Do You Think Beets Taste Like Dirt?  (2024)

There are many reasons to love locally grown beets, they are affordable, easy to prepare, and available almost year-round. Beets are full of nutrients and vitamins not commonly found in other vegetables. According to the Cleveland Clinic, they are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties. But, for many reasons, beets have earned a tough reputation in the United States.

Do You Think Beets Taste Like Dirt? (1)

People either love them or hate them. Their “earthy” flavor comes from a compound called geosmin, which is also the same compound that we associate with the smell of “fresh rain” and “forest soil”. Some people are much more sensitive to this compound than others, that is why some people say they taste like dirt, and others love them. There are a few ways that beets can be prepared that mask their “earthy” flavor that will make even skeptics appreciate beets.

3 Ways to Cook Beets So They Don’t Taste Like Dirt:

Pair them with bright, fresh flavors- By adding vinegar, lemon juice, fresh herbs, tangy cheese or yogurt to your dish, you will help balance the flavor. This is why you commonly see roasted beets and goat cheese together.

Roast or sautee them – The most popular, and arguably most versatile preparation for beets is to roast them. Some people roast, then remove the skins, others use a veggie peeler to remove the skin before roasting. If they are grown organically, you can scrub them well and keep the skin on if you choose! Roasted beets are a great side dish, salad topping, and snack option.

Eat them raw- Choose firmer beets and thinly slice, grate, or spiralize them and dress with a little vinegar and oil. Use as toppings for salads, tacos, wraps, and whatever you enjoy.

Do You Think Beets Taste Like Dirt? (2)

Spiralized Sesame Beet Salad

Adapted from a recipe by Grace Elkus, Associate food editor at Real Simple

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (8 cups) beets spiralized or shredded using a spiralizer tool, food processor, or box grater
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar of your choice
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil (or other vegetable oil)
  • 2 teaspoons freshly-grated ginger (2-inch piece)
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • Kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro (optional)

Directions

  1. Heat sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden brown and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, toss together beets, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, ginger, soy sauce, lime juice, kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste, and fresh herbs if using. Serve right away, or prepare ahead and keep refrigerated.

Where to Buy Local Beets

You can find beets wherever local veggies are sold near you! Find farmers’ markets, local food retail locations, and farmstands open during the winter at AdirondackHarvest.com.

Do You Think Beets Taste Like Dirt?  (2024)

FAQs

Do You Think Beets Taste Like Dirt? ? ›

Their “earthy” flavor comes from a compound called geosmin, which is also the same compound that we associate with the smell of “fresh rain” and “forest soil”. Some people are much more sensitive to this compound than others, that is why some people say they taste like dirt, and others love them.

What do beets taste like? ›

As noted by the University of Vermont, beets taste like a sweet root veggie with a hint of earthiness. Overall, their earthy and sweet flavor is much subtler than their bright color suggests.

How to make beet juice not taste like dirt? ›

Peel Away Earthiness

Washing and removing the beet's tough outer skin helps reduce some of the earthy geosmin compounds by up to half. For easiest peeling, trim off the stem and root end, then boil whole beets for 15-20 minutes until just tender enough for a paring knife to slide under the skin.

Why do beets taste metallic? ›

This could be because of the metal can, which studies have shown tastes like metal. But that doesn't explain why many people say fresh beets taste like metal. Perhaps it's iron. Beets are high in iron, which is why they're recommended for people with anemia.

Do beets have a lot of flavor? ›

They're known for their earthy flavor and aroma. Many people call them a superfood because of their rich nutritional profile. In addition to bringing a pop of color to your plate, beets are highly nutritious and packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds, many of which have medicinal properties.

What does earthy taste mean? ›

Earthy is a sensory evaluation term for beverages with a taste or smell reminiscent of soil, mushrooms or mustiness. Sometimes earthy aromas and flavors like soil or sugar beets are indicative of a fault cause by contaminated water or storage in damp areas. (

Can you make beets taste good? ›

The roasted beets are wonderful on their own, seasoned simply with salt and pepper, or dressed up more with citrus juice, herbs, or balsamic vinegar. Serve them with any weeknight dinner, or add them to a holiday meal. These oven roasted beets keep well for days in the fridge, so they're great for making ahead.

Is it normal for beets to taste like dirt? ›

Their “earthy” flavor comes from a compound called geosmin, which is also the same compound that we associate with the smell of “fresh rain” and “forest soil”. Some people are much more sensitive to this compound than others, that is why some people say they taste like dirt, and others love them.

How do you get dirt off beets? ›

When you're ready to cook, remove the beets from the refrigerator and gently scrub them with a vegetable brush to remove dirt and debris. After the beets are washed, prepare them according to your recipe.

Is it okay to eat beets every day? ›

While it may seem like a good idea to have beets daily because of their benefits, you may need to exercise caution when eating them. Eating beets or drinking beet juice may lead to kidney stones, a potential food allergy, or stool or urine color changes.

Why do I feel weird after eating beets? ›

Side effects of eating too many beets at once include gas, gut discomfort, and red urine or stool. Taking too high a dose of a beet supplement can cause lowered blood pressure – watch out, if you already have low blood pressure.

What are the best tasting beets? ›

Avalanche beets are amongst the sweetest of the beet varieties I've seen at the farmers market. They are not as earthy as your standard red beet either, so these might be the perfect beets for picky eaters. If you don't like how red beets stain your hands and your cutting boards, avalanche beets are for you.

Why are beets so pink? ›

The colour is due to the compound betanin in beets, which is what gives the root vegetable its bright red pigment.

How would you describe the taste of beets? ›

Beet lovers will say that beets have a sweet flavor with a hint of floral. If you are a beet hater, you'll probably say it has a dirt-like taste. The taste of beets can change depending on how you prepare and cook them. Beets also come in several varieties, each having a unique taste.

Can beets be eaten raw? ›

A: Yes, you can eat raw beets. They are often served peeled and sliced, but they are safe to eat with the skin on. (15) You can eat raw beets plain or with seasoning. Alternatively, you can add raw beets to a salad for a sweet crunch.

Is beet good for hair? ›

Beetroot provides all essential minerals and vitamins for healthy hair by strengthening the follicles. Mixing ground coffee beans with beetroot juice works as an amazing conditioner making the hair luscious and also providing it with natural colour.

Are beets sweet or bitter? ›

Yes, beets taste earthy and a little bitter. While this isn't a bad thing, Martinez says they're best when paired with bright, sweet, and fresh flavors. If you're boiling them, add plenty of salt (as if you were boiling pasta) and about a quarter-cup of red wine vinegar to the water.

Should you eat beets raw or cooked? ›

Raw beets contain more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than cooked beets (yes, you can eat beets raw!). Like many vegetables, the longer you cook beets—especially in water—the more the colorful phytonutrients leach out of the food and into the water.

Are beets worth eating? ›

Health benefits of beets include more stamina during exercise, heart disease and stroke prevention, and lower blood pressure. You can roast, grate, or put them into soups and salads. If you're prone to kidney stones or gout, avoid beets or limit how much you eat.

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