Ready To Learn How To Cook Beets?

I didn't learn how to cook beets from scratch until many years after I tried my first beet, which was of the pickled variety.

And even though it took years of munching away on pickled beets before this then-finicky eater would try the non-pickled variety, I'm so happy I finally did because they've become one of my favorite foods. Let's make them one of your favorites too. ;O)

Beets are an amazing vegetable. They calm the spirit and moisten the intestines. And they are important to women because they encourage menstruation and can regulate hormones during menopause.

Many people enjoy eating the greens attached to the end. Beet greens are high in iron, magnesium, and phosphorous, calcium. Strangely enough, the greens are also high in oxalic acid which can reduce the amount of calcium your body converts, which sort of works against the calcium in the greens. In other words, watch your intake and do not rely on beet greens as a source of calcium. Beet greens also contain Vitamins A and C, and a range of B vitamins as well.

Ready? It's time for you to learn how to cook beets so you can enjoy this beautiful veggie anytime. (And they ARE so pretty, especially the red/magenta beets which can also be used as a dye since they tend to color the foods which they are cooked with.)

How To Select Beets

Look for beets that are firm and round, avoiding those that are slimy, soft or seem depressed. :o(

There are many varieties, but the ones you're probably most familiar with are red. They should have a deep red color and their surface should be mostly smooth.

Gold or "Yellow" beets should be a deep, vibrant gold. Avoid those with dark or black sunken spots -- this means they're old.

If you fall into the camp of those eating their beet greens, just be sure the greens are fresh and free from decay. But if you're choosing beets for the root only, the condition of the greens doesn't matter.

How To Clean and Prep Beets

Simply scrub with a vegetable brush and water, then peel with a paring knife. Alternatively, you can cook your beets with the skin on, and then rub skins off with a paper towel once they are softened. If you are baking/roasting then you do not have to wash or peel - see the options available to you as you learn how to cook beets below.

How To Cook Beets

Baked Beets
Make baked beets if you are looking for slow-cooked, rich, and more complex flavors...

Boiled Beets
While boiling beets might draw some flavor and nutrients out of your beets, it does make them tender...

Sauteed Beets
Sauteed beets cook up moist and flavorful, colorful and pretty. Plus, learn oil-free sauteing...

Steamed Beets
Steamed beets are delicious as well as nutritious, with absolutely no added fat...

Beet Vegan Flavor Matches

Create your very own beet recipe with some of your favorite ingredients from this list of foods that match perfectly with beets.

Allspice
Apples
Butter, non-dairy (I like Earth Balance)
Cheese, non-dairy
Chives
Cloves
Cream, non-dairy
Cucumber
Curry
Dill
Fennel
Ginger
Horseradish
Lemon
Mustard
Nutmeg
Onions
Oranges
Paprika
Parsley
Potatoes
Salt
Shallots
Sour Cream, non-dairy
Sucanat (or Brown Sugar)
Tarragon
Vinaigrette
Vinegar (especially balsamic, sherry and white wine)
Walnuts
Walnut Oil
Watercress

Psssst...Get ALL the Flavor Matches found throughout VeganCoach.com all in one place with this handy dandy e-book Your Guide To Vegan Flavor Matches.

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ABOUT COOKING BEETS

Beet Helpful Hints

• Be sure to eat them fairly soon after purchasing (before their starch turns to sugar).
• When chopping, begin by carefully cutting in half so you have a flat surface. Then place that flat surface on your cutting board and continue to chop, dice, etc. Especially helpful tip when peeling...
• Use a vegetable peeler. Or peel carefully with a knife, always laying the beet on a flat surface and cutting AWAY from you. If roasting (baking) or boiling, you can peel AFTER cooking -- the skins come right off.

Discover the Nutritional Value of Beets

If You Like Beets Try...

Potatoes/ Sweet Potatoes!

Carrots!

Turnips!

If You Like Beet Greens Try...

Vegan Spinach!

Vegan Kale!

Vegan Celery!

Vegan Cabbage!

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