Complete guide to beetroot

In this complete guide to beetroot I'm answering all the questions you can have about beetroots. What is beetroot? How do beets grow in the garden? What does a beet taste like? How to eat and cook beetroots (including the leaves)?

Jump to:

• What is beetroot
• Difference between beet and beetroot
• How do beets grow in the garden
• What does a beet taste like
• How to eat beetroot
• How to cook beetroot
• Recipes with cooked beetroot
• Can you eat raw beets
• What to do with raw beetroot
• What to do with beetroot leaves
• How to cook beet greens
• What goes well with beetroot
• How to store beets

What is beetroot

The scientific name of beetroot is Beta vulgaris.

Beetroot is made of 2 parts: the taproot (the dark red round part) and the leaves (also called beet greens).

Difference between beet and beetroot

After checking multiple dictionaries (like Collins dictionary, Oxford dictionary and more) it appears that in American English this vegetable is called beet. Whereas it is called beetroot in British English. It's as simple as that!

How do beets grow in the garden

As you can see in the picture below the taproot grows underground and the red stalks and green leaves grow out of the ground.

What does a beet taste like

The taproot (the red round part), which is most commonly eaten, has a sweet and earthy taste.

How to eat beetroot

Beetroot can either be eaten raw, cooked or pickled. You can also juice it.

In France, you can either buy raw beetroots or already cooked ones. Well, actually, it is much easier to find cooked beets at the vegetable store than raw beets. And most of the time, you will find them in stores without the leaves, even though they are edible.

The most common way to eat beetroot is in a salad. But there are many other ways to eat them.

How to cook beetroot

Give the beetroot a rince under cold water to remove the dirt. Boil or steam the beetroot (without peeling it : the skin will easily peel off once the beetroots are cooked) on medium heat for 35 mins or until it can be easily pierced through with a knife.

Recipes with cooked beetroot

Here are some recipes to make with your beetroot once cooked.

Can you eat raw beets

Yes, you can eat raw beets. When eaten raw, beets have more of an earthy taste than when they are eaten cooked. They also taste slightly sweeter when cooked.

What to do with raw beetroot

You will need a raw beetroot to make these delicious recipes. (Please note that the beetroot crisps / beet chips are cooked in the oven, but the recipe uses raw beetroot).

What to do with beetroot leaves

Beetroot leaves (or beet greens) are edible. They have a pretty neutral taste like many leafy greens.They can be cooked like spinach.

How to cook beet greens

Wash them carefully to make sure you remove all the dirt, then chop them.

And add them to your favorite sauteed recipe. For example, you can saute your beet greens with onions, zucchini and potatoes like in the picture below.

Or you can use beet greens instead of spinach in this sweet potato breakfast hash recipe.

What goes well with beetroot

Beetroot goes well with many, many things. But the most common pairings are: arugula, spinach, kale, avocado, butternut squash, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, endive, fennel, sweet potato, apples, citrus, chickpeas, lentil, quinoa, eggs, tuna, walnuts, hazelnuts, parsley, dill, Burrata, goat cheese and Feta cheese.

How to store beets

To store beets, cut off the leaves and store them separately as you would store lettuce (in a bag or salad box). Use the leaves within a day or two.

If stored still raw, the root will keep for a couple of weeks in the refrigerator.

Cooked beets can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

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