Beets are one of the great plants packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber which are beneficial to your body. There are many ways of storing beets when raw or after being cooked.
Beets can be stored fresh, in the fridge, canned, in a jar, or frozen. They will have the longest shelf life if frozen, but if you know how to store beets properly in the refrigerator, they can last up to 14 days.
Beets are nutritious and versatile veggies packed with antioxidants that you can easily store in your fridge. It’s very easy to store beets in the fridge but you have to first select the right ones to retain their freshness.
How to select beets for storage
When getting your beets from the farmers market, grocery store, or from the soil in your own garden, get fresh ones with their greens still attached. This is the best indication of freshness.
Choose beets that are small and firm and those that have a deep maroon color and unblemished skin and a taproot still attached.
Avoid soft beets because it’s a sign that they’re spoiled. Pick any beet that is firm. Avoid large beets with hairy taproot which is an indication of the age and toughness. Any beetroot that is larger than 2-inches has a woody center and is very tough. Smaller beets are much sweeter and more tender.
How to store fresh beets
After harvesting beets, the right storage is crucial to prevent them from rotting. Gently rub off the soil but don’t wash them from the roots before storing them since this encourages rot. The damaged and bruised beets should be eaten immediately after harvesting.
How to store beets from the garden
You can store fresh beets (or any root vegetables) in peat moss or sand as an insulation measure to help them last longer. Make sure to wipe excess soil from them after pulling them from the garden.
- Spread 2-3 inches of moist peat moss or sand on the bottom of a large, sturdy cardboard box or wooden container.
- Spread a single layer of the beets over the moss, and cover them with an additional 2-3 inch layer of the moist peat moss or sand.
Source: How to Store Root Vegetables in Peat Moss
The best place to store beets is cold and dry with near freezing temperatures.
Don’t pack them tightly and avoid them touching because they will start to rot. then place a 2-inch insulating material at the top, sides, and bottom. Loosely seal the top to allow air circulation then place the container in your shed, basement, or ideally, a root cellar.
Proper storage for beetroot is an important process to keep them fresh the longest. You can keep beets and store them when raw, cooked, or pickled.
How do you store fresh beet greens?
After cutting off the beet greens, wash and shake to remove excess water, then wrap them in a paper towel and store them in airtight plastic bags. Beet greens can stay fresh for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
Should you wash beets before storing?
You don’t need to wash beets if storing them in the fridge to prevent them from spoiling quickly. If you want to freeze them you can wash them and remove the stem but leave only 2 inches to avoid bleeding.
How to Store Beets for Winter
According to Taste of Home, you can store beets or any root vegetables by alternating layers of newspapers and the veggie until it reaches 6-8 inches high.
Keep them in a dry and dark storage area (like root cellar, basement, garage or shed). Check them monthly and remove those that are beginning to rot; when one beet has a problem with rot, it can cause the whole bunch to spoil.
How to Store Beets in the Fridge
- Trim the leaves and the stem to prevent them from drawing all the moisture from the root but leave about 2-inches of the stem at the top of the root.
- Don’t throw away the beet greens because they’re edible. You can put them in an airtight container or plastic bag and put them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days but store them separately from the root.
- Don’t wash your beets because they will rot faster but gently remove the dirt. If you do wash them thoroughly dry them before storing.
- To avoid excess moisture being trapped, place the beets in a container. It will also prevent them from getting dry, wrinkled, and soft while in the fridge.
- Place the beets in the crisper drawer of your fridge along with other vegetables or another shelf.
- Check after some time to see if your beets are still firm. Properly storing beetroot in the fridge can help it last for almost 3 months.
Can you freeze beets to last longer?
Yes, you can use frozen beets to make soups and even smoothies. Simply cut all of the raw beets into small pieces, put them in a freezer bag, and freeze them.
Step-by-step instructions to freeze beets for storage
- cut the leaves and roots from all the beets and wipe them down
- boil the beets in a pot for about 30 minutes at a gentle boil (with a lid on). You can also use a pressure canner if you prefer.
- immediately transfer all of them to an ice bath (kitchen sink with ice and water is fine)
- once cooled, peel the skins off and slice/dice to the perfect size
- move the cut beets to a freezer bag
- they will last up to 10-12 months in the freezer
Watch this (video below) to learn how to freeze and store your beets.
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How to store cooked beets
Freshly cooked beets need to be refrigerated 2 hours after being cooked to preserve their quality and flavor. However, if you want to prolong their shelf life, refrigerate them in a shallow airtight container and storage life is 3-5 days in the fridge.
Cooked beets can last longer and still maintain their flavor quality for more than 12 months if frozen in an airtight storage container. The cooked beets have to be kept constantly frozen at zero degrees Fahrenheit if they’re to be safe to eat.
Any cooked beet that has been thawed can last 3-4 days after cooking but it isn’t advisable to refrigerate thawed beets in the microwave or in cold water. If left at room temperature, the cooked beetroots will only be fresh for 2 hours before bacteria grows.
How long do cooked beets last in the fridge?
If properly stored cooked beets can last for about 3-5 days in the fridge. You can also freeze them in an airtight container to make them last longer. This is great for home cooks that like to have ready-to-go ingredients for beet recipes.
How long do raw beets last in the fridge?
If properly stored, raw beets can last for about 14 days in the fridge. Place them in plastic bags, but don’t wash until you are ready to use. Then place them in a produce drawer to keep them fresh.
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