How to Store Beets So They Don’t Get Mushy (2024)

FAQs

How to Store Beets So They Don’t Get Mushy? ›

Store whole beets in the cool, dry environment of your crisper drawer. No need to place them in a plastic bag or other container first, which would inhibit ventilation. Stored like this in the refrigerator, beets can last for up to two months.

So store them loose, in the crisper drawer, where they'll keep for two to three weeks. Wrapping them loosely with dry paper towels can prolong freshness, or just try lining the floor of your crisper drawer with clean paper towels. And avoid the temptation to wash your beets before you refrigerate them.

Got soft beets, carrots, potatoes, radishes, or other root vegetables? Rehydrate your roots to bring them back to life. Simply soak them in water overnight and they should be as firm as new.

Prepare the beets by cooking them with ½ inch of their stem intact to minimize color bleed; then, cool them in cold water and remove the stems, taproot, and skin. Next, cut the beets into slices or cubes, package them into freezer bags or containers with a ½-inch headspace, and freeze.

Beets will last a few days on the counter, at most five. In the fridge, beets will last about ten days. It's easy to tell if your beets are starting to go bad with a quick squeeze. Fresh beets are firm, so if they start to feel soft, use them asap or toss them.

Look for firm, rounded vegetables with smooth skins and no noticeable bruising. Fresh beets, sold in bunches, should have the greens attached and 1 to 2 inches of root end, which looks like a tail. Do not buy beets with wilted, browning leaves—the leafy greens indicate the freshness of the beets.

Once the frost moves inside the beet, it damages the cell walls. I'm afraid once your frozen beets thaw, you're going to have something pretty mushy and grainy. You can freeze beets, but it's best to cook them first.

Fresh beet roots will be nearly rock hard. They soften as they age, so if they feel a bit soft, they are past their prime. As with all root vegetables, you should remove the greens right away to lengthen the life of the roots.

If their tops are removed, look for beets with tight, firm skins. You should not be able to squish them at all.

How do you store beets in the summer? ›

Beets will keep in the refrigerator for 1 to 3 months. If there is no room in the refrigerator, beets can also be packed in a container—a bucket or plastic storage box, or cooler–in moist sand or sawdust.

Store beets in a refrigerator-friendly bag and remove excess air before sealing (a vacuum-sealed bag works well!) Store in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, pulling out the beets as you're ready to use them. Make sure to check on them and remove any spoiled beets periodically.

Slice the beets (about 1/4-inch thickness), cut in quarters, or dice. Leave small (1-inch) beets whole, if desired. Pack the beets into freezer containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, label with the name and date, and freeze for up to 8 months.

Raw beets can also be frozen, but they may not last as long or retain the same quality as cooked beets. If you want to freeze them raw, I recommend at least blanching them for a few minutes to help preserve quality, nutrition, and texture.

To enjoy them at their best and freshest, store your pickled beets in the refrigerator and plan to use them within a maximum of three months, or ideally within several weeks. Always keep an eye out for signs they've passed their prime before that though.

You can even enjoy them raw, either sliced thinly or grated. Choose beets that feel heavy for their size with fresh, unwilted green leafy tops still attached, if possible. Because dietary nitrates are water-soluble, it's best to avoid boiling beets if you'd like to maximize their nitrate content.

To revive root vegetables such as beets, carrots, potatoes, and radishes, or limp celery, asparagus or broccoli, simply trim the ends and soak the veggies in a glass bowl or mason jar of ice cold water for a few hours or overnight and the veggies will rehydrate and be crisp again.

Harvesting beets

It's tempting to wait too long before harvest because the tops look so lush and healthy, but harvesting at optimal size will avoid the toughness beets develop as they approach the 3-inch size. Nothing turns a kid off more than tough, chewy beets at dinner time!