Wondering what to do with those canned beets collecting dust in your pantry? Looking for healthy and affordable ways to add more veggies to your diet? Can’t find fresh beets? There are many scrumptious ways to eat those canned crimson root vegetables. Thanks to a few canned beet enthusiasts, we’ve put together 10 recipes that taste so amazing you won’t believe the beets come from a can!
Why Eat Canned Beets?
Using canned beets is a great way to enjoy beets with simple preparation. Canned beets (like the ones that you buy in the store in the canned vegetable section) maintain a long shelf live and are also super convenient and inexpensive. Stock up your pantry (or use the ones hidden in the back of your cupboard) with canned beets for a quick and frugal way to add more veggies to your diet. Many beets in a can are quite affordable and can be purchased for under $2.00.
Rich with vitamins, minerals, and fibers, canned beets are a great source of nutrients. Also, unlike some other canned veggies, canned beets retain their distinct earthy and sweet flavor, like fresh beets.
How to Eat Canned Beets
There are numerous ways to eat canned beets. You can eat them straight out of the can or add them to your salad with a dash of lemon juice and olive oil. The options are endless for these fabulous veggies. Low sodium or zero salt canned beets are delicious in smoothies, chilled beet soup, and baked goods, like cupcakes, muffins, and cakes (see the decadent cake and cookie recipes below). You can also jazz up your favorite dressing, sauce, or jam with canned beets (the color will be stunningly vibrant)!
To eliminate waste, use the canned beet liquid in soups or drain the beets and use the beet juice for a natural red/pink beet dye in baked goods (if the liquid contains no salt).
Canned Beets Nutrition & Health Benefits
Beets are packed with incredible vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Adding beets (even canned ones) to your diet offer numerous health benefits, such as boosted immunity, balanced blood pressure, increased cardiovascular function, boosted brain health, and more. The beautiful red beet is packed with betalain, making it an antioxidant rock-star! Canned beets retain those healthy red pigments (the source of betalain), while also offering ample amounts of Vitamin C, B-6, Vitamin K, and vital trace minerals, such as potassium and magnesium.
Canned Beets Preparation
When choosing canned beets, it is best to find brands with reduced sodium and/or no salt added. Some canned beets are high in salt, and you may want to avoid those unless you plan to use the beets for pickling, and then the salt could come in handy. If your canned beets contain added salt, rinsing the beets before eating may reduce some of the sodium intake. You can also find organic canned beets and brands selling BPA-Free lined products if you are concerned about eating canned foods.
Using canned beets and other ready-to-eat foods help simplify mealtime, and that’s a WIN for everyone! Looking for canned beet recipe ideas? Canned beets can be quite versatile and there are numerous ways to eat them. These 10 delicious canned beet recipes are simple AND delicious, highlighting the beautiful beet in transformative and tasty ways.
