Healthy Pickled Beets Recipe

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Cook Time: 15 minutes (for the brine) + 30 minutes (for the beets)

• Cooling Time: 1 hour

• Chilling Time: 24 hours (minimum)

• Total Time: Approximately 2 hours (active) + 24 hours (inactive)

• Yield: 2 pints or 1 quart jar

Recipe Intensity

• Difficulty: Easy

• Skill Level: Beginner

• Effort: Low

• Active Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

For the Beets

• 1 ½ pounds fresh beets (about 4-5 medium-sized beets), greens trimmed

• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced (optional, but adds a nice bite)

For the Brine

• 1 cup apple cider vinegar (with “the mother” for extra health benefits)

• ¾ cup water

• ½ cup honey (or pure maple syrup for a vegan option)

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• 3 whole cloves

• 1 star anise (or 1 cinnamon stick)

• 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries

• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns (optional, for a slight bite)

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Beets

1. Rinse the beets thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt. Do not peel them; leaving the skin on during cooking prevents the color from bleeding and helps retain nutrients.

2. Place the beets in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 30-45 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. The cooking time will depend on the size of your beets. Smaller beets will cook faster.

3. Once tender, drain the beets and rinse them under cool water until they are cool enough to handle. The skins should slip off easily. Use your hands or a paring knife to peel them.

4. Cut the beets into your desired shape—slices, wedges, or cubes.

Step 2: Prepare the Brine

1. While the beets are cooking, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, honey (or maple syrup), salt, cloves, star anise, allspice berries, and peppercorns in a small saucepan.

2. Bring the brine to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure the honey dissolves completely.

3. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow the spices to infuse the liquid. Remove from the heat.

Step 3: Assemble and Pickle

1. Pack the peeled and sliced beets (and the optional sliced onion) into a clean, sterilized quart-sized jar or two pint-sized jars.

2. Carefully pour the hot brine over the beets, making sure they are completely submerged. Leave about ½ inch of headspace at the top of the jar.

3. If using whole spices in the brine, you can strain them out before pouring to prevent them from overwhelming the final product, or leave them in for a stronger flavor. If you leave them in, you can add them directly to the jar with the beets.

4. Let the jar cool to room temperature on the counter. This usually takes about 1 hour.

Step 4: Chill and Cure

1. Once cooled, seal the jar with a lid and place it in the refrigerator.

2. Allow the beets to pickle for at least 24 hours before eating. The flavor will continue to develop and deepen over time, peaking after about 3-4 days.

How to Serve

• As a Side: Serve alongside roasted meats, fish, or as part of a cheese board.

• On Salads: Chop them up and toss them with mixed greens, goat cheese, and walnuts for a classic and healthy salad.

• In Grain Bowls: Add them to bowls with quinoa, chickpeas, and a tahini dressing.

• As a Snack: Enjoy them straight out of the jar as a healthy, tangy snack.

Tips for Success

• Use Fresh Beets: The fresher the beets, the better their flavor and texture will be.

• Don’t Overcook the Beets: They should be fork-tender but not mushy. Overcooked beets can become waterlogged.

• Sterilize Your Jars: For longer shelf life (even in the fridge), it’s essential to sterilize your jars and lids. You can do this by washing them in hot, soapy water and then placing them in a 200°F oven for 10 minutes or running them through a dishwasher cycle.

• Adjust the Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the amount of honey or maple syrup to suit your taste. Start with less and add more if needed.

• Spice It Up: Experiment with different spices! A small piece of fresh ginger or a pinch of red pepper flakes can add a different dimension of flavor.

• Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. The beets will continue to absorb the flavors over time, making them even more delicious.

Nutrition

Note: This is an estimate per serving (approximately 1/4 cup of pickled beets). Nutritional values will vary based on the exact ingredients and serving size used.