Easy Refrigerator Pickled Beets
Pickled beets used to be one of those things that I cringed at growing up but now I absolutely love them! Maybe that’s because the homemade version completely changed my opinion on them. I make these several times every summer when I get fresh beets from my brothers garden. Pickled beets really don’t get any better than this! These are super fresh, perfectly simple without other flavors to hide their unique flavor, and you wouldn’t believe how easy they are to make. These are a great option if you, like me, aren’t familiar with canning things yourself (to make them shelf stable). Someday I’ll learn but in the meantime this quick and simple method using the fridge is such a breeze and it makes the best pickled beets I’ve ever tasted! See for yourself and make a batch this week. Then pair them with a ham and cheddar salad, or make them the star of a spinach salad and pair them with some walnuts and feta.
Pickled Beets Ingredients and Substitutes
Beets: Fresh beets that are fairly even in size work best. Apple cider vinegar: You could try another vinegar here such as white wine vinegar or even plain vinegar if that’s what you have on hand. Maple syrup: You can adjust this to taste if you want it more or less sweet. Use real maple syrup not pancake syrup. Honey will work too. Salt: You can use the amount I’ve recommend or season to taste. Water: Use cool filtered water, not hot.
How to Pickle Beets
Note that beets can be steamed, roasted or boiled (though I recommend the first two methods for more nutrition) for refrigerator pickled beets.
How to Roast Beets for Pickling
Helpful Tips for the Best Pickled Beets
Cook beets just until tender. We don’t want them overly soft and mushy. Also be mindful that they are cooked through to the center, so they aren’t hard and under-cooked. Larger beets will take longer to cook while smaller beets will cook faster. You can use any size of beets but if they are super large you may want to cut beets in half before cooking. Allow enough time for the beets to marinate for more flavor to soak in. Be sure beets are covered with the brine, if you need add a little splash more of water/vinegar.
Possible Variations
You can also season these with other ingredients such as:
Herbs such as thyme, rosemary, oregano or marjoram Onions, garlic or shallot Seasoning such as mustard seed, black pepper, or even cloves, cinnamon and allspice
How to store pickled beets
They should be kept in the fridge for in an airtight container. Freezing is not recommend as this will alter the texture.
How long do pickled beets last?
These refrigerator pickled beets should last up to 4 weeks in the fridge.
Are pickled beets good for you?
Yes! These pickled beets are a healthy food packed with vitamins such as (vitamin c, b vitamins and maganese), minerals and antioxidants. These may actually be a healthier option than many store-bought varieties as well since the beets here are steamed instead of boiled, and they may include less sugars and salt. They are also very low fat and low cholesterol.
Can I make the beets without sugar or sweetener?
If you’d like these can also be made without the sugar just keep in mind they will be more tart. You may consider adding a few pinches of sugar-free sweetener such as stevia to help balances it out.
More Tasty Vegetable Recipes to Try
Baked Zucchini Candied Yams Grilled Vegetables Honey Roasted Carrots The Best Salad
