Theyre messy, theyre inconvenient, and they taste like dirt. As a result, theyre one of the most hated vegetables in the U.S. And yet, under that thick, dirt-ridden skin, beets have so much to offer — it just takes a bit of skill and knowledge to uncover their potential. Both the bulbs and the greens are full of flavor and nutrients, and if you approach them with an open mind, they can become a vibrant, versatile addition to your diet.
One of the keys to maximizing the flavor of beets is to start with fresh, high-quality produce. Knowing what to look for when buying beets and how to store them properly can make a big difference in the final dish. Additionally, not all preparation methods require peeling, which can save time and add extra nutrients to your meals (not to mention making the dreaded cleanup easier). From roasting and grilling to adding spices and glazes, there are many ways to elevate the flavor of beets. Pairing them with acidic, sweet, and salty ingredients, as well as various spices, can alter your perception of the humble vegetable for the better. So whether youre looking for a savory side dish or a delectable sweet treat, theres a way to enjoy the rich flavor and nutrition of beets in a way that works for you.
Looking for a quick answer? The best side dishes to serve with beets are steamed vegetables, green beans, salad Nicoise, goat cheese dip, radish chips, potato rosti, zucchini noodles, roasted asparagus, quinoa salad, crispy kale chips, hummus, sautéed spinach, feta and watermelon salad, and corn on the cob.
Pair them with chocolate
Since these bulbous roots are most praised for their natural sweetness, adding them to desserts is the next logical step if you want to experience their full culinary potential. Combining them with chocolate serves a double purpose: not only does its bittersweet flavor pair well with its earthy, sweet notes, but it makes a great way to sneak more veggies into your diet. In addition, adding citrus fruit to the mix, as this chocolate, orange, and beet brownie recipe demonstrates, will further deepen the flavor.
While beets are notorious for dyeing everything they come in contact with, this can be masked in chocolatey desserts or taken advantage of in recipes like red velvet beet cake. The vibrant, naturally dyed cake layers are interspersed with rich chocolate caramel ganache, creating a show-stopping dessert. So, even if youre not a beet fan, incorporating them into desserts might just change your mind.
Dehydrate them to concentrate the flavor and preserve color
Dehydrating beets is a fantastic way to preserve their flavor and nutritional benefits while giving you more options to incorporate them into your diet. Doing so removes the bulbs moisture, which helps concentrate their flavors and intensify their sweetness. One of the most popular dehydrated beet products is beet chips, and they make a healthy alternative to potato chips and can be used as a snack or a garnish for salads and other dishes. To make your own, slice beets thinly and combine them with the seasoning of your choice before placing them in the oven or a dehydrator until they become crispy.
Beet powder is another creative way to incorporate the benefits of beets into your diet. You can make your own by grinding dehydrated beets in a high-speed blender. As a natural food dye and flavoring agent, it can be added to smoothies, baked goods, and even savory dishes to give them a bright red color and a sweet, earthy flavor.
Beetroot is an incredibly versatile vegetable that comes in many forms, and none is as fun to make as homemade beet noodles. If youre hesitant, let us explain why you need to be spiralizing beets. First, it makes for a visually stunning presentation with minimal effort. Second, prepping them this way creates more surface area, allowing for better sauce or dressing absorption. Plus, beet noodles can be eaten raw or cooked, giving you the flexibility to incorporate them into your favorite dishes. Finally, one large beet can make enough noodles to serve several people as a side dish, and it can even become a fun activity for the whole family. Its an excellent way to get children involved in the kitchen and excited about eating their vegetables. And with their beautiful, bright color, beet noodles can make any dish look more appealing. So if you own a spiralizer already, dont hesitate to work its magic on the humble beets.
Delicious beet juice recipes and the benefits of Beets
FAQ
What can I add to beets to make them taste better?
What flavors compliment beets?
What is the tastiest way to eat beets?
What goes well with beets?
Since you’ve asked what goes well with beets, we thought we’d give you just that. Use these lists whenever you need to know what flavors and ingredients taste good with beets. The following herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables and meats taste good with beets.
Are beets with vinegar nutritious?
Beetroot can be consumed in different ways, such as in salads, juices, or added to preparations, preserves. For a good absorption of its nutrients, the ideal is to associate it with the consumption of vitamin C, such as lemon, orange, cashew.
What spices go well with beets?
Beets go well with warm spices such as allspice, cumin, cinnamon, pepper, paprika and caraway seeds. Additionally, root vegetables like carrots or onions and greens like arugula or celery pair nicely with beets. Creamy ingredients like butter and cream can enhance the mellow flavour of beets while kefir can add a tangy note.
Can you mix different types of beets?
Mixing different kinds of beets can introduce varying textures, colors, and flavors and make your dish more visually interesting. In addition to the tried-and-true red beets, there’s a host of colorful varieties to choose from. The most eye-catching of them all is undoubtedly the candy-striped beet.