Water-Bathed Whole Pickled Beets Recipe – A Delicious Side Dish for Any Occasion
Need a flavorful side dish that perfectly complements your favorite meals? Look no further than this water-bathed whole pickled beets recipe!
Made with fresh beets, a tangy pickling brine, and a combination of aromatic spices, these quick pickled beets are sure to become a staple in your kitchen. I’ll guide you through the step-by-step process that I use from the trusted Ball canning recipe, ensuring the best results and maximum flavor retention.
I LOVE pickled beets! they are so good as a side dish, or in a relish tray! These disappear fast at family gatherings, and they’re healthy!
Picked Beets Recipe Ingredients:
- 3 quarts (about 24) Medium beets (red and/or golden)
- 1 1/2 Cups Water
- Salt
- 3 1/2 cups 5% acidity Vinegar: White vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and rice wine vinegar
- 2 cups Sugar
- Ball Pickling Spice or:
- Whole cloves
- Mustard seeds
- Cinnamon sticks
- Spice bag (for cloves, mustard seeds, and cinnamon sticks)
- For Serving:
- Red onions (optional)
- Olive oil
- Butter pickles (optional, for serving)
- Hard-boiled eggs (optional, for serving)
- Beet tops (optional, for garnish)
Step-by-Step Guide to Easy Pickled Beets:
Prepare the Beets:
Start by thoroughly washing the beets under cool water to remove any dirt or debris.
Trim off the beet tops, leaving about an inch of the stems intact (optional: save the beet tops for future use).
Boiling beets: In a large pot of salted water, boil the beets until they can be pierced easily with a fork but still offer a little resistance (approximately 25-35 minutes).
Once cooked, drain the beets and immediately submerge them in a bowl of ice-cold water to stop the cooking process.
Once cooled, peel the beets using your hands or a paper towel to gently rub off the skin. The skin should easily slide off.
Prepare the Pickling Brine:
In a medium saucepan, combine the vinegar mixture (equal parts white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and rice wine vinegar) with water, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Place the spice bag (containing whole cloves, mustard seeds, and cinnamon sticks) in the brine mixture.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely.
Reduce the heat to low and let the pickling brine simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors.
Assemble the Jars:
Prepare your mason jars by washing them in hot, soapy water and rinsing thoroughly.
Place the spice bag at the bottom of each jar, along with a few slices of red onion (if desired).
Pack the peeled beets tightly into the jars, leaving about an inch of headspace at the top.
Pour in the Pickling Brine:
Remove the spice bag from the brine mixture, and carefully pour the hot brine over the beets, ensuring there’s enough brine to cover them completely.
Leave about ½ inch of headspace at the top of each hot jar.
Use a non-metallic utensil to remove any air bubbles by gently pressing down on the beets.
Process the Jars:
Wipe the jar rims with a clean, damp cloth to remove any brine or residue.
Place the lids and screw bands on the jars, tightening them until just fingertip tight.
Prepare a water bath canner, ensuring the water level covers the jars by at least an inch.
Bring the water to a rolling boil and carefully lower the jars into the canner.
Process pint-sized jars for 30 minutes, adjusting the processing time according to your jar sizes and altitude (refer to the National Center for Home Food Preservation for guidance).
After processing, remove the jars from the water bath canner using jar lifters and place them on a towel-lined baking sheet. Allow them to cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours.
Final Steps & Serving
Once cooled, check the jars to ensure they have sealed properly (the lids should be slightly concave and not move when pressed).
Label the jars with the date and contents for future reference.
Store the jars in a cool, dark place for best quality and flavor.
After 1-2 weeks, the pickled beets will be ready to enjoy! They can be served as a side dish, added to salads, or even incorporated into a charcuterie board.
For serving, drizzle the pickled beet juice with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with beet tops, if desired.
Optional: Accompany the pickled beets with butter pickles, hard-boiled eggs, or any of your favorite things!
With this water-bathed whole pickled beets recipe, you now have a complete guide to create a delightful and versatile side dish. The combination of fresh beets, a tangy pickling brine, and aromatic spices make for the perfect combination of flavors. Whether you’re a canning enthusiast or just looking to preserve your own beets, this recipe is a great addition to your canning season. Enjoy the convenience of having these delicious pickled beets on hand for future use, and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills. Happy pickling!
What To Serve With Pickled Beets Recipe
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The Health Benefits of Beets
Beets, whether raw, cooked, or pickled, are a nutritional powerhouse packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Incorporating beets into your diet through this water-bathed whole pickled beets recipe can provide numerous health benefits. Let’s explore the nutritional value of beets and how they can contribute to your well-being.
Nutritional Information:
Here is the approximate nutritional information per serving (based on a typical serving size of pickled beets):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 13g
- Protein: 1g
Incorporating beets into your diet through this water-bathed whole pickled beets recipe offers a delightful way to reap the many health benefits they provide. From their abundance of vitamins and minerals to their antioxidant properties and potential for heart health, beets are a nutrient-packed vegetable that can contribute to your overall well-being.
By enjoying these delicious pickled beets as a side dish or incorporating them into various recipes, you’re giving your body a flavorful dose of nutrition and taking a step towards a healthier lifestyle.
Now, let’s delve into the health benefits of beets:
Beets are a great source of essential vitamins and minerals. They are particularly high in folate, manganese, potassium, and vitamin C. Folate is important for cell growth and reproduction, while manganese supports bone health. Potassium plays a vital role in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels, and vitamin C is crucial for immune function and collagen synthesis.
Beets contain potent antioxidants, including betalains, which give beets their vibrant red color. These antioxidants help combat free radicals in the body, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. By neutralizing free radicals, beets may contribute to a lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and certain types of cancer.
The natural nitrates present in beets are converted into nitric oxide in the body, which helps dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow, and lower blood pressure. Regular consumption of beets may promote cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Improves Digestion
Beets are a good source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes regular bowel movements. Including fiber-rich foods like beets in your diet can support a healthy digestive system and prevent constipation.
Beets are known for their detoxifying properties. They contain compounds that support liver function and aid in the elimination of toxins from the body. The betalains in beets have been found to help purify the blood and support overall detoxification processes.
Beets contain natural nitrates that may improve blood flow to the brain, enhancing cognitive function and potentially reducing the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Additionally, the antioxidants in beets have been linked to a lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
With their low calorie and high fiber content, beets can be a great addition to a weight management plan. The fiber in beets helps promote feelings of fullness and can aid in controlling appetite, supporting healthy eating habits. Now I just need to learn how to ferment beets!
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I love pickled beets in my salad! I didn’t get any planted in the spring but I will be planting fall beets soon. I bookmarked this post to come back to when I’m ready to pickle.
Yum! These look delicious. Saving this for later to make! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Never heard of pickled beets, sounds delicious!
I love beets, but I have never thought to pickle them before. Oh, I bet they are tasty. Thank you for sharing the step-by-step directions!
Hi McKenna! Aren’t beets wonderful?! I hope you give pickled beets a try… It’s the best way to preserve them around here (root cellaring them would also be wonderful, if you had a root cellar.)