Yield: About 2 quarts (or 4 pint jars)
Active time: 30 minutes
Cook/roast time: 45–60 minutes
Pickling/resting time: Minimum 24 hours (ideally 3–7 days for best flavor)
Total time: ~1.5 hours active + 1 day resting
Intensity level: Low to Medium
Low: basic knife work, boiling brine, no advanced canning required (refrigerator method)
Medium: if you choose to water-bath can for shelf-stable storage (extra 20 minutes processing)
Ingredients
For the beets:
2 pounds fresh beets (about 5–6 medium beets), greens removed
1 tablespoon olive oil (for roasting, optional)
Salt for water (if boiling instead of roasting)
For the pickling brine:
1 cup apple cider vinegar (5% acidity)
1 cup white distilled vinegar (5% acidity)
1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon pickling salt (or kosher salt, no iodine)
1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 star anise (optional, for warmth)
1 bay leaf
Optional add-ins per jar:
Small sprig of fresh dill
¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
2–3 thin orange slices
Equipment
Large pot or roasting pan
Aluminum foil (if roasting)
2-quart saucepan for brine
2 clean quart-sized glass jars with lids (or 4 pint jars)
Tongs or a slotted spoon
Sharp knife and cutting board
Fine-mesh strainer (optional, for spices)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the beets (choose your method)
Roasting (recommended for deepest flavor):
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub beets clean, trim root ends but leave 1 inch of stem to prevent bleeding. Rub with olive oil, wrap individually in foil, or place in a covered baking dish. Roast 45–60 minutes until a knife slides in easily. Let cool until handleable.
Boiling (faster, but less concentrated flavor):
Place unpeeled beets in a large pot, cover with cold water by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook 30–45 minutes depending on size. Drain and cool under cold running water.
2. Peel and slice the beets
Once cool enough to handle, slip off the skins using your fingers or a paper towel (they should come off easily). Trim the stem and root ends. Slice beets into ¼-inch rounds or—if you have irregular sizes—cut into wedges or small cubes. Thinner slices pickle faster.
3. Make the pickling brine
In a medium saucepan, combine both vinegars, water, sugar, and pickling salt. Add the cinnamon stick, allspice, cloves, star anise, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar and salt. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the spices. Remove from heat.
(Optional: For a clearer brine, strain out whole spices now. Or leave them in the jar for rustic appearance and continued infusion.)
4. Pack the jars
Divide the sliced beets among your clean jars. If using any optional add-ins (dill, onion, orange slices), tuck them in between beet layers. Pack beets fairly tightly, leaving 1 inch of headspace from the rim.
5. Pour the hot brine
Carefully ladle the hot brine over the beets, covering them completely while maintaining the 1-inch headspace. Use a chopstick or knife to gently poke around the jar to release trapped air bubbles. Wipe jar rims clean with a damp paper towel.
6. Two storage options
Refrigerator pickles (easiest, best for quick use):
Screw on lids and let jars cool to room temperature on the counter (about 1 hour). Then transfer to the refrigerator. Wait at least 24 hours before eating—flavors truly blossom after 3–5 days. Refrigerator pickled beets last 2–3 months.
Water-bath canning (shelf-stable):
Process pint jars in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes (adjust for altitude). After processing, let jars cool undisturbed for 12 hours, check seals, then store in a cool dark pantry for up to 1 year. Wait 1 week before opening for best texture and flavor.
Intensity & Timing Breakdown
Phase Time Effort Level
Prep (scrub, trim beets) 10 min Low
Roasting/cooking beets 45–60 min Passive (low)
Peeling & slicing 10–15 min Medium (careful with hot beets)
Making brine 10 min Low
Packing & pouring 10 min Low
Cooling & refrigerating 1 hr + 24 hr rest Zero
Total hands-on time: ~35–40 minutes. The rest is waiting (or sleeping). The recipe earns a “low to medium” intensity only because peeling hot beets requires a little patience—otherwise, it’s a beginner-friendly project.
Nutrition Information (per ½ cup serving)
Serving size: about 4 slices or 65g drained beets (without brine)
Nutrient Amount
Calories 70
Total Fat 0.1g
Saturated Fat 0g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 210mg (from pickling salt)
Total Carbohydrate 16g
Dietary Fiber 2g
Total Sugars 13g (includes added sugar)
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 4% DV
Iron 4% DV
Potassium 180mg (5% DV)