Canned Beets: 3 Delicious Recipes

Looking for a great canned beets recipe to add to your repertoire? We’ve collected three tasty versions to help you preserve this winter vegetable.

Beets are a great and nutritious winter vegetable that can be planted and harvested over the colder months. In fact, winter beets are sweeter than beets grown in any other season as they use sugar as a sort of natural anti-freeze.

Beets are low in calories and high in antioxidants, nitrates, and fibers, which makes them a great source of the nutrients your body needs. Beets can be eaten raw, boiled, roasted, or pickled and make a delightful addition to many dishes, including sandwiches, salads, burgers, and breakfasts with plant-based eggs. 

In order to get your beets ready for canning, cut off stems and roots and give them a good scrub to get rid of all traces of dirt. Alternatively, keep a bit of stem and root on to avoid bleeding. Then add them to a stockpot with enough water to cover them and boil for 15-20 minutes. Remove and allow to cool before handling. Once cooled, peel the beets and slice or dice them to the desired size. 

Tip: Remember to sterilize your jars for canning!

1. Sweet & Sour Canned Beets Recipe

One spice combination comes up far more often when canning pickled beets than others. The earthy flavors of red beets pairs beautifully with warming winter spices such as clove, cinnamon, and allspice. 

This canned beets recipe is suitable for 20 small beets. 

Brine Ingredients: 

• 1 cup sugar 
• 1 cup white vinegar
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp allspice 
• ½ tbsp cinnamon 
• 1 tsp whole cloves

Instructions:

1. Pack the boiled beets into the sterilized jars nice and snug.
2. Combine sugar, vinegar, and spices in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Pour over the beets in the jar, leaving about ¾-inch headspace, and put the lids on.
4. Boil for 12 minutes in a water bath; remove and let cool before storing. 

2. Canning Curried Pickled Beets

For this canned beets recipe, golden beets are recommended. The curry flavor is better highlighted with golden beets, as the earthy flavors of red beets may be a bit overpowering. 

This canned beets recipe is suitable for 6 medium golden beets.

Brine Ingredients:

• ½ cup homemade apple cider vinegar 
• 2 tbsp white vinegar
• 3 tbsp curry powder
• 1½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp honey or vegan honey alternative

Instructions: 

1. Whisk together the vinegars, curry powder, salt, and honey. 
2. Slice the boiled beets, and pack them into a sterilized jar along with a few cloves of garlic.
3. Pour the brine over the beets in the jar, leaving about ¾-inch headspace, and put the lids on.
4. Boil for 12 minutes in a water bath, remove and let cool before storing. 

3. Caraway Canned Beats Recipe

If you’re looking for a different take on pickled beets, you can try incorporating caraway seeds and black peppercorns into the brine. 

This canned beet recipe is suitable for seven large beets. 

Brine Ingredients: 

• 1¼ cups white vinegar 
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup sugar 
• 1 tbsp caraway seeds 
• 1 tsp black peppercorns 

Instructions:

1. Pack the sliced or quartered beets into sterilized jars. 
2. Add the caraway seeds and black peppercorns into a piece of cheesecloth or cheesecloth alternative to make a spice bag.
3. Add the spice bag to the vinegar, water, and sugar mix on the stovetop and bring to a boil.
4. Gently simmer for 15 minutes before discarding the spice bag. 
5. Pour the brine over the beets in the jar, leaving about ¾-inch headspace, and put the lids on.
6. Boil for 12 minutes in a water bath; remove and let cool before storing. 

Read more: 

• How to Cook Fresh Beets in 3 Different Ways
• 2-Ingredient Natural Homemade Beet Dye
• Simple & Vegan Piccalilli Recipe

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Tags: Food Guide Recipes Vegan