liquid to cook.

Is it OK to eat beets everyday? ›

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.

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.

How do you make beets taste good? ›

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir shredded beets in hot butter until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Pour water over the beets, cover skillet with a lid, and simmer beets until completely softened, about 10 minutes. Stir balsamic vinegar with the beets; season with salt and pepper.

Do you peel beets before cooking? ›

TIPS FOR cooking beets

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.

What is the healthiest way to cook beets? ›

Oven-Steaming

Steaming in the oven rather than baking helps preserve more of the healthy vitamins and minerals in beets. This method also helps beets better retain their beautiful, vibrant color.

How many times a week should you eat beets? ›

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.

Which beets are the healthiest? ›

Different betalains create different colors, but all of them provide the positive antioxidant effects we know beets for. Golden beets are higher in “betacyanins”, whereas red beets are higher in “betaxanthins”. Another similar bioactive that contributes some of the health effects of beets is the antioxidant “betaine”.

Should you drink the water after boiling beets? ›

Yes, you can. It's completely safe to drink water that has been used to boil beetroots.

When should you not eat beetroot? ›

Anyone who has low blood pressure or is currently taking blood pressure medication should speak with a healthcare professional before adding beets or beetroot juice to their diet. Beets contain high levels of oxalates, which can cause kidney stones in people with a high risk of this condition.

Does beetroot burn belly fat? ›

There is no evidence to suggest that beetroot can directly burn belly fat. Beetroot is healthy and nutritious. But no single food can cause fat loss in a specific body area. Following a balanced, calorie-controlled diet and engaging in regular physical activity are essential.

Do beets really lower blood pressure? ›

Beets are high in nitrates which research suggests improve cardiovascular health in several ways. Some studies show beetroot juice supplementation may lower blood pressure and increase blood flow. It increases oxygen uptake, lengthening the time it takes to become fatigued, which allows people to stay active longer.

What can you add to beetroot to make it taste better? ›

Beets' earthy flavor profile pairs wonderfully with fruits and vegetables that provide complementary sweet, savory, citrusy, or spicy notes. Here are some of my favorite ingredients for beet juice blends: Fruits: oranges, grapefruit, lemon, lime, pineapple, mango, strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears.

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

Both eating beets and drinking beet juice will give you anti-inflammatory betalains and other phytonutrients. If you're looking to enhance athletic performance, drink up. Juicing beets delivers a concentrated dose of nitrates, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. However, you lose the fiber when you juice the beets.

Is it better to eat beets raw or cooked? ›

Cooking beets decreases the bioavailability of dietary nitrate from the food, meaning raw beets deliver more dietary nitrate.

Why do you put vinegar on beetroot? ›

Beets are naturally sweet and earthy, making them a versatile vegetable to incorporate into your meals. By adding vinegar to the boiling process, you can elevate the flavors of beets and give them a delightful tangy kick.

References

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