Heart-Healthy Pickled Beets

Vibrant, tangy, and packed with nutrition, Heart-Healthy Pickled Beets are the perfect addition to your kitchen repertoire. This simple yet flavorful recipe combines tender, earthy beets with a perfectly balanced brine of apple cider vinegar, honey, and warm spices like bay leaf and cloves, creating a pickle that is as wholesome as it is delicious. Thinly sliced red onion adds a crisp texture and a pop of color, making these pickled beets not only heart-healthy but visually irresistible. Ready in under an hour (including prep and cook time) and requiring just 24 hours of refrigeration for the flavors to meld, they’re perfect as a gourmet snack, a topping for salads, or a tangy side dish. With its low-sodium brine and natural sweetness from honey, this recipe is ideal for those seeking a nutritious and flavorful option.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 medium-sized fresh beets
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 4 pieces whole cloves
• 1 small, thinly sliced red onion

Directions

Step 1

Begin by scrubbing the beets thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. Trim the tops and roots slightly, but do not peel them.

Step 2

Place the beets in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the beets are tender when pierced with a fork.

Step 3

While the beets are cooking, prepare the pickling brine. In a medium saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, honey, salt, black pepper, bay leaf, and cloves. Bring to a gentle simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the honey and salt. Once dissolved, remove the brine from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 4

Once the beets are cooked, drain them and allow them to cool until they can be handled safely. Using your hands or a clean towel, slip the skins off the beets. Slice the peeled beets into 1/4-inch thick slices.

Step 5

In a sterilized jar or glass container with a tight-fitting lid, layer the sliced beets with sliced red onions.

Step 6

Pour the warm brine over the beets and onions, ensuring they are fully submerged. Discard the bay leaf.

Step 7

Seal the jar and let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld. These pickled beets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Step 8

Serve chilled or at room temperature as a nutritious snack or a colorful addition to salads.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1454.6 grams (1454.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	581

Total Fat 1.90g	2%
Saturated Fat 0.00g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3023mg	131%
Total Carbohydrate 126.90g	46%
Dietary Fiber 25.30g	90%
Total Sugars 95.50g
Protein 14.70g	29%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 199mg	15%
Iron 8mg	44%
Potassium 3035mg	65%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2.9%

Protein: 10.1%

Carbs: 87.0%