How to Store Beets So They Don’t Get Mushy
Behold, tips for keeping beets fresh for longer.
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Fact checked by Haley Mades
Beets are a sweet, earthy root vegetable with a vibrantly colored interior—most often purplish-red. While not always a fan favorite, beets are delicious when prepared properly, and make for a beautiful, healthful addition to salads, sandwiches, and dressings. If stored correctly, beets can last for a long time, so they’re a great vegetable to buy in advance for your future self. Keep reading to learn how to store beets to keep them fresh for as long as possible.
Related:How to Store Avocados So They Stay Fresh for as Long as Possible
How to Store Whole Beets
To properly store whole beets, begin by chopping off all but a stub of the beets’ greens, keeping the bulb intact. Discard the extra beet greens, or save them to sauté in garlic and olive oil for a simple side dish. It’s best to keep the skin on, which protects the interior and keeps the beet fresh for longer. Avoid washing the beets, no matter how ruddy they are, as the moisture will cause them to rot more quickly.
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.
How to Store Cut Beets
The best way to store cut beets is in a container lined with a moist paper towel in the refrigerator. With this method, cut beets will last for around five days, giving you plenty of time to add them to a salad, dip, or smoothie.
Related:The 30 Healthiest Foods to Eat Every Day
Can You Freeze Beets?
Raw beets are prone to sogginess when frozen and thawed, so it’s best to cook the beets first if you plan on freezing them.
To freeze beets, we suggest boiling them for around 25 minutes, or until they are easily pierced with a knife, then transferring them to an ice-water bath to cool.
Once the beets have cooled, remove them from the water and slice them in whatever shape and size you desire. Then, spread them on a baking sheet.
Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour, or until the beets are frozen solid. Transfer the beets to a freezer bag.
Related:How to Store Potatoes So They Won't Sprout
Frozen cooked beets will last for about a year. While we don’t suggest tossing thawed beets in a salad or sandwich, they will work well in a dip or smoothie.
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