Sweet and Spicy Pickled Beets
Elevate your taste buds with these Sweet and Spicy Pickled Beets! This delightful recipe transforms ordinary beets into a vibrant, tangy-sweet side dish that pairs perfectly with salads, sandwiches, or as an appetizer. With a beautiful balance of sugar and vinegar, complemented by warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, these pickled beets will become a staple in your pantry. Ideal for canning, this recipe yields 6 pint jars, making it perfect for sharing or enjoyment throughout the year. Embrace the earthy flavor of beets while adding a pop of color to your table!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
small beets
35-40 (unpeeled)
sugar
2 (cups)
water
2 (cups)
white vinegar
2 (cups)
ground cloves
1 (teaspoon)
allspice
1 (teaspoon)
cinnamon
1 (tablespoon)
whole cloves
1 (teaspoon)
Instructions
1
Start by washing the small beets thoroughly. Place them in a large pot, cover with water, and cook until they are fork-tender—this usually takes about 30-45 minutes. Be cautious not to overcook them as this can lead to mushy beets.
2
Once cooked, drain the beets and allow them to cool until manageable. Gently remove the skins by rubbing them with your fingers or using a paper towel.
3
Slice the peeled beets into 1/4-inch thick slices or cut them into cubes, depending on your preference.
4
Carefully pack the sliced or cubed beets snugly into sterilized canning jars, making sure not to bruise them.
5
In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, water, white vinegar, ground cloves, allspice, cinnamon, and whole cloves. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, ensuring that all the sugar is dissolved.
6
Quickly ladle the hot vinegar mixture over the packed beets in the jars, leaving 3/4-inch of headspace to allow for expansion during processing.
7
Seal the jars with sterilized lids and process them in a boiling water bath for 12 minutes to create a proper seal.
8
After processing, remove the jars from the water bath and let them cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, check that the lids have sealed properly by pressing down in the center of each lid—there should be no give.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sweet and Spicy Pickled Beets?
Sweet and Spicy Pickled Beets are a vibrant, tangy-sweet side dish made from small beets preserved in a brine of sugar, vinegar, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves.
How many beets do I need for this recipe?
This recipe requires approximately 35 to 40 small beets.
How long does it take to cook the beets?
The beets should be boiled for about 30 to 45 minutes until they are fork-tender.
Should I peel the beets before boiling them?
No, the beets should be washed thoroughly and boiled unpeeled. The skins are removed after they have been cooked.
How do I easily remove the skins from the beets?
Once the beets are cooked and cooled, you can gently rub the skins off with your fingers or use a paper towel.
What is the recommended thickness for slicing the beets?
It is recommended to slice the peeled beets into 1/4-inch thick slices.
Can I cube the beets instead of slicing them?
Yes, you can cut the beets into cubes instead of slices depending on your personal preference.
What ingredients are in the pickling brine?
The brine is made from a combination of sugar, water, white vinegar, ground cloves, allspice, cinnamon, and whole cloves.
How long should the vinegar mixture simmer?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to ensure all the sugar is dissolved.
How much headspace should I leave in the jars?
You should leave 3/4-inch of headspace in each jar to allow for expansion during the canning process.
How many jars does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 6 pint jars of pickled beets.
What is the processing time for the water bath?
The jars should be processed in a boiling water bath for 12 minutes to ensure a proper seal.
How do I know if the jars have sealed properly?
Once cooled, press down in the center of the lid; if there is no give or popping sound, the jar is properly sealed.
What spices give the beets their spicy profile?
The warmth and spice come from a blend of ground cloves, whole cloves, allspice, and cinnamon.
Can I use large beets for this recipe?
While the recipe specifies small beets for tenderness and jar fit, larger beets can be used if they are sliced or cubed appropriately.
What kind of vinegar is used for these pickled beets?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of white vinegar.
How should I pack the beets into the jars?
Pack the sliced or cubed beets snugly into sterilized canning jars, being careful not to bruise them.
Do I need to sterilize the lids before sealing?
Yes, you should use sterilized lids to ensure food safety and a proper seal.
What should I do if the beets are overcooked?
Overcooking can lead to mushy beets, so it is important to check them at the 30-minute mark to ensure they remain fork-tender.
What are some serving suggestions for pickled beets?
They are excellent in salads, sandwiches, as a side dish, or as a healthy snack/appetizer.
Is this recipe suitable for long-term storage?
Yes, because these are processed in a water bath, they are designed for canning and can be stored in your pantry.
How should I cool the jars after processing?
Remove the jars from the water bath and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
What is the primary flavor profile of this recipe?
The profile is a balance of earthy beet flavor, tangy vinegar, sweet sugar, and warm aromatic spices.
Can I use this recipe for other vegetables?
While specifically designed for beets, this sweet and spicy brine is a classic vegetable preservation liquid.
Is it necessary to stir the brine while boiling?
Yes, you should stir occasionally while bringing it to a boil to help the sugar dissolve.
What equipment is needed for this recipe?
You will need a large pot for boiling beets, a large saucepan for the brine, 6 pint jars with lids, and a water bath canner.
Why do I need to leave headspace in the jars?
Headspace allows for the contents to expand during the boiling water bath process without breaking the seal.
Can I eat these immediately after making them?
Yes, but the flavors usually develop and improve if the beets are allowed to sit in the brine for a few days.
Are these beets gluten-free?
Yes, the ingredients listed—beets, sugar, vinegar, and spices—are naturally gluten-free.
Is there a specific way to wash the beets?
Wash them thoroughly to remove all dirt, as they are root vegetables, before placing them in the cooking pot.