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Beet Recipe

Growing Beets

Beets - A Root Vegetable!

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Beet Basics

Beets are packed with nutrients, including fiber, iron, folate, potassium and antioxidants.

Beets should be round and firm with smooth skins and a deep color. If the greens are attached and you plan to use them, they should be green and fresh, not wilted.
Small to medium sized beets (up to 2½ inches across) have better flavor. Choose beets that are about the same size so they will cook evenly. The larger the beet, the longer the cooking time will be.
Fresh beets are available year round but might be less expensive and fresher from July through October.
Buying canned beets might save you money and time.

You can use beet greens raw in salads or cooked as a side dish. Remove leaves from beets, if still attached, and store separately in an open bag. Use within 2-3 days.
Store unwashed beets in open or perforated plastic bags (20 holes per medium bag) in the refrigerator. Use within 3 weeks. Scrub gently under running water before cooking.
Cooked beets can be frozen. Package in airtight containers, label and date.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a medium-size pan over medium heat. Add the cleaned and chopped greens from 2 bunches of beets (4 to 5 cups without stems) and 2 cloves of garlic, minced.
Stir until just wilted, then reduce heat to low and stir occasionally for 5 to 8 minutes until soft.
When done, stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice, ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes and a dash of salt.

Makes about 1 cup.

1 pound fresh beets = 2 medium beets with tops = 3 medium, trimmed = 2 cups sliced or diced 15 ounce can of beets = about 1 cup drained

After eating beets, some people notice their urine turns pink or red. This is surprising, but harmless.

Cook beets ahead to shorten time to make a recipe. Beets are done when they can be pierced to the center with a dull knife. Refrigerate; use within 5 days.
Keep nutrients and color by cooking beets with the skin on and the stem and root ends trimmed to about one inch. After cooking, slice off the ends and discard. The skin softens after cooking and can be eaten or removed. To remove, rub off with your fingers or a paper towel.
Cook whole, unpeeled beets:
- Boil - cover with water and simmer for 30 minutes or more depending on size.
- Microwave - pierce the skin and place in microwave-safe dish with 2 to 4 tablespoons of water. Cover and microwave on HIGH for 10 to 15 minutes depending on size and number of beets.
- Slow cooker - wrap each beet in foil. Cook for 2 to 4 hours on HIGH. Cook cut, unpeeled beets: Roast- place on a baking pan, drizzle with oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and herbs as desired. Cook for about 45 minutes in a 400 to 425-degree F oven.
Cook cut, unpeeled beets:
- Roast - place on a baking pan, drizzle with oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and herbs as desired. Cook for about 45 minutes in a 400 to 425-degree F oven.

When kids help make healthy food, they are more likely to try it. Show kids how to:

Last updated: Oct 22, 2020