Zesty Spicy Pickled Beets
Elevate your culinary experience with these Zesty Spicy Pickled Beets, a delightful condiment that pairs well with salads, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards. This recipe combines the earthy sweetness of beets with aromatic spices and a tangy vinegar brine, perfect for those who love a kick in their pickled foods. The vibrant colors and bold flavors of this easy-to-make preserve will brighten up any dish. Share your jar with friends and watch as they devour this tangy, spicy delight! Preserving has never been more flavorful.
4
Servings
500
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Beets
4 lbs (Trimmed and peeled)
Yellow Onions
3 cups (Thinly sliced)
White Sugar
2 cups (N/A)
Cinnamon Sticks
12 inches (Broken into pieces)
Mustard Seeds
1 tablespoon (N/A)
Whole Allspice
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Whole Cloves
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Salt
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Cider Vinegar
2 1/2 cups (N/A)
Water
1 1/2 cups (N/A)
Instructions
1
Select beets no larger than 1.5 inches in diameter for optimal tenderness.
2
Thoroughly wash and drain the beets, leaving 2 inches of stems and the tap root intact.
3
In a large nonreactive saucepan, place the beets and cover them with boiling water.
4
Cook the beets until they are tender, approximately 12-15 minutes.
5
Once cooked, drain the beets and let them cool slightly before removing the skins and trimming the ends.
6
In a separate large nonreactive pot, combine sliced onions, sugar, cinnamon sticks, mustard seeds, allspice, cloves, salt, cider vinegar, and water.
7
Bring the mixture to a full boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8
Add the peeled beets to the pot and heat them through, ensuring they absorb the flavors.
9
Carefully remove the cinnamon sticks from the mixture.
10
Pack the hot spiced beets into hot, sterile jars, leaving a 1/4 inch headspace.
11
Ladle the hot pickling brine over the beets, again leaving a 1/4 inch headspace.
12
To remove air bubbles, use a non-metallic utensil to gently stir the contents of the jar.
13
Wipe the rims of the jars to remove any residues and adjust the two-piece caps.
14
Process the filled jars in a boiling water bath canner for 30 minutes to ensure proper sealing and preservation.
Nutrition Information
1.25g
Fat
112.5g
Carbs
3.75g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Spicy Pickled Beets?
They are a tangy, spicy condiment combining earthy beets with aromatic spices and a cider vinegar brine.
What size beets should I use for this recipe?
Select beets no larger than 1.5 inches in diameter to ensure optimal tenderness.
How should I prepare the beets for boiling?
Thoroughly wash and drain the beets, leaving 2 inches of stems and the tap root intact to prevent bleeding.
How long do I cook the beets initially?
Cook the beets in boiling water for approximately 12-15 minutes until they are tender.
When do I remove the beet skins?
Drain the beets and let them cool slightly before removing the skins and trimming the ends.
What type of pot is best for this recipe?
Use a large nonreactive saucepan or pot for both boiling the beets and preparing the pickling brine.
What are the main ingredients in the pickling brine?
The brine consists of sliced onions, sugar, cinnamon sticks, mustard seeds, allspice, cloves, salt, cider vinegar, and water.
How long should the brine simmer?
After bringing the mixture to a full boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
Do I need to heat the beets in the brine?
Yes, add the peeled beets to the pot and heat them through to ensure they absorb the flavors before jarring.
Should I leave the cinnamon sticks in the jars?
No, you should carefully remove the cinnamon sticks from the mixture before packing the beets into jars.
What is the required headspace for canning the beets?
Leave a 1/4 inch headspace when packing the beets and when ladling the hot pickling brine over them.
How do I remove air bubbles from the jars?
Use a non-metallic utensil to gently stir the contents of the jar to release any trapped air bubbles.
Why is it important to wipe the jar rims?
Wiping the rims removes residues that could prevent the two-piece caps from sealing properly.
How long do I process the jars in a water bath?
Process the filled jars in a boiling water bath canner for 30 minutes to ensure preservation.
What type of vinegar is used in this recipe?
This recipe specifically calls for 2 1/2 cups of cider vinegar.
What kind of onions are used?
The recipe requires 3 cups of thinly sliced yellow onions.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains 500 calories.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 cups of white sugar.
What spices are included for the spicy flavor?
The spice profile includes cinnamon sticks, mustard seeds, whole allspice, and whole cloves.
What can I serve with pickled beets?
They pair excellently with salads, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to yield approximately 4 servings.
What is the total carbohydrate content?
There are 112.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much salt is used in the brine?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 3.75g of protein.
How many pounds of beets are needed?
You will need 4 pounds of beets that have been trimmed and peeled.
What is the fat content of this dish?
The fat content is very low at 1.25g per serving.
What is the recipe category?
This recipe is categorized under Vegetable dishes.
Is water added to the vinegar brine?
Yes, 1 1/2 cups of water are added to the cider vinegar and spice mixture.
How much mustard seed is required?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of mustard seeds.
What is the primary preparation for the beets?
The beets should be boiled, peeled, and then heated through in a spiced vinegar brine before canning.