Easy Grilled Beets Recipe: How to Make Grilled Beets

Grilled beets are a BB Q-friendly preparation of beetroot. Beetroot (or beet) is a plant that bears bulbous red edible fruit underground, known for its earthy, semi-sweet flavor. Beets are nutrient-dense, gluten-free vegetables packed with healthy carbohydrates, dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Home cooks often prepare these hearty vegetables under high-heat cooking methods, like roasting, broiling, and grilling, to make them tender and caramelized. Grilling also adds a hint of smoky flavor to these complex root vegetables.

These sweet-and-savory grilled vegetables pair well with a variety of dishes, including:

1. 1. BBQ side dish: Cover your beets in oil and grill them in aluminum foil with fresh herbs like parsley, dill, cilantro, mint, or basil. Serve the dish alongside barbecued meats like pulled pork or chicken breasts.
2. 2. Dips: Incorporate grilled beets into batches of hummus and other puréed dips to add color, a smoky and sweet flavor, and nutrients. If you have grilled beets on hand, use them to make this beet hummus recipe.
3. 3. Grain bowls: Grilled beets pair well with hearty grains like farro, quinoa, and lentils. Top a beet grain bowl with fresh herbs, feta cheese, and nuts.
4. 4. Salad: Add grilled beets to leafy greens like arugula, frisée, and watercress to make a fresh salad. Top the mixture with chopped nuts and seeds like pistachios, walnuts, pepitas, and sesame seeds. Toss the salad mixture in a sour balsamic vinaigrette to balance the sweetness of the beets.

Follow these tips to make the best grilled beets possible.

1. 1. Mix and match beet varieties. Home cooks can grill any variety of this flavorful root vegetable, from golden beets to Chioggia beets to classic red beets. Combine them with complementary hearty vegetables on the grill (like crispy brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes) for a satisfying side dish.
2. 2. Experiment with seasonings. Add your favorite spices and dried herbs to any simple grilled beets recipe to alter the flavor profile. Some tasty potential additions include garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
3. 3. Store in the fridge or freezer. Grilled beets will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For long-term storage, freeze the cooked beets in a freezer-proof container for up to 3 months. Allow the beets to come to room temperature before freezing them.