Beginner's Guide to Preparing Sugar Beets: Boiling, Roasting & More

All About Cooking Sugar Beets: A Beginner's Guide

The sweet, earthy sugar beet is a versatile and nutrient-dense vegetable that can lend a pop of color and natural sweetness to savory and sweet dishes alike. However, their tough exterior and messy bleeding color may be intimidating if you dont know the tricks of handling them. Read on for a complete guide to selecting, preparing, and cooking sugar beets to bring out their best qualities.

Selecting Sugar Beets

When buying sugar beets, select firm, smooth bulbs that feel heavy for their size and lack moist or shriveled skin. Size can range from small golf balls to large roots weighing over a pound. Larger beets may require extra trimming but offer more usable interior flesh. Baby and golden varieties cook the fastest. Choose beets with their green tops still attached for the freshest quality.

Preparing Raw Sugar Beets

After buying, trim green beet tops off the bulbs, leaving about an inch of stem. Dont discard the nutritious greens. Wash the bulbs thoroughly under cool running water without puncturing the skin. Use a vegetable brush gently on tough dirt spots. The skin helps lock in nutrients and moisture during cooking. Refrigerate unwashed beets in a plastic bag for 2-3 weeks.

Peeling

After cooking sugar beets, rinse then slide off skins by gently rubbing with paper towels, taking care not to tear the flesh. Letting cooked beets cool completely before peeling minimizes mess and retains juices better during the rubbing process. Another method is to peel raw beets prior to cooking. Use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler and discard the outer skin and first layer of discolored flesh for a more even interior result.

Cutting Prep

Whether raw or cooked, trim both ends from sugar beets and discard before slicing or chopping. Cut on a sturdy cutting board using a sharp knife, rocking carefully to apply even pressure. Take care when slicing to avoid nicking your fingers. Kitchen shears also work well. Rinse cut beets immediately to prevent excess stained juices from leaking onto cutting boards.

Boiling Whole Sugar Beets

Boiling whole beets preserves maximum nutrients and provides tender, moist results. Place trimmed, raw beets in a saucepan and add cool water to cover.

Boil Time

Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until beets reach your desired tenderness when pierced with a fork, 40 minutes to an hour depending on size. Check more frequently as they near done.

Chilling

When finished boiling, use tongs to transfer cooked beets to a colander in the sink and let rest until cool enough to comfortably handle. Run cold tap water over beets or dunk in ice bath to stop the cooking process which enhances flavor. Then rub off skins and cut as desired.

Storing

Place peeled, prepped sugar beets in an airtight container with a bit of olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Refrigerate up to one week. Canned boiled beets keep over a year but lose some nutritional benefits.

Roasting Sugar Beet Wedges

Roasted beets develop an irresistibly sweet, earthy concentrated flavor. Peel raw beets first, then slice into 12-inch thick wedges, cubes, or chunks. Adjust roasting time as needed for smaller cuts.

Season & Roast

Toss clean-cut beets on a parchment-lined baking sheet with olive oil, salt, and pepper. For variation, add lemon zest, chopped garlic, fresh herbs, or spices. Roast at 400F for 40-60 minutes until fork tender, gently turning halfway through.

Results

The high oven heat caramelizes natural sugars, concentrating flavors and textures. Roasting halved mini beets gives a ready-to-eat finger food. Mix roasted beet chunks into soups, grain bowls, and salads. Store leftovers in refrigerator up to four days.

Sauting Diced Beets

Sauting diced beets is the quickest stovetop preparation, perfect to incorporate into eggs, tacos, pasta, etc. With peeled and chopped beets ready to go, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high.

Cooking Process

Add beet chunks in a single layer with desired seasoning like diced onions and garlic, salt, cumin or curry powder. Saut, stirring occasionally until beets soften and brown lightly, 8-12 minutes. Add a splash of broth or water to keep moist if needed.

Serving Ideas

Incorporate sauted sugar beets in grain or greens-based Buddha bowls and stir fries. Their sweet pop pairs well with eggs, lentils, walnuts, cheese, citrus and fresh herbs like mint or dill. Drizzle with yogurt sauces. Store leftovers three to four days.

Pickling Sugar Beets

Pickling preserves beets for long-term use and brings out delicious sour flavors. With peeled and cooked cubed beets, pack tightly into clean canning jars.

Brine & Process

In a saucepan, bring apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and desired spices to a boil then pour over beets to cover. Wipe rims, seal lids and process pint jars in a water bath canner for 30 minutes. Once sealed, store up to a year.

Serving Pickled Beets

Bright pink pickled beets lend tangy sweetness and crunch to salads, charcuterie boards, bowls and burgers. Rough chop for relish, blend into hummus or puree as a gourmet soup base. The brine also works as a colorful cocktail mixer.

Creative Ways to Use Sugar Beets

Beyond traditional boiling and roasting methods, get creative integrating the dynamic flavors and colors of sugar beets into various comfort foods and international staples.

Grain Bowls

For a nutrient boost, scatter roasted beet chunks over quinoa, farro or rice bowls along with avocado, nuts, greens and lean protein. The beets sweet earthiness contrasts nicely with tangy dressings.

Burgers

Mix shredded raw beets into lean ground meat or veggie burger patties. Beets keep burgers extra moist. Or simply top cooked grass-fed beef patties with pickled beet strips and an arugula-goat cheese salad.

Breads & Muffins

Fold shredded or pureed cooked beets into banana bread, zucchini muffins, or whole-grain doughs. Keep batter a shade on the thick side to allow for extra moisture released from beets. The striking color speckles make baked goods extra fun.

Soups

For rich flavor and color, blend roasted beet puree into vegetable, chicken noodle, or tomato-based soups. Get creative mixing beet, carrot and red pepper purees too. Top bowls with yogurt or sour cream and fresh dill.

Dips

Thanks to their fairly sweet and mild taste, beets puree beautifully into dips and spreads. Blend roasted beets with white beans, garlic and tahini for hummus. Mix with Greek yogurt, lemon, mint and walnuts for a vivid pink dip or sandwich spread.

Tips for Cooking Sugar Beets

Here are some key tips to handle the unique nature of sugar beets while bringing out their fabulous flavors and colors:

Prevent Staining

Beets can create a shocking mess. Use care when prepping and cooking to keep juices contained. Avoid light-colored utensils and surfaces which may become dyed pink. Immediately wash hands, countertops and tools after handling the notorious pigment.

Embrace Sweet

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.