Beets are the unsung heroes of the vegetable world – vibrant, earthy, and packed with nutrients. Whether roasted, raw, or pickled, these ruby-red roots transform ordinary meals into extraordinary feasts.
Ready to fall in love with this underappreciated veggie? These 16 beet recipes will convert even the most stubborn beet skeptics into full-blown beetroot believers.
1. Roasted Beet And Goat Cheese Salad
Holy flavor explosion! Roasted beets transform into candy-like gems when kissed by high heat, their earthy sweetness perfectly countering tangy goat cheese. This isn’t your sad desk lunch salad—this is a revolution on a plate.
Toss those ruby jewels with peppery arugula, crunchy walnuts, and a honey-balsamic dressing that’ll make your taste buds do backflips. The beauty? It works as a side dish or a main event.
2. Pink Power Beet Smoothie
Mornings need this shocking pink potion that screams ‘I’m alive!’ while your brain’s still booting up. Raw beets blend with frozen berries, banana, and a splash of orange juice for a drink that’s part superhero fuel, part Instagram bait.
The earthy undertones get smoothed out by the sweetness, creating a balanced flavor that won’t scream ‘I’M DRINKING DIRT!’ One glass delivers a tsunami of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to kickstart your day.
3. Borscht
Crimson comfort in a bowl! This Eastern European classic isn’t just soup—it’s liquid heritage, warming generations through harsh winters and political upheavals. The deep ruby broth, packed with beets, cabbage, and potatoes, delivers a symphony of sweet, sour, and savory notes.
Traditionalists argue endlessly about proper preparation—hot or cold? With meat or vegetarian? The only consensus: that dollop of sour cream on top is non-negotiable. Each spoonful balances hearty vegetables with bright acidity.
4. Chocolate Beet Cake
Scandalous but true—beets and chocolate are secret lovers in this mind-blowing dessert! The beets vanish into the background, leaving only their moisture, subtle sweetness, and an almost supernatural fudginess that’ll make your eyes roll back in pleasure.
Nobody will guess vegetables are hiding in this decadent treat. The crumb stays impossibly moist for days (if it somehow survives that long). Top with a simple ganache or cream cheese frosting for maximum indulgence.
5. Pickled Beets With Orange And Fennel
Grandma’s pickled beets just got a glow-up! Forget those soggy jars of yesteryear—this modern take pairs sliced beets with citrusy orange zest and licorice-scented fennel seeds for a pickle that’s downright seductive.
The vinegar brine works its transformative magic overnight, creating tender-crisp beet slices that brighten any cheese board, sandwich, or salad. Their jewel-tone brilliance makes even the plainest meal feel like a special occasion.
6. Golden Beet Carpaccio
Forget beef—this plant-based carpaccio is the sophisticated appetizer that makes dinner guests wonder when you got so fancy! Paper-thin slices of golden beets fan out like sunshine on the plate, their mild sweetness a perfect canvas for bold toppings.
A drizzle of grassy olive oil, flaky sea salt, cracked black pepper, and maybe some microgreens are all you need for minimalist perfection. The magic happens in the mandoline—that razor-sharp kitchen tool that turns humble roots into translucent medallions of elegance.
7. Spicy Beet Falafel
Falafel purists might clutch their pearls, but one bite of these fuchsia-hued flavor bombs will convert even the most traditional street food snob! Grated beets join forces with chickpeas, bringing moisture, earthiness, and a psychedelic pink interior that’ll blow minds when bitten into.
The beet’s natural sweetness plays beautifully against cumin, coriander, and a kick of cayenne. Crispy outside, tender inside—these are falafel reimagined for the color-obsessed Instagram generation. Stuff them into pita with all the fixings or serve atop a mezze platter.
8. Beet And Apple Slaw
Coleslaw’s cooler, more colorful cousin has arrived at the picnic table! Raw beets, shredded into ruby ribbons, tangle with crisp apple matchsticks in this no-cook side that refuses to wilt at outdoor gatherings.
A zippy dressing of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a touch of honey creates the perfect creamy-tangy balance. The unexpected combo of earthy beets and sweet-tart apples creates a flavor harmony that makes standard cabbage slaw seem positively boring.
9. Beet Hummus
Ordinary hummus never stood a chance against this hot pink showstopper! The electric magenta color alone is worth the price of admission, but the flavor—oh, the flavor—takes this dip from novelty to necessity.
Roasted beets blend seamlessly with chickpeas, tahini, and garlic, creating a silky-smooth spread that’s simultaneously earthy, nutty, and bright. The visual impact on a grazing board is nothing short of spectacular—guests literally gasp when they see it.
10. Beet Risotto
Jaws will drop when this shocking pink risotto hits the table! The humble beet transforms ordinary arborio rice into a show-stopping masterpiece that screams ‘I know what I’m doing in the kitchen!’ (Even if you don’t.)
The slow-stirring meditation of risotto-making gets rewarded with a creamy, al dente texture that carries the earthy-sweet beet flavor in every grain. Finished with a shower of Parmesan and maybe a dollop of crème fraîche, the flavor complexity belies the simple ingredient list.
11. Beet Chips
Move over, potato chips—there’s a new addictive snack in town! Paper-thin beet slices transform into crispy, curly works of art in the oven, concentrating their natural sugars into sweet-savory perfection.
The trick is slicing them consistently thin (thank you, mandoline) and watching them like a hawk as they bake. One minute they’re perfect, the next they’re charcoal—such is the drama of beet chip creation. A light sprinkle of sea salt is all they need, though adventurous types might add rosemary or black pepper.
12. Beet Gnocchi
Pasta night just got a psychedelic makeover! These vibrant purple pillows aren’t just eye candy—they’re a clever way to sneak vegetables into carb-loading. The beet puree adds moisture to the dough, resulting in tender gnocchi that won’t turn to rubber in your mouth.
A simple brown butter and sage sauce lets the beet flavor shine through without competition. Watch the magic happen as they float to the surface of boiling water, signaling their readiness to be sauced and devoured.
13. Beet-Cured Salmon
Gravlax gets a jaw-dropping makeover in this technique that transforms ordinary salmon into a two-toned masterpiece! The beet cure doesn’t just add flavor—it creates a stunning ruby gradient that slices into paper-thin, stained-glass-like pieces of fish art.
The process is deceptively simple: salmon fillets get packed in a mixture of salt, sugar, beets, and aromatics, then left to cure in the fridge for a few days. What emerges is silky, flavor-infused salmon with a subtle sweetness and that show-stopping color.
14. Beet Wellington
Vegetarians, rejoice! This plant-based riff on Beef Wellington swaps the tenderloin for a whole roasted beet, wrapped in mushroom duxelles, spinach, and golden puff pastry. The result? A showstopping centerpiece that slices to reveal concentric circles of burgundy brilliance.
The beet’s natural sweetness intensifies during roasting, creating a meaty texture that satisfies even committed carnivores. The surrounding layers add umami complexity and buttery richness that elevate this from mere vegetable to main event status.
15. Beet And Quinoa Bowl
Power lunch alert! This nutrient-dense bowl combines roasted beets, protein-packed quinoa, and whatever seasonal vegetables are showing off at the farmers market. It’s basically edible fuel for conquering your afternoon.
The secret weapon is the zippy lemon-tahini dressing that ties everything together with creamy, nutty brightness. Warm components mingle with cool ones, creating textural excitement in every bite. Add a jammy egg or avocado slices for extra richness.
16. Fermented Beet Kvass
Gut health gurus, gather ’round! This ancient Slavic fermented drink isn’t just a probiotic powerhouse—it’s a ruby-red elixir that tastes like the earth’s finest essence. Think of it as kombucha’s more mysterious, less sweet Eastern European cousin.
The fermentation process transforms simple beets, salt, and water into a complex, slightly effervescent tonic that devotees claim detoxifies the liver and energizes the body. The flavor is an acquired taste—earthy, tangy, and distinctly beety—but becomes oddly addictive over time.