How to Store Beets So They Don’t Get Mushy (2024)

Behold, tips for keeping beets fresh for longer.

Updated on May 31, 2023

Medically reviewed by

Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN

How to Store Beets So They Don’t Get Mushy (1)

Medically reviewed byKristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN

Kristy Del Coro is a registered dietitian nutritionist, RDN, and professionally trained chef with more than 10 years of experience in the field of culinary nutrition. Her strong background in nutrition science, sustainable food systems, and culinary education makes her exceptionally qualified to write about food that is good for us and the planet—while not sacrificing flavor.

Fact checked by

Haley Mades

Fact checked byHaley Mades

Haley is a Wisconsin-based creative freelancer and recent graduate. She has worked as an editor, fact checker, and copywriter for various digital and print publications. Her most recent position was in academic publishing as a publicity and marketing assistant for the University of Wisconsin Press

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How to Store Beets So They Don’t Get Mushy (2)

Beets are a sweet, earthy root vegetable with a vibrantly colored interior—most often purplish-red. While not always a fan favorite, beets are delicious when prepared properly, and make for a beautiful, healthful addition to salads, sandwiches, and dressings. If stored correctly, beets can last for a long time, so they’re a great vegetable to buy in advance for your future self. Keep reading to learn how to store beets to keep them fresh for as long as possible.

How to Store Whole Beets

To properly store whole beets, begin by chopping off all but a stub of the beets’ greens, keeping the bulb intact. Discard the extra beet greens, or save them to sauté in garlic and olive oil for a simple side dish. It’s best to keep the skin on, which protects the interior and keeps the beet fresh for longer. Avoid washing the beets, no matter how ruddy they are, as the moisture will cause them to rot more quickly.

Store whole beets in the cool, dry environment of your crisper drawer. No need to place them in a plastic bag or other container first, which would inhibit ventilation. Stored like this in the refrigerator, beets can last for up to two months.

How to Store Cut Beets

The best way to store cut beets is in a container lined with a moist paper towel in the refrigerator. With this method, cut beets will last for around five days, giving you plenty of time to add them to a salad, dip, or smoothie.

Can You Freeze Beets?

Raw beets are prone to sogginess when frozen and thawed, so it’s best to cook the beets first if you plan on freezing them.

  1. To freeze beets, we suggest boiling them for around 25 minutes, or until they are easily pierced with a knife, then transferring them to an ice-water bath to cool.
  2. Once the beets have cooled, remove them from the water and slice them in whatever shape and size you desire. Then, spread them on a baking sheet.
  3. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour, or until the beets are frozen solid. Transfer the beets to a freezer bag.

Frozen cooked beets will last for about a year. While we don’t suggest tossing thawed beets in a salad or sandwich, they will work well in a dip or smoothie.

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How to Store Beets So They Don’t Get Mushy (2024)

FAQs

How to Store Beets So They Don’t Get Mushy? ›

So store them loose, in the crisper drawer, where they'll keep for two to three weeks. Wrapping them loosely with dry paper towels can prolong freshness, or just try lining the floor of your crisper drawer with clean paper towels. And avoid the temptation to wash your beets before you refrigerate them.

How do you keep beets from getting soft? ›

So store them loose, in the crisper drawer, where they'll keep for two to three weeks. Wrapping them loosely with dry paper towels can prolong freshness, or just try lining the floor of your crisper drawer with clean paper towels. And avoid the temptation to wash your beets before you refrigerate them.

How do you make beets last longer in the fridge? ›

How to Store Beets
  1. Cut. Cut the greens off the tops of fresh beets, leaving 2 inches of stem.
  2. Seal unwashed beets in a Glad® Zipper 2-in-1 Gallon Bag.
  3. Squeeze. Squeeze as much air as possible out of the bag.
  4. Place in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.

How do you firm up soft beets? ›

Got soft beets, carrots, potatoes, radishes, or other root vegetables? Rehydrate your roots to bring them back to life. Simply soak them in water overnight and they should be as firm as new.

Why is my beet squishy? ›

In the fridge, beets will last about ten days. It's easy to tell if your beets are starting to go bad with a quick squeeze. Fresh beets are firm, so if they start to feel soft, use them asap or toss them.

How do you keep beets firm? ›

It's best to keep the skin on, which protects the interior and keeps the beet fresh for longer. Avoid washing the beets, no matter how ruddy they are, as the moisture will cause them to rot more quickly. Store whole beets in the cool, dry environment of your crisper drawer.

Do beets get soft in the fridge? ›

Beets will become soft if you store them too long or don't do it properly. Check your beets periodically to make sure they're still firm and haven't spoiled. If they're stored properly, your beets should last between 1 and 3 months in the fridge.

How do you store beets for months? ›

Store beets in a plastic bag in the refrigerator at or below 41 °F for 7 to 10 days. Beets may be frozen for up to ten months. For best quality and nutritive value, preserve only what your family can consume in 12 months. Select deep, uniformly red, tender, young beets, no more than 3 inches across.

How do you preserve beets easily? ›

Prepare the beets by cooking them with ½ inch of their stem intact to minimize color bleed; then, cool them in cold water and remove the stems, taproot, and skin. Next, cut the beets into slices or cubes, package them into freezer bags or containers with a ½-inch headspace, and freeze.

Do uncooked beets need to be refrigerated? ›

The beets will not spoil if left at cool room temperature for a few days, but they do best when refrigerated for up to 10 days. If they turn soft, discard them.

Do frozen beets get mushy? ›

I'm afraid once your frozen beets thaw, you're going to have something pretty mushy and grainy. You can freeze beets, but it's best to cook them first.

Why are my beets drooping? ›

🚰 Water Woes: Too Much or Too Little

Drowning roots are a silent cry for help. If your beets are wilting but the soil feels like a wet sponge, you've probably been too generous with the watering can. On the flip side, soil dry as a bone means your beets are parched and in desperate need of a drink.

How do you fix wilted beets? ›

Place the Cleaned Vegetables in a Sink or Bowl of Ice Water: Soak the greens/herbs/vegetables for 15-30 minutes in cold water. The colder the vegetables, the stronger the “cement” that holds the cell walls together.

What are the side effects of eating beets? ›

Beet is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts. Beet can make urine or stools appear pink or red. But this is not harmful. There is concern that beets might cause low calcium levels and kidney damage.

Are beets supposed to be mushy? ›

Beetroots have gone bad if they're limp, mushy or soft. Mould or rot are also signs of a bad beetroot! TOP TIP: Always try to choose equal-sized beets so that they all cook at the same time!

How to store beets in the fridge? ›

How to store beets in the refrigerator: After washing and drying the beets, and cutting off the greens, place them in a storage bag and remove excess air. Store the bag in the crisper drawer of your fridge, and they'll maintain their quality for 1 month.

How do you revive limp beets? ›

To revive root vegetables such as beets, carrots, potatoes, and radishes, or limp celery, asparagus or broccoli, simply trim the ends and soak the veggies in a glass bowl or mason jar of ice cold water for a few hours or overnight and the veggies will rehydrate and be crisp again.

Should raw beets be refrigerated? ›

The beets will not spoil if left at cool room temperature for a few days, but they do best when refrigerated for up to 10 days.

How long does it take for beets to get soft? ›

Place the beets in a large saucepan and cover with water. 2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until fork-tender, 25 to 35 minutes for medium beets or 45 minutes to 1 hour for large beets.

Why are my beets tough? ›

Harvesting beets

It's tempting to wait too long before harvest because the tops look so lush and healthy, but harvesting at optimal size will avoid the toughness beets develop as they approach the 3-inch size. Nothing turns a kid off more than tough, chewy beets at dinner time!

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