Description
Homemade sweet pickled beets bring garden-fresh flavor to salads and side dishes. Crisp, tangy slices complement robust meals with Swedish and Eastern European culinary traditions. You will savor these simple, zesty pickles.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 medium fresh beets
Pickling Liquid:
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Spices:
- 1–1/2 teaspoons whole cloves
- 1–1/2 teaspoons whole allspice
Instructions
- Thoroughly cleanse beetroots under running water, trimming leafy tops to approximately one inch. Position beetroots in a deep pot and submerge completely with water.
- Heat liquid to boiling point, then reduce temperature and allow beetroots to simmer, covered, for 25-30 minutes until fork-tender.
- Transfer beetroots from cooking liquid and permit cooling to room temperature. Once cooled, gently remove outer skin using fingers or peeler.
- Slice beetroots into uniform, thin rounds or desired shape and transfer to a clean mixing bowl.
- Combine vinegar, sugar, whole cloves, whole allspice, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring mixture to rapid boil and maintain for precisely 5 minutes, creating a fragrant pickling liquid.
- Immediately pour hot pickling liquid over prepared beetroot slices, ensuring complete coverage.
- Seal container and refrigerate for minimum one hour, allowing flavors to meld and beetroots to absorb tangy seasoning.
- Before serving, carefully drain excess pickling liquid. Present chilled beetroots as a vibrant, zesty accompaniment to main dishes or incorporate into salads.
Notes
- Opt for fresh, firm beets with vibrant color for the best pickling results.
- Wear disposable gloves to prevent staining hands while peeling beets.
- Adjust sugar levels to create a more tangy or sweeter pickle according to personal preference.
- Consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or dill to the pickling liquid for extra flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Side Dish, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 83 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg