This Beet Greens Recipe is so good that you’ll be searching for more ways to use this often-overlooked but utterly delicious vegetable!
I sometimes wonder if I’ve been hiding under a culinary bush. Sautéed spinach is an almost daily part of my breakfast. I’ve even cooked kale in the past. However, this beet greens recipe is new to me. Interestingly, I’ve bought fresh beets many times over the years but have always thrown away the leaves. Now, I’m beginning to question my judgment.
If you want a quick, easy, and healthy side dish, get a bunch of beet greens. You’ll be surprised at how tasty they are. I know I was when I tried them. I have to admit, this recipe for simple sautéed beet greens took me by surprise. These greens have a mild yet slightly sweet flavor. They were so good that I could see myself buying beets just to get my hands on the greens. I loved them so much that I’ve lined up my next obscure veggies to experiment with: collards, turnip greens, and Swiss chard.
Many greens can be easily substituted for one another. You can use beet greens in place of kale in soups or even use them to replace the spinach in pesto. You can also use this recipe as a template to prepare chard, collards, kale, mustard, or turnip greens. Remember to remove, chop, and cook the stems for a few minutes ahead of the chopped leaves.
Is This Beet Greens Recipe Healthy?
Yes. Beet greens have so many nutrients that you don’t want to discard them when you could be turning them into a tasty side dish. The leaves contain minerals like iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium, and vitamins A, C, and K. The lemon juice helps boost vitamin C, and the olive oil is heart-healthy.
How To Store Beet Greens To Keep Them Fresh
After buying your beets, it’s best to store the greens by cutting them away from the roots. This ensures they won’t pull moisture from the beets, which could dry them out and cause them to wither. Once you separate the greens from the beets, store them in a produce bag or a plastic bag and place them in the crisper drawer of your fridge. If using this method, don’t clean the greens until you are ready to cook; wash and dry them well before sautéing.
Alternatively, you could wash and thoroughly dry the leaves before wrapping the stalks in a tea towel or paper towel and placing them in a plastic bag or airtight container in the crisper. Use them within two to three days for the best freshness and taste.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Once you make this recipe, refrigerate the beet greens in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The best way to reheat them is to sauté them in 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil. You can freeze the greens for up to 3 months in a Ziploc bag, but bear in mind that the texture will be affected upon thawing.
Serving Suggestions
Of course, you’ll also want to use the actual beets! FFF is full of tasty beet recipes like Pickled Beets and Roasted Beets And Carrots.
Beet greens are a versatile side dish you will enjoy serving alongside proteins such as Quinoa-Crusted Chicken, Fish En Papillote, or Slow-Cooker Beef Brisket. You can also mix these cooked greens into other recipes, such as this Delicious Angel Hair Pasta or Southwest Quinoa Salad.
I tried them with my morning eggs recently instead of my go-to spinach. I used leftover beet greens from the previous night’s dinner, and they were fantastic. Try them alongside Spanish Eggs or mixed into scrambled eggs or a quiche. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 bunch beet greens stems and leaves separated and finely chopped
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped stems, sautéing until the stems begin to soften, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the chopped leaves to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the leaves are wilted and tender, about 2 minutes. Drizzle with lemon juice and serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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