Whether you’re topping a salad, building a charcuterie board, or eating them straight from the jar, Pickled Beets are a powerhouse of flavor. This recipe strikes the perfect balance between the earthy sweetness of fresh beets and a sharp, spiced vinegar brine.
Best of all? You don’t need to be an expert in canning to master this recipe. You can make these as Refrigerator Pickled Beets for immediate snacking or follow standard water-bath canning procedures for long-term storage.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
-
Simple Ingredients: Just beets, vinegar, sugar, and warm spices.
-
Nutrient Dense: Beets are packed with fiber, folate, and antioxidants—and pickling preserves those benefits.
-
Zero Waste: You can even use the beet greens for a sautéed side dish!
The Ingredients
-
2 lbs Fresh Beets: (About 6-8 medium beets)
-
1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar: (For a mellow, fruity tang)
-
1/2 cup Water
-
1/2 cup Granulated Sugar: (Adjust to your preferred sweetness)
-
1 tsp Salt
-
Spices: 1 cinnamon stick, 3-4 whole cloves, and 1/2 tsp mustard seeds.
-
Optional: Sliced red onions for extra crunch and flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Beets
Leave about an inch of the stem and the root tail attached (this prevents the “bleeding” of color). Boil the beets in a large pot of water for 25–35 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and immediately plunge them into an ice bath. The skins will slide right off with your thumbs!
2. Slice or Wedge
Once peeled, slice the beets into 1/4-inch rounds or cut them into uniform wedges. If you’re using red onions, slice them thinly now.
3. Make the Pickling Brine
In a medium saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and spices. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar and salt have completely dissolved. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Jar Them Up
Pack the sliced beets (and onions) tightly into clean glass jars. Pour the hot brine over the beets, ensuring they are completely submerged. Leave about half an inch of headspace at the top.
5. Chill and Set
Let the jars cool to room temperature, then seal with a lid. Place them in the refrigerator. For the best flavor, let them marinate for at least 24 hours before opening.
SEO Keywords for Your Blog:
-
Easy Pickled Beets Recipe
-
Homemade Refrigerator Beets
-
Sweet and Sour Beets
-
How to Pickle Beets
-
Old Fashioned Pickled Beets
Pro Tips for Perfect Beets
-
Golden Beets: You can use this exact recipe for Golden Beets! They have a milder, less “earthy” flavor and won’t stain your fingers.
-
The Spice Factor: If you want a savory kick, swap the cinnamon and cloves for garlic cloves and fresh dill.
-
How long do they last? Refrigerator pickled beets will stay fresh and crunchy for up to 1 month in the fridge.
Kitchen Hack: To avoid staining your hands pink, wear a pair of disposable food-prep gloves while peeling and slicing the beets!