How to Preserve Beetroot

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Preserving beetroot allows you to enjoy summer's bounty all year long. Beetroot is preserved in a light pickling solution that perfectly complements its earthy flavor as well as keeping it from spoiling. To preserve beetroot, simply wash and process the vegetables, mix up a pickling solution and store in sterilized jars.

How to Keep Cooked Beetroot

Boil the beets for about 30 minutes, then peel and slice. Combine water, white vinegar, sugar, pepper, celery seeds, and dry mustard and bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes. Fill a jar with the sliced beets, add the pickling liquid, then seal them and let them cool completely before storing.

Ingredients

  • 10 large beets
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon celery seeds
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Getting Supplies Ready

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  1. [1] You may use mason jars with lids and rings or recycled glass jars that previously held tomato sauce or other food items. If you're using used jars, scrub out the jars with soapy water and a scrub brush to remove all food particles, or run them through the dishwasher. Sterilize the jars, lids, and any utensils you're using in the following way:
    • Place them in a large pot and fill it with cold water.
    • Bring the water to a boil and boil for 10 minutes.
    • Remove them with clean tongs and allow them to dry on a clean towel.
  2. Ideally, beetroot will have been harvested about one month prior to preserving it. This gives the vegetable time to cure and finish ripening, resulting in the best flavor. Look for beetroot that's firm with no visible bruises or soft spot.
    • Though ripe beetroot is best, since preserved beetroot gains flavor from the pickling liquid, you can use beets that are on the older side or aren't quite ripe yet.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Beetroot
    Fresh beetroot is often caked with dirt. Take a vegetable brush and scrub it on all dies to remove the grit. Rinse thoroughly under cold running water. If you find blemishes under the dirt, slice them off with a paring knife. [2]
  4. Slice off the greens with a sharp paring knife. Beetroot greens are tasty in their own right. Consider stewing them up after you're finished preserving your beetroot. [3]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Preparing the Beetroot and Pickling Liquid

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Beetroot
    Place it in a large pot and cover with water. Sprinkle a teaspoon or so of salt into the water, then turn the heat up and bring it to a boil. Boil the beetroot until you can easily stick one with a knife, about 30 minutes. Then remove the pot from heat and drain the water. [4]
    • If you have beetroot of varying sizes, place the larger vegetables in the water first. Let them boil for about five minutes before adding the remaining beets. This will ensure that the largest beets cook all the way through and the smaller ones don't overcook.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Beetroot
    When the beetroot is cool enough to touch, simply slide off the peels with your fingers. After boiling, the beetroot peels should easily slip off. Help them along with a knife if necessary. Discard the peels when you're finished.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Beetroot
    Many choose to pickle beetroot in discs suitable for sandwiches, but you can cut the beetroot into any shape you'd like. Cutting the beetroot into smaller pieces allows you to pack more into the jars.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Beetroot
    Do this while the beetroot is hot so that the liquid will also be hot when the beetroot is ready. Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for two minutes. [5]
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Canning the Beetroot

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Beetroot
    Distribute it evenly among the jars you have set out. Pack in the beetroot to within a few inches of the tops of the jars. [6]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Beetroot
    Pour it over the beetroot to within half inch of the top of each jar. It's important to leave a bit of headspace at the top of the jar to prevent too much pressure from accumulating there. Place the lids on the jars and tighten them. [7]
    • If you see air bubbles in the jars, tap the bottoms of the jars lightly against the counter top to make them float to the top and pop.
  3. Set them on the counter and let them cool overnight before storing.
  4. During this time the pickling liquid will penetrate the beetroot to add flavor and change the texture. You may enjoy the beetroot at any time after one week has passed. [8]
    • Beetroot preserved this way will keep up to three months in a cool, dark place.
    • Once you open a jar, store it in the refrigerator.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What is pickling liquid?
    Community Answer
    It's the brine.The pickling liquid I usually use is a mixture of apple cider vinegar, sugar, mustard seed, black peppercorns, cloves, fennel seeds and bay leaves. But this is completely to personal taste. You could add in cardamom, coriander or other aromatics as you like.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 25
  • Question
    Can you preserve beetroot in vinegar only?
    Jasmin Williams
    Community Answer
    Yes, that is perfectly okay and will not hurt you. That is how I did it for years, and sometimes how I still prefer to do it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 40
  • Question
    Will the beetroot stain the inside of my pan?
    Torpi
    Top Answerer
    Not if you wash it immediately (while you wait for the beetroot to cool). A smooth-sided pan (which is most likely what you have already) is best, as it is easier to clean.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 4
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/to-sterilize-jars-and-lids-for-preserving-102234
      2. ↑ http://www.thewhimsicalwife.com/2011/01/preserving-your-own-beetroot.html
      3. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/215506/simple-and-delicious-beet-greens/
      4. ↑ https://www.farmanddairy.com/top-stories/how-to-preserve-beets/492530.html#
      5. ↑ https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/easy-pickled-beets
      6. ↑ https://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipes/pickled-beetroot-recipe/exbftjqi
      7. ↑ https://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipes/pickled-beetroot-recipe/exbftjqi
      8. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pickled-beetroot

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To preserve beetroot, start by scrubbing and rinsing the beetroot to remove any caked-on dirt. Then, slice off the greens and boil the beetroot for about 30 minutes or until you can easily stick a knife in it. Next, peel the beetroot, cut it into slices, and set it aside. While the beetroot is still hot, prepare a pickling liquid by boiling water, white vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, celery seeds, and dry mustard. Finally, fill a sterilized jar with the beetroot and pickling liquid, seal it, and leave it to pickle for at least a week. To learn how to sterilize canning jars, keep reading!

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