Citrus Marinated Beets

Name: Citrus Marinated Beets
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 6 (2- to 3-inch diameter) beets; zest of ½ medium orange, about 1 tablespoon; juice of ½ medium orange, about 2 to 3 tablespoons; 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper

The Garden & Saucier

Citrus Marinated Beets

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The Strategy:

Beets are a bit messy to work with, which may make you weary of using them. But trust me, beets are well worth the cleanup! Once you have made up your mind to get your hands a little dirty, you will find there are lots of things to do with beets. Here are a couple of ideas.

Serves: 4 to 6 | Total Time: 20 minutes, plus marinating overnight, till it’s ready

Ingredients

6 (2- to 3-inch diameter) beets
zest of ½ medium orange, about 1 tablespoon
juice of ½ medium orange, about 2 to 3 tablespoons
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon coarse black pepper

Overhead prep shot of whole raw beets, an orange with a zester, red wine vinegar, olive oil, fresh mint, kosher salt, and coarse black pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°.
Wash the beets. Cut the bottom and top shoots from each beet and discard.
Add the beets to a casserole dish with lid. Pour about ½ inch of water in the bottom of the dish.
Cover and cook until the beets begin to soften, about 40 to 45 minutes. (The beets will not be as soft as a cooked potato; however, you will be able to insert the tip of a sharp knife without much resistance.) Cool the beets to room temperature.
Peel the beets and cut into thin slices.
Add the sliced beets to a bowl.
Sprinkle with orange zest and pour in orange juice, vinegar, and olive oil. Add chopped fresh mint, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
Cover the dish and chill the beets overnight.

Thing to Note:

While peeling beets it’s easy to stain your skin—and that doesn’t come out easily. To get around this, use paper towels to remove the skin. It’s still messy, but not as bad!

Extreme close-up action shot squeezing fresh orange juice over thinly sliced, roasted ruby red beets

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Make it “My Way”:

Season your beets! Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high. Add your favorite spice combination. (I like a combination of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, cumin, and chili powder.) Toss to coat. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes until the beets are seasoned and warmed through.

The Heart of the Table

There is a profound, grounding lesson in preparing a dish that requires overnight rest. Passing this bright, citrus-soaked bowl around the table is a beautiful reminder to our fast-paced lives that some things simply cannot be rushed, and that the sweetest, most vibrant moments with our loved ones are often the ones we patiently wait for.

A gorgeous single-view lifestyle photo of freshly prepared Citrus Marinated Beets.

Neighborly Grace

THE PRESENTATION: Because the beets will stain everything they touch, avoid serving this on a wooden platter or attempting to toss it with a light-colored grain or cheese before plating. Serve the vividly red beets shingled elegantly on a stark white ceramic plate, ensuring the bright orange zest and vivid green mint leaves are visible on top for maximum visual contrast.
THE POUR: A crisp, high-acid white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Riesling. You need bright, citrus notes and a sharp acidic backbone to match the orange juice and vinegar in the marinade without competing with the earthiness of the beets.
THE VIBE: Refreshing and visually striking. This is an incredibly elegant, colorful starter for a spring or summer luncheon on the veranda.

Chef’s Recommendations

The Brunch Plate Together: Avocado Toasts with Pickled Red Onion
Beets Want Goat Cheese: Rhubarb Chutney on Goat Cheese Crostini
The Sharp Side to a Rich Plate: Puff-Pastry Beef Wellington with Red Wine Demi-Glace
Orange, Then Peach: Roasted Peach Caramel Ice Cream

The Estate Table

Build tonight’s menu around this dish.

✦ Set the Table

Citrus Marinated Beets

Citrus Marinated Beets

The full recipe lives in the Vault

The Heart of the Table

Neighborly Grace

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