Beets are a versatile and nutritious root vegetable that can be enjoyed in salads, soups, main dishes, and more. Their earthy, sweet flavor pairs nicely with many ingredients, but finding the right fruit to complement beets can take your dishes to the next level. When choosing fruits to serve with beets, you’ll want options that balance out the beet’s distinctive taste. The goal is to create dishes with layered, dynamic flavors.
Sweet and Tart Fruit Options
Tart fruits like citrus, berries, pomegranate, and pineapple make excellent complements for beets. The brightness of these fruits balances the earthiness of beets beautifully. Here are some of the top fruit choices to consider:
- Oranges – Add fresh orange segments or a squeeze of orange juice to brighten up beet salads. The citrus flavor contrasts nicely with beets.
- Grapefruit – Grapefruit also makes a tangy, refreshing addition to beet dishes. Throw in some segmented grapefruit or a splash of juice.
- Berries – Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries delicious mixed into beet salads. They provide pops of sweetness and color.
- Pomegranate arils – These juicy, ruby red seeds offer a wonderful crunchy texture contrast and tangy-sweet taste.
- Pineapple – Cubes of this tropical fruit bring a pleasant tartness that complements beets.
Rich, Sweet Fruits
In addition to tart fruits, rich stone fruits and dried fruits also pair deliciously with beets. Peaches, plums, figs, dates, and raisins can provide a burst of concentrated sweetness and texture to balance out beets’ earthy qualities. Here are some of the top choices:
- Peaches – Sliced peaches taste amazing in beet and arugula salads, providing a juicy, sweet contrast.
- Plums – Diced plums add a lovely depth of flavor and summery vibe to beet dishes.
- Figs – Fresh or dried figs make an elegant, sophisticated addition to salads and mains featuring beets.
- Dates – Chopped dates work well in both savory and sweet beet recipes, from grain bowls to muffins.
- Raisins – Plump, juicy raisins add pops of concentrated sweetness and delightful chewy texture.
Fruity Sauces and Dressings
Whipping up a homemade fruit-based dressing or sauce is a creative way to incorporate fruit flavors into beet recipes:
- Orange vinaigrette – For an easy salad dressing, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, Dijon, honey, and vinegar.
- Berry coulis – Blend up raspberries, blackberries or strawberries into a sweet sauce to drizzle over beet salads or entrees.
- Pomegranate molasses – This Middle Eastern condiment offers a tangy-sweet way to glaze roasted beets.
- Pineapple salsa – For a showstopping side, top seared beets with a fresh pineapple salsa.
- Peach jam – Swirl peach or apricot jam into softened goat cheese or Greek yogurt for a topping for beet crostini.
Crunchy Fruit Add-Ins
For delicious texture contrast, add some crunchy fruits to your beet recipes. Here are fruit-based mix-ins that work nicely:
- Toasted walnuts
- Candied pecans
- Chopped roasted almonds
- Crumbled feta or goat cheese
- Diced apples
- Granola or cereal clusters
These options add fantastic crunch and flavor interest.
Best Fruit and Beet Pairings
Now that we’ve covered a variety of fruits that complement beets, let’s discuss some of the tastiest fruit and beet combinations:
| Fruit | Best Paired With | Serving Suggestions |
|---|---|---|
| Oranges | Red beets | Orangesegments and red beet slices in salads or sautés |
| Grapefruit | Golden beets | Add grapefruit sections to roasted golden beet salad |
| Berries | Red and golden beets | Toss raspberries, blueberries, and chopped beets together for a vibrant salad |
| Pomegranate | Red and chioggia beets | Scatter pomegranate over shaved raw beets |
| Peaches | Golden beets | Roast peaches and golden beets for a tasty side dish |
| Plums | Red beets | Braise plums and beets with balsamic and thyme |
| Figs | Red beets | Serve roasted beets and figs drizzled with honey |
| Pineapple | Red beets | Grill pineapple and beets for a flavorful combination |
As you can see, the possibilities are endless! Fruits with contrasting flavors and textures make the perfect complements for earthy, versatile beets. Don’t be afraid to get creative with unique fruit and beet pairings in salads, sides, mains, desserts and more.
Tips for Cooking and Serving Beets and Fruit
Here are some helpful tips for selecting, preparing, and serving fruits with beets:
- Choose ripe, in-season fruits – Tree-ripened stone fruits and berries at their peak offer the best, boldest flavors.
- Mix colors for visual appeal – Pair deep red beets with bright orange citrus or golden yellow peaches.
- Roast fruits and beets – Roasting concentrates flavors for delicious caramelized results.
- Raw preparations – Shave or grate raw beets and mix with fresh citrus, berries, and pineapple.
- Store fruits separately – Until ready to use, keep cut fruit in a separate container to avoid bleeding colors.
- Add crunchy garnishes – Toasted nuts, seeds, and crumbled cheeses contribute fantastic texture.
- Drizzle with dressings – Vinaigrettes, sauces, and condiments like molasses unify ingredients.
- Adapt to dietary needs – Swap in unsweetened dried fruits, leave off high-fat cheeses, etc.
With so many varieties of beets and fruits available, the possibilities for pairing them creatively are endless! Follow your imagination and taste buds to craft delicious beet and fruit dishes to enjoy all year long.
Beet and Fruit Salad Recipes
Let’s look at some tasty beet and fruit salad combinations you can whip up at home:
Roasted Beet and Berry Salad
- Combine roasted red beets, fresh blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
- Toss with a raspberry vinaigrette and crumbled goat cheese.
- Garnish with toasted pecans or walnuts.
Citrus Beet Salad with Oranges and Grapefruit
- Mix together roasted golden beets, segmented oranges and grapefruit.
- Drizzle with a citrus thyme vinaigrette.
- Top with sliced red onion, avocado, and fresh mint.
Tropical Beet and Pineapple Salad
- Combine cooked red beets with chunks of fresh pineapple.
- Add sliced red cabbage, red onion, and fresh cilantro.
- Toss with a pineapple ginger dressing.
Beet and Stone Fruit Salad
- Arrange raw chopped beets, sliced peaches, plums, and figs.
- Include crumbled feta or goat cheese for added richness.
- Drizzle with a honey lemon dressing and sprinkle with mint.
You really can’t go wrong combining hearty beets with juicy, flavorful fruits. Let seasonal produce guide you and get creative with unique dressings and toppings!
Main Dishes Featuring Beets and Fruit
In addition to salads, beets and fruit make a fantastic pairing in main dishes. Here are a few ideas to try:
Seared Pork Chops with Beet and Apple Sauté
- While pork chops cook, sauté diced beets and apples.
- Flavor with thyme, cider vinegar, and honey.
- Spoon beet-apple sauté over finished pork chops.
Chicken Wrapped in Beet Greens with Orange Glaze
- Sear chicken breasts wrapped in raw beet greens.
- Make a quick pan sauce from orange juice, honey, and butter.
- Drizzle glaze over plated chicken.
Salmon with Beet and Strawberry Relish
- Roast or pan sear salmon fillets.
- Make a relish with diced cooked beets and quartered strawberries.
- Spoon relish over salmon and garnish with pecans.
Quinoa Bowls with Beets, Chickpeas, and Dried Fruit
- Prepare quinoa and toss with chickpeas, chopped cooked beets, and raisins.
- Season with cumin, cilantro, and a lemon tahini dressing.
- Top with sliced avocado and almonds.
With so many options for creating entrees starring beets and fruit, you could enjoy a different combination every night of the week!
Desserts Featuring Beets and Fruit
Why stop at savory dishes? Beets and fruit also come together in irresistible desserts, like:
Red Velvet Beet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Blend beet puree into red velvet cupcake batter for natural color and flavor.
- Top baked cupcakes with tangy cream cheese frosting.
- Garnish with dried cranberries for a pop of tartness.
Beet and Apple Galettes
- Roll out pie dough and arrange thin slices of apples and beets on top.
- Bake galettes until the pastry is golden brown.
- Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Beet-Pomegranate Molasses Cake
- Make a dense, moist beet cake and drizzle with pomegranate molasses.
- Decorate with candied orange peel or sugared cranberries.
Beet and Cherry Sorbet
- Puree cooked beets and tart cherry juice together.
- Freeze in an ice cream maker for a tangy, refreshing sorbet.
- Garnish servings with fresh mint.
Who needs strawberries and peaches when you have beets and fruit? Have fun getting creative with sweet beet recipes.
The Benefits of Beets and Fruit
Not only do beets and fruit taste amazing together, this pairing offers noteworthy health benefits:
- Fiber – Beets and many fruits provide fiber that promotes good digestion and heart health.
- Vitamin C – Citrus fruits and berries contain Vitamin C that supports a healthy immune system.
- Antioxidants – Pigment-rich produce like beets and berries deliver protective antioxidants.
- Nitrates – Beets contain heart-helpful nitrates that may improve blood flow.
- Polyphenols – Compounds in fruits may help reduce inflammation and oxidative damage.
By combining beets and fruits, you can maximize the unique health benefits each provides. So don’t hesitate to double down on these wholesome foods!
Don’t Beet Around – Start Cooking!
With their complementary flavors, colors, and textures, fruits are made for pairing with hearty, earthy beets. The next time you prepare beets, look beyond the usual butter, vinegar, and walnut toppings. Get creative with fresh, seasonal fruits that can take your beet recipes to the next level.
Whip up a vibrant beet and berry salad, glazed beet and stone fruit side, or charming beet and apple dessert. The possibilities are nearly endless. Let produce availability and your imagination guide you to inventive new ways to cook beets with fruit. Just be sure to relish the delicious, nutritious results!
