17 Ways To Add More Flavor To Beets

They're messy, they're inconvenient, and they taste like dirt. As a result, they're one of the most hated vegetables in the U.S. And yet, under that thick, dirt-ridden skin, beets have so much to offer — it just takes a bit of skill and knowledge to uncover their potential. Both the bulbs and the greens are full of flavor and nutrients, and if you approach them with an open mind, they can become a vibrant, versatile addition to your diet.

One of the keys to maximizing the flavor of beets is to start with fresh, high-quality produce. Knowing what to look for when buying beets and how to store them properly can make a big difference in the final dish. Additionally, not all preparation methods require peeling, which can save time and add extra nutrients to your meals (not to mention making the dreaded cleanup easier). From roasting and grilling to adding spices and glazes, there are many ways to elevate the flavor of beets. Pairing them with acidic, sweet, and salty ingredients, as well as various spices, can alter your perception of the humble vegetable for the better. So whether you're looking for a savory side dish or a delectable sweet treat, there's a way to enjoy the rich flavor and nutrition of beets in a way that works for you.

Messy and time-consuming prep is likely the reason you don't eat beets more often. However, you may be surprised to learn that, in some cases, it's not even necessary. That's right; you can skip the peeling process and still enjoy all the nutrients and flavor that beets have to offer. The skins of beets are entirely edible and contain essential nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and various phytonutrients. Plus, they add a pleasant earthy flavor to your dishes.

The trick to never peeling beets again is to cook them with the skin on. That is especially true if you use an Instant Pot, which makes the skins so tender they're barely noticeable. If you insist on removing the skins, then you should wait to peel beets until they're cooked. Let them cool, and use a paper towel or your hands to rub the skin off. If the skin remains tough after cooking, a paring knife should help.

Roasting beets seems like the most common method to bring out their natural sweetness. However, there's one unconventional way to caramelize beets: firing up the grill and watching it do its magic. Not only does it intensify their candy-like flavor, but it also imparts a smokiness to them. Additionally, compared to oven-roasting, there's less waste when using the grill, as you won't need any tinfoil.

First, trim the leaves and roots off the beets, thoroughly wash the bulbs, then cut them into wedges or slices. Lightly brush them with oil, season with salt and pepper, and place the beets straight on the grill grates. Cook for about 10-15 minutes on each side or until tender and slightly charred. The key is to use indirect heat by placing the beets on the outer edges of the grill to prevent them from burning. You peel them beforehand or grill them with skins and remove them once they cool down.

Humans are visual creatures, so it's no surprise that the more impressive-looking a dish is, the more delicious we're likely to find it. Mixing different kinds of beets can introduce varying textures, colors, and flavors and make your dish more visually interesting. In addition to the tried-and-true red beets, there's a host of colorful varieties to choose from.

The most eye-catching of them all is undoubtedly the candy-striped beet. It has a distinct, vibrant pink and white striped pattern, and its flavor is more sweet and earthy than other varieties. Combined with other beets, it can intensify the dish's sweetness and add an interesting visual element to it. However, it's best to enjoy candy beets raw and thinly sliced, as cooking will negatively affect their appearance. A chewy beet salad is a great example of this. It combines roasted and dehydrated baby red beets with a beet juice vinaigrette dressing and a delicate candy beet garnish for a unique beet-eating experience.

Since these bulbous roots are most praised for their natural sweetness, adding them to desserts is the next logical step if you want to experience their full culinary potential. Combining them with chocolate serves a double purpose: not only does its bittersweet flavor pair well with its earthy, sweet notes, but it makes a great way to sneak more veggies into your diet. In addition, adding citrus fruit to the mix, as this chocolate, orange, and beet brownie recipe demonstrates, will further deepen the flavor.

While beets are notorious for dyeing everything they come in contact with, this can be masked in chocolatey desserts or taken advantage of in recipes like red velvet beet cake. The vibrant, naturally dyed cake layers are interspersed with rich chocolate caramel ganache, creating a show-stopping dessert. So, even if you're not a beet fan, incorporating them into desserts might just change your mind.

Any nutritionist will tell you a perfect smoothie starts with using ingredients from multiple food groups. And while fruits and berries are usually the go-to ingredients, sweet vegetables deserve their place in the blender. So if you were looking for a creative way to capitalize on the beets' unique flavor and nutrition benefits, you should add these vibrant roots to smoothies. They are low in calories but high in fiber, folate, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. Beets are also rich in nitrates, which can improve blood flow and lower blood pressure (via Healthline). When blended into a smoothie, beets create a complex flavor profile and contribute a beautiful deep red color, so pairing them with berries and stone fruit is your best bet, presentation-wise. Alternatively, for a more vibrant flavor, process them with citrus fruit. You can also incorporate protein powder, nut butter, or seeds for added nutrition.

Beetroot is an incredibly versatile vegetable that comes in many forms, and none is as fun to make as homemade beet noodles. If you're hesitant, let us explain why you need to be spiralizing beets. First, it makes for a visually stunning presentation with minimal effort. Second, prepping them this way creates more surface area, allowing for better sauce or dressing absorption. Plus, beet noodles can be eaten raw or cooked, giving you the flexibility to incorporate them into your favorite dishes. Finally, one large beet can make enough noodles to serve several people as a side dish, and it can even become a fun activity for the whole family. It's an excellent way to get children involved in the kitchen and excited about eating their vegetables. And with their beautiful, bright color, beet noodles can make any dish look more appealing. So if you own a spiralizer already, don't hesitate to work its magic on the humble beets.

If you've tried it all: roasting, boiling, grilling, steaming, dehydrating, and pickling, there's one more option left to exercise. While deep-frying beets might seem unconventional, it is still capable of adding more flavor to them. After all, everything tastes better deep-fried, and beets are no exception. The key to success here is using pre-cooked baby beets. The bulbs should be steam-roasted whole, have their skins removed, then battered and fried. Another step to enhance their flavor is letting them rest in an acidic marinade while you prepare the batter and heat up the oil. Alternatively, you could make crispy beet chips or fries by cooking them quickly at a high temperature to prevent them from becoming too soft. Finally, you can experiment with different coatings and seasonings to enhance the flavor.

Glazing beets is a surefire way to enhance both their taste and presentation, and we have collected some starting points for those looking to experiment with it. Pomegranate molasses and sea salt create a savory and tangy combination that can elevate the earthy flavor of beets, while an orange juice glaze adds a fruity and refreshing note that balances out their natural sweetness. On the other hand, the glossy balsamic vinegar and brown sugar create a rich, caramelized layer that complements the earthy flavor of beets. Candied beet recipes typically go for the same ingredients with the addition of butter. These glazes not only make the overall flavor more complex but also create an attractive shiny appearance, making them perfect for garnishing or as a side dish for any meal.