How to Store Beets (4 Ways!)

Wondering the best way to store fresh beets? This ultimate guide to storing beetroot will answer all your questions about how to keep beets fresh and firm, whether you store them in the fridge, freezer, on the counter, or in a cellar.

Beets are a root vegetable with an earthy taste, and come in a variety of colors but are best known for their deep red or golden hues. Their crunchy texture is perfect for salads and soups, and you can also roast them to make a delicious side dish or snack. We’re always searching for ways to extend the life of fresh beets!

The best way to store beets for a short period of time is in a cool, dark part of your refrigerator or on the countertop for 1-3 months. If you’d like to store beets for longer periods of time, simply blanch and then freeze them and they will keep for up to three months.

👉 Ready to learn how to store beets to keep them fresh? Let’s do it!

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💡 How to store beets on the counter or the pantry

Yes, you can store beets long term at room temperature! Beets are a root vegetable that takes much longer to decompose than other high-water vegetables like squash or even other root vegetables like radishes.

👉 Here’s how to store beets in your pantry or countertop for up to 1 month:

1. Cut the beet greens from the beet root (save them to cook with!)
2. Do not wash the beets before storing as washing will remove some of their outer skin and the dirt that keeps them fresh
3. Store in a cool, dry place on your countertop or in your pantry (don’t let temperatures get about about 70 degrees F)
4. You can keep beets stored in the open or put them into a bag and squeeze out excess air

👉 Beet storage tip: Check on your beets from time to time for any spoilage or growth. If you see a beet that has started to decompose, remove it from the area with the other beets (compost it!) so that the growth doesn’t spread to your other stored beets.

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🥶 How to keep beets fresh in the fridge

Storing beets in the refrigerator is a great way to maintain their freshness to cook with them when you’re ready.

👉 Here’s how to store beets in your refrigerator for up to 1 month:

1. Remove the beet greens about 1 inch above the root
2. Don’t wash them before storing or else they will begin to decompose more quickly
3. Store beets in a refrigerator-friendly bag and remove excess air before sealing (a vacuum-sealed bag works well!)
4. Store in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, pulling out the beets as you’re ready to use them.
5. Make sure to check on them and remove any spoiled beets periodically.

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👉 How to store beets a cellar or basement

If you have many to store, keeping beets in a basement or cellar is a great way to keep them fresh for up to 3 months at a time. People who grow their own beets often use this method.

👉 Here are the steps to follow to store beets in a cellar:

1. Fill a box with damp dirt or sand.
2. Bury the harvested beets beneath the dirt or sand in the box. They should be buried separately and not touching other beets.
3. Take the beetsout of the box as needed, and then store them in the refrigerator or freezer.

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🧊 How to store beets in the freezer

If you want to store your beets in the freezer, it is best to cut or slice them first, rather than storing them whole.

👉 Here are the steps to follow for freezing beets:

1. Blanch the beets: Blanching helps to preserve the nutrition and flavor of vegetables before freezing them. To blanch beets, cut beets into slices or cubes and submerge them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, and then transfer them to a bowl filled with ice water for two minutes at a time. Once removed from the ice water, pat them dry with a paper towel. It’s important to remove excess moisture from the beets before placing them in the freezer.
2. Place cut beets into freezer bags: Using freezer bags for beet storage will allow them to maintain their quality the longest. However, you can also keep them in an airtight freezer-safe container. Before placing them in the freezer, make sure to squeeze excess air out of the bag to prevent freezer burn.

As long as the beets are stored properly, they will keep in the freezer for 3-6 months.

When you’re ready to eat the beets, you can thaw them by running under cold water. This should only take a couple of minutes and then you can cook them or use them as you please.

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🫙 Other ways to preserve beets

Another way to store beets long-term is to pickle or can them. Depending on the method you use, storing beets this way may allow them to keep for much longer compared to storing them in the fridge, freezer, or basement.

We recommend trying our recipe for Quick Pickled Beets. To pickle the beets, you’ll first either roast or boil them to make them soft, then submerge them in a homemade vinegar brine and refrigerator for up to one month, pulling them out to use in salad or as a side dish as needed.

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❓ What is the shelf life of beets

The shelf life of beets depends on the method that you use to store them, but generally beets tend to have a longer shelf life compared to other vegetables. When stored on the counter or in the fridge, they’ll last for up to one month.

However, beets will keep for months at a time if you store them in the freezer or basement cellar, or if you decide to pickle or can them.

If you store beets as is without taking the proper steps to help them retain moisture (cutting off their leaves, etc) they dry out and lose their quality more quickly.

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🌱 What to do with beet leaves

Since most of the storage methods for fresh beets involve cutting off the leaves, you might be wondering what to do with them!

Beet leaves are edible and there are so many different ways that you can use them to take advantage of their tasty flavors. Not to mention, using beet leaves in recipes is a great way to reduce food waste since they are commonly thrown out.

Before using beet leaves, you’ll want to wash them to remove any dirt. Then, prepare them in any way you’d like!

Here are a few of our favorite recipes that use beet greens:

• Crispy Baked Beet Greens
• Beet Greens Chimichurri
• Beet Greens Vegetable Soup
• Sautéed Beet Greens
• Beet Greens Pesto and Beet Greens Pesto Pasta

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⏲ Best way to cook beets

Love beets? There are so many different ways that you can enjoy their crunch. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• As tasty roasted side dish: Serve up a side of beets with our Roasted Beet Fries.
• Add to a salad or bowl: Sliced beets make a great addition to salads or bowls, try out Roasted Beets and Brussels Sprouts.
• As a simple snack: You can enjoy beets on their own as a snack paired with hummus or a Green Goddess Dip.
• Try a beet smoothie! Yup, beets are also great in smoothies (especially if frozen!). Try our Beet Greens Smoothie.