🥒💜 Pickled Beets: A Tangy Treat for the Whole Family

There’s something special about opening a jar of homemade pickled beets. The color alone—deep ruby red—feels like a little jar of treasure in your pantry. Around here, making pickled beets has become one of those simple joys that brings the whole family together.

Some of us love them straight out of the jar (yes, guilty 😋), while others prefer them sliced over salads or tucked into sandwiches for that sweet-tangy crunch. However you enjoy them, one thing is for sure: pickled beets never last long in this house!

🌿 Why We Love Beets

Beyond their bold flavor, beets are loaded with nutrition:

• 💖 Heart health: Beets are rich in nitrates, which can help support healthy blood pressure.

• 💪 Muscle power: Athletes love beets for their natural ability to boost endurance.

• 🌈 Antioxidants galore: That gorgeous red color comes from betalains, powerful compounds that help fight inflammation.

• 🧠 Brain booster: Some studies suggest beets may even support cognitive function.

• 🍽 Digestive friend: With plenty of fiber, beets help keep things moving smoothly.

And when you pickle them? You get the added bonus of probiotics (if fermented naturally) or at least a shelf-stable snack that makes veggies exciting for kids.

🥗 Family Time in the Kitchen

One of my favorite things about making pickled beets is that it turns into a family project. The kids help peel and slice (with supervision!), and everyone has fun sneaking a taste before they even make it into the jars. There’s just something about hands-on food prep that makes the meal feel more meaningful later.

🍴 The Recipe

Here’s where I’ll share our family’s favorite method for making pickled beets. It’s simple, tasty, and always a hit.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs fresh beets

• ½ cup apple cider vinegar

• ½ cup white vinegar

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 tbsp sugar

• 8 whole peppercorns

• 1 pinch cayenne pepper

• 1 pinch mustard seeds

• [Optional] crushed red pepper, to taste

• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

1. Cook the Beets

   • Place beets in a large pot of water and boil for 25–30 minutes, or until tender (a fork should pierce them easily).

   • Drain, let cool slightly, then peel and cut into small cubes or slices—whichever you prefer.

2. Prepare the Brine

   • In a saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar and white vinegar.

   • Add the salt and sugar, stirring until completely dissolved.

   • Mix in the peppercorns, cayenne, mustard seeds, and optional crushed red pepper.

3. Jar the Beets

   • Pack the beets into clean Mason jars.

   • Pour the hot brine over the beets, making sure they are fully covered.

   • Add a bay leaf to each jar.

4. Seal and Store

   • Seal the jars with lids and allow them to cool to room temperature.

   • Refrigerate for best flavor. Pickled beets are typically ready to enjoy after 24 hours, but the flavor deepens the longer they sit.

🌟 Serving Ideas

• Add them to a fresh green salad with goat cheese and walnuts.

• Toss into a grain bowl for color and tang.

• Serve as a quick side dish with roasted chicken or burgers.

• Or just hand a fork to your kids and watch them disappear from the jar!

💜 Final Thoughts

Pickled beets are proof that healthy food doesn’t have to be boring. With their sweet-tangy flavor, stunning color, and impressive nutritional profile, they’re a gift to your family’s table and a joy to make together. So grab some beets, round up your little helpers, and get pickling—you’ll thank yourself later when you open that jar of homemade goodness!