How to Can Pickled Beets

white vinegar

🥗Healthier: apple cider vinegar

💰Cheaper: distilled vinegar

Apple cider vinegar adds a fruity note while maintaining acidity.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey provides natural sweetness, while brown sugar adds depth.

Start by discussing the importance of canning and preserving beets.

Use 3 lbs of dark Detroit red beets, ensuring to leave the roots and about an inch of the stem intact.

Scrub the beets well with a potato brush to remove dirt and debris.

Place the beets in a large kettle and cover them with water.

Bring the water to a boil and check the beets for tenderness after 10 to 25 minutes, depending on their size.

Once tender, let the beets cool until they are cool enough to handle, then peel them using gloves to avoid staining your hands.

Prepare a large canning water bath kettle filled halfway with water and bring it to a boil to sterilize the jars.

Dip each jar into the boiling water for a couple of minutes to sterilize them, then let them air dry.

Wash the lids in warm soapy water and let them dry as well.

In a separate kettle, prepare the brine by combining 2 cups of water, 2 cups of white distilled vinegar, 2 cups of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt, then bring it to a simmer.

Place fresh cut onion at the bottom of each sterilized jar, using yellow or white onion, not red.

Slice the beets and pack them into the jars, leaving a 1/2 inch headspace at the top.

Top the beets with more fresh cut onion if desired, ensuring to maintain the headspace.

Pour the boiling brine over the beets and onions in each jar, again leaving a 1/2 inch headspace.

Wipe the rim of each jar with a paper towel dipped in boiling water to ensure a good seal.

Place a lid and ring on each jar, tightening just until you feel it catch without over-tightening.

Place the jars into the boiling water bath, ensuring they are covered with at least an inch of water.

Process the jars in the boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

After processing, use a jar lifter to remove the jars from the water bath and let them cool on a towel.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary