Beets are a versatile and nutritious root vegetable that can add vibrant color and earthy flavor to many dishes. These ruby-red gems are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a healthy addition to your meals.

You can enjoy beets in various ways, from raw salads to roasted side dishes and even sweet desserts.

Whether you’re a beet lover or just starting to explore this vegetable, there are plenty of recipes to try.

You’ll find options for every meal and occasion, including soups, pastas, breakfast dishes, and more.

By experimenting with different cooking methods and flavor combinations, you can discover new ways to appreciate beets and make them a regular part of your diet.

1. Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

Roasted beet salad with goat cheese is a tasty and colorful dish. You can make it easily at home.

Start by roasting beets in foil for about an hour until they’re tender. Let the beets cool, then peel and dice them.

Mix the beets with mixed greens or arugula for a fresh base. Add crumbled goat cheese for a creamy texture.

Toss in some chopped walnuts for crunch.

Make a simple dressing with honey, Dijon mustard, and red wine vinegar. Drizzle it over your salad just before serving.

This salad looks great on the plate and tastes even better. It’s perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish with dinner.

2. Beet and Quinoa Veggie Burgers

Beet and quinoa veggie burgers are a tasty, nutritious meal option. They combine the earthy flavor of beets with protein-rich quinoa for a satisfying plant-based patty.

To make these burgers, start by cooking quinoa and roasting beets. Mix them with spices, beans, and a binding agent like flax seeds or oats.

Form the mixture into patties and cook them in a skillet or bake them in the oven.

These colorful burgers are packed with vitamins and minerals. They’re perfect for a meatless Monday dinner or a weekend barbecue.

Serve them on a bun with your favorite toppings, or enjoy them over a salad for a lighter meal.

3. Beetroot and Chickpea Hummus

Beetroot and chickpea hummus is a tasty twist on classic hummus. It combines cooked beets with chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice.

To make it, blend cooked beets, drained chickpeas, tahini, minced garlic, and fresh lemon juice in a food processor. Pulse until smooth and creamy.

This vibrant pink dip is packed with nutrients from the beets and protein from the chickpeas. It’s great for snacking with pita chips or veggie sticks.

You can use canned beets to save time, or roast fresh beets for a deeper flavor. Adjust the seasoning to your taste with salt, pepper, or extra lemon juice.

4. Borscht: Classic Beet Soup

Borscht is a hearty Eastern European soup that showcases beets as the star ingredient. This vibrant red soup is packed with flavor and nutrition.

To make borscht, you’ll need beets, carrots, onions, and potatoes as the main vegetables. Beef broth forms the base, giving the soup richness and depth.

Start by sautéing the onions, then add shredded beets and carrots. Pour in the broth and let the vegetables simmer until tender.

Add diced potatoes and cook until they’re easily pierced with a fork.

For extra flavor, try adding some garlic, bay leaves, or even a bit of dill.

Serve your borscht hot with a dollop of sour cream on top for a classic finish.

5. Beet and Feta Cheese Pizza

Beet and feta cheese pizza is a unique and tasty way to use beets. Start with a regular pizza dough or try a beet-infused crust for extra flavor.

Roast and slice beets before adding them to your pizza. Spread a layer of caramelized onions on the dough for sweetness. Add the beet slices and crumble feta cheese on top.

For extra flavor, try adding fresh rosemary or microgreens. You can also include pine nuts for crunch.

Bake the pizza until the edges are crisp and the feta starts to brown.

This colorful pizza combines earthy beets with tangy feta for a delicious meal. It’s a great way to enjoy beets in a new form.

6. Beet Smoothie with Ginger and Apple

This vibrant smoothie combines the earthy sweetness of beets with the zing of ginger and the crispness of apples. It’s a tasty way to get your nutrients and start your day right.

To make this smoothie, you’ll need raw beets, apples, fresh ginger, and a squeeze of lime. Wash all ingredients well before use.

Chop the beets and apples into small pieces. Grate about an inch of ginger.

Add these to your blender with a splash of water and blend until smooth.

For extra nutrition, try adding some leafy greens or carrots. You can also use cooked beets if you prefer a milder taste.

This smoothie is packed with vitamins and antioxidants. It’s a great choice for boosting your immune system and energy levels.

7. Beetroot and Walnut Salad

This tasty salad combines earthy beets with crunchy walnuts for a perfect blend of flavors and textures. Start by cooking and cooling your beets, then chop them into bite-sized pieces.

Mix the beets with toasted walnuts, crisp lettuce, and thinly sliced red onions. For extra tang, add some crumbled feta cheese.

Dress the salad with a simple vinaigrette made from olive oil, lemon juice, and a touch of honey. This light dressing lets the natural flavors shine through.

You can customize this salad by adding other ingredients like orange segments or pumpkin seeds. It’s a versatile dish that works well as a side or light main course.

8. Spicy Beetroot Dip

Spicy beetroot dip adds a zesty twist to your appetizer spread. You can whip up this vibrant dish in just a few minutes.

Start with pre-cooked beets for convenience. Blend them with garlic, yogurt, and spices like cayenne pepper for heat. Add a splash of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.

For extra crunch, mix in some toasted nuts like walnuts or hazelnuts. Drizzle olive oil on top before serving.

Serve your spicy beetroot dip with warm pita bread, crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks. It’s perfect for parties or as a quick snack.

9. Beet and Avocado Sandwich

This tasty sandwich combines earthy beets with creamy avocado for a delicious meal. Start by toasting slices of whole grain bread in your toaster oven or under the broiler.

Grate raw beets or dice roasted ones for the filling. Mash a ripe avocado and spread it on the toast. Add the beets on top.

For extra flavor, try adding some Gruyère or Swiss cheese. Sprinkle on toasted sunflower seeds for crunch. Top with peppery arugula or cilantro for a fresh touch.

This colorful sandwich is packed with nutrients and makes a great lunch or light dinner. The combination of textures and flavors will satisfy your taste buds.

10. Chocolate Beet Cake

Chocolate beet cake is a tasty treat that combines the rich flavor of chocolate with the natural sweetness of beets. You might be surprised by how well these ingredients work together.

The beets add moisture and a subtle earthy taste to the cake. They also give it a beautiful deep color. Don’t worry – you won’t taste the beets much in the final product.

To make this cake, you’ll blend cooked beets into a puree. Mix this with typical cake ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and cocoa powder.

The result is a moist, dense cake with a unique twist.

You can frost the cake with chocolate icing or a beet-vanilla glaze for extra flavor. It’s a great way to sneak some veggies into dessert!

11. Beetroot and Carrot Slaw

Beetroot and carrot slaw is a colorful, crunchy side dish that’s easy to make. You’ll need grated beets, shredded carrots, and cabbage as the main ingredients.

Mix these veggies with a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and vinegar. Add some fresh herbs like parsley and mint for extra flavor.

You can customize your slaw by adding raisins, orange segments, or sliced red onion. Pine nuts make a great topping for added crunch.

This slaw is not only tasty but also packed with nutrients. Beets and carrots are full of vitamins and fiber. It’s a perfect addition to your meal or as a light lunch on its own.

12. Beet and Lentil Curry

Beet and lentil curry is a tasty dish that combines earthy beets with protein-rich lentils. You’ll love the vibrant color and hearty texture of this meal.

To make it, start by cooking lentils in a pressure cooker or on the stovetop. While they cook, sauté onions, garlic, and spices in a pan.

Add chopped or grated beets to the pan and cook until tender. Mix in the cooked lentils and some vegetable broth or water.

Let everything simmer together until the flavors blend. You can adjust the spices to your taste.

Serve your beet and lentil curry over rice or with flatbread for a filling meal.

13. Pickled Beets

Pickled beets are a tasty way to enjoy this root vegetable. You can make them at home with just a few ingredients.

Start by cooking your beets until they’re tender. Once cooled, peel and slice them.

In a pot, mix vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices like cloves. Heat this mixture until the sugar dissolves. This creates your pickling brine.

Pour the hot brine over your sliced beets in jars. Let them cool, then refrigerate.

Your pickled beets will be ready to eat in about 2 days. They’re great as a side dish or added to salads.

14. Beet Greens Stir Fry

Beet greens stir fry is a quick and tasty way to use the leafy tops of beets. You can make this dish in about 15 minutes.

Start by heating oil in a wok or large pan. Add minced garlic, ginger, and shallots. Cook for a minute until fragrant.

Next, toss in the chopped beet greens. Add a splash of water to help them steam. Cover and cook for 2 minutes.

Uncover and stir-fry until the greens are wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add a squeeze of lemon for extra flavor.

This simple stir fry makes a great side dish. It’s packed with nutrients and has a taste similar to kale.

15. Beet and Citrus Salad

This colorful salad combines earthy beets with bright citrus flavors. You’ll love how the sweet and tangy fruits complement the rich beets.

To make it, start by roasting or slow cooking beets until they’re tender. While they cook, prepare your citrus fruits by peeling and sectioning them.

Once the beets are done, let them cool, then peel and chop them. Arrange the beet chunks and citrus segments on a plate or in a bowl.

For extra flavor, add some crumbled goat cheese and toasted pine nuts on top. Drizzle everything with a simple vinaigrette made from citrus juices, olive oil, and herbs.

This salad works great as a light lunch or a side dish. It’s packed with vitamins and makes a beautiful addition to any meal.

Health Benefits of Beets

Beets pack a powerful nutritional punch and offer many health perks. They contain important vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that support your body in several ways.

Nutritional Profile

Beets are low in calories but rich in nutrients. A 100-gram serving of raw beets gives you:

• Calories: 43
• Carbs: 9.6 grams
• Fiber: 2.8 grams
• Protein: 1.6 grams
• Fat: 0.2 grams

Beets also provide good amounts of folate, manganese, potassium, and vitamin C. The greens are edible too and offer extra nutrients like vitamin K, calcium, and iron.

Antioxidant Properties

Beets get their deep red color from betalains. These are plant pigments with strong antioxidant effects.

Betalains help protect your cells from damage. Beets also contain other antioxidants like vitamin C and flavonoids.

These compounds work together to reduce inflammation in your body. This may lower your risk of some chronic diseases.

Heart Health

Eating beets may boost your heart health in a few ways. They’re high in nitrates, which your body turns into nitric oxide.

This helps relax blood vessels and may lower blood pressure. The fiber in beets can help reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol.

This is good for your heart. Beets also contain betaine, which may lower levels of homocysteine.

High homocysteine is linked to heart problems.

Try adding beets to your diet to support your heart. Roast them, grate them raw into salads, or blend them into smoothies.

Cooking Tips for Beets

Beets are tasty and nutritious root vegetables. With the right techniques, you can bring out their sweet flavor and vibrant color in your cooking.

Selecting Fresh Beets

Look for beets that are firm and smooth. Avoid ones with soft spots or wrinkled skin.

Small to medium beets tend to be more tender and flavorful than large ones. Choose beets with fresh, bright green leaves still attached if possible.

The leaves are edible and can be used like spinach or chard. For even cooking, pick beets that are similar in size.

Red beets are most common, but golden and striped varieties offer different flavors and colors.

Preparation Techniques

Wash beets gently under cool water to remove dirt. Don’t scrub too hard or you may damage the skin.

Leave about 1-2 inches of stem and the taproot attached while cooking. This helps prevent color bleeding.

Roasting brings out beets’ natural sweetness. Wrap them in foil and roast at 400°F for 45-60 minutes until tender.

For faster cooking, cut beets into 1-inch cubes. Boil for 15-20 minutes or steam for 15-25 minutes until easily pierced with a fork.

Wear gloves when handling cooked beets to avoid staining your hands. The skins will slip off easily after cooking.

Storing Beets

Fresh beets will last 2-3 weeks in the fridge.

Cut off the greens, leaving 1-2 inches of stem.

Don’t wash beets before storing.

Place beets in a plastic bag with small holes for air flow.

Keep them in the crisper drawer of your fridge.

Cooked beets stay fresh for 3-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

You can also freeze cooked, sliced beets for up to 8 months.

Beet greens spoil quickly. Use them within 2-3 days.

Wrap them in damp paper towels and store in a plastic bag in the fridge.