A Guide to Storing Beets to Keep Them Crisp—Including How to Pickle Them

Beets are a naturally sweet and earthy root vegetable with a rich, often deep red hue. While they may not always be everyone’s favorite, when prepared correctly, beets add a vibrant, healthy touch to salads, sandwiches, and dressings. If kept in the right conditions, beets can stay fresh for an extended period, making them an ideal vegetable to stock up on for future use. Continue reading for tips on how to store or pickle your beets to keep them at their best for as long as possible.

Tips for Selecting the Best Beets

Select beets that are small to medium in size, feel heavy for their weight, are firm to the touch, and have a rich maroon color. Larger beets tend to be tougher. The beet greens should appear vibrant and fresh. Ensure the beet's surface is smooth and free of any cuts or bruises.

Beets are available year-round, but their peak season is in the fall and winter, when they are at their most flavorful. Properly stored, they can last up to 10 days in the refrigerator, about 4 days at room temperature, and up to a year when frozen.

How to Store Whole Beets

To store whole beets, begin by trimming the beet greens, leaving just a small portion of the stem attached. Discard the extra greens or reserve them to sauté with garlic and olive oil for a simple side. Keep the beet skin intact to protect the flesh and help preserve its freshness. Avoid washing the beets, as moisture will accelerate spoilage. Store them in the crisper drawer of your fridge without placing them in a bag or container, allowing them to breathe. When stored this way, whole beets can remain fresh for up to 10 days.

How to Store Cut Beets

The best way to store cut beets is in a container lined with a moist paper towel in the refrigerator. With this method, cut beets will last for around five days, giving you plenty of time to add them to a salad, dip, or smoothie.

Before cutting into the beets be sure to rinse them off with with cool water and scrub them to remove any excess dirt left on the veggie. Dry them off thoroughly with a paper towel. With a sharp knife, cut off the stem and root ends, then proceed to peel, if desired, and cut the beets.

How to Pickle Beets

Pickling beets is another great way to store beets for the long term. To pickle beets, follow these simple steps.

1. Wash the beets thoroughly. Then, trim the stems and root ends before placing them in a covered pot with boiling water.
2. Cook the beets until they're tender (about 30 to 40 minutes). Then drain the water and let the beets cool.
3. Once cooled, peel and slice the beets into 1/4-inch chunks or wedges.
4. To make the pickling brine, combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, peppercorns, cloves, and bay leaf in a small saucepan. Bring them to a boil, and stir it all until the sugar and salt dissolve.
5. Place the beets into a glass jar and pour the hot brine over them until they're completely covered.
6. Tightly seal the jar and let it cool to room temperature before storing the beets.

Store the sealed jars in a cool, dark spot such as your pantry or cupboard. If they haven’t been canned or once opened, be sure to refrigerate pickled beets; they can stay fresh in the fridge for up to two to three months.

Always make sure that the beets are completely submerged in the brine to preserve their flavor and freshness. Keep in mind that the longer they sit, the more the texture may change.

Can You Freeze Beets?

Raw beets tend to become soggy when frozen and thawed, so it’s better to cook them first if you plan on freezing them.

1. Start by rinsing the beets under cool water and scrubbing them for extra cleanliness. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
2. Next, trim the beet greens and roots, leaving about half an inch of both intact to prevent the beets from losing their color during cooking. Save the greens as they are edible and make a delicious addition to salads, dips, and stir-fries.
3. Boil the beets for approximately 25 minutes or until they are easily pierced with a knife, then transfer them to an ice-water bath to cool.
4. Once the beets are cooled, remove them from the water and slice them into your preferred shape and size. Lay them out on a baking sheet.
5. Put the baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour or until the beets are completely frozen. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag.

Frozen cooked beets can stay good for up to a year. While thawed beets may not be ideal for salads or sandwiches, they’re great for use in dips or smoothies.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can you store beets in the pantry instead of the refrigerator?

  Whole beets can be stored at room temperature but fare much better in the fridge, where the controlled humidity and temperature help preserve their freshness. At room temperature, beets only last a few days, but in the fridge, they can last up to 10 days. Discard beets that start showing signs of spoilage, like becoming soft.

• What’s the best way to store beet greens?

  To keep both the beet greens and beets fresh, trim the greens off right after bringing them home. Wash the greens and store them in an airtight bag with a paper towel to control moisture, then place them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Be sure to store the greens separately from the beets.

• How do you store cooked beets?

  Cooked beets should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. They typically only last a couple of days and may become mushy quickly. Keep an eye out for signs of spoilage, like an unpleasant odor or mold. For longer storage, you can also freeze cooked beets.