Healthy Pickled Beets Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes (for beets to simmer) Chilling Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes Yield: Approximately 4 servings Category: Side Dish Method: Stovetop and Pickling Cuisine: American

Description: These Healthy Pickled Beets are not only incredibly easy to prepare but also offer a delightful combination of sweet and tangy flavors. The recipe transforms fresh beets into a tasty side dish that’s perfect for enhancing your meal. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience, you can enjoy these homemade pickled beets that are bursting with flavor.

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

Directions:

Preparing the Beets:

1. Start by scrubbing the fresh beets to remove any dirt or debris. Trim the tops of the beets to leave about 1 inch of the stem.
2. Place the cleaned beets in a Dutch oven or a large pot. Add enough water to cover the beets.
3. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook the beets for 25-30 minutes or until they become tender when pierced with a fork.
4. Remove the cooked beets from the water and allow them to cool. Once cooled, peel the beets and slice them into your desired thickness. Place the sliced beets in a large bowl and set them aside.

Making the Pickling Solution: 5. In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar, whole cloves, whole allspice, and salt.

6. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then let it boil for 5 minutes. This will infuse the pickling solution with the spices and create a sweet and tangy flavor.

Pickling the Beets: 7. Carefully pour the hot pickling solution over the sliced beets in the bowl.

8. Gently stir to ensure that the beets are evenly coated with the pickling mixture.
9. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pickled beets for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.

Serving: 10. Before serving, drain the pickling liquid from the beets.

11. Enjoy your Healthy Pickled Beets as a delightful side dish that adds a burst of flavor and vibrant color to your meal.

These homemade pickled beets are a fantastic addition to salads, sandwiches, or as a standalone snack. They are sure to impress with their delicious taste and natural sweetness.