What to Do with Beet Green (Recipes+Tips)

Wondering What to Do with Beet Greens? This comprehensive guide includes easy-to-follow cooking methods and delicious recipes to make the most of this underrated ingredient.

Ah, beet greens – a leafy vegetable often overlooked. Well, it turns out they’re a nutritional goldmine with a whole world of culinary potential, and that’s what this article is all about!

Read on and discover creative and delicious ways to breathe new life into your beet greens – and fight food waste in the process!

What are Beet Greens?

First, a brief on beet greens.

Beet greens, AKA beet leaves, are the slightly bitter, leafy green tops that grow above the beetroot itself.

While they may not be as commonly consumed as other leafy greens like spinach and kale, beet greens are just as versatile.

In addition to their versatility, beet greens are a fantastic source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and K, and essential minerals like iron, potassium, and calcium.

How to Cook Beet Greens

Don’t toss those greens aside next time you’re prepping fresh beets. Experiment with these simple cooking techniques and find your favorite way to cook beet greens:

Sauteed

If you enjoy sauteed kale, you’ll love sauteed beet greens.

Simply heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then add the chopped stems and let them soften a bit before adding the leaves. Continue cooking until the leaves are wilted. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice if you like.

Steamed

To make steamed beet greens, boil a pot of water and place a steamer basket or colander over the pot.

Add the chopped beet greens to the steamer basket, cover with a lid, and steam until wilted and tender. Once steamed, remove the beet greens from the heat and season with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil or a splash of lemon juice.

Roasted 

Toss the leaves and stems with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast in a 375°F preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the edges are crispy and slightly browned.

Serve as a tasty and nutritious side dish or snack.

Dehydrated 

To dehydrate your beet greens, blanch them for 1-2 minutes to preserve color and nutrients, then spread the greens in a single layer on dehydrator trays and dry until crisp and brittle.

Once fully dehydrated, let them cool and keep stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place and enjoy them as a tasty snack or add to salads.

Cooking with Beet Greens

While cooked beet greens are an excellent standalone healthy side, they also serve as a versatile ingredient in other recipes:

• Spinach or kale substitute: The leafy beet greens can be a fantastic substitute in many recipes. While they have a slightly different flavor profile and texture, they’re often interchangeable. For instance, you can use them in salads, stir-fries, pasta dishes, and more. The possibilities are endless!
• Soup ingredient: Beet greens are a fantastic addition to soups, adding flavor and nutritional value. Add them to your soup towards the end of cooking and let simmer until tender and wilted.

Here are healthy soup recipes you can add beet greens to:

• Mushroom Barley Soup
• Greek Lentil Soup
• Barley Vegetable Soup
• Quinoa Vegetable Soup
• Italian Minestrone Soup

Additional Recipes

• Aloo Beet Greens Sabzi
• Beet Greens Dal
• Teff Idli with Beet Greens

What to Do with Raw Beet Greens

If you don’t feel like cooking, don’t! Here are ways to enjoy those tasty beet greens from farm to table!

Fresh Salads

The tender, small leaves from freshly harvested beets have a slightly bitter flavor and crisp-tender texture that is perfect for any salad. However, the larger, more mature leaves may be too tough and fibrous for salad consumption.

Try adding raw chopped beet leaves to these salad recipes:

• Kale and Beet Salad
• Red Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Fresh Herbs
• Mixed Greens Salad with Roasted Veggies
• Beet Greens Salad Recipe

Grain Salads

Toss raw beet greens with cooked grains like rice, quinoa, bulgur, or farro for a hearty and colorful grain bowl. Or, add the greens to any of these healthy grain salad recipes:

• Quinoa and Kale Salad
• Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
• Bulgur Salad

Smoothies

Start your day off right with a nutrient-packed beet green smoothie!

When blended with ingredients like banana and frozen berries, the fruit’s sweetness balances out the greens’ slightly bitter flavor, resulting in a refreshing, frothy beverage.

Try beet greens and stems in these delicious smoothies:

• Blueberry Kale Smoothie
• Beet Greens and Pineapple Smoothie
• Chocolate Banana Smoothie

More Recipe Ideas

• Pickled beet stems: If you’re wondering what to do with beet stems and feeling innovative, why not transform them into tangy pickles? It’s easy. Trim and cut the stems into small pieces, then pack them into a jar with vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and your favorite pickling spices. Let them sit in the fridge for a few days to develop flavor, then enjoy them as a crunchy and delicious snack or garnish.
• Beet green pesto: You’re probably familiar with traditional basil pesto, but beet green pesto is where it’s at! Blend beet greens, toasted pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and olive oil until smooth and creamy. Use it as a spread on sandwiches, a topping for grilled or roasted vegetables, or a sauce for pasta or spaghetti squash.
• Beet green quiche: Whip up a savory quiche for any meal of the day. Line a pie crust with cooked sautéed beet greens, crumbled feta (or your preferred cheese), and beaten eggs mixed with milk or cream. Bake until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. Alternatively, try incorporating the cooked beet greens into baked eggs or a frittata.
• Phyllo dough filling: Lay out sheets of phyllo dough and cut them into triangles. Place a spoonful of the sautéed chopped beetroot greens onto each and top with crumbled feta, then fold them over, brush the tops with melted butter, and bake in the oven until golden and crispy for a delicious appetizer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now It’s Your Turn

I hope you found this article helpful!

Do you like beet greens? Do you use them in cooking? Please share your favorite ways to include beet greens in your diet in the comments below.