Fermented Beets
Fermented beets are made with a simple 2% salt brine, resulting in crisp, tangy, probiotic-rich beets with a naturally vibrant flavor. Easy to customize with herbs and spices, and ready after 1–2 weeks of fermentation.
Servings: 1 quart
Calories: 220kcal
Equipment
- 1 quart jar with lid
- fermentation weight or small, clean stone
Ingredients
- 1 lb beets about 2-3 medium beets, peeled and sliced or cubed into ¼-inch pieces
- 2 teaspoons salt non-iodized, fine
- 2 cups water non-treated
Optional Add-Ins
- 2 cloves Garlic lightly smashed
- 1 sprig Fresh dill or ½tsp dried dill seed
- 1 Bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon Peppercorns
- ½ teaspoon Mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon Fresh ginger thinly sliced or grated
- ¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes optional heat
Instructions
- Prep beets: Wash, peel (optional), and cut into slices, sticks, or ¼-inch cubes.
- Pack jar: Add beets and any optional add-ins to a clean quart jar, leaving 1–2 inches of headspace.
- Make brine: Dissolve 2 teaspoons salt in 2 cups water (2% brine).
- Pour & submerge: Cover beets completely with brine. Add a weight to keep everything submerged.
- Ferment: Cover loosely and ferment at room temperature for 7–14 days, burping daily if needed.
- Store: When tangy to your liking, refrigerate with beets fully submerged.
Notes
- Salt Ratio: Use a 2% brine (20 g salt per 1 liter water). For this recipe, that equals 2 tsp salt per 2 cups water.
- Submersion Matters: Keep beets fully submerged under brine at all times to prevent mold.
- Fermentation Time: Ferment at room temperature (65–75°F) for 7–14 days. Start tasting after 1 week.
- What’s Normal: Bubbles, cloudy brine, and a tangy aroma are signs of healthy fermentation; mold is not.
- Storage: Once fermented to your liking, refrigerate with beets submerged in brine. Keeps for several months.
- Flavor Add-Ins: Garlic, dill, bay leaf, peppercorns, mustard seed, or ginger may be added before fermenting.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5038mg | Potassium: 1555mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 325IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 4mg
