If you are looking for a colorful, flavorful, and simple vegetable recipe, these Homemade Pickled Beets are the perfect recipe to make. They are tender, slightly sweet, tangy, earthy, and beautifully bright red.
This recipe is perfect for salads, sandwiches, dinner plates, appetizer trays, meal prep, holiday tables, barbecue sides, or anytime you want a refreshing homemade side dish.
The beets are cooked until tender, sliced, then soaked in a simple vinegar brine with sugar, salt, and warm spices. After chilling, they become flavorful, juicy, and delicious.
Serve these pickled beets cold with grilled meat, roasted chicken, sandwiches, cheese boards, rice bowls, or fresh greens.
Recipe Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recipe Name | Homemade Pickled Beets |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 45–60 minutes |
| Chill Time | 4 hours minimum |
| Total Time | About 5 hours |
| Servings | 6–8 |
| Course | Side Dish, Salad, Appetizer |
| Cuisine | Homemade Pickles |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Pickled Beets Recipe
These homemade pickled beets are easy, colorful, and full of flavor.
The beets are naturally sweet and earthy.
The vinegar gives them a bright tangy taste.
The sugar balances the acidity.
The spices add warmth and depth.
This recipe is also great for meal prep because the beets taste even better after sitting in the refrigerator.
You can make a jar and enjoy it throughout the week with many meals.
Ingredients
For the Beets
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fresh beets | 2 pounds |
| Water | Enough to boil |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
For the Pickling Brine
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar | 1 cup |
| Water | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | ½ cup |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Black peppercorns | ½ teaspoon |
| Whole cloves, optional | 3–4 |
| Mustard seeds, optional | ½ teaspoon |
| Bay leaf, optional | 1 |
| Cinnamon stick, optional | 1 small piece |
Optional Add-Ins
| Add-In | Amount |
|---|---|
| Thinly sliced red onion | ½ cup |
| Garlic cloves | 2 |
| Fresh dill | 2 tablespoons |
| Chili flakes | ¼ teaspoon |
| Lemon zest | ½ teaspoon |
Equipment Needed
You will need a large pot, cutting board, knife, saucepan, spoon, clean glass jar or container, gloves if desired, and a strainer.
Beets can stain hands and cutting boards, so gloves and a non-porous board are helpful.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Wash the Beets
Wash the beets very well under running water.
Scrub off any dirt.
Do not peel them before boiling.
Keeping the skins on while cooking helps protect the color and flavor.
Trim the stems, but leave about 1 inch attached.
Step 2: Cook the Beets
Place the beets in a large pot.
Cover with water and add salt.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce the heat and simmer for 45–60 minutes, depending on the size of the beets.
The beets are done when a knife slides easily into the center.
Step 3: Cool and Peel
Drain the cooked beets.
Let them cool until they are safe to handle.
Rub the skins off with your fingers or a paper towel.
The skins should slip off easily.
If some areas are stubborn, use a small knife.
Step 4: Slice the Beets
Slice the peeled beets into rounds, wedges, or cubes.
For a look like the picture, slice them into even round pieces.
Do not slice too thin because thicker slices hold their shape better in the brine.
Place the sliced beets into a clean glass jar or container.
Step 5: Make the Pickling Brine
In a saucepan, combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, peppercorns, cloves, mustard seeds, bay leaf, and cinnamon if using.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve.
Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
The brine should smell tangy, sweet, and lightly spiced.
Step 6: Pour Brine Over the Beets
Carefully pour the hot brine over the sliced beets.
Make sure the beets are fully covered.
If using onions, garlic, dill, or chili flakes, add them to the jar before pouring in the brine.
Let the jar cool at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes.
Step 7: Chill the Beets
Cover the jar or container tightly.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
For the best flavor, chill overnight.
The longer the beets sit, the more flavorful they become.
Step 8: Serve
Serve the pickled beets cold.
Use a clean fork or spoon each time you remove them from the jar.
They are delicious on salads, sandwiches, bowls, or as a simple side dish.
Pro Tips for Perfect Pickled Beets
Use fresh firm beets.
Do not peel before boiling.
Slice the beets evenly.
Use enough brine to cover all the beets.
Let the beets chill overnight for best flavor.
Use glass jars because beets can stain plastic.
Taste the brine and adjust sweetness if needed.
Add onions for extra flavor.
Keep refrigerated.
Use a clean spoon every time.
How to Make Pickled Beets Less Sweet
Some pickled beet recipes are very sweet.
If you prefer a tangier flavor, reduce the sugar to ¼ cup.
You can also add more vinegar and less water.
For a sharper taste, use white vinegar.
For a softer flavor, use apple cider vinegar.
Taste the brine before pouring it over the beets and adjust it to your preference.
Best Vinegar to Use
Different vinegars give different flavors.
| Vinegar Type | Flavor |
|---|---|
| Apple cider vinegar | Mild, fruity, slightly sweet |
| White vinegar | Sharp and classic |
| Red wine vinegar | Rich and bold |
| Rice vinegar | Softer and lighter |
| White wine vinegar | Clean and balanced |
Apple cider vinegar is one of the best choices because it pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of beets.
White vinegar gives a more traditional pickled flavor.
Delicious Variations
Classic Sweet Pickled Beets
Use vinegar, water, sugar, salt, cloves, and cinnamon.
This version tastes old-fashioned and slightly sweet.
Garlic Pickled Beets
Add 2–3 garlic cloves to the jar.
The garlic gives the beets a savory flavor.
Pickled Beets with Onions
Add thinly sliced red onion.
The onion becomes tangy and delicious in the beet brine.
Spicy Pickled Beets
Add chili flakes or sliced jalapeños.
This gives the beets a warm spicy kick.
Dill Pickled Beets
Add fresh dill to the jar.
This gives the beets a fresh herb flavor.
Honey Pickled Beets
Replace sugar with honey.
This gives the brine a softer natural sweetness.
What to Serve with Homemade Pickled Beets
Pickled beets are very versatile.
Great serving ideas include:
- Green salad
- Goat cheese
- Feta cheese
- Grilled chicken
- Roast beef
- Burgers
- Sandwiches
- Rice bowls
- Potato salad
- Tuna salad
- Deviled eggs
- Charcuterie boards
- Roasted vegetables
- Lentils
- Beans
- Crusty bread
For a simple salad, serve pickled beets with arugula, feta cheese, walnuts, and a little olive oil.
For a dinner plate, serve them beside roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, or grilled meat.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Pickled beets are perfect for making ahead.
In fact, they taste better after chilling overnight.
You can prepare them 1–2 days before serving.
Keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to use.
The flavor becomes deeper as the beets absorb the brine.
Storage
Store homemade pickled beets in a clean airtight glass jar in the refrigerator.
They will keep well for up to 2 weeks.
Make sure the beets stay covered with brine.
Use a clean utensil every time to keep the jar fresh longer.
Important Note About Canning
This recipe is for refrigerator pickled beets.
It is not written as a shelf-stable canning recipe.
If you want to can pickled beets for pantry storage, use a tested canning recipe with proper vinegar acidity, jar preparation, and processing time.
For this version, keep the beets refrigerated.
Freezing
Freezing pickled beets is not recommended for the best texture.
The beets can become softer after thawing.
If you still want to freeze them, place them in freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw in the refrigerator and use in salads or cooked dishes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Peeling Beets Before Cooking
Cooking beets with the skin on helps protect their color and flavor.
Peel after boiling.
Not Cooking Beets Long Enough
Hard beets will not absorb the brine well.
Cook until fork-tender.
Slicing Too Thin
Very thin slices can become too soft.
Use medium slices for the best texture.
Not Covering with Brine
The beets should be fully covered.
This helps them pickle evenly.
Eating Too Soon
Pickled beets need time to absorb flavor.
Chill at least 4 hours, but overnight is best.
Nutrition Estimate
| Serving | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 60–110 |
| Protein | 1–2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14–25 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 2–4 g |
| Sodium | 250–450 mg |
| Serving Size | ½ cup |
Nutrition values are approximate and will vary depending on sugar, vinegar, and serving size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned beets?
Yes.
Drain canned beets and pour the hot brine over them.
This is a faster version, but fresh beets have better texture.
Do I have to peel the beets?
Yes, but peel them after cooking.
The skins slip off easily once the beets are tender.
Can I make pickled beets without sugar?
Yes.
You can reduce or remove the sugar, but the flavor will be sharper.
A small amount of sweetener balances the vinegar.
How long should pickled beets sit before eating?
At least 4 hours.
Overnight gives the best flavor.
Can I add onions?
Yes.
Red onions are delicious with pickled beets.
They become sweet, tangy, and colorful.
What spices go well with pickled beets?
Cloves, cinnamon, mustard seeds, peppercorns, bay leaves, dill, and garlic all work well.
Are these pickled beets shelf-stable?
No.
This is a refrigerator recipe.
Keep them chilled.
Can I reuse the brine?
It is best not to reuse brine for a new batch.
The flavor and acidity change after the first use.
Why are my pickled beets too sour?
The brine may have too much vinegar or not enough sugar.
Add a little more sugar next time.
Why are my beets too soft?
They may have been boiled too long or sliced too thin.
Cook until tender, not mushy.
Final Thoughts
These Homemade Pickled Beets are bright, tangy, sweet, and full of fresh homemade flavor. They are simple to make, beautiful to serve, and perfect for adding color and taste to many meals.
The tender beet slices soak in a flavorful vinegar brine until they become juicy, zesty, and delicious.
Serve them chilled with salads, sandwiches, grilled meats, cheese plates, or simple family dinners, and enjoy a homemade pickled beet recipe that is easy, colorful, and satisfying.