Homemade Pickled Beets (2024)

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3 Photos

Beautifully colored and not overly spicy. This is how my mom always made her pickled beets, and I continue the tradition.

Submitted byBren

Updated on November 25, 2023

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Homemade Pickled Beets (1)

33

Cook Time:

1 hr 5 mins

Additional Time:

12 hrs 10 mins

Total Time:

14 hrs

Servings:

6

Yield:

6 16-ounce jars

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds beets, stems removed

  • 4 cups white vinegar

  • 2 cups white sugar

  • 1 ½ teaspoons pickling salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

  1. Place beets in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook until beets are tender, 20 to 25 minutes, depending on size.

  2. Meanwhile, inspect six 16-ounce jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Bring a second pot of water to a boil. Immerse jars in simmering water until beets are ready. Wash new, unused lids in warm soapy water.

  3. Drain cooked beets, reserving 1 cup beet water. Let cool until able to handle, 10 to 15 minutes. Peel and slice.

  4. Pack beets into the hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/2 inch of the top.

  5. Strain reserved beet water through a fine-mesh strainer into a saucepan. Add vinegar, sugar, pickling salt, and cloves. Bring to a rapid boil over high heat. Pour hot brine over beets in jars, leaving 1/4-inch of head space. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any residue. Top with lids and screw rings on tightly.

  6. Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 30 minutes.

  7. Remove the jars from the stockpot and let rest, several inches apart, for 12 to 24 hours. Press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area. If any cans fail to seal, refrigerate for immediate use.

Recipe Tip

For the best flavor, allow pickled beets to sit for two weeks before eating.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

424Calories
1g Fat
103g Carbs
6g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe6
Calories424
% Daily Value *
Total Fat1g1%
Saturated Fat0g1%
Sodium877mg38%
Total Carbohydrate103g37%
Dietary Fiber11g38%
Total Sugars92g
Protein6g12%
Vitamin C19mg21%
Calcium63mg5%
Iron3mg17%
Potassium1233mg26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Photos of Homemade Pickled Beets

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Homemade Pickled Beets (4)

Photo byBren

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Homemade Pickled Beets (5)

Photo byAlthea Gear

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Homemade Pickled Beets (6)

Photo byBren

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Homemade Pickled Beets (2024)

FAQs

What happens if I eat pickled beets everyday? ›

Pickled beets are generally safe to eat. But, depending on how they're made, some varieties of pickled beets may pack salt and added sugars. Too much salt can increase your blood pressure. While too much sugar can lead to weight gain and other health problems.

How long does it take for pickled beets to be ready to eat? ›

How to Store: Place the pickled beets sealed in the jar with the lid in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks. Use a butter knife to help move the ingredients around once the brine is in the jar and the beets. For best flavor results, wait at least 24 hours before eating the pickled beets.

Should pickled beets be water bathed? ›

Scientifically research tested recipes use more than ½ cup vinegar per pint jar. Pickled beets are safe to process in a boiling water bath or atmospheric steam canner. The USDA recommends processing pickled beets in boiling water for 30 minutes.

Is it OK to drink the juice from a jar of pickled beets? ›

Yes It is perfectly safe to drink the brine/juice that is in the jar of pickled beets.

What is the downside of eating beets? ›

Special Precautions and Warnings

Beet can make urine or stools appear pink or red. But this is not harmful. There is concern that beets might cause low calcium levels and kidney damage.

Who should not eat pickled beets? ›

Beets are also rich in oxalates — compounds that may reduce nutrient absorption and promote kidney stones. Therefore, people predisposed to kidney stones may want to limit their intake ( 8 ). Though pickled beets may turn your urine pink or red, this side effect is harmless ( 8 ).

Can you eat too many pickled beets? ›

Too many pickled beets, however, can overload our system with sodium if the brine mixture is heavy in salt. Overall, pickled beets are versatile with a mild, earthy flavor that can be eaten as a snack, side dish, or added to salads.

Why do my pickled beets taste like dirt? ›

Their “earthy” flavor comes from a compound called geosmin, which is also the same compound that we associate with the smell of “fresh rain” and “forest soil”. Some people are much more sensitive to this compound than others, that is why some people say they taste like dirt, and others love them.

Can homemade pickled beets go bad? ›

To enjoy them at their best and freshest, store your pickled beets in the refrigerator and plan to use them within a maximum of three months, or ideally within several weeks. Always keep an eye out for signs they've passed their prime before that though.

Why are my pickled beets slimy? ›

Beet brine is very thick and viscous because beets have so much sugar. The other thing is that 3 days isn't very long for a ferment like this and sometimes there is a thick slimy phase in fermentation that will work itself out.

Can you eat pickled beets right out of the jar? ›

No special preparation is required for pickled beets. You may eat them directly out of the jar!

What is the white stuff on pickled beets? ›

The white milky substance that commonly appears on the surface of fermented vegetables is kahm yeast. It's a type of wild yeast and it's not harmful.

Are pickled beets good for high blood pressure? ›

Pickled beets. High blood pressure increases your risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. A balanced diet with plenty of vegetables can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure or lower high blood pressure, and pickled beets are a tasty part of a healthy diet.

Do beets raise blood sugar? ›

Beetroots help insulin resistance: Beetroot helps improve insulin sensitivity in people with diabetes and reduces blood sugar. Your body releases metabolites in the process of breaking down food or other substances. The high concentration of this metabolite (nitrate) in beetroot may reduce insulin resistance.

How many times can you reuse pickled beet juice? ›

You can usually reuse picking liquid once. Because the nature of pickling is to draw water out of food, after two uses it is usually too diluted to do its job.

Is it okay to eat beets every day? ›

Can you eat beets everyday? It's always best to follow a varied diet. Eating a small amount of beetroot every day is unlikely to do any harm, but a high intake could lead to low blood pressure, red or black urine and feces, and digestive problems for anyone with a sensitivity to the nutrients.

Are pickled beets good for your stomach? ›

Because pickled beets are fermented, they are rich in probiotics. Probiotics are "friendly bacteria" present in your digestive system. Probiotics can help improve some digestive illnesses and conditions.

Is it OK to eat pickled vegetables every day? ›

While pickles should be consumed in moderation due to their high sodium content, they may have some health benefits: Probiotic effects: Naturally fermented pickles and their juice contain good bacteria, which when ingested in moderation can help with digestion and immune health.

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