Vibrant and Nutritious Pickled Beets Recipe

Pickled beets are a delicious and nutritious snack or side dish. Here’s a simple recipe for making healthy pickled beets:

Ingredients:

• 4 medium beets, peeled and sliced (or cubed, if you prefer)
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup (you can adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon salt (preferably sea salt or kosher salt)
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or fresh thyme sprigs (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Beets:

• Place the beets in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20-30 minutes, until tender.
• Drain the beets and let them cool enough to handle. Peel the beets and slice them into your preferred shape (thin slices, cubes, etc.).

1. Prepare the Pickling Liquid:

• In a saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, honey or maple syrup, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the honey/syrup and salt.

1. Add Flavorings:

• Add the garlic, peppercorns, mustard seeds, thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pickling liquid. Simmer for about 5 minutes to let the flavors infuse.

1. Pack the Jars:

• Place the sliced beets into clean, sterilized jars. You can use one large jar or several smaller ones.

1. Pour the Brine:

• Carefully pour the hot pickling liquid over the beets, making sure they are completely covered. Leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each jar.

1. Seal and Cool:

• Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth to remove any residue. Seal the jars with lids.

1. Refrigerate:

• Allow the jars to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. The beets will be ready to eat in about 24 hours, but they’ll develop more flavor if you let them pickle for a few days.

Tips:

• Sterilizing Jars: To sterilize jars, place them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes or run them through a hot dishwasher cycle.
• Storage: Pickled beets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 months.