Can You Freeze Beets?
Yes, you can freeze beets. I’ve done it myself and seen others do it as well.
The only thing to remember is that the color will fade a bit when they are frozen.
Beets are delicious root vegetables that are often served raw or cooked. They contain lots of fiber, vitamin C, folate, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and K.
Beets are great for detoxifying your body and improving digestion. They also provide a good source of energy. If you want to eat them raw, they should be stored in the refrigerator. Otherwise, you can cook them until tender before freezing them.
How to Freeze Beets in 3 Ways:
Freeze whole beets by cutting off their tops and bottoms.
Place the medium beets on a baking dish lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for about 30-50 minutes, or until fork-tender.
Let cool completely.
Wrap each cooked beets individually in plastic freezer bags and place them in an airtight container. Label the date and contents to know what was frozen when you defrost them later.
Freezing individual slices of beets is another way to preserve them.
Cut 10 – 15 beets into 1/4 inch thick slices. Lay the slices out on a baking dish lined in parchment paper.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 – 40 minutes, or until fork-tender.
Cool beets completely. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container labeled with the date and contents.
You can also freeze peeled and sliced beets.
Peel the fresh garden beets first. Slice them into thin rounds. Lay the slices on a single layer onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake at 325 degrees F (160 degrees C) for 20 – 25 minutes, or until fork-tender.
Cool completely. Wrap the delicious beets slices individually in plastic wrap and label with the date and contents so that you know what was frozen.
What happens if you freeze beet?
They lose some of their flavors when you freeze beets because of the sugar content. However, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t still tasty! You need to use less than fresh beets.
Furthermore, when you thaw them from the freezer, they may not look like they did when you froze them. The color may change slightly. This is normal. Just try to remember which ones were frozen last time.
After making soup, you can always make beet chips if you don’t have any beets leftover.
How to Thaw Frozen Beets?
If you live in a region with cold winters, you’ve probably had to deal with frozen beets at some point. If you happen to be cutting a batch of beets for a recipe, a little bit of freezing won’t matter, but if you are preparing them ahead for future meals, you may find that they’re frozen solid.
Process:
STEP 1: Remove the outer skin of your beets.
The outer layer of each fresh beet is tough and needs to be removed before you begin slicing or dicing. This step may be easier to do with a sharp knife, but any vegetable peeler will do. Make sure you don’t leave any beets whole.
STEP 2: Slice the beets lengthwise into two halves.
To ensure that the two halves are similar in size, cut only halfway through the top, then slice down to the bottom. If you have larger beets than about a golf ball, you can split them in half without having to slice through them.
STEP 3: Let the beets thaw.
You can speed up the process by wrapping them tightly in a plastic bag and leaving them on the kitchen counter or in the refrigerator. You might have to let them thaw for several hours, but this process shouldn’t take much time at all.
After they’ve thawed, it’s time to start peeling. To slice the beet, remove as much of the beet’s skin as possible before you start slicing. Carefully peel the beet with a paring knife. Don’t worry too much about getting every piece of skin off; there’s no need to get overly obsessive about it.
How to Use Frozen Beets
Frozen beet pieces can be used just like fresh ones. Thaw them in the fridge overnight. Among their many uses are salads, soups, stews, casseroles, stir-fries, pasta dishes, baked potatoes, dips, and more!
If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy beets, try these recipes:
- Roasted Beet Salad
- Baked Potato Soup
- Creamy Red Lentil Stew
- Spinach & Beet Quinoa Pilaf
- Apple & Beet Salad Beet
If you have any questions about freezing beets, please leave us a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Freezing Beets:
How long do you blanch beets before freezing?
It would be best if you blanched your beets before freezing them. Blanching removes excess water and makes them easy to dice.
What’s the difference between canned and frozen beets?
There isn’t a significant difference between canned and frozen. Both types of beets taste great. Canned beets tend to be less expensive, though.
Can I freeze beets raw?
Yes, you can freeze raw beets. They’ll keep their shape well, so you can chop them and add them to salads, soups, etc., right out of the freezer.
How long does it take to defrost beets after being frozen?
It depends on how thickly you sliced them. Thinner slices will defrost faster than thicker ones. A good rule of thumb is to allow an hour per pound of weight. So if you froze 4 pounds of beets, it would take approximately 8 hours to defrost them.
How long do frozen beets last?
Beets will keep in the freezer for 6- months or longer.
Is it safe to freeze beets?
Yes, it’s perfectly fine to freeze beets. However, always wrap the beets in plastic wrap tightly first.
Is it okay to eat frozen beets?
Yes! We think they taste better than fresh ones.
Last Words
We hope this guide has helped answer some common questions about freezing fresh beets. We’d love to hear from you! Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
