Beets are a versatile and nutritious vegetable that can add color and flavor to many dishes. From salads to soups to desserts, there are countless ways to enjoy this root vegetable.

Whether you prefer them roasted, pickled, or raw, beets can be a tasty addition to your meals.

You’ll find a variety of delicious beet recipes to try in this collection. These recipes showcase the sweet and earthy flavor of beets in both traditional and creative ways.

You can explore options for every meal, including sides, main dishes, and even unexpected treats like beet brownies. With so many choices, you’re sure to discover new ways to enjoy this healthy vegetable.

1. Beetroot Salad with Feta

Beetroot salad with feta is a tasty and colorful dish. You can make it in just a few minutes with simple ingredients.

Start by roasting or boiling beets until tender. Cut them into cubes or slices once cooled.

Mix the beets with crumbled feta cheese in a bowl. Add some red onion slices for extra flavor and crunch.

Toss in fresh herbs like parsley or dill to brighten the salad.

For dressing, mix olive oil, vinegar, and a touch of mustard. Pour it over the salad and gently toss. You can serve this salad warm or cold.

This dish pairs well with grilled meats or can be enjoyed on its own as a light meal.

2. Beet Hummus

Beet hummus adds a vibrant twist to the classic Middle Eastern dip. You can make it by blending roasted beets with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.

Start by roasting or boiling beets until tender. Let them cool, then peel and chop them.

Add the beets to a food processor with cooked chickpeas, tahini, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, and salt. Blend until smooth.

For the right consistency, slowly add reserved chickpea liquid while blending. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Serve your bright pink beet hummus with pita chips, fresh vegetables, or as a colorful spread for sandwiches. It’s a nutritious and eye-catching addition to any snack platter or meal.

3. Borscht Soup

Borscht is a hearty Eastern European soup that showcases the rich flavor of beets. You’ll find this vibrant red dish in countries like Ukraine, Poland, and Russia.

The main ingredient is shredded beets, which give borscht its signature color and earthy-sweet taste. You’ll also add carrots, onions, and cabbage to the mix.

Beef broth forms the base, creating a rich and satisfying soup. Some recipes include beef or pork for extra protein.

To brighten the flavors, add a squeeze of lemon juice and fresh dill before serving.

Borscht is perfect for cold days but can be enjoyed year-round. Serve it hot with a dollop of sour cream on top for a classic touch.

4. Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Pizza

Pizza night gets a colorful twist with this tasty combination. You’ll need pizza dough, roasted beets, goat cheese, and fresh mozzarella.

Start by roasting peeled and cubed beets with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stretch out your dough and brush it with olive oil.

Top the pizza with the roasted beets, torn mozzarella, and crumbled goat cheese. Add some caramelized onions for extra flavor if you like.

Bake the pizza on a preheated stone or baking sheet at 425°F until the crust is golden. For a fresh touch, sprinkle some arugula on top after baking.

5. Beet Smoothie

Beet smoothies are a tasty way to add nutrients to your diet. You can blend beets with fruits like mango or berries for a sweet flavor.

Try adding leafy greens like kale for extra vitamins.

Beet smoothies may help lower blood pressure and boost energy. They’re packed with antioxidants from both beets and berries. You can use raw or cooked beets in your smoothie.

For a creamy texture, add avocado or yogurt to your beet smoothie. Flax seeds make a great addition for healthy fats and fiber.

Experiment with different ingredient combos to find your favorite beet smoothie recipe.

6. Beet and Quinoa Salad

Beet and quinoa salad is a tasty and healthy dish you can easily make at home. Start by cooking quinoa and roasting beets in the oven until tender.

Once cooled, mix the quinoa and chopped beets in a bowl. Add some crumbled feta cheese for a tangy flavor.

You can also toss in orange segments for sweetness.

Dress the salad with a simple vinaigrette made from olive oil and lemon juice. For extra crunch, sprinkle some toasted nuts on top.

This colorful salad works well as a light lunch or side dish. You can enjoy it warm or cold, making it perfect for meal prep.

7. Chocolate Beet Cake

You can make a tasty chocolate cake using beets. This surprising ingredient adds moisture and natural sweetness to the cake.

To make it, puree cooked beets and mix them into the cake batter. The beets give the cake a rich, dark color that looks like chocolate.

The cake has a moist texture and deep flavor. Most people can’t tell it contains beets unless you tell them.

You can frost the cake with chocolate icing or a beet-vanilla glaze. The glaze uses some beet puree to create a pretty pink color.

This unique cake is a great way to use extra beets. It’s also a sneaky way to add vegetables to dessert.

8. Beet Risotto

Beet risotto is a colorful twist on the classic Italian dish. You’ll love its vibrant pink hue and earthy flavor.

To make it, start by cooking onions in butter and oil until soft.

Add arborio rice and cook until lightly toasted. Gradually stir in warm chicken stock, letting each addition absorb before adding more. This process takes about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, roast and puree some beets. When the rice is almost done, mix in the beet puree. The risotto will turn a beautiful pink color.

Finish with a pat of butter and some grated Parmesan cheese. The result is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s sure to impress your dinner guests.

9. Pickled Beets

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

To pickle beets, first cook them until tender. Then peel and slice them.

Make a brine with vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices like cloves. Bring this mixture to a boil.

Pour the hot brine over the cooked beets in clean jars. Make sure to leave some space at the top.

Let the jars cool, then store them in the fridge. The beets will be ready to eat in a few days.

Pickled beets are great on salads or as a side dish. You can also use them in sandwiches or wraps for extra flavor.

10. Beetroot Curry

Beetroot curry is a flavorful dish that combines the earthy sweetness of beets with aromatic spices. You can make this vibrant curry in various styles, from South Indian to North Indian.

To prepare beetroot curry, start by cooking diced beets until tender. Add onions, garlic, and ginger for a savory base.

Spices like mustard seeds, curry leaves, and turmeric give the dish its characteristic flavor. Some recipes include coconut milk or grated coconut for extra richness.

You can serve beetroot curry with rice, roti, or naan bread. It’s a nutritious and colorful addition to any meal. Try different variations to find your favorite way to enjoy this tasty beet dish.

11. Beet Chips

Beet chips are a tasty and healthy snack you can easily make at home. To create them, start by washing your beets thoroughly.

Slice the beets very thinly, about 1/16-inch thick. A mandoline slicer works best for this, but you can use a sharp knife if needed.

Toss the beet slices with a little olive oil and salt. Spread them out on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Bake the chips in a preheated 350°F oven for about 30-35 minutes. Flip them halfway through cooking for even crispiness.

Your homemade beet chips will be crunchy and full of flavor. They’re great on their own or as a colorful addition to salads.

12. Beet and Avocado Sandwich

This tasty sandwich combines earthy beets with creamy avocado for a delicious vegetarian meal.

Start by toasting whole grain bread slices in a toaster oven until golden.

Mix ricotta cheese with orange zest and juice in a small bowl. Spread this mixture on one slice of toast. Add sliced or diced roasted beets on top.

On the other slice, mash ripe avocado and sprinkle with salt. Layer on some fresh spinach or arugula for a peppery crunch.

Optional toppings include toasted sunflower seeds or sliced Gruyère cheese.

Press the two halves together and enjoy your colorful, nutritious sandwich. It’s packed with fiber, healthy fats, and vitamins.

13. Beetroot Juice

Beetroot juice is a tasty and healthy drink you can easily make at home. It has a sweet, earthy flavor and vibrant red color.

To make beetroot juice, wash and chop fresh beets. Put them through a juicer or blend them with water and strain. You can add other fruits or veggies for taste.

Try mixing beetroot with apple, carrot, or ginger for extra flavor. A splash of lemon juice can brighten it up too. Drink it right away or chill it first.

Beetroot juice may help lower blood pressure and boost exercise performance. It’s packed with nutrients like vitamin C, folate, and potassium.

14. Beet Pasta

Beet pasta is a colorful twist on a classic dish. You can make it by adding cooked, pureed beets to your pasta dough. This creates a vibrant pink color that’s sure to impress.

For a quicker option, toss cooked pasta with a creamy beet sauce.

Blend cooked beets with garlic, olive oil, and cheese for a smooth, flavorful coating.

Try topping your beet pasta with walnuts and Parmesan for added crunch and flavor. The earthy taste of beets pairs well with these ingredients.

You can use any pasta shape you like for this dish. Short shapes like penne or fusilli work well to hold the sauce.

15. Beetroot and Orange Salsa

Beetroot and orange salsa is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines earthy beets with zesty citrus.

To make it, start by roasting or boiling beets until tender.

Once cooled, chop the beets into small cubes. Peel and segment oranges, then cut the segments into bite-sized pieces.

Mix the beets and oranges in a bowl. Add finely diced red onion, minced garlic, and chopped cilantro for extra flavor.

Squeeze in some fresh lime juice and add a pinch of salt.

For a touch of sweetness, you can add a drizzle of honey. Gently toss all ingredients together.

Serve this colorful salsa as a side dish or use it as a topping for tacos or grilled meats.

16. Beetroot Brownies

Beetroot brownies offer a unique twist on a classic dessert. These treats blend the rich flavor of chocolate with the earthy sweetness of beets.

To make them, you’ll need unsweetened chocolate, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and finely chopped beets. Mix in some flour and cocoa powder too.

The beets add moisture and a subtle flavor that complements the chocolate. They also give the brownies a beautiful reddish hue.

For extra texture, try adding toasted walnuts to the batter. You can make these brownies vegan by using plant-based butter and egg substitutes.

Beetroot brownies are a tasty way to sneak some veggies into your dessert. They’re moist, rich, and perfect for chocolate lovers looking to try something new.

Nutritional Benefits of Beets

Beets pack a powerful nutritional punch. These vibrant root vegetables offer many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can boost your health.

Vitamins and Minerals in Beets

Beets are rich in folate, an important B vitamin. One cup of raw beets gives you about 20% of your daily folate needs. Folate helps make DNA and other genetic material.

Beets also provide manganese, which supports bone health and wound healing. You’ll get about 16% of your daily manganese from a cup of raw beets.

Potassium is another key mineral in beets. This helps control blood pressure and supports heart health. Beets offer smaller amounts of vitamin C, iron, and magnesium too.

Antioxidant Properties

The deep red color of beets comes from betalains. These are antioxidants that fight cell damage in your body.

Betalains may help lower inflammation.

Beets contain other antioxidants like vitamin C and manganese. These protect your cells from harm caused by unstable molecules called free radicals.

The nitrates in beets can turn into nitric oxide in your body. This may improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.

Some studies show beets might boost exercise performance and brain function.

Culinary Uses of Beets

Beets offer a wide range of culinary possibilities. Their earthy sweetness and vibrant color make them a versatile ingredient in many dishes.

You can enjoy beets raw, cooked, or pickled in various recipes.

Beets in Salads

Adding beets to salads brings color and flavor to your plate. You can grate raw beets for a crunchy texture or use cooked beets for a softer bite.

Try mixing them with baby spinach, crumbled goat cheese, and chopped walnuts for a tasty combo.

For a Mediterranean twist, toss beets with a vinegar and oil dressing. Add fresh mint to balance the sweetness. Kalamata olives give a nice salty touch to the mix.

Canned beets work well in salads too. They’re pre-cooked and ready to use, saving you time in the kitchen.

Roasting Techniques

Roasting beets brings out their natural sweetness. It’s an easy way to cook them.

Just wrap whole beets in foil and bake until tender.

You can also try roasting peeled and chopped beets. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper before putting them in the oven.

This method gives you crispy edges and a soft center.

For a quick option, use shredded raw beets instead of roasting. They cook faster and still taste great.

You can sauté them in a pan or add them to soups and stews.

Roasted beets are perfect for side dishes or as ingredients in other recipes. Use them in sandwiches, grain bowls, or blend them into dips.