I stocked up on some beets from my mother’s garden for winter but I am unsure about how to store them without getting spoiled. I want to keep it for a long time because I do not use it every day. Will it be okay to freeze it? How long will it last in the freezer?
Choosing good quality and fresh beets is important to maximize their shelf life. Young beets are good when frozen.
Beets can be frozen either raw or blanched before freezing. It is important to pick good quality beets for storage, avoid the ones that are dried out. Beets can last for 1 to 2 weeks when stored in the fridge and 10 to 12 months when kept in the freezer. Cooking the beets before freezing them is the recommended way to preserve them. Raw beets do not freeze well. They don’t retain their freshness and quality and they become grainy. Do not pick beets that are limp, soft, bruised or spotted. They tend to spoil faster. Good quality beets can last for months in the freezer.
Can You Freeze Beets?
Blanching the beets before freezing them is an ideal way to store them. It is not recommended to freeze them raw because they do not retain their freshness.
It is important to pick good quality beets for storage to avoid quicker spoilage. You must look for fresh and crisp beets, not those with patches and are dried-out.
Beets can last for 1 to 2 weeks when stored in the fridge and for 10 to 12 months when kept in the freezer.
Be sure that your beets are kept in airtight containers or are wrapped well to prevent spoilage and keep them fresh. Don’t forget to label the containers with the storage date.
Keeping desired amounts in separate bags is advisable so your beets do not go to waste. Thawing and refreezing them is not recommended.
Thaw beets by putting the bag in a bowl and placing them in the refrigerator until the desired amount has defrosted.
How to Freeze Beets
Freezing beets is simple. What you should keep in mind is the quality of beets you are selecting because this can affect the result.
- Choose young, tender, and unblemished beets.
- Trim off the top of the beets, leaving only ½ inch of the stem and roots.
- Gently wash and scrub the beets in lukewarm water.
- Prepare a pot of boiling water and submerge the beets in the water until they become tender.
- Drain the water and put the beets in a bowl with ice cold water for a few minutes or just let them cool on their own.
- Remove the skins, stems, and roots then slice them.
- Put them in airtight bags and be sure that there is no air going inside the bag. Use a vacuum sealer if you have one.
- Label the bags then toss them into the freezer.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Beets?
Beets are a delicious and healthy vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But what do you do when you have extra beets? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover beets:
- Add them to your salad – Beets make a great addition to any salad. Just add them in with your other favorite vegetables, and you’ll have a tasty and healthy dish in no time.
- Make roasted beet chips – Roasted beet chips are a great way to enjoy the taste of beets without all the work. To make roasted beet chips, simply slice some beets thin, drizzle with olive oil, and bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. You can also add some salt, pepper, and other spices to taste.
- Make a beet dip – Beet dip is a great way to enjoy the flavor of beets in a creamy and delicious dip. To make beet dip, simply combine cooked beets, yogurt, sour cream, and any other desired spices in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
- Add them to your soup – Beets are a great addition to any soup. Just add them in with your other favorite soup ingredients, and you’ll have a hearty and healthy meal in no time.
- Make beet brownies – Yes, you read that right! Beet brownies are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy the flavor of beets in a chocolatey treat. To make beet brownies, simply add cooked and pureed beets to your favorite brownie recipe in place of some of the oil. You can also add them to a store-bought mix.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover beets. Next time you find yourself with extra vegetables, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Beets Recipes
Looking for a healthy snack? This sweet beet chips recipe is a perfect snack to munch on while watching your favorite movie. Check it out here:
This roasted beets with goat cheese and walnuts recipe is great when paired with pita or wheat bread. Here’s the recipe:
Finish off your meal with a refreshing beet juice drink, it’s healthy and very simple to make!
Wrap Up
Beets are easy to freeze and can last for up to 12 months when stored in the freezer. They should be blanched before freezing them which is not required if they will only be frozen raw, but it helps keep their freshness by removing air. It’s important that you select good-quality beet roots for storage so that your food does not spoil quickly.
