With this fermented beets recipe, you get the best of both worlds: delicious pickled beets flavor with probiotic benefits.
Fermented beets recipe
Fermented beets are one of our favorite probiotic foods, along with pickles and relish. This fermented beets recipe is mild and tangy, and is a great introduction to ferments.
Fermented foods have so many benefits to the human body – especially beets.
Some other of our favorite fermented foods are this fermented carrots recipe, easy kimchi recipe, and these fermented cranberries.
Ready to make your own fermented beets recipe? Keep scrolling…
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What is fermentation?
Technically speaking, fermentation is the chemical breakdown of a substance with the use of bacteria and microorganisms.
fermentation is used to make sourdough bread, alcoholic drinks, as well as foods like this fermented beets recipe.
There are plenty of benefits to adding fermented foods into your diet. To learn all about the benefits of fermented beets (including why you should add them to your diet, keep reading…
Naturally fermented beets
Beets are powerhouses of nutrition, and they’re powerful cleansers (source). I find that almost anyone enjoys them pickled.
When they’re naturally fermented, you get the flavor that comes with a pickled beet recipe, and beneficial bacteria.
Ingredients and supplies
I recommend using organic beets for the best nutrition. Also, I find that conventional produce has a tendency to mold more easily when fermented, while organic produce doesn’t mold so easily. Homegrown beets are the absolute best.
My favorite salt for fermenting is Celtic sea salt. This is a high quality mineral salt that adds a lot of flavor and nutrients.
I like to make this recipe in quart mason jars. You can use regular metal canning lids. Or, if you’re in the market for fermentation lids, check out my fermentation lids review here.
How to make fermented beets
If you have a few minutes to throw everything together, you can have fermented beets in a few days!
I love how simple and delicious this meal is. Ready to make it yourself? Keep reading for the fermented beets recipe…
Ingredients:
- About 12 medium organic beets, tops removed
- 2 TBSP mineral salt
- A few cardamom seed pods (optional, or other flavoring ingredients; see ideas below)
- Filtered water
Instructions:
- Bake the beets at 300 degrees in oven for three hours.
- Once the beets have cooled, slice them to about 1/4 inch thickness. (Don’t cut beets too small, or they will ferment too quickly, which can produce alcohol – not the kind of ferment we’re going for.)
- Put beets in quart mason jar.
- Add 2 TBSP mineral salt and spices or other flavoring ingredients, if using.
- Fill jar to shoulder with filtered water. Make sure beets stay submerged. Use a fermentation weight if desired.
- Put metal canning ring lid on jar tightly, or use another type of fermentation lid.
- Let beets ferment at room temperature for about 3 days, then move to refrigerator.
What are some of the flavors you can use?
You can keep the beets plain, or you can add a variety of different spices for spiced fermented beets. Just one of these ingredients is great, or you can combine two or three for fun flavor combinations. Here are some ideas:
- Cardamom pods
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Orange
- Garlic
- Dill
- Cumin
- Basil
You can also ferment beets along with other good fermenting vegetables, like carrots and cabbage.
Fermented beets with ginger
While it is optional, if you are adding fermented beets into your diet for the digestive benefits, then feel free to add in some ginger root during the fermentation process.
Not only will it add some extra spice to your snack, but ginger provides lots of great anti inflammatory and digestive benefits.
Spiralized fermented beets
Since it’s best to not have the pieces of beet too small, I don’t recommend spiralizing beets for fermentation. If the beets are cut too small, they can ferment too quickly, which leads to alcohol creation. That’s not the kind of fermenting we’re after here!
Fermented beets benefits
Are fermented beets good for you? There are some great health benefits from fermented beets. Like I mentioned above, beets have many wonderful nutrients.
They are powerhouses of vitamins and minerals. When you ferment them, their nutritional benefits multiply so that you get even more.
Like with other fermented vegetables, there are even more benefits of beetroot and beetroot juice when the beets are fermented. Fermentation makes nutrients more available, and more abundant.
Another way I like to enjoy fermented beet benefits is by making fermented beet kvass.
Are pickled beets the same as fermented beets?
While the taste difference between canned and pickled beets isn’t much different, the health benefits between the two are worlds apart.
Canned pickled beets don’t have the living, beneficial bacteria that fermented beets have. The high temperatures from canning don’t allow probiotic bacteria to live.
When cooked fermented beets are allowed to sit at room temperature, beneficial bacteria multiplies, creating wonderful flavor, and lots of probiotic goodness.
Take it from me – you (and your stomach!) won’t regret making fermented beets.
How to properly store fermented beets
After the fermentation at room temperature is complete, move the beets to a cool location, such as the refrigerator. This will slow down the fermentation.
How long do fermented beets last?
If you keep them submerged and in the refrigerator, homemade fermented beets last a long time. I’ve had them in my refrigerator for months.
I like growing a bunch of beets in my garden each year and fermenting them to preserve them through the winter.
What do fermented beets taste like?
Fermented beets taste tangy, in a mild way. They’re not as sour as sauerkraut, for example, but they do have a nice zesty flavor. Their mildness makes them a great choice for someone who is new to fermented foods.
With the mild flavor and fun color, I love that I can give this snack to my kids at almost any time and they will gobble it up.
More easy fermentation recipes
What is your favorite way to eat beets?
Have you tried fermenting them? What spices do you like to use? Share in the comments!
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With this fermented beets recipe, you get the best of both worlds: delicious pickled beets flavor with probiotic benefits. Fermented Beets
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 23Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1202mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 1g
