What to Do with a Glut of Beetroot

If your garden has blessed you with an abundance of beetroot, you’re in for a treat! Beetroot is a versatile and nutritious vegetable that can be used in a variety of ways, from sweet to savoury dishes. Instead of letting your beetroot go to waste, there are many delicious ways to enjoy your harvest throughout the year. Here’s a guide on what to do with a glut of beetroot.

Jump to a topic:

• Preserve Your Beetroot
• Cook Up Delicious Recipes
• Use Beetroot in Salads
• Create Beetroot Juice

• Make Beetroot Chips
• Share Your Harvest
• Shop Heirloom Beetroot Seeds

Beetroot Golden Eye

Preserve Your Beetroot

Pickling

Pickled beetroot is a classic British staple that can be enjoyed with salads, sandwiches, or as part of a traditional ploughman’s lunch.

How to Pickle Beetroot:

• Ingredients: Beetroot, vinegar (malt, cider, or white wine vinegar), sugar, and spices (such as cloves, mustard seeds, and bay leaves).
• Method: Boil or roast the beetroot until tender, then peel and slice. Prepare a pickling liquid by heating vinegar, sugar, and spices until the sugar dissolves. Pack the beetroot slices into hot sterilised jars and pour over the hot vinegar mixture. Seal the jars and store them in a cool, dark place. The pickled beetroot will be ready to eat in a few weeks and can last up to a year.

Freezing

Freezing beetroot is a simple way to preserve your glut for later use in soups, stews, and bakes.

How to Freeze Beetroot:

• Preparation: Boil or steam whole beetroot until tender, then cool, peel, and slice or dice.
• Freezing: Spread the pieces on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to freezer bags or containers. Label and date the bags before storing them in the freezer.

Fermenting

Fermented beetroot, or beetroot kraut, is not only delicious but also packed with probiotics, which are great for gut health.

How to Ferment Beetroot:

• Ingredients: Beetroot, salt, and water.
• Method: Grate or thinly slice the beetroot and mix with salt. Pack the beetroot tightly into a jar, leaving some space at the top. Cover with water, ensuring the beetroot is submerged and let it ferment at room temperature for 1-2 weeks, checking periodically to release any gas build up. Once fermented to your liking, store it in the fridge for up to a few months.

Beetroot Cylindra

Cook Up Delicious Recipes

Roasted Beetroot

Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of beetroot and makes a perfect side dish for any meal.

How to Roast Beetroot:

• Preparation: Peel and chop beetroot into wedges or cubes. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme or rosemary.
• Cooking: Spread on a baking tray and roast in a preheated oven at 200°C (180°C fan) for 30-40 minutes, until tender and caramelised.

Beetroot Soup (Borscht)

Thought to have originated in Ukraine but not popular across much of Eastern Europe, Beetroot soup, known as borscht, is a warming and vibrant dish that’s perfect for colder months.

How to Make Beetroot Soup:

• Ingredients: Beetroot, onions, carrots, potatoes, garlic, vegetable stock, and optional toppings like sour cream and dill.
• Method: Sauté onions and garlic in a pot, then add chopped beetroot, carrots, and potatoes. Pour in vegetable stock and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Blend the soup until smooth, or leave it chunky, depending on your preference. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill.

Beetroot Hummus

Brighten up your dips with beetroot hummus, a vibrant twist on the classic chickpea dip.

How to Make Beetroot Hummus:

• Ingredients: Cooked beetroot, chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and salt.
• Method: Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve with pita bread, crudités, or as a spread on sandwiches.

Beetroot Brownies

For those with a sweet tooth, beetroot brownies are a must-try. The beetroot adds moisture and a subtle earthy flavour to these rich, chocolatey treats.

How to Make Beetroot Brownies:

• Ingredients: Cooked beetroot, dark chocolate, butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and cocoa powder.
• Method: Melt chocolate and butter together. Puree the cooked beetroot and mix it into the chocolate. Stir in sugar, eggs, flour, and cocoa powder. Pour the batter into a greased baking tin and bake at 180°C (160°C fan) for 20-25 minutes. Let cool before slicing.

Beetroot Chioggia

Use Beetroot in Salads

Beetroot adds colour, flavour, and nutrients to salads. Here are a few salad ideas:

Beetroot and Goat Cheese Salad

Combine roasted beetroot with soft goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a delicious salad.

Raw Beetroot Slaw

Grate raw beetroot and mix with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a tangy dressing for a crunchy and vibrant slaw.

Beetroot and Orange Salad

Pair thinly sliced beetroot with orange segments, red onion, and a light vinaigrette for a refreshing and colourful salad.

Create Beetroot Juice

Beetroot juice is a nutritious drink rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It’s great on its own or mixed with other fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, or ginger. Simply run raw beetroot through a juicer, or blend and strain for a smooth juice.

Make Beetroot Chips

Beetroot chips are a healthy and tasty alternative to potato crisps. Slice beetroot thinly, toss with a little olive oil and sea salt, and bake in a single layer at 180°C (160°C fan) for 15-20 minutes, until crispy.

Beetroot Red Toad

Share Your Harvest

If you’ve still got more beetroot than you can handle, consider sharing your bounty with friends, family, or neighbours. You can also donate surplus produce to local food banks or community kitchens.

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A glut of beetroot is a wonderful problem to have! With so many ways to preserve, cook, and enjoy this versatile vegetable, you can make the most of your harvest throughout the year. Whether you’re pickling, roasting, or baking, these delicious and nutritious recipes and ideas will help you get the most out of your beetroot crop.

Shop Heirloom Beetroot Seeds