Can You Freeze Beets?

Can you freeze beets?

Are you a beet lover? Want to enjoy beets throughout the year? Can you freeze beets for later? Yes you can; you’ve come to the right place.

Beets are not just flavorful, but they come along with several health benefits. It’s beets season and we don’t want you to only fulfill your craving during the season, so we have a quick guide to help you learn how to freeze beets and enjoy them all year long.

Use your stored beets in these beet recipes:

Roasted Beets with Chimichurri Sauce

Easy Beet Hummus

Beet Burger

Beet Fries with Chipotle Aioli

Air Fryer Roasted Beets

Beet Juice

Types of beets:

Most beets you find in the supermarket are red, which obviously will lead you to assume that all the beets are red. Actually, there are many varieties of beets which come in various colors and sizes, from red to yellow to beautiful candy cane striped looks. Here are some of the common varieties you can find in specialty supermarkets or farmer’s markets, or grow yourself:

• Red Beets: When we think about beets, this is the first thing that comes to mind. These red beets are frequently used to make salads, roasted beets, fries, and many more. These beets are amazing for storing as they gain tenderness and sweetness along the way. 
• Golden Beets: Golden or yellow Beets have a mild and sweet flavor compared to other beets. It is a great vegetable to make a colorful meal for your family. 
• Chioggia Beets: The beautifully natural striped Chioggia beets are quite popular with salads. They have a subtle yellow-and-orange texture, while some have a red-and-cream candy cane mixture. After they are cooked, the stripe fades or disappears usually.
• Baby Beets: These beets are tender and mostly luscious green. These are normal beets that are pulled straight out from the land to make room for other beets to grow. 
• Lutz Green Leaf Beets: These beets are the largest among other varieties of beets. These are good for making fries and roasted dishes.  

Health benefits of beets:

Beets are the healthiest option to add on your regular diet as it is sweet and bulbous that most people love to eat. One cup of beet has 58 calories, 13g of carbohydrates, 3.8g of fiber, 3.8g, 2.2g of protein, 9.2g of sugar, and 0.2g of fat. Beets are an excellent source of betaine, antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber, manganese, vitamin B2, folate, and potassium. 

Researchers have shown that having beets can help you to improve your health. Here is how, 

• Beets have fiber which is essential for digestion, blood cholesterol control, maintains a healthy weight, and prevents cancer. 
• They have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, protecting from cell damage, reducing pain, and improving mood. 
• Beets can promote the growth of good bacteria that can improve the digestive system and reduce constipation.  
• They also are packed with minerals and low-calorie contents, which is beneficial to weight loss as it can reduce hunger.  
• Beets contain nitrates, which help increase the brain’s blood flow, improves cognitive function, and reduces dementia risk. 

Learn more about beets here: Are Beets Good For You?

How to store beets?

Whatever types of beet you purchase, you can store them later to make fries and other recipes. Follow these steps to store the beets without freezing them:

• Wash the beets thoroughly. 
• If you buy beets with their leaves and stems attached, cut them apart before wrapping them loosely with a plastic bag and put them in the refrigerator. 
• Put the beets in a sealed storage container or food storage silicone bags. 
• You can store these beets fresh for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. 
• You can store the beet green separately in a sealed container for later; it will stay fresh for 3 to 5 days. 

If this method won’t fit your needs, then read on. In this article, you will learn quick and simple ways of freezing beets so that you can enjoy them all year long. Let’s not make any delay and delve in!

How to freeze red beets? Use 3 ways below!

Beets have a very divided fan base, you either like them or you don’t. They are beautiful, colourful and earthy. Being a versatile vegetable, beets can be utilised in several savoury and sweet dishes. Eat them raw, make a dessert, juice or add them to your favourites and it will never disappoint. Filled with nutrients, beets are great for weight loss and will cleanse your body from harmful bacteria. So as soon as the season starts, quickly grab onto some fresh pieces and use these 3 methods for freezing your beets.

1. You can freeze sliced fresh beets.
2. You can freeze boiled beets.
3. Or, you can freeze roasted beets.

Let’s just quickly get into the details and then you can choose the method which fits your needs of freezing beets.

Technique 1: How to freeze fresh beets?

What you will need:

• Fresh beets
• Cutting board
• Baking tray
• Freezer bag

4 steps to follow to freeze your beets:

1. Pick bright red beets that are not too hard. Chop off the leaves about half an inch from the top. Remove roots and wash properly. Peel the skin and give it a quick wash.
2. Now place the peeled beets on a cutting board and cut them using a sharp knife. Cut slices if you can’t decide how you will be using them in the future, since slices can easily be chopped into smaller pieces.
3. Line a cookie tray with wax or parchment paper and place sliced beets on it. Flash freeze for three to four hours to lock the nutrients and keep the slices from sticking together
4. Label a freezer bag and transfer the sliced beets into it. Seal it properly and remove as much air as possible. Toss it into the freezer and let it freeze.

Technique 2: How to freeze blanched beets?

What you will need:

• Fresh beets
• Cooking pot
• Baking tray
• Freezer bag

5 steps to follow to freeze boiled beets:

1. Pick red tender beets, but not too soft. Pile them according to their size, large and medium separate as different sizes require different cooking times.
2. Chop off the leaves half an inch from the top of each beet. Scrub the beets thoroughly to remove dust and dirt.
3. Put the beets in a pot and fill it with water. Bring it to boil, approximately 45 minutes for large beets and approximately 30 minutes for medium ones. They are cooked once you can easily pierce your beets with a fork.
4. Transfer cooked beets into a pot full of ice water to prevent them from cooking any further. Once cooled, peel off the skin and cut off the rest of the top and roots. Now cut or chop the beets as per your need, place them on a cookie tray and flash freeze your beets for 3 to 4 hours.
5. Once the beets are frozen, label a freezer bag and transfer them into the bag. Remove any excess air from the since your beets can experience freezer burn due to high water content. Though they will last indefinitely in the freezer, it’s best if you consume them within a year.

Technique 3: How to freeze roasted beets?

What you will need:

• Red tender beets
• Roasting pan
• Foil
• Freezer bag

5 steps to follow to freeze roasted beets:

1. Cut the leaves and long root ends leaving 1 to 2 inches. Scrub wash the beets thoroughly using a vegetable brush to remove dirt.
2. Preheat the oven at 380℉. Pour some water into a roasting tray, preferably half an inch deep. Place your beets in the tray and cover the tray tightly with foil.
3. Place the tray in the oven and let them roast for approximately 45 minutes. If your beets vary in size, take out the smaller ones when they are fork tender
4. Once cooked, let them cool, and then cut off the stems and root ends. Peel off the skin and cut the beets in quarters, slice or dice as you desire.
5. Label a freezer bag and pack the beets in it. Put them in the freezer and you can let them freeze for 8 to 9 months.

How to cook frozen beets?

Frozen beets can be used in several ways depending upon your need. Toss some raw frozen beets in olive oil and roast them or pop them in a smoothie maker to enjoy a healthy detox smoothie. Everything that you can do with fresh beets can be done with frozen beets as well.

How do you thaw frozen beets?

To defrost frozen beetroot, just transfer the container from the freezer to the fridge. Leave the beets to thaw for several hours or overnight. There is no need to reheat the thawed beetroot because it can be eaten as is. Reheating the beets prior to adding in cooking will only cause the vegetable to turn soggy.

Are frozen beets healthy?

Yes, fresh or frozen beets are all good choices as they still have the desired nutrients. If you follow the right tips and freeze your beets properly, you can enjoy a healthy beet smoothie or a salad all year long.

More how to freeze:

Carrots

Zucchini

Cauliflower

Garlic

Brussels Sprouts

So, can you freeze beets?

Oh yes!

Beets contain vitamin C, magnesium, folate, betalains, and nitrates. They make an excellent food choice because of all the fantastic things they can do for your body. Frozen beets are just as healthy as fresh beets. Now that you know how easy it is to freeze beets, follow all the simple steps that we have stated and enjoy beets in your meals throughout the year!

If you enjoyed this post about “Can You Freeze Beets?” and would love to see more, join me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter!