A nutritious salad or a stunning soup garnish, life certainly delights when colored by the earthy sweetness of beetroot! Whether freshly roasted or ready to cook, this ruby vegetable is unquestionably a vibrant addition.
However, its delicate texture frequently bleeds and softens due to ill-advised freezing techniques
So Can You Freeze Beetroot, And If Yes Then How Do We Freeze It?
You can freeze beetroot for up to 10-12 months. Boil, peel, slice/dice, and store it in airtight containers. Use it directly from the freezer in soups, stews, or as a side dish. Enjoy beetroot’s freshness year-round.
How To Freeze Beetroot?
Beetroot is a versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed year-round by freezing it properly. Freezing beetroot allows you to preserve its nutrients, flavor, and color for use long after peak season. Follow these simple steps for freezing beetroot:
Select The Right Beetroot
Choose fresh, firm beetroot with smooth skin and no soft spots or wrinkles. Small and medium-sized beetroots freeze better than large ones. Remove the leafy tops, leaving about 1-2 inches of the stem attached.
Wash And Prep
Thoroughly wash the beetroot under cool running water. Trim off any roots or rough edges using a paring knife. You don’t need to peel beetroot before freezing. Leaving the skin on helps retain nutrients and color.
Blanch The Beetroot
Blanching helps stop enzyme actions that can cause loss of flavor, color, and texture. To blanch, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add beetroot and boil for 3 minutes. This helps soften the flesh while still retaining firmness. Drain and immediately dunk into ice-cold water to stop cooking.
Cut Into Portions
Cut the blanched beetroots into slices, cubes,s or wedges based on how you intend to use them later. Uniformly sized pieces will freeze and defrost evenly.
Pack For Freezing
Arrange beetroot pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for 1-2 hours until completely frozen. Transfer frozen pieces into freezer bags or airtight containers, removing as much air as possible before sealing. This prevents freezer burn.
Label And Freeze
Label the containers with contents and freeze-by date (up to 8 months) and store them in the freezer. For better organization, group items together in the freezer.
Following these steps allows you to enjoy properly frozen beetroot for smoothies, soups, stews,s and more for months to come.
How Long Does Beetroot Last In The Fridge?
Properly stored, fresh beetroot can last 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator. Here are some storage tips:
- Leave stems and roots intact until ready to use. They prevent moisture loss.
- Store unwashed beetroot in plastic bags or containers in the crisper drawer.
- Wash just before use. Wetness causes them to spoil faster.
- Cut beetroot should be tightly sealed and can last 5-7 days.
- Cooked beetroot can be stored in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
What are the signs of beetroot going bad?
- Soft, shriveled texture
- Brown or moldy spots
- Strong bitter smell
- Liquid leaking
- Dry, cracked skin
Always rely on your senses. Discard any beetroot that smells, looks, or feels off. Freezing is the best method for long-term storage. With proper refrigerator storage, fresh beetroot can last 2-4 weeks before quality loss occurs.
How Do You Defrost Beetroot?
Frozen beetroot can be readily defrosted for use in recipes with these methods:
- Fridge Thawing: Place frozen beetroot pieces in a bowl in the refrigerator overnight or for up to 1 day. Once thawed, use within 3-5 days.
- Cold Water Bath: Submerge frozen beetroot in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes until thawed. Use thawed beetroot immediately.
- Microwave: Microwave frozen beetroot on LOW 30-second bursts, stirring between sessions until thawed. Use immediately.
- Steam: Place frozen beetroot in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam until thawed and heated through, 5-8 minutes.
- Cooking: Frozen beetroot can be roasted or added directly to soups, stews, and casseroles. It will thaw and cook during the process.
Avoid thawing beetroot at room temperature or refreezing once thawed. This increases risk of bacterial growth. With proper defrosting methods, frozen beetroot can be enjoyed without compromising quality or safety.
How To Tell If Beetroot Gone Bad?
It’s easy to tell when fresh beetroot has gone bad by looking for these signs:
- Appearance: Wrinkled skin, dry or brown spots, cracks, mold, shriveling.
- Texture: Soft, mushy, stringy or slimy flesh.
- Smell: Strong bitter, fermented, or alcoholic scent.
- Taste: Bitter, sour, or odd flavor.
- Liquid: Watery ooze, juice, or milky liquid seeping from beetroot.
- Weight: Feels very light, hollow inside.
Remember, trust your senses! Beetroot that looks, smells, or feels off should be discarded. Always inspect fresh beetroots before using. Cut away any damaged portions that have gone bad but the remainder is still good. Frozen or canned beetroot that is past date should also be discarded.
How To Use Frozen Beetroot?
Frozen beetroot is versatile and simple to incorporate into many dishes:
- Smoothies – Add a few frozen beet cubes to fruit smoothies.
- Baking – Mix into cake, muffin, and bread batters. May need to reduce liquid.
- Soups – Drop frozen pieces into any vegetable or lentil soup.
- Salads – Thaw overnight in the fridge then mix with greens, cheese, and nuts.
- Side dishes – Roast, sauté or steam from frozen as a side.
- Juice – Blend with fruits and veggies for a nutrition-packed juice.
- Dips – Blend into hummus for color and nutrients.
- Casseroles – Add to stews, chili, and braised meats.
- Sauces – Purée cooked frozen beets into pasta sauce or gravy.
Tip: Thaw first for salads and sides to maintain texture. Otherwise, you can use frozen without thawing in most recipes, keeping convenient prep in mind!
How To Store Beetroot?
Here are some tips for the best storage of fresh beetroot:
- Leave stem and taproot intact until ready to use. This prevents moisture loss.
- Twist off leaves allowing 1-2 inches stem. Do not cut the top or taproot.
- Do not wash before storing. It causes faster spoilage.
- Place unwashed beetroot in a plastic bag with air removed. Store in refrigerator crisper drawer.
- If greens are attached, remove them and store separately. They pull moisture from roots.
- Wash just before use. Cut away any blemished spots.
- Cooked beetroot can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week.
- For long-term storage, freeze peeled and cut beetroot for later use.
Following these tips will help fresh beetroot last up to 2-4 weeks in the fridge and retain its flavor and nutritional quality. Enjoy this versatile vegetable year round!
F.A.Q
Q1. Is it better to freeze beets raw or cooked?
A1. It’s generally better to freeze beets raw rather than cooked. Raw beets maintain their texture better when thawed.
Q2. Can I freeze beetroot raw?
A2. Yes, raw beets can be frozen successfully. Simply wash, peel, chop, and freeze in bags or containers.
Q3. How do you freeze fresh beets?
A3. Trim tops, peel, chop into pieces, blanch for 2-3 minutes, cool, and freeze raw beets in airtight bags or containers for up to 10-12 months.
Q4. Do frozen beets get mushy?
A4. Frozen beets may get slightly mushy or soft when thawed if not blanched before freezing. Blanching helps maintain some firmness.
Q5. Do beets need to be peeled before freezing?
A5. Yes, it’s best to peel beets before freezing for easier use later. The skins can be slippery when thawed otherwise.
Q6. What is the best way to preserve beets?
A6. The best method for preserving beets long-term is to freeze them. Blanch peeled, chopped beets before freezing for 12 months.
