Just Beet It! 18 of Our Favorite Root Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is a fun fact about beet root? ›

Beetroot contains betaine, a substance which relaxes the mind, and is used in other forms to treat depression. It also contains trytophan, which is also found in chocolate and is believed to promote a sense of wellbeing. Recent claims suggest beetroot may help to lower blood pressure and to help prevent dementia.

The iconic beet is a bulbous root with a purple skin and a rich red interior from which dark green glossy leaves sprout on reddish stalks. Beets also come in yellowish and white varieties. Beets have an earthy, rich, vegetal smell raw.

Steaming beets is a healthful cooking method because they retain most of their vitamins and minerals—they're not boiled out in water—and stay incredibly vibrant. Plus, steaming small beets or beet quarters is quick and easy for weeknights.

Packed with nutrition, beets have antioxidants like betalains that fight cell damage and inflammation, potentially offering protection against cancer and heart disease. Health benefits of beets include more stamina during exercise, heart disease and stroke prevention, and lower blood pressure.

Packed with essential nutrients, beetroots are a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. Beetroots and beetroot juice have been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increased exercise performance.

Beetroot juice contains dietary fibre that helps remove digestive waste through the intestines, thereby proving beneficial for people with constipation. However, consuming chopped beetroot added to salad can be more beneficial in such cases.

Can you eat beets everyday? It's always best to follow a varied diet. Eating a small amount of beetroot every day is unlikely to do any harm, but a high intake could lead to low blood pressure, red or black urine and feces, and digestive problems for anyone with a sensitivity to the nutrients.

All parts of fresh beets can be eaten raw or cooked. Recipes for cooking the roots may include roasting, boiling, microwaving, steaming, or pickling. While they can be eaten raw, leaves and stems are often sautéed or added to liquid to cook.

The vinegar used to pickle beets might help with blood sugar management. Vinegar reduces blood sugar levels after meals. Some studies have shown that pickled beets may help protect against cancer. Pickled beets contain the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum.

Beet is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts. Beet can make urine or stools appear pink or red. But this is not harmful. There is concern that beets might cause low calcium levels and kidney damage.

Do you add sugar when cooking beetroot? ›

Combine sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, and cook for 5 minutes. Add beets to the liquid, and simmer for 30 minutes over low heat. Stir in butter, salt, and pepper, and remove from the heat.

Cook and stir shredded beets in hot butter until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Pour water over the beets, cover skillet with a lid, and simmer beets until completely softened, about 10 minutes. Stir balsamic vinegar with the beets; season with salt and pepper.

Roast Them

Roasting is an overall healthy cooking method with minimal vitamin loss, particularly vitamin C. Roasted beets are rich and sweet with slight mineral flavors. Remember to avoid long cooking times and high temperatures, as these can reduce nutrients. Try using smaller bulbs if you want to prepare them faster.

For meals, the two most common ways to prepare this root vegetable is to roast or boil it. Roasted beetroot provides a nourishing, hearty taste, and boiling brings bright and vibrant colour.

The beet plant is a biennial, which means that it lives for two years. The root forms in the first year. In garden beets, the root is thick and usually round. It measures 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 centimeters) across when fully grown.

It is the more common term in the United States, while "beetroot" is more common in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. The term "beets" comes from the Old English word "beten," which means "beet." The term "beetroot" comes from the Middle English word "betewurt," which means "beet root."

Fairy tales aside, the beet is indeed a remarkable vegetable. It is best known for its edible root, which comes in a variety of colors—from fiery red and deep purple, to vibrant orange and golden yellow. Its sugar can also be extracted for use as a sweetener.

Beet root systems can reach 36 inches or more if adequate soil moisture is available.