Beets are a healthy vegetable that is often overlooked in the kitchen. It can be used in salads, soups, or as a side dish.

But did you know they can also be cooked into delicious recipes?

A beet has a daft sweet taste that can be amplified by combining it with other ingredients. Most beet varieties have a dark purple or red color and this vegetable is often used as a natural food coloring.

Check out some of our favorite ways to use beets when cooking to see how easy it is to add this nutrient-rich veggie to your meal plan! I’ve included 13 ways to use beets in cooking.

What is a beet?

A beet is a root vegetable, also known as Beta vulgaris. It has a unique sweet earthy flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked. Beets are an excellent source of fiber, potassium and folate.

Beets are also low in calories and saturated fat, making them a great addition to any healthy diet.

Beet roots come in a variety of hues, from deep purple to vivid red, yellow, and white. The roots exhibit alternately light and dark rings when cut transversely.

The Chioggia beet, sometimes known as the “candy cane” beet, has red and white stripes.

Did you know that of all vegetables, beets contain the most sugar?

How to use beets in cooking

Now let’s look at how to cook or use raw beet in recipes.

Use raw in salads

Raw beets can be shredded and added to salads for a pop of color and crunch. Grated beets add a sweet flavor and pair well with citrus, nuts, and other vegetables.

I also like to use cooked beets in salads. Roasted beets make a great addition to any salad – try adding them to arugula, spinach, or mixed greens.

The best salad pairings for beets include goat cheese, walnuts, and a citrusy vinaigrette.

Roast beets

Roasted beets are probably the most delicious way to cook beets.

Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and drizzle lightly with olive oil before roasting in the oven until tender.

For seasoning, try adding a bit of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and rosemary. Then you can use roasted beets in salads by grating them.

Boiled beets

Some recipes call for boiled beets. Simmer them in boiling water for about 30 minutes until tender.

When done, discard the cooking liquid and let them cool before using in recipes or serving as a side dish.

You can then serve boiled beets with butter or herbs. I also like to cut up boiled beets into cubes and add them to salads. Grated boiled beet also makes a good side dish or an addition to salads.

Pickled beets

Pickling beets is also a great way to prepare them and add flavor. Pickled beets can be served as an appetizer or side dish.

To make pickled beets, combine vinegar, salt, sugar, and spices in a pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add the peeled beets and let simmer for about 20 minutes.

Once cooked, let the beets cool and store them in the refrigerator in a glass jar.

You can also buy pickled whole beets on Amazon and try them.

Baked beets

Baking beets is an easy way to prepare them with minimal ingredients. Slice the beets into wedges, add a few drops of olive oil and some salt, and bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes until tender.

Baked beets can be served as a side dish or used in salads.

The taste of baked beets is best described as sweet, earthy and tender.

Sautéed beets

Sautéed beets make for a delicious side dish. Slice the beets into thin strips and sauté with garlic and onions until tender.

You can add condiments like balsamic vinegar or honey for additional flavor. Himalayan salt, black pepper, and fresh herbs like parsley or oregano are also great additions.

Steamed beets

Steam your beet wedges for 5 to 7 minutes before serving as a side dish or adding to recipes. Recipes with steamed beets include salads and soups.

Sweet and spiced steamed beets are enjoyed as side dishes for other main course dishes like pot roast and grilled meats.

Grilled beets

Grilled beets can also be added to recipes or served as a side dish. Grill slices of fresh beets for about 15 minutes until tender.

Try grilling with other vegetables, such as squash and zucchini, to complete the meal.

Grilled beets are a refreshing side dish for BBQ meats. They will take on the BBQ smoky flavor from the wood smoke!

Beet soup (Borscht)

If you’re familiar with Eastern European cuisine, you may have heard of Borscht or beet soup. This delicious soup is made with beets and other vegetables like potatoes, carrots and onion.

You can get bottled borscht soup which is a tasty lunch or dinner idea for those looking for healthy soups!

The soup has a dark pink color and a sweet earthy flavor. It’s perfect for cold winter days when you need something comforting and nourishing.

Fresh beets, beef shank, onions, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and dill are used to make the hearty borscht soup, which is then garnished with a dab of sour cream. To make borscht, simmer all the vegetables together in a pot of beef broth until tender.

You can also use beets in other vegetable or meaty soups and stews but keep in mind the color will transfer.

Juiced beets

Add a few slices of beet to your favorite green vegetable juice or smoothie for an added boost in flavor and nutrition.

Or, you can extract the beet juice and drink it as it. The flavor is earthy and sweet, but can be a bit strong for some.

There are numerous health benefits associated with drinking beet juice, including improved digestion and cardiovascular health.

Beet chips

Slice beets into thin strips, season to taste, and bake in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.

For the seasoning, you can use a mix of sea salt, herbs, spices, and garlic powder. I like to add a splash of olive oil too!

Beet chips are a great, healthy alternative to store-bought chips.

The flavor of beet chips is slightly sweet and earthy and can be enjoyed as a nutritious snack. Compared to potato chips, beet chips are low in fat and calories, but still full of flavor.

Enjoy your own homemade beet chips!

Baked in pies or pastries

Beets can also be used in sweet baked goods like pies, tarts, and pastries.

Simply prepare your favorite pie crust recipe, fill it with cooked grated beets (a little bit of cinnamon and nutmeg will add great flavor), and bake. This makes a delicious sweet-savory dessert that your guests are sure to love!

Natural food coloring

Beets are a natural food coloring, so why not try making your own all-natural pink frosting or cake?

There are a few different ways to make food coloring from beets. I’m sharing my three favorite methods:

Beet juice

Raw beet juice can be extracted and used to naturally color cakes, cupcakes, smoothies, or frostings.

Raw beet juice extracted with a juicer produces a vivid red dye. Remember that beet juice will produce a bolder red color for dying; however, the beet flavor might be slightly overpowering so use it sparingly.

Beet puree

Two medium-sized beets should be cooked in a pot with the skin on. Take the beets out of the pot and let them cool.

Remove skins if you’d like (skins are edible but chunky).

Beets can be blended with a few tablespoons of water, milk, or non-dairy milk in a food processor to create a creamy texture.

If the purée is smooth, add one or two tablespoons to make the dye thicker. Beet puree should be strained through a sieve placed over a bowl if it is too lumpy (glass is usually best for non-staining). The bowl’s filtered beet juice is ideal for use as food coloring.

Beet powder

You can buy beet powder to use as food coloring. The Incept Beet Root Powder is a natural beet root powder you can add to food for an added nutrition boost or you can use it for baking.

Beet powder works well to produce a bright pink color and can be added in small amounts until you reach the desired shade.

Dry beets can also be blended in a food processor or blender until they create a powdery texture, which can then be used as food coloring.

Conclusion

No matter how you use them, beets are incredibly versatile and make for a delicious addition to any dish. Whether you roast, boil, pickle, steam, sauté or juice them – there are endless ways to enjoy beets.

Beets are a healthy, nutritious vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes, making them an ideal choice for adding color, flavor and nutrition to any meal.