12 Nourishing Recipes That Use Up Those Beet Greens (2024)

12 Nourishing Recipes That Use Up Those Beet Greens (1)

For many of us, 2016 was a doozy but we here at Brit + Co are ready to hit refresh in 2017! Follow our Hit Refresh series through January for new ideas, hacks and skills that will help you achieve (and maintain!) those New Year’s resolutions.

Once you get into the habit of buying and cooking with fresh vegetables, you can’t help but feel like you’re doing everything right; sadly, you might be wrong. Though many are putting vegetables to good use, they’re discarding one of the most nutrient-dense parts of the veg; the “scraps,” AKA rinds, peels and greens. Beet greens in particular are a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. So the next time you start chopping up those glorious beets, do yourself a favor and save the leaves, because we’ve got 12 mouth-watering recipes that will help you put them to use.

12 Nourishing Recipes That Use Up Those Beet Greens (2)

1. Vegan Beet Greens, Beets and Black Japonica Rice: Nothing beats curling up with a robust bowl of nourishment that’s filled to the brim with crisp veggies and nutty grains. This bowl offers up a ton of flavor with its medley of deeply flavored beets and their greens. (via Apollo and Luna)

12 Nourishing Recipes That Use Up Those Beet Greens (3)

2. Broccoli Avocado Soup With Beet Greens: Eating your greens won’t be a problem with this beautiful and earthy bowl of noms. It’s a great way to detox after holiday indulgences and it’s an opportunity to let those beet leaves shine. (via Bowl of Delicious)

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3. Roasted Beets and Beet Greens With Goat Cheese Crostini: This assortment of colorful roasted beets sits atop a bed of garlicky sautéed beet greens to create snack-time perfection. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch option or some healthy nosh for your girls’ night in, this dish delivers. (via Cooking and Beer)

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4. Beet Green Ravioli: Ravioli is amazingly versatile — you can stuff those things with anything. This recipe gets super creative by stuffing ravioli with feta and beet greens, giving them a swoon-worthy mauve hue that will impress the entire fam. (via The Adventures of Bob and Shan)

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5. Farmhouse Beet Leaf and Whole Wheat Tart: If you’ve never hosted brunch, you’ll want to now. This wholesome and rustic tart is a surefire way to WOW your family and friends with its warm spices, fresh vegetables and leafy beet greens. (via Three Little Halves)

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6. Cold Young Beet Greens Soup: Young beet greens can be put to use just as much as larger ones. Once the summer rolls around, you’ll want to save those greens along with some cucumbers and zesty radishes so you can dig into this cooling and health-giving soup. (via Lazy Sunday Cooking)

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7. Beet Greens and Avocado With Creamy Tahini Dressing: You certainly don’t have to simmer those beet greens in order to enjoy them. Eating them raw in a salad is incredibly delicious; top them with soft avocado, earthy beets and a creamy tahini dressing and it’s even better. (via Hello Glow)

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8. Veggie Quesadilla With Beet Greens Pesto: Pesto is always great to have on hand — especially when it’s homemade. Though typically made with basil, pesto can be made with any greens, including beet greens. In this recipe, beet green goodness is used to dress up cheesy quesadillas. (via Real Food and Ice Cream)

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9. Beet and Kale Hash With Eggs: If you didn’t have breakfast planned for this weekend, now you do! Top your crusty toast with runny baked eggs, beets and their tasty greens for a one-pan breakfast that will fill and invigorate you. (via In the Know Mom)

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10. Golden Beet Noodles With Beet Greens and Cilantro Tahini Sauce: This bright and sunny one-pan “pasta” is the perfect weeknight meal, especially for #MeatlessMonday. Golden beet noodles are tossed in a rich and spicy sauce along with their leafy greens for added nutriment. (via Gourmande in the Kitchen)

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11. Beet Greens and Barley Borscht: If you love beets, greens and grains, this soup is a DREAM. With its jaw-dropping scarlet hue, this borscht pairs hearty barley with beets and beet greens to make use of the root veg in its entirety. (via Cookbooks 365)

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12. Beet Salad With Balsamic Reduction: Though it looks fancy, this crowd-pleasing salad is a cinch to make. Perfect for dinner parties or simply treating yourself, this recipe brings cabbage, beets, beet greens and tangy feta to the table for a starter you won’t want to finish. (via The Nomadic Wife)

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Dana Sandonato

Born in Canada and now living in the beautiful state of North Carolina, Dana is a coffee-reliant food writer with a healthy appetite, a taste for culinary adventure, a thirst for good beers, and an endless hunger for food photography. When not writing for Brit + Co, she can be found pouring herself into her blog-turned-webzine, Killing Thyme, or taste-testing at local breweries with her husband. Dana's ideal down time includes pizza, marathoning on Netflix, or watching her fave flicks from the 80s and 90s - no matter how great or awful they are!

12 Nourishing Recipes That Use Up Those Beet Greens (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat beet greens? ›

Are beet greens healthier raw or cooked? In most cases, the healthy nutrients of beet greens are consumed, as long as they aren't overcooked. "Like most vegetables, some nutrients may get lost in the cooking process, but cooked beet greens can still provide a great source of nutrients," Mathis says.

What can you do with beet leaves? ›

Beet leaves are tender and can be used as salad greens, sautéed and eaten as a side dish, or cooked and added to other recipes. Try these ideas. Add the sautéed beet greens and stems to pasta for a quick dinner.

Should you eat the stems of beet greens? ›

Use the stems as well as the leaves.

Like Swiss chard, beet leaves have crisp, edible stems that add color and crunch to any beet greens recipe. Don't toss them! Finely dice them and cook them right along with the leaves.

Should beet greens be eaten raw? ›

Beet greens have oodles of nutritional value, from fiber and protein to vitamins C, K, and B9. You can eat beet greens raw or cooked. No matter how you choose to chow down, you could enjoy health perks like a stronger immune system, healthier teeth, and a healthier digestive tract.

What is healthier beet greens or spinach? ›

Beet greens have a similar colorful look as swiss chard and can be consumed in much of the same way. They also are very high in iron with a higher iron count than spinach as well as vitamin K, B6, magnesium and potassium. They are also a great source of fiber.

Should I store beet greens in the refrigerator? ›

Storing beet greens is very similar to storing the roots. However, beet greens have a much shorter life span than their earthy counterpart. Beet greens can be stored in the fridge for up to two days.

Are beet greens anti inflammatory? ›

Beet greens also help fight inflammation, improve digestive health, support brain health and contain anti-cancer properties.

Can you freeze raw beet greens? ›

Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, beet greens, along with mustard and turnip greens freeze well for year-round enjoyment.

What can I do with beet leaves and stems? ›

You can eat raw, steamed, sautéed, braised, or added to soups. You don't need to waste them since they're delicious and full of vitamins. The stems and leaves from beets are totally edible, extremely delicious and highly nutritious so they're great for our health!

How long do beet leaves last in fridge? ›

Take the beet greens and store them separately in a sealed storage container. Store in the produce drawer for 3 to 5 days. You can use them in recipes like this best recipe for beet greens.

Can dogs eat beet greens? ›

When you buy a beet plant, don't toss those beet greens, which are full of extra vitamins and minerals! Dogs can eat beet greens just as you would prepare other dog-friendly greens like spinach. Cook the greens to make them easier to digest and serve in moderation.

Are beet greens good for anything? ›

Beet greens also help fight inflammation, improve digestive health, support brain health and contain anti-cancer properties.

What is the difference between beetroot and beet greens? ›

Beetroots are delicious raw but more frequently cooked or pickled. Their leaves — known as beet greens — can also be eaten. There are numerous types of beetroot, many of which are distinguished by their color — yellow, white, pink, or dark purple.

What is the most beneficial way to eat beets? ›

Eating beets raw or juicing and roasting them may be more beneficial than boiling them. Beetroots, commonly known as beets, are a vibrant and versatile type of vegetable. They're known for their earthy flavor and aroma. Many people call them a superfood because of their rich nutritional profile.

Are beets better for you raw or cooked? ›

Raw beets contain more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than cooked beets (yes, you can eat beets raw!). Like many vegetables, the longer you cook beets—especially in water—the more the colorful phytonutrients leach out of the food and into the water.

Which is healthier beets or beet greens? ›

They're also more nutritious. Beet greens are some of the most nutrient-rich greens around, containing more antioxidants and other phytonutrients than the bulbous roots themselves, according to Jo Robinson, author of Eating On The Wild Side. In terms of general health benefits, beet greens are right up there with kale.

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