Old Fashioned Pickled Beets Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

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Try Grandma’s Old Fashioned Pickled Beets Recipe. You store this smallbatch pickled beets recipe in the refrigerator and enjoy them whenever you like. Make these once, and they are sure to be in your summer rotation of garden vegetable recipes.

I am completely ashamed. When I was in elementary school, Mom had me sit down with my Grandma for a “project”. Mom was always coming up with “projects” for me. Turns out this one was actually ingenious. I say actually because most of mom’s projects involved me cleaning something.

Table of Contents

Grandma’s Special Recipes

I sat with Grandma, and asked her to share her recipes, the recipes that she felt everyone would want when she was gone. These recipes are Grandma’s favorites, the recipes she felt are special.

Many of these recipes are already on the blog including Grandma’s Homemade Ice Cream, Butterscotch Pecan Rolls, Rhubarb Pie, Fantasy Fudge, and Deviled Eggs.

Did I mention that she verbally told me these recipes. Every single one of them was from memory. She didn’t pull out one recipe card or cook book.At 80 something years old, her mind was sharp as a whip, and she had those recipes stored up in her brain because she had made them for years and years and years until they were perfect.

However, there’s a few recipes in the book that I’ve failed to even attempt in the 20 years since I made this book, including these Refrigerator Pickled Beets.

I am ashamed, because I finally made them, and now I am absolutely obsessed with them.What was I thinking?Why did I wait so long to make them. Now, that I’ve started, I’ve already made them 4 times in the past 2 weeks. And when I’ve eaten most or all of the beets, I often make Pickled Eggs with the leftover beet juice.

Old Fashioned Pickled Beets Ingredients

Old Fashioned Pickled Beets are the perfect little snack. If you’ve never had a classic pickled beet, now is the time!

  • Fresh Beets
  • Vinegar
  • Water
  • White Sugar

How Long Do You Let Pickled Beets Set Before Eating?

The good news is that you won’t have to wait long before enjoying old fashioned pickled beets. For refrigerator pickled beets, let the beets marinate in the brine in the refrigerator for approximately 18 to 24 hours before eating.

How Long Do Pickled Beets Keep in the Refrigerator?

You may be wondering do pickled beets go bad?

The good news is that pickled beets will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 to 3 months. The vinegar and sugar help preserve the beets. If the beets develop any sort of off-flavor, discard before eating!

What to do with leftover pickled beet brine?

Do not toss the leftover red brine that remains after you’ve eaten all those pickled beets.

Instead, hard-boil some eggs, remove the shells, and add the whole egg to the leftover brine. Let the hard-boiled eggs sit in the pickled beet juice in the refrigerator for a minimum of one day before eating.

Old Fashioned Pickled Beets Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (5)

How to Make Small Batch Pickled Beets

The first step is to boil the fresh beets in preparation for brining.

How to Make Boiled Beets

  1. Trim the beet stems 1-2 inches from the beet bulb.
  2. Cover washed beets with cold water in a large saucepan.
  3. Add 1-2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice to prevent bleeding.
  4. Cover and boil for 25 minutes to 1 hour or until beet texture is easily pierced with knife.
  5. Drain and cool with cold water.
  6. Peel off skins using your gloved hands or a vegetable peeler and discard.
  7. Cut or slice beets into bite-sized chunks.

The second step is to brine the beets in a quick pickling solution.

How to Make Refrigerator Pickled Beets

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Place beet chunks into a clean jar or glass bowl.
  2. In a saucepan, boil equal parts water, sugar and white vinegar.
  3. Whisk to dissolve sugar.
  4. Remove from heat, and pour over hot, cooked beets.
  5. Let cool and refrigerate.
  6. Let marinate in brine for a minimum 18 to 24 hours before eating.
  7. Serve as a snack or a side with a sandwich and salad.

For the full instructions and ingredient amounts for Classic Pickled Beets, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Recipe Variations

  • Add spices to the brine as it’s simmering. Bay leaves, whole cloves, cinnamon stick, mustard seed, celery seed are all optional ingredients.
  • No white vinegar on hand? Try apple cider vinegar instead.

Recipe FAQs

  • I typically use red beets but have also used yellow for these quick pickled beets.
  • Trim the leaves about 2 inches from the roots to prevent profuse bleeding during cooking.
  • When boiling beets, add 1-2 tablespoons lemon vinegar (or lemon juice) to the water to help prevent the color from bleeding out of the beets.
  • The great thing about this recipe is that you can make as little or as much pickled beets as you like. Just boil equal parts water, white vinegar and sugar to make the pickling brine.
  • This is a refrigerator pickled beet recipe. There is no pressure cooking or boiling of the jars involved.
  • Use the leftover beet juice in the jar to make pickled eggs. Place peeled hard boiled eggs in the leftover pickled beet brine for a minimum of 1 day before eating.
  • Check out our Amazon Store for our favorite kitchen gadgets and pantry essentials.

Can I can pickled beets?

Yes, pickled beets can be canned if you want to make them shelf-stable. To can pickled beets, follow the proper canning methods and guidelines to ensure safety and preservation. Be sure to follow the proper techniques for to sterilize and seal the jars and lids, process them in a water bath canner, and store them in a cool, dark place. Canned pickled beets can last for up to a year or more.

Old Fashioned Garden Vegetable Recipes

  • Mom’s Cucumber and Onions
  • Amish Freezer Slaw
  • Sweet and Sour Coleslaw
  • Stewed Tomatoes
  • Strawberry Freezer Jam

Old Fashioned Pickled Beets – A Small Batch Pickled Beets Recipe

Try Grandma's Old Fashioned Pickled Beets Recipe. This is a small batch pickled beets recipe made for the refrigerator. Make these once, and they are sure to be in your summer rotation of garden vegetable recipes.

Prep Time1 hour hr

Cook Time0 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: grandma’s pickled beets, old fashioned pickled beets, pickled beets, quick pickled beets, refrigerator pickled beets, small batch pickled beets recipe

Servings: 1 quart

Calories: 35kcal

Author: Barbara

Ingredients

Boiled Beets

  • 1 – 2 large beets
  • 1-2 Tablespoons white vinegar

Pickled Beets

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup white vinegar

Instructions

How to Make Boiled Beets

  • Trim leaves 2 inche from beet root.

    Old Fashioned Pickled Beets Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (10)

  • Place trimmed beets in large saucepan. Cover with water. Add 1-2 T⅞ablespoons of white vinegar.

    Old Fashioned Pickled Beets Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (11)

  • Boil until tender, approximately 25 minutes to an hour depending on size of beet.

  • Cool in cold water until easy to handle.

  • Remove skins using gloved hands or a vegetable peeler, and dice into bite-sized chunks.

How to Make Refrigerator Pickled Beets

  • Add diced beets to a clean jar or glass bowl.

    Old Fashioned Pickled Beets Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (12)

  • In a saucepan, boil water, sugar and white vinegar, whisk to mix.

  • Pour hot brine over diced beets.

    Old Fashioned Pickled Beets Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (13)

  • Cool, cover and refrigerate for a minimum 18 to 24 hours before eating.

    Old Fashioned Pickled Beets Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (14)

Notes

  • I typically use red beets but have also used yellow for these quick pickled beets.
  • Trim the leaves about 2 inches from the roots to prevent profuse bleeding during cooking.
  • When boiling beets, add 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar to the water to help prevent the color from bleeding out of the beets.
  • The great thing about this recipe is that you can make as little or as much pickled beets as you like. Just boil equal parts water, white vinegar and sugar to make the pickling brine.
  • This is a refrigerator pickled beet recipe. There is no pressure cooking or boiling of the jars involved.
  • Use the leftover beet juice in the jar to make pickled eggs. Place peeled hard boiled eggs in the leftover pickled beet brine for a minimum of 1 day before eating.
  • Love garden recipes? Try Mom’s Cucumber and Onions recipe.
  • The nutritional information is auto-calculated and can vary depending on the products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 35kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 64mg | Potassium: 267mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Linking up to Weekend Potluck.

Old Fashioned Pickled Beets Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (16)
Old Fashioned Pickled Beets Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat too many pickled beets? ›

Possible downsides. Depending on how they're made, some varieties of pickled beets may pack salt and added sugars ( 23 , 24 ). Research links excess sugar and salt intake to poor health and an increased risk of illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

How many years are pickled beets good for? ›

Prior to opening, home-canned pickled beets can last as long as 12 months. That means you can make and store a few jars to ensure your home is chockful with beets for salads, snacking, and even Australian-style burgers topped with pickled beets and fried eggs.

How long do beets in vinegar last? ›

Because these pickled beets are processed, they are shelf-stable and do not need to be stored in the refrigerator when sealed. Store canned pickled beets in a cool, dry place for up to 12 months. Once opened, pickled beets will last about three to four days in the refrigerator.

What is the difference between Harvard beets and pickled beets? ›

Harvard beets are akin to pickled beets in that they both have vinegar and sugar. However, Havard beets are quickly boiled in the sugary, vinegary syrup that is thickened and made into a sauce.

What is the downside of eating beets? ›

Special Precautions and Warnings

Beet is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts. Beet can make urine or stools appear pink or red. But this is not harmful. There is concern that beets might cause low calcium levels and kidney damage.

Who should not eat pickled beets? ›

Canned and pickled beets likely contain high amounts of sodium, so if it's heart health you're after, these choices should be limited.

Is it OK to eat pickled beets every day? ›

The answer is yes! Pickled beets can offer several potential health benefits. If you want to boost your fiber intake or get more antioxidants in your diet, pickled beets may be a good option. Just remember to watch your sodium intake, as some brands of pickled beets can be high in sodium.

Do pickled beets still have health benefits? ›

Antioxidants. Raw pickled beets are still a great source of antioxidant compounds that protect the body from free radical damage. Antioxidants such as selenium, flavonoids, and vitamins A, E, and C can be found in pickled beets, as long as they were not cooked prior to canning.

Can you eat pickled beets right out of the jar? ›

You may eat them directly out of the jar! Most people eat pickled beets chilled or at room temperature. Here are some ways you can incorporate pickled beets into your diet: Serve pickled beets as a side dish sprinkled with a little feta cheese.

When should you throw out beets? ›

The beets will not spoil if left at cool room temperature for a few days, but they do best when refrigerated for up to 10 days. If they turn soft, discard them.

Why are my pickled beets too vinegary? ›

This recipe calls for 1/3 cup sugar— much less than a lot of pickled beet recipes. The sugar balances with the vinegar. Cutting back any further on the sugar will make the pickles taste too vinegary.

Why add vinegar to beets? ›

Beets are naturally sweet and earthy, making them a versatile vegetable to incorporate into your meals. By adding vinegar to the boiling process, you can elevate the flavors of beets and give them a delightful tangy kick. The vinegar helps balance the sweetness of the beets and brings out their natural richness.

Are Aunt Nellie's pickled beets good for you? ›

Aunt Nellie's Pickled Beets contain no fat, saturated fat or cholesterol; they are kosher and gluten-free.

How long does it take for a glass of beet juice to lower blood pressure? ›

However, a 2008 study stated that beet juice lowers blood pressure in about 3 hours. Research suggests that drinking beet juice daily for at least 60 days provides the most benefits, helping significantly improve hypertension.

Which beets are the healthiest? ›

Some research suggests that both types of beets may have anti-inflammatory properties and may help to reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Both types of beets are also rich in antioxidants, which may help to protect against cellular damage and support overall health.

How many pickled beets should you eat a day? ›

The oxalates found in beets can increase your uric acid level, meaning that too many beets can lead to gout. To avoid this, stick to no more than a single half-cup serving of beets per day.

What happens if I eat pickled beets everyday? ›

That said, there is evidence that eating pickled beets positively affects your health. The vinegar used to pickle beets might help with blood sugar management. Vinegar reduces blood sugar levels after meals. Some studies have shown that pickled beets may help protect against cancer.

What happens if you eat too much pickled food? ›

As a result, eating too many pickles may be risky for anyone with liver disease or kidney conditions. Diets high in sodium may increase your risk of gastric cancer. High salt intake may damage your stomach directly, leading to cancer, or it may lead to infections and ulcers that eventually become cancerous.

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