How long do cooked beets last in the fridge?
This article will answer the question “How long do cooked beets last in the fridge?”, and how to store beets?
How long do cooked beets last in the fridge?
Cooked beets last 3-5 days in the fridge If stored correctly. The initial quality of the beets affects their shelf-life. Beets that are better-taken care of will naturally have a longer shelf-life. Beets tend to last longer in cold months.
| In the pantry | In the fridge | |
| Fresh beets | 3-5 days | 2 weeks |
| Cooked beets | — | 3-5 days |
How to store beets?
Do not wash the beets before storing them. The residual moisture will turn them soft and mushy. Moreover, cut ½ an inch from the top to remove the greens. Store the greens separately or discard them. The greens absorb moisture from the environment that makes the veggies soft.
At room temperature
Room temperature storage is recommended only If the beets are to be consumed within 1-2 days of purchase. A kitchen cabinet would be a good choice for storing beets.
Alternatively, an unheated garage or a root cellar would also work fine. Make sure the storage area is well ventilated, cool, and dry. Room temperature storage of any veggie including beets is not meant for long-term storage.
In the fridge
Beets thrive in well-ventilated cold (32-40°F or 0-5°C) and humid(90 to 95 percent relative humidity) environments. Therefore, refrigeration is the perfect way to keep the beets for longer periods.
Toss the beets into a perforated plastic bag or paper bag and put it in the vegetable or crisper drawer of your fridge. The perforations will allow for the much-needed air circulation to keep these veggies fresh and crisp.
You can poke holes in a regular plastic or paper bag or simply keep the top f the bags open. This shall do the job as well. Store the cooked beets in an air-tight container within 2 hours of cooking.
Make sure the veggies come to room temperature before you transfer them to the storage container. This prevents the buildup of steam inside the container that harbors spoilage microbes.
How to freeze beets?
What you’ll need
- Beets
- A cutting board
- A knife
- A large pot
- Ice
- Gloves (optional, but a good idea)
Instructions
- Sort the beets according to their size. This step is important because blanching time depends upon the size of the veggie. Veggies with the same size blanch quickly and evenly.
- Cut the greens but leaves some of the top and the roots. This will keep the beets from bleeding during cooking.
- Root veggies like carrots and beets tend to have a lot of surface dirt. Gently scrub the dirt off the veggies before proceeding.
- Add a generous amount of water to the pot and bring it to a rolling boil. Toss the beets into the boiling water and blanch the small beets for 25 to 30 minutes and large beets for 45 to 50 minutes.
- When the prescribed blanching time is nearing its end, check the doneness of the veggies by piercing them with a fork.
- Transfer the blanched beets to an ice-water bath to halt the cooking process. This should take a few minutes.
- Trim the edges and peel the skin of the now cool and blanched beets.
- Cut the beets into desired shapes and sizes. Spread them in a single layer onto a baking tray and slide them into the freezer. Pre-freezing will keep the slices or pieces from sticking during freezing.
- Transfer the frozen beets into a freezer bag. Suck out as much air as possible from the bag using a straw or by pressing it. Alternatively, you can use vacuum-sealed bags.
They protect the veggies against freezer burn. Label the bag before freezing. Beets stored this way shall last indefinitely but are best used within a year.
How to tell If beets are bad?
Mold or rot: Moldy or rotting beets belong in the bin. Cooking won’t make them safe. Better get rid of them.
Off-putting smell: Any aroma other than the pleasant earthy aroma of beets is intolerable. Discard the beets if they smell funny.
Texture: Grating soft beets is a headache. Plus the taste does not quite hit the spot. So it’s better to get rid of soft, wrinkly, or shriveled beets for quality reasons. Beets that have just started to go soft can be used in cooked dishes.
Prolonged storage: Beets, cooked or uncooked, that have been sitting in the fridge for more than 5 days, should be discarded. They are not worth risking your health.
Other FAQs about Beets that you may be interested in.
Conclusion
This article answered the question “How long do cooked beets last in the fridge?”, and how to store beets?
