Pickled Beets - A Sweet And Tangy Side Dish

Name: Pickled Beets
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 medium fresh beets.; 1 cup vinegar.; 1/2 cup sugar.; 1-1/2 teaspoons whole cloves.; 1-1/2 teaspoons whole allspice.; 1/2 teaspoon salt.

By Lauren Mechelle

Updated on 02 October 2024

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Pickled Beets are a classic, flavorful side dish that adds a pop of color and tangy-sweet flavor to any meal. Made by simmering fresh beets until tender and then soaking them in a spiced vinegar brine, these pickled beets can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a quick, tasty addition to salads or as a stand-alone side dish. The combination of whole cloves and allspice in the pickling liquid gives the beets a warm, spiced aroma and taste. Best served chilled, these pickled beets are a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.

Pickled Beets are a sweet and tangy way to enjoy the natural earthiness of fresh beets. This simple recipe turns boiled beets into a flavorful side dish by soaking them in a spiced vinegar brine. The addition of whole cloves and allspice gives the pickled beets a warm, aromatic flavor that complements their sweetness. They are perfect as a side dish, added to salads, or served alongside sandwiches.

Let’s dive into the key ingredients that make these Pickled Beets so tasty.

INGREDIENTS

Fresh Beets: 8 medium-sized beets, peeled and trimmed, serve as the base of this dish. Boiling them until tender makes them easy to peel and slice.
Vinegar: 1 cup of vinegar provides the acidic base for the pickling brine, giving the beets their tangy flavor. You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar depending on your preference.
Sugar: 1/2 cup of sugar adds sweetness to balance the acidity of the vinegar, creating a perfectly balanced pickling brine.
Whole Spices: 1 1/2 teaspoons each of whole cloves and whole allspice add a warm, aromatic spice to the pickled beets, enhancing their flavor.
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon of salt rounds out the flavors and enhances the natural sweetness of the beets.

Pickled Beets

Pickled Beets are a sweet and tangy side dish made with fresh beets, spices, and a vinegar-based brine. A delicious addition to any meal.

Prep Time

10 Minutes

Cook Time

30 Minutes

Total Time

40 Minutes

By: Lauren Mechelle

Category: Breads

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 Batch)

Ingredients

01 8 medium fresh beets.

02 1 cup vinegar.

03 1/2 cup sugar.

04 1-1/2 teaspoons whole cloves.

05 1-1/2 teaspoons whole allspice.

06 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Instructions

Step 01

Scrub the beets and trim the tops to 1 inch. Place them in a Dutch oven and add water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 25-30 minutes or until the beets are tender.

Step 02

Remove the beets from the water and let them cool. Once cooled, peel the beets and slice them. Place the sliced beets in a bowl and set them aside.

Step 03

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of vinegar, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1-1/2 teaspoons of whole cloves, 1-1/2 teaspoons of whole allspice, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil and boil for 5 minutes.

Step 04

Pour the boiling pickling liquid over the sliced beets. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Step 05

Drain the beets before serving. Enjoy as a side dish or as part of a salad.

Notes

Pickled Beets are a sweet and tangy side dish made by simmering fresh beets, slicing them, and soaking them in a flavorful vinegar-based brine. The addition of whole cloves and allspice adds a warm, spiced flavor to the pickled beets.