Beets might not be the first vegetable you think of when you think of freezing foods. But, learning how to freeze beets is very easy and is a delicious way to preserve this earthy vegetable. Frozen beets are a great way to meal prep and to have a few different ways to incorporate beets in your meals ready to go in your freezer.
You can decide which form to freeze beets depending on how you want to use them in the future. For more versatility and freedom, you may want to freeze the beets plain without adding any sort of seasoning. However, if you want a batch of frozen beets that are ready to be used as a side, go ahead and roast them before you freeze them. This blog post shares some different ways you can try freezing your beets.
Before you go about freezing your beets, the beets you are freezing must be of the best possible quality. Because you will be freezing the beets for months to come, you want to make sure they are of top quality. Here are a few quick tips to help you buy the perfect beets.
Now that your beets are bought, it’s time to prepare them for freezing. Because your beets grow underground, you must clean them thoroughly to ensure you are getting rid of all dirt and residual pesticides.
Start by chopping off the beet tops, leaving about 2 – 3 inches of the tops intact. Also, leave the root end of the beet intact for now; leaving the top and root end attached to the beet help to prevent some of the colors from bleeding when you cook them.
Next, take a bowl of water and soak the beets for a few minutes to dislodge any dirt that may be stuck on them. Use a gentle vegetable scrubber to clean the beets thoroughly before rinsing them off with cold water.
These beets will easily last in your freezer for 9 – 12 months and can be used in all the recipes where you would otherwise use fresh beets. You can also add these frozen beets straight to the blender to make a delicious smoothie!
To use your frozen beets, simply heat them up for about 20 minutes in the oven with your favorite seasoning. Your roasted and frozen beets should easily last you for 6 – 9 months in the freezer.
While it is possible to freeze your beets without blanching, the end product is often mealy and grainy, which is not desirable, and this is why it is recommended to cook the beets in some way before freezing.
If frozen and stored correctly, your beets should last you for a long time. However, if you notice any traces of mold, or there is an off-smell emanating from your beets, they have probably turned, and it is best to discard them immediately.
Freezing beets is a great way to preserve a great vegetable to have them last you throughout the year. Freezing your beets is also a great way to introduce meal prep into your routine, giving you some quick options for sides for your meals. So the next time you are at the grocery store, don’t hesitate to pick up an extra bag of beets to try freezing them!
You might also find some of our other freezing guides insightful, which you can find here.
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