Healthy Beet Recipes for Summer

Though their usage and popularity has been relatively stable over time, this year has seen purple vegetables gaining fair momentum down under and in the UK. Clean eaters who’ve long embraced rainbow plant-based diets know the benefits of beets, but it's good to finally see friends and family getting wiser with their food choices.

Roasted, chopped, baked, powdered, pickled, juiced, boiled - there are several ways to consume this incredible summer vegetable. In terms of nutritional value, beets bring a kickass combination of antioxidants, potassium, Vitamin C, folate, and iron. The approval ratings for the modest tuber have never been so high, and menus across the country now list not just soups, sandwiches, stews featuring the vegetable, but even desserts and lattes!

On top of being beneficial for skin, brain, or just basic cellular health, beets help ‘healthify’ otherwise overindulgent treats with natural sugars, all while improving the overall texture and freshness of baked goods. Plant protein snack companies have also turned to the veggie for diversifying their product lines, as it contains nitrites and amino acids essential for physical activity - no wonder the Romans considered it an aphrodisiac.

The beet effect isn’t lost on industry players either - aggregators like Deliveroo contribute to the hype, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that its taste profile is rather sweet and mild, explaining why it pairs so well with chocolate.

Here are some fantastic healthy recipes to try out, especially if you’ve still unconvinced about the versatility and power of the beet. 

My Broccoli Bhajis + Chia Jam and Carrot and Beetroot Raita

If you're not familiar with the bite-sized Bhaji, it's a well-loved street food in India that's typically spicy. It's similar to a fritter- traditionally served on top of meals as a crunchy addition, but has also become appreciated on its own as a delicious snack enjoyed at Indian festivals, as a starter before meals, and as a comfort food. Enjoy these brilliant bhaji's warm as a light meal or snack served with my chia jam and carrot and beetroot raita.

Warm Beetroot, Carrot and Pear Salad 

If you're looking for that perfect in-between season salad, this is the one. It's a nourishing salad filled with herbs that make it sweetly satisfying and equally grounding.  The addition of pear adds a delicious crispness to this salad that everyone will go crazy for! 

Rainbow Salad with Tahini and Lemon Dressing 

Let me first start off by saying that this tahini and lemon dressing is next level, better than any pre-packaged dressing you could find at the grocery store. It so perfectly complements this fresh salad, filled with every colour of the rainbow, including of course, our star, the mighty beetroot. 

Beetroot Red Velvet Cupcakes 

Who needs red food colouring when you have beetroots? These red velvet cupcakes from I Quit Sugar taste as good as they sound! Soft, cakey cupcakes that don’t taste like vegetables? Check. A guarantee that you'll be able to remember portion control? Not applicable.