Gingered Beet Pickles Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Make Ahead

by: Amanda Hesser

July15,2011

5

1 Ratings

  • Makes 1 quart

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

When I was visiting my mother in Florida, she whipped up a batch of these gingered beet pickles every couple of days, and served them with sandwiches at lunch, and on burger night. They come from Matt Lee and Ted Lee's latest book The Lee Bros. Simple Fresh Southern. —Amanda Hesser

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • One 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into 1/8-inch thick disks
  • 1 cupdistilled white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoonskosher salt
  • 1 teaspoonsugar
  • 1 1/4 poundsbeets, peeled and very thinly sliced (using a mandoline, if you have one)
Directions
  1. Pour 1 cup water into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, and add the ginger, vinegar, salt, and sugar. When the brine simmers, add the beets, and when it returns to a simmer, continue to cook for 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, cover loosely, and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to a quart-size glass container with a lid, and seal tightly. Chill further in the refrigerator for 1 hour or until ready to serve. The pickles will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.

Tags:

  • Condiment/Spread
  • American
  • Vegetable
  • Vinegar
  • Beet
  • Make Ahead
  • Summer
  • Side

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • AntoniaJames

  • dymnyno

  • mbj913

  • Butternut

  • bunditoast

Recipe by: Amanda Hesser

Before starting Food52 with Merrill, I was a food writer and editor at the New York Times. I've written several books, including "Cooking for Mr. Latte" and "The Essential New York Times Cookbook." I played myself in "Julie & Julia" -- hope you didn't blink, or you may have missed the scene! I live in Brooklyn with my husband, Tad, and twins, Walker and Addison.

Popular on Food52

33 Reviews

weshook July 4, 2017

Making this right now with golden beets from the farmers market. It smells so good; I can't wait.

AntoniaJames November 11, 2013

I made a gingered beet pickle that was similar to this, using white wine vinegar (much less harsh than distilled white) and golden beets. They're spectacularly beautiful, and so, so tasty. I roasted the beets first. I'll have to make a batch this way. The ginger sort of recedes but remains delicately perceptible. ;o)

Tomina June 18, 2013

Can you process these to store for mid-winter?

AntoniaJames November 11, 2013

I'm sure you can. I'd process in two pint jars for 15 minutes once the water comes to a boil. ;o)

dymnyno June 18, 2013

I am a big fan of pickled beets of all sorts. The picture shows the beets in a weck container. Was it sealed with a canning method or did you use the jar because it looks good? (the rubber sealer on weck jars is useless unless processed)

dymnyno June 18, 2013

I just read the rest of the comments and answers to questions about this recipe from 3 years ago and I think all my questions were answered.

William W. June 18, 2013

This is a quick pickle method, not a canning process. The weck jars are used because they're pretty! Also, pickled beets are one of my favorite pickles. Especially with hard boiled eggs and corned beef.

mbj913 February 19, 2013

just cooked and can already tell they will be great.

Butternut December 2, 2012

Any tips/tricks for peeling raw beets? Have only ever peeled them after roasting, when the skins slip right off. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Amanda H. December 2, 2012

I like using a serrated peeler for beets because it doesn't cut very deep -- otherwise you can lose a fair amount of beet.

bunditoast August 27, 2012

sardine ochazuke?

gingerroot August 27, 2012

I've been making WinnieAb's recipe, with slight variation depending on what I have on hand: http://www.food52.com/recipes/16382_sardine_ochazuke
It is delicious on its own, but I love the contrasting punch of flavor that these gingered beet pickles add.

gingerroot May 25, 2012

These are delicious. One favorite pairing is to serve these with sardine ochazuke.

AntoniaJames May 25, 2012

Oh that sounds divine! "Beet pickles" and "sardines" in the same sentence, no less, makes my mouth start to water!! ;o)

gingerroot May 25, 2012

Hi AJ! It is so good -- just adding the comment today made me want to have it tonight for dinner. It's also not a far cry from the typical pickled veggies that might accompany a traditional meal of ochazuke.

Tammy @. December 15, 2011

I love everything about beets. Even as a young girl I would ask for the can...it wasn't until my farmer's market days as a new mom, that I discovered the beauty of a fresh one. Thanks for sharing!

Spork July 29, 2011

delicious and easy....just watch out for the ginger slices!

fo July 22, 2011

i want to make some just to line them up on the shelf and look at them, how beautiful!

aargersi July 22, 2011

I made a batch of these last night with golden beets. They are about the prettiest thing I have ever seen! I may have eaten a few while still warm ....

fo July 22, 2011

so hard not to, i agree!

kerry F. July 21, 2011

Do you know if I could use raw apple cidar vinegar instead?

Amanda H. July 21, 2011

Should work just fine.

Nadia H. July 19, 2011

I just made these with the last spring beets I pulled today. Wonderfully crisp and tasty. One little remark: when I handle raw beets a lot, like here slicing them with a mandoline, I always wear disposable gloves. There are so many situations where I cannot avoid getting my hands really dirty in the garden, so in the kitchen I do everything to make sure you cannot tell from my hands the next day what I have been cooking... - The beet greens toughened in the summer heat so I don't have any to try the other recipe right now but I definitely will in the fall.

borntobeworn July 18, 2011

I made this last night and took them to work to share. They were a huge hit! Since it made 2 jars, I gave one to a friend to share with her family (since it says they will only last 2 weeks in the fridge). I generally don't like pickled beets that you find on salad bars because of the texture and taste but these are awesome! My guy doesn't usually like beets so we'll see if he's a convert :) He never used to like beet greens either and he loved those!

zabiene July 18, 2011

do we have to cook the beets or do we use them raw?

zabiene July 18, 2011

ok it's a stupid question :-)
cook for 4 minutes and afterwards the pickle will tender the beets?

Amanda H. July 18, 2011

Not a stupid question! The 4 minutes plus pickling will cook the beets enough. They should be a little crisp. But make sure you slice them thinly. If they're thicker than 1/8-inch, you might want to simmer for 5 or 6 minutes.

innoabrd July 17, 2011

I love beets...don't cook them enough they're one of two foods (the other being avocado) my wife generally can't stand. Pickles, however, I can hoard for myself!

thirschfeld July 15, 2011

I will be making these, I like to pickle beets with lovage too, and then I do the classic as well. Looks like this Winter will have three kinds of beets in store for us.

Droplet October 26, 2011

I love lovage,too. For pickled things my grandmother used to use a plant that is a very close relative to the lovage, but is slightly different. The leaves are slightly larger (shaped exactly the same) and the stems are thicker (still shaped the same and still have that hollow structure). My grandmother did not speak english so I have been trying to figure out what the name of that plant might be. Any clue?

Sashinka November 25, 2012

Could that be Sorrel?

G. C. November 5, 2015

You might look into a plant called "Alexanders". It has a flavor somewhat similar to lovage/celery.
Gizelle

AntoniaJames July 15, 2011

To die for. Simply to die for. I don't usually buy or cook beets in the summer (as I typically eat them all winter), but I'm making an exception for these. I adore pickles of all kinds, and these sound positively divine. ;o)

Gingered Beet Pickles Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Which beets are best for pickling? ›

Beets – You can use any color of fresh beets for these. However, I used red. Sugar – This will help add flavor as well as preservation. Salt – I always use coarse salt in my recipes, and this is used to help season the carrots and for preservation.

Do beet pickles need hot water bath? ›

Make sure that there is adequate vinegar in your red beet pickle recipe. Scientifically research tested recipes use more than ½ cup vinegar per pint jar. Pickled beets are safe to process in a boiling water bath or atmospheric steam canner. The USDA recommends processing pickled beets in boiling water for 30 minutes.

What's the difference between beets and pickled beets? ›

Pickled beets are fresh beets that have been preserved using a salt and vinegar brine which are then canned to extend their shelf-life and make them more convenient to eat while adding a tasty pickled flavor.

How long do beet pickles last? ›

To enjoy them at their best and freshest, store your pickled beets in the refrigerator and plan to use them within a maximum of three months, or ideally within several weeks. Always keep an eye out for signs they've passed their prime before that though.

What makes beets taste better? ›

Roasting beets deepens their natural sugars while tempering bitterness. Bake whole, wrapped beets at 400°F for 60-75 minutes until easily pierced by a fork. Allow to cool before peeling and juicing. Incorporating roasted beets creates a smoother, mellower, almost nutty-flavored blended juice.

How long does it take for pickled beets to be ready to eat? ›

No need to wait to enjoy your pickled beets. They're ready to eat as soon as they've cooled down, however, the longer you wait, the better their flavor. Give them at least a week or two.

Do you have to peel beets before pickling? ›

here is a recipe for a great pickled beet. Cook beets in water 35 to 45 minutes until tender. Drain and slip the skins off and slice, rmoving the root ends. Heat all the syrup ingredients together in a large saucepan.

Does beetroot need to be cooked before pickling? ›

Wash and trim the beetroot, rub each with 1 tbsp vegetable oil, then wrap individually in foil. Roast on a tray at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 1 hr or until tender. Cool, peel, then cut into wedges. To make the pickling vinegar, put the whole spices in a medium saucepan.

Is canned beets as good as fresh beets? ›

With only a few exceptions, canned beetroot has about the same nutritional value as fresh beetroot. Fresh beetroot has double the phosphorus, potassium and folate, but 1 cup of sliced, canned beetroot has 14 percent of the recommended daily intake of folate and 4 percent of phosphorus and potassium.

Is it OK to eat pickled beets everyday? ›

Pickled beets are generally safe to eat. But, depending on how they're made, some varieties of pickled beets may pack salt and added sugars. Too much salt can increase your blood pressure. While too much sugar can lead to weight gain and other health problems.

Can you eat too many pickled beets? ›

Possible downsides. Depending on how they're made, some varieties of pickled beets may pack salt and added sugars ( 23 , 24 ). Research links excess sugar and salt intake to poor health and an increased risk of illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Why are beets called a super food? ›

Many people call them a superfood because of their rich nutritional profile. In addition to bringing a pop of color to your plate, beets are highly nutritious and packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds, many of which have medicinal properties.

Can a diabetic eat pickled beets? ›

However, the American Diabetes Association lists pickled foods as high in sodium and says people should eat them in moderation. Some pickled foods a person can consider adding to their diet in moderation include: olives. beets.

Can you eat pickled beets right out of the jar? ›

You may eat them directly out of the jar! Most people eat pickled beets chilled or at room temperature. Here are some ways you can incorporate pickled beets into your diet: Serve pickled beets as a side dish sprinkled with a little feta cheese.

Can you freeze beets to pickle later? ›

Frozen beets, on the other hand, would pickle just fine. What is this? Once you've picked a peck of frozen plants, pickle it how you would any other vegetable. Place your frozen vegetables in a heat-safe jar—there's no need to thaw.

Which is better for you pickled beets or regular beets? ›

Packed with beneficial compounds

They're especially rich in betalains and betanins, two polyphenols that give this veggie its deep red color (6). However, the pickling process reduces antioxidant levels by 25–70%. Thus, pickled beets contain lower antioxidant levels than those of other forms of beets (6, 9 ).

What form of beets is best? ›

Q: What is the Healthiest Form of Beets? A: Consuming beets raw, juiced, or roasted may offer more health benefits, like lower blood pressure and improved athletic performance. Boiling them might reduce some of these benefits, so it's better to enjoy them raw or cooked using other methods.

Which is better golden beets or red beets? ›

The Verdict Based on Health Benefits:

Golden best vs red beets in terms of health benefits is essentially a tie, they have almost the exact same health benefits! The only one that would win in terms of health benefits would be red beets.

What is the best type of beets? ›

Golden beets are the sweetest variety of beets. They also cook up much softer than most other types of beets. This makes them great for mashing or blending into soups and dips.

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