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

What does a beet root look like? ›

The iconic beet is a bulbous root with a purple skin and a rich red interior from which dark green glossy leaves sprout on reddish stalks. Beets also come in yellowish and white varieties. Beets have an earthy, rich, vegetal smell raw.

How to make beet root? ›

To boil beetroot, bring a pot of salted water to the boil. You can add some aromatics if you like, such as thyme, sage or garlic. Add whole, scrubbed beetroot to the water and cook until the beetroot is tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on size.

How do I get the most out of my beetroot? ›

People can experience the health benefits of beetroots by eating them raw or cooked or by drinking beetroot juice. Juiced beets contain many beneficial nutrients that the cooking process can remove.

What can I mix with beet juice to make it taste better? ›

Bright citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes help lighten up the dense, earthy nature of beet juice. Use just a teaspoon or two of zest to impart vibrant citrusy notes without overpowering the beets. A squeeze of juice is also refreshing. Start with a 2:1 beet-to-citrus ratio.

Is beet root laxative? ›

Beetroot juice contains dietary fibre that helps remove digestive waste through the intestines, thereby proving beneficial for people with constipation. However, consuming chopped beetroot added to salad can be more beneficial in such cases.

What does beet root do for your body? ›

Beets are highly nutritious and loaded with health-promoting properties. They can support the health of your brain, heart, and digestive system, are a great addition to a balanced diet, boost athletic performance, help alleviate inflammation, and possibly slow the growth of cancer cells.

Is beet root the same as beet root powder? ›

The powder is a concentrated version of the vegetable. (One teaspoon of beetroot powder is considered the same as a whole beet!) Many view beets as a “superfood” given their impressive nutritional resume, says Sedlacek.

Should I take beet root in the morning or at night? ›

Beetroot juice plays an important role in opening the blood vessels and also increases the flow of oxygen throughout the body which makes you feel more energetic and active. This is the reason why it is advisable to drink beetroot juice in the morning to help your sleepy organs wake up.

How long does beetroot take to cook? ›

Wash the beets gently, making sure that you don't tear the skins, then place in a pan of warm water, bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer until tender – around 20–30 minutes. Alternatively, you can steam whole beetroot or bake them in the oven for 2–3 hours at 150°C/gas mark 2.

Does beetroot increase blood pressure? ›

Plus, they're great for blood pressure! Well, the nitrates in beets are. Studies have shown that beets can significantly lower blood pressure after only a few hours of consumption. Both raw beet juice and cooked beets were found to be effective at lowering blood pressure and decreasing inflammation.

How many beets should I eat a day? ›

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.

Are beets good for the kidneys and liver? ›

In addition to liver protection, beetroot also has a protective effect on the kidney.

Why do I feel weird after drinking beet juice? ›

oxalic acid causes burning throat, mouth, breathing difficulty, stomach pain. some people r allergic to beet root. they may suffer stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, hives, itchiness, chills, fever.

When should you not drink beet juice? ›

Therefore, if you have low blood pressure, drinking beet juice may increase your symptoms. Increased risk of kidney stones: Beet juice is high in compounds called oxalates. These naturally occurring compounds in urine can increase the risk of kidney stones if you have a tendency to develop them.

Can I eat raw beetroot? ›

Raw beets contain more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than cooked beets (yes, you can eat beets raw!). Like many vegetables, the longer you cook beets—especially in water—the more the colorful phytonutrients leach out of the food and into the water.

What is beetroot called in America? ›

The beetroot is the taproot portion of a beet plant, usually known in North America as beets while the vegetable is referred to as beetroot in British English, and also known as the table beet, garden beet, red beet, dinner beet or golden beet.

Is a beetroot a vegetable or a fruit? ›

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is a root vegetable also known as red beet, table beet, garden beet, or just beet. Packed with essential nutrients, beetroots are a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C.

How often should you eat beet root? ›

Moreover, beets are low in calories with zero cholesterol and a small amount of fat. However, the root is high in sugar and carbohydrates, so while you can consume the greens on top of the root in unlimited quantities, you should only have the root a few times a week. Beets are best from early spring to late fall.

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