Introducing one of the most versatile, flavorful vegetables around – beetroot! But what exactly is beetroot and how to eat it? In this article, we will explore everything about beetroot, from the garden to the plate. You’ll also discover some unique recipes that’ll get your creativity flowing and have you looking forward to how you can incorporate the deep red hue of beetroot into your meals. So, if you’re looking for a nutritious and delicious way to add some color to your plate, you’ve come to the right place.
Here is a new post in my "ingredient complete guides" series. If you like those, you can also read my Complete guide to spaghetti squash or What is Buckwheat Flour or What is Fleur de Sel to find the answers to all your questions about these ingredients.
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💭 What is beetroot
The scientific name of beetroot is Beta vulgaris. It is a root vegetable.
It is made of 2 parts: the taproot (the dark red round part) and the leaves (also called beet greens).
⭐ 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.
Beet greens, on the other hand, have a mild taste, something between Swiss chard and spinach.
🍽 How to eat beetroot
If you're looking to add a splash of color to your meals, look no further than beetroot. This versatile root vegetable can be used in a variety of creative and delicious ways.
Beetroot can be eaten raw, cooked, pickled or even juiced.
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 popular way to enjoy beetroot is in salads, but there are many other ways to enjoy them too.
♨️ How to cook beetroot
Give the beetroot a rinse 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
This versatile root vegetable is not only delicious but it will add a burst of flavor and color to your dishes. Here, I will share some creative and delicious ways to use beetroot in your cooking. From beetroot and feta salad to red velvet ice cream and juice, there's something for every taste bud. So, let's start exploring how to eat beetroot.
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).
Recipes with cooked beetroot
Here are some recipes to make with your beetroot once cooked.
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 (AIP, paleo, whole30) recipe.
Whether you're a confirmed beetroot lover or new to this versatile veggie, I hope these ideas will inspire you to get creative with your cooking. From bright and flavorful salads to juices and no churn ice cream, there's no limit on how to eat beetroot. It, for sure, will add a healthy dose of color and nutrition to your meals. So go ahead, experiment with these recipes and ideas, and don't be afraid to let your creativity take over.
💬 FAQs
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!
Yes, beetroot is a gluten-free vegetable, meaning it will not cause adverse reactions in those with gluten-intolerance.
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.
Beetroot leaves (or beet greens) are edible. They have a pretty neutral taste like many leafy greens.They can be cooked like spinach.
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.
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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Michele Morin
I will be making beet pickles this week, my favorite way to enjoy them, but will also can some beets to eat hot with butter.
gohealthywithbea
Bonjour Michele. Thank you for the tips, they sound delicious!