Pickled beets are a tangy, sweet, and earthy classic — perfect as a side, salad topper, or straight from the jar. They’re also surprisingly easy to make, whether you’re using fresh beets or pre-cooked ones.
Here’s a simple, old-fashioned pickled beet recipe — no canning equipment required (but I’ll mention that option too).
🥄 Easy Pickled Beets (Refrigerator Style)
Makes: About 2 quarts | Prep Time: 15 mins (plus cook time) | Chill Time: 24 hours for best flavor
🛒 Ingredients:
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2 lbs fresh beets, greens removed
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1 ½ cups apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
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¾ cup water
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¾ cup granulated sugar
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1 ½ tsp salt
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½ tsp ground allspice (or 4–5 whole allspice berries)
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½ tsp cloves (ground or 4–5 whole cloves)
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1 cinnamon stick (optional)
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½ red onion, thinly sliced (optional, but adds flavor and color contrast)
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Cook the Beets
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Scrub beets well, leaving skin and root ends intact.
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Place in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then simmer 30–45 minutes, or until fork-tender.
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Drain and cool. Slip off skins (they’ll come off easily) and slice or quarter the beets.
2. Make the Brine
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In a saucepan, combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and spices.
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Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat.
3. Pack the Jars
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Place sliced beets (and red onion, if using) in clean jars or containers.
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Pour hot brine over beets, making sure they’re fully covered.
4. Chill & Store
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Let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate.
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For best flavor, let sit 24–48 hours before eating.
🧊 Storage:
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Refrigerator pickles will keep for 2–3 weeks.
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For longer storage, you can water-bath can them using sterilized jars and lids — process in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes (adjust for altitude).
✅ Tips:
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Use golden beets or candy cane (Chioggia) beets for a colorful twist.
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Want them less sweet? Cut the sugar to ½ cup or even less.
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Add fresh dill, mustard seeds, or sliced garlic for extra layers of flavor.
Let me know if you want a spicy pickled beet variation or a no-sugar/keto-friendly version!
