August 11, 2019

How to Freeze Beets for Long-Term Storage

How to Freeze Beets

Easy Blanching and Freezing Process for Long-Term Storage of Beets

Avoid the waste and learn How to Freeze Beets with this step by step easy to follow guide from blanching to freezing for long-term storage.

It has always been a dream of ours to be able to grow our own produce. So when we purchased our first home, we did just that. Each year since has been a learning experience – some crops flourish while others barely sprout.

This past weekend we pulled out 1/4 of our beets and got started preserving them for long-term storage (besides the ones we ate). 😉

Equipment Needed

Large Pot
Cutting Board
Knife
Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper
Gloves*
Large Bowl
Tongs
Vegetable Scrubber*
Freezer Bags or Containers

*optional

Blanching Beets

Before freezing most vegetables, it is optimal first to blanch them – It stops the enzyme reactions, that can cause loss of flavor, color, and texture.

Step One:

Cut the leaves off of your beets, but leave a half an inch on the top of the beet
Rinse beets off with warm water and scrub any stubborn dirt off with your fingers or a scrub brush. Then place off to the side.

Step Two:

In a large pot add 8 cups of water and bring to a boil
Gently place beets into boiling water with either a spoon or tongs
Cover with a lid and bring to a simmer for 20-30 minutes depending on how thick your beets are

Step Three:

Two minutes before your beets are down simmering make an ice bath in a large bowl with ice and water
Carefully remove beets from the pot and transfer to their ice bath. I generally will leave mine in there until all the ice has melted (about 2-5 minutes).
Take your beets one by one and remove the outer skin and leftover leaves. These should both slide off fairly easily (but it will be a little messy).

How to Freeze Beets

Step One:

Line an edged baking sheet with parchment paper
Cut your beets into one-inch pieces or your desired width for storage
Place cut beets onto your prepared baking sheet without over lap
Place baking sheet into the freezer for 4-6 hours (or more)

Step Two:

After beets are completely frozen transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.

Your blanched beets can stay in the freezer up to 12 months.

Tips & Tricks

Wear gloves when removing skin and cutting to avoid dyed hands
Some individuals will add white vinegar to their boiling water to help peel the skins off – but I hadn’t noticed any difference in ease when added
If you can’t blanch and freeze your beets right away, cut off the beet leaves completely and store in the fridge up to a week

Try Mom Eats Paleo Roasted Beets Recipes