Can I freeze beets raw?

Beets are a versatile and nutritious root vegetable that can be enjoyed year-round. Freezing raw beets is a great way to preserve the harvest and make the most of your garden or farmers market haul. Here’s what you need to know about freezing beets, from how to prep them to how long they’ll last in the freezer.

Can You Freeze Raw Beets?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze raw beets! Freezing beets is easy and it lets you enjoy their earthy sweet flavor even when they’re out of season.

Freezing beets raw maintains their texture better than freezing cooked beets. Raw beets will retain more of their crunch and fresh, firm texture when thawed after freezing. Cooked beets tend to get mushier.

Freezing also concentrates the flavor of beets, making them taste deliciously sweet when thawed. If you want to maximize that candy-like sweetness, freezing beets raw is the way to go.

How to Freeze Raw Beets

Follow these simple steps for freezing raw beets:

1. Choose fresh, firm beets. Avoid beets that are limp, wrinkled or have soft spots.
2. Trim off the leafy green tops, leaving about an inch of the stem attached. Do not remove the taproot and tail at the bottom.
3. Give the beets a thorough wash to remove dirt. Do not peel before freezing.
4. Blanch the beets briefly to stop the enzymatic action that can cause loss of flavor and color. To blanch:
   • Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
   • Add beets and boil for 3 minutes.
   • Drain beets and plunge into an ice bath to stop the cooking. Let cool completely.
5. Pat beets dry thoroughly with paper towels or a clean dish towel.
6. Cut off stems and tails.
7. Place beets in a single layer on a sheet pan or baking dish and freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
8. Transfer frozen beets to resealable plastic freezer bags or airtight containers. Squeeze out excess air.
9. Return to freezer. Use within 10-12 months for best quality.

Beets Freezing Time

Raw beets only need 2-3 hours in the freezer to become completely solid. After that, they’re ready for long term freezer storage.

It’s important not to let the beets thaw at all before bagging for the freezer. Keep them frozen solid until ready to use.

How Long Do Raw Beets Last in the Freezer?

Properly frozen, raw beets will maintain excellent quality for 10-12 months in the freezer.

Over time, frozen beets may start to lose moisture, resulting in some freezer burn. They may also begin to suffer texture changes and flavor loss past a year in the freezer.

For the best quality frozen beets, try to use within a year. Discard any beets that show signs of freezer burn or other deterioration.

Can You Freeze Cooked Beets?

Yes, you can freeze cooked beets too. Some people prefer freezing cooked beets for convenience since they thaw soft and ready to use in recipes or eat.

To freeze cooked beets:

1. Cook beets until tender. Boil, roast, or steam.
2. Let beets cool completely.
3. Peel and cut into slices or cubes if desired.
4. Pack into freezer bags or containers, leaving 1⁄2 inch headspace.
5. Seal, label, and freeze for up to 10-12 months.

How to Use Frozen Beets

Using frozen beets is super easy. Here are some tips:

• Thaw frozen beets overnight in the fridge or for a few hours on the counter.
• No need to thaw before roasting or boiling. Just increase cooking time.
• Use in soups, stews, roasted veggie medleys.
• Puree into smoothies, juices, dips and sauces.
• Slice raw into salads.

Beets Freezer Meal Prep Ideas

Take your frozen beet game up a notch with these meal prep ideas:

• Beet and Goat Cheese Tartlets – Thaw beets and mix with goat cheese, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Spoon into mini phyllo shells and bake.
• Beet Hummus – Blend thawed beets with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and spices for a vibrant dip.
• Beet Smoothie Packs – Blend beets, Greek yogurt, milk, banana, and honey or maple syrup. Portion into freezer bags to grab and blend.
• Borscht Soup Packs – Cook and freeze beets with broth, onions, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and herbs in batches. Thaw and simmer to serve.
• Beet and Walnut Salad – Marinate beets in a vinaigrette with shallots and oregano. Freeze in portions to mix with defrosted greens, walnuts and feta.

Can You Can Beets?

Canning is another great preservation method for beets. Canned beets will last 1-2 years stored properly. Here’s a quick guide to canning beets:

1. Cook beets until tender and peel.
2. Cut into quarters or slices.
3. Pack hot beets into sterilized jars leaving 1 inch headspace.
4. Pour hot water, vinegar or juice over beets leaving 1 inch space.
5. Remove air bubbles and clean rim.
6. Apply lids and bands and process in a water bath canner for 30-35 minutes for pints or 35-40 minutes for quarts.
7. Cool jars, check seals and store in a cool, dark place for up to 2 years.

Canned beets make excellent gifts too!

Pickling Beets

Pickling is a tasty way to preserve beets that keeps their crunch intact. Here’s a quick pickled beet recipe:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups raw beets, peeled and sliced into rounds
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt

Instructions:

1. In a pan, bring vinegar, sugar and salt to a boil until sugar and salt dissolve.
2. Pack sliced beets into sterilized jars.
3. Pour hot vinegar mixture over beets leaving 1⁄2 inch headspace.
4. Apply lids and bands.
5. Process in a water bath canner for 30 minutes for both pints and quarts.
6. Let cool completely and store sealed pickles in the fridge for up to 3 months.

Enjoy these crisp, sweet pickled beets on salads, sandwiches and cheese boards.

Conclusion

Freezing beets is simple and lets you enjoy their unique sweet earthiness year-round. For best results, freeze beets raw and use within a year. Cooked and pickled beets also freeze and can well too. With so many preservation options, there’s no excuse not to reap a bountiful beet harvest!

Hope this comprehensive guide helps explain if and how to freeze beets. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!