Sunday, July 19, 2015

Simple Pickled Beets


It's that time of year again. When a trip to the garden or farmer's market yields such beautiful produce that it makes you wish it could last and last. Here is one way to prolong some of that harvest by a couple of months, at least.  If they last that long :)


Do you love beet root? I love beets just about any way...boiled, oven-roasted, hot, cold, and of course, pickled. 

 

My all-time most popular post is one I did on refrigerator pickles, a recipe that I got from my mother years ago. It's so simple and so delicious. One of my readers asked if beets could be used instead of cucumbers and I thought, sure, why not?  Using my mother's simple refrigerator pickle brine of sugar, vinegar, water and salt, I replaced the celery seed with a pinch of red pepper flakes for the beets.  Optionally, you could add bay leaf, cinnamon sticks, cloves or switch up the vinegar used, but frankly, I love them prepared very simply, just like this.


I used golden beets just because they're my favorite and because they look so pretty :)  I think they have a slightly more mellow flavor too. They turned out so tasty and delicious pickled this way that I'm sure I will have a jar of these in the refrigerator as long as I can find beautiful, fresh beets.

Of course, use whatever beets you prefer.  Quick, easy and delicious if you're a beet lover like me.  They make a delicious snack or side to any summer meal. Beets are an excellent source of fiber, potassium, calcium and antioxidants so if you don't like red beets, try the more mellow yellow.

Simple Pickled Beets

Printable Recipe

1 cup white vinegar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

3 cups sliced, cooked beets (I like to use golden beets)

Optional additions to the brine could be cinnamon sticks, cloves, bay leaves and peppercorns but I prefer them with the simple brine.

Slice leaves and most of stems from the beets, leaving about 1 inch of stem. Place beets in a large saucepan and cover with water. Cook over medium heat, covered, over medium heat until just barely tender, about 30-40 minutes. A good test, is to stick a sharp knife into the beet and if it goes partially through but hits some resistance in the center, then it's done enough. Remove from the pan and place on a plate to cool. When cool enough to handle, the skin will easily slide off. Remove all skin and slice off the remainder of the stem. Slice beets into quarters, lengthwise, and then into 1/4 inch slices.

Place sliced beets into a large container or jar with lid. In a separate bowl, stir vinegar, sugar, water and salt together until dissolved. Add red pepper flakes. Pour mixture over beets and refrigerate.

These can be eaten after several hours in the refrigerator but taste best in 1-2 days.

Keeps for at least 2 months, refrigerated.

70 comments:

  1. I love beets Susan but I never made pickled beets!
    Look delicious!!
    xo

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  2. I love beets to bits♥
    I think I will make yellow pickled beets this year:)I still have some..from last year if you can believe..still sealed,in my pickle/jam/beer/fig fridge etc..:)
    A back up fridge..I cannot believe I even say that and some people have no food:(
    Lovely pics..they make me want to make these!

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    1. Me too :) I grew up eating fresh beets from the garden and somehow always liked them. We have a frig like that in our basement. It's our beer, wine, extra milk, and pickle and jam frig too :) Hope you enjoy the golden beets pickled! xo

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  3. I'm a beet lover like you, lovely pics Susan !A warm hug

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  4. I totally agree that yellow beets do have a more mellow flavor than the red and we looooove them! Can't wait to try your recipe for the beets as well as the pickles - thanks for the inspiration!

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  5. Ate pickled beets growing up, but have not had any in years.
    Hope you enjoyed the weekend and staying cool.

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    1. Thank you, Glenda! It was so hot on Friday and Saturday but yesterday was perfect and low humidity. More of the same gorgeous weather today and for a few days to come.

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  6. Pickled beets are a favorite here! Your yellow ones are gorgeous-enjoy:@)

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  7. Yes, I think golden beets are so lovely too and these sound delicious. I can think of a zillion ways to use them. They surely wouldn't last long at all at my house!

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    1. Hello, Scott! So nice to see you here :) You and Chris know all about beautiful produce!

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  8. Oh, I must try these. I love the pickled cucumbers and I even like pickled onions in redwine vinegar. The go all pink.

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    1. Thank you, Madonna! I need to try the the onions in red wine vinegar. I'll bet they're great on a sandwich!

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  9. Love your beets! You are motivating me to pickle some as well. Here it is turnips that are pickled for some reason, however, the turnips get a red beet to look like beets. I love the idea of using these yellow beets and your mom's recipe. Beautiful images, too , as always.

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    1. So interesting about the turnips, Joumana. I should try pickling those too!

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  10. I didn't see those beautiful golden beets in our local market...this looks so lovely, Susan.

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    1. I can't always find them either, Angie. I'm happy when I do :) Thank you!

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  11. I'll have to remember this when I get beets from my CSA subscription! Love beets, Joe hates them. All mine!

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    1. John is not a fan either. His mother wasn't much of a cook so if he ever had them as a kid they were probably from a can - LOL. Not a good introduction to beets. Thanks, Debbie!

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  12. What a great post, Susan! My mother used to pickle beets and, aside from serving them as a relish, most often used them in a mayo-based salad with eggs. That salad was all the rage in the 40's! When I made it for my kids, they hated it. :)
    The yellow beets are particularly pretty, I think. This is such an easy recipe too....I'm going to try it.

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    1. I don't think I've ever had them in a mayo salad, Barbara! Maybe that's a good thing ;) I hope you try these and enjoy them. Thank you, Barbara!

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  13. They look like a jar of sunshine! I love beets, especially pickled ones.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  14. I can't wait to follow your recipe for this pretty and tasty summer treat!

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  15. Hi Susan, I am a big beet lover and this recipe is perfect. I showed this recipe to my sister and she said that this sounds like one similar to the one my grandmother made. Can't wait to make my own.

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    1. This brine must go way back! I know my mother made it for years and years and I"m sure she must have gotten the recipe from relatives too. Thank you, Cheri!

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  16. I'm one of the few members of my family that loves beets. Like you, Susan, I could devour them! Plus they are so good for us! I envy you that you know how to pickle and preserve beets to enjoy year round! I also agree with you that farmers' markets are just the best and most beautiful places to be in summer!

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    1. I know it's a love it or hate it relationship with beets :) I'm glad you love them too, Roz! Thank you!

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  17. Your pickles beets look quite lovely! I really want to like beets, but I just can't do it. Maybe I will give the golden variety a try if I can find them at the market. Good work on getting people to try a healthy root veggie!

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  18. I think I'm goign to end up pickling a LOT of CSA veggies this year. Such a great idea!

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  19. I'm with you when it comes to loving beets no matter how they are prepared. Love your pickled yellow ones.

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  20. Golden beets certainly are pretty than the purple ones and since I do believe that eating starts with the eyes, this is very important.

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  21. I'm a beet lover but rarely buy golden beets. I love the color and I know I'll be looking for them at the farmer's market this week so I can pickle them as you did.

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  22. Boy that first paragraph says it all. I wish it could last because we really enjoy fresh produce. I love pickled beets and my husband would be so happy if I made these - and they are beautiful! Thanks for the recipe :)

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    1. Aren't they pretty? I love pretty and tasty :) Thank you, Tricia!

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  23. My dad is such a big fan of beets and is growing his own this year. I'm going to send him this recipe because i know he will fall in love with it!

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  24. I love your idea of a simple pickled beet recipe. And you bet, I love them. A friend and I spend an entire afternoon pickling beets every September. It's a long and complicated process. I'll have to try this one before the big event.

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    1. They get better every day too! I love the little 'kick' from the red pepper flakts. Thank you, Lea Anna!

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  25. I've come across pickled beets in books and movies but I've never tried them. And I've never ever seen golden beets. This post is an eye opener for me :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Maybe it's an American thing to pickle beets? I've had them my entire life! Thanks so much, Amalia!

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  26. I have become addicted to pickled onions with hot pepper and allspice berries. I would love to try these. The color is just gorgeous!

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  27. Oh, that sounds really good, Deana! I think you would enjoy these. Thanks so much!

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  28. I have never made pickled beets, but there is no time like the present! So easy and I am willing to try it! Thanks for these Susan! I love pickles and may try those also!

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    1. I think you'd love them, Abbe. They're great in salads too.

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  29. I know nothing about beets,but everything you create looks so delicious and you make everything look like a possibility!

    Laura
    White Spray Paint

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  30. How beautiful and delicious looking. My husband loves beets and I confess I'm not a good wife when it comes to fixing them for him. You've inspired me Susan.
    Sam

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    1. I'll bet Meakin would love this simple recipe, Sam :) Thank you!

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  31. these are really popular in the UK :-)

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    1. That's most likely where we Americans got the original idea :)

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  32. Pickle beets are delicious. They make beautiful addition to salads. Th golden beets are really pretty. I am a beet lover and have full appreciation for these gems.

    Velva

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    1. They absolutely do taste great in salads, Velva. Thank you!

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  33. Your beets look gorgeous Susan. I love beets too, but I remember as a child having them at a friends's house for the first time and not having a good reaction. It is a good thing that our taste buds are modified over time. Beets are good for us as well as looking good. Your photos are amazing.

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    1. I'm sure it's a refined taste ;) Although my husband's palate still hasn't got the message! LOL. Thank you, Penny!

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  34. Just stopped by again to see what you've been cooking Susan! Your beets look absolutely super fresh and amazingly bursting with summer flavor! Hope you're having a great summer!
    Roz

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Roz! It's been a fun and busy time for us and I haven't had much time for posting :)

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  35. This is the first time I see a beetroot in such a beautiful orange colour! This pickled beets will be so delicious in sandwiches.. mmm!

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  36. I love beets! I've never made pickled beets but now I can't wait to try them. Thanks for sharing this recipe. I'll have jars sitting around my house in no time now.

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  37. Just the recipe I've been looking for. Thanks, Susan. I love pickled beets and this is just the way I like to prepare them. I prefer the golden ones too. They don't have quite the "earthy" flavor that the dark red ones have in my opinion. They make such a lovely summer salad.

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  38. WE LOVE beets! And never pickled them before - but now you have our heads spinning! We need to get some beets ! Thanks for a simple and easy recipe Sue!

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  39. Perfect garden treat here, and you made it look so easy!

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