Welcome to this simple and delightful recipe for making healthy pickled beets. Beets aren’t just colorful and flavorful; they’re also packed with nutrients. Let’s dive into creating this easy side dish that could add a zesty touch to your meals.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
Eight large, fresh beets
One cup of vinegar
Half a cup of sugar
One and a half teaspoons of whole cloves
One and a half teaspoons of whole allspice
Half a teaspoon of salt
Instructions:
Cleaning and Preparing the Beets:
Begin by thoroughly scrubbing the beets to remove any dirt. Afterward, trim the tops of the beets, leaving about an inch of stem intact. This helps prevent the beets from bleeding too much color while cooking.
Cooking the Beets:
Place the cleaned beets in a Dutch oven and add enough water to cover them completely. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the beets simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. They should be tender when you gently pierce them with a fork.
Cooling and Peeling:
Carefully remove the beets from the hot water (be mindful of the steam). Allow them to cool down a bit. Once they’re cool enough to handle, you can easily peel off the skins. After peeling, slice the beets into your preferred thickness and place them in a large bowl.
Making the Pickling Brine:
In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar, whole cloves, allspice, and salt. Heat this mixture over medium heat until it reaches a rolling boil, which should take about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure the sugar and salt dissolve completely.
Pickling the Beets:
Pour the hot pickling brine over the sliced beets in the bowl. Ensure that all the beets are covered by the brine for maximum flavor. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for a while before transferring it to the refrigerator.
Refrigeration:
Refrigerate the beets in the brine for at least one hour before serving. This chilling time allows the beets to soak up the tangy flavors from the brine, resulting in their characteristic sweet and sour taste.
Serving Your Pickled Beets:
Once they’re ready, you can drain the beets from the brine and happily serve them as a refreshing side dish. Enjoy your homemade pickled beets with salads, alongside grilled meats, or as a flavorful addition to your dinner plate.
This recipe not only offers a healthy option but also delivers a unique burst of flavor that’s sure to impress your taste buds. Happy cooking!