Discover the Joy of Pickling with Our Healthy Pickled Beets Recipe
There’s something magical about transforming humble beets into a tangy, sweet delight that can brighten any meal. This Healthy Pickled Beets Recipe is a Midwestern favorite, offering a perfect balance of flavors that respect the earthiness of the beets while adding a zesty kick. Whether you’re new to pickling or a seasoned pro, this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for beginners.
- Healthy and Delicious: Enjoy the natural sweetness of beets with a flavorful, tangy twist.
- Versatile: These pickled beets can be used in salads, as a side dish, or even as a snack.
- Long-lasting: The pickling process extends the shelf-life of your beets, allowing you to enjoy them throughout the week.
Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need
- Large Dutch oven
- Small saucepan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Bowl for mixing
Ingredients
- 8 medium fresh beets
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons whole cloves
- 1-1/2 teaspoons whole allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Scrub the beets thoroughly and trim the tops to 1 inch.
- Place the beets in a large Dutch oven and add enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and let them simmer, covered, for 25-30 minutes or until tender.
- Remove the beets from the water and allow them to cool. Once cooled, peel the beets and slice them, then place in a bowl and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar, cloves, allspice, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for 5 minutes.
- Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the sliced beets. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Drain before serving and enjoy your homemade pickled beets!
Tips for Success
- Choose Fresh Beets: For best results, use fresh, firm beets.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet pickle, reduce the amount of sugar to your taste.
- Storage: Store pickled beets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Additional Tips and Variations
For a different flavor profile, you can substitute balsamic vinegar for cider vinegar, or add a splash of olive oil to the pickling liquid for richness. You might also try adding sliced onions or garlic cloves to the mix for extra depth of flavor.
Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving)
- Calories: Approximately 70
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Protein: 1g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 10g
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use different spices? Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different spices like cinnamon sticks or star anise for a unique flavor.
How can I tell if the beets are tender? The beets are ready when you can easily pierce them with a fork.
Can I use pre-cooked beets? Yes, using pre-cooked beets will save you time. Just skip the boiling step and proceed with the pickling process.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoy making and tasting this delightful Healthy Pickled Beets Recipe. It’s a simple yet rewarding way to add a burst of flavor to your meals. We’d love to hear about your experience and any creative twists you add to the recipe. Feel free to share your thoughts and photos with us—happy pickling!
Sounds like a delicious recipe…love pickled beets😋😋
I like onions in with the mixture as well.
What do you mean by medium fresh? Do I let them sit a day, weeks or what? Is this because older beets marinate the juice better?
Hi, Rick. I think they mean medium size, fresh beets.
This is why commas are so important
I think she means medium size beets.
That medium is referring to the size of the beet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She means size medium.
Love your recipes
Love Love Love Pickled Beets. Homemade/canned is so much better. ………………….. I have never heard of WHOLE Allspice, nor have I ever seen it in stores. I keep ground Allspice but, never heard of WHOLE Allspice.
I remember them, they are tiny seeds that’s not ground. My mother would use them to make pickles.
It used to be very common, and one used a spice grater.
I have found whole allspice at Amish bulk stores. Have used for years in pickling my beets
Do you have recipe for pickle okrayou could share
Can this recipe be canned?
I would really love to make enough to last a few months, to join my grape juice, apple butter and apple sauce in my pantry
I always can mine. They look great on my pantry self next to my dill pickles & pickled beans & salsa.
I would like to can some also !!
Why do many recipes call for quite a few cloves? I don’t taste cloves in purchased pickled beets. Can I just leave them out—really dislike their taste!
White or cider vinegar???
I always use white vinegar when canning or pickling.