Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Harvard Beets, a classic New England dish that combines the earthy sweetness of beets with a tangy, slightly sweet sauce. Originating in the 19th century, this culinary delight is a staple at holiday gatherings and potlucks, earning its place as a beloved American tradition. This versatile dish can be served as a warm or chilled side, complementing a variety of main courses. Discover the simplicity of preparing this timeless recipe using fresh beets or the convenience of canned beets. For a unique twist, explore our variations that introduce a medley of flavors, including a tangy orange-spiced version, a savory bacon-infused rendition, and a delightful combination of beets and apples. Each variation promises a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
Here are our top 12 tried and tested recipes!
HARVARD BEETS (SWEET SOUR RED BEETS)
Make and share this Harvard Beets (Sweet Sour Red Beets) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Tonkcats
Categories Vegetable
Time 17m
Yield 3 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Mix together the dry ingredients.
- Add vinegar and water and stir until smooth.
- Cook 5 minutes.
- Add beets and let stand desired minutes. (Can marinate in fridge overnight or just while you prepare other dishes).
- Before serving, heat to boiling point and add butter.
- Serve warm.
GRANDMA'S HARVARD BEETS
This is my Grandma's recipes for tangy, sweet Harvard Beets. I have tried other recipes, but none are as flavorful as hers.
Provided by Pam Maxson Rodriguez
Categories Side Dish Vegetables
Time 40m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, vinegar and water. Bring to a boil, and cook for 5 minute. Add the beets to the liquid, and simmer for 30 minutes over low heat. Stir in butter, salt and pepper and remove from the heat. Serve warm or chilled.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 185.3 calories, Carbohydrate 33.7 g, Cholesterol 15.3 mg, Fat 5.9 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 328.1 mg, Sugar 30.3 g
CLASSIC HARVARD BEETS
These tangy Harvard beets, so named for their color, are cooked in a thickened sweet and sour sauce made with vinegar and sugar.
Provided by Diana Rattray
Categories Side Dish
Time 1h5m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- To make with fresh beets, wash the beets and leave an inch of stem and root end on them.
- Put the beets in a saucepan, cover with water, and add about 1 teaspoon of salt per quart of water and bring the water to a boil.
- Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and boil for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the beets are tender.
- Drain the beets and let them cool.
- Then slip off the skins.
- Slice the beets to your desired size.
- Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan.
- Whisk in the vinegar and water and cook over medium heat, stirring, until thickened.
- Add the sliced cooked beets and the salt and freshly ground black pepper and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Stir the butter into the beets and serve them hot.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 160 kcal, Carbohydrate 27 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 125 mg, Sugar 25 g, Fat 6 g, ServingSize Serves 6, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
HARVARD BEETS
This pretty side dish's bright, citrusy flavors are an ideal companion for down-to-earth entrees-and for people who usually shy away from beets. -Jean Ann Perkins, Newburyport, Maryland
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 15m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Drain beets, reserving 2 tablespoons juice; set beets and juice aside. In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Add vinegar, orange juice and beet juice; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until thickened. Add beets and orange zest; heat through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 93 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 220mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (19g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 1g protein.
SIMPLE HARVARD BEETS
A colorful and nourishing addition to any autumn table, this quick and simple dish from Stella Quade of Carthage, Missouri makes a classic side for many meat entrees. TIP: Save the greens from fresh beets and turnips. They're delicious and add extra nutrition to soups and stews.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 30m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place beets in a small saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook until tender, 15-20 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 tablespoon cooking liquid; set beets aside. , In the same pan, combine the sugar, flour, vinegar and reserved liquid. Cook over low heat until thickened. Stir in the beets, salt and butter. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 115 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 239mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (16g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
FRESH BAKED HARVARD BEETS
Harvard beets are especially good when you start with fresh beets and bake them. Doesn't take much longer than boiling them and they're far more flavorful.
Provided by sugarpea
Categories Vegetable
Time 1h15m
Yield 3 cups of beets, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Trim all but 1" off the stem and root ends of the beets, do not wash, do not peel; remove any dirt with a paper towel; place in a baking pan and seal tightly with aluminum foil; bake at 400° for 1 hour.
- When beets are cool enough to handle, remove roots, stems and skins; cut into 1/4" dice, there should be about 3 cups; set aside.
- Mix sugar, cornstarch, vinegar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, whisking; whisk until thickened, about 30 seconds; remove from heat and whisk in butter.
- Add the beets and heat through; add salt to taste; serve at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 173.1, Fat 3.2, SaturatedFat 1.9, Cholesterol 7.6, Sodium 133.2, Carbohydrate 35, Fiber 3.4, Sugar 30.2, Protein 2.9
GRANDMA'S SWEET AND SOUR BEETS
These can also be called Harvard Beets. My Welch-Irish Grandma loved root vegetables, including beets. This recipe is tasty and simple.
Provided by Kathie Carr
Categories Vegetables
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- 1. In a saucepan, over high heat, combine sugar, cornstarch, salt, and vinegar. Mix well and bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat and stir in butter. When butter is melted stir in beets. Cook until beets are heated through.
HARVARD BEETS
I got this recipe from an old cookbook from 1952. I love harvard beets and this is my favorite beet recipe. It is fast and easy to make. In the winter time you can use a can of diced beets, if you don't have fresh available. Also sometimes I just cook the beets whole, then dice or slice them after "slipping" them in cold water. Slipping beets is a good childhood memory that me and my little sister used to share together.
Provided by mammafishy
Categories Vegetable
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Pare and dice raw beets.
- Cook in covered pan until tender.
- Mix cornstarch and sugar.
- Add liquid slowly, stirring into a smooth paste.
- Cook over low heat until slightly thickened.
- Add vinegar and butter.
- Stir to blend and pour over beets.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 134.9, Fat 5.9, SaturatedFat 3.7, Cholesterol 15.3, Sodium 94.2, Carbohydrate 20.2, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 17.1, Protein 1.2
HARVARD BEETS FOR THE FREEZER (OR RIGHT AWAY)
The only way to eat beets! When I harvest my beets in the fall I always make up a few batches of this for the freezer-they're just as good reheated and it's a wonderful quick veggie for winter! To prepare fresh beets, I cover them with water, cook for 30 minutes to an hour till tender, then peel and cube. This recipe is a Swedish family tradition. The long cooking time includes the time the beets need to marinate.
Provided by Kaarin
Categories Vegetable
Time 45m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Mix the sugar, cornstarch, vinegar and water in a pot and boil 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the beets, toss to coat.
- If you are freezing: put one batch in a quart size bag or container, and make a note to add 2 tablespoons butter when reheating.
- If you are eating them now: Let stand for at least 30 minutes.
- Just before serving, add the butter and reheat to the boiling point.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 140.5, Fat 4, SaturatedFat 2.5, Cholesterol 10.2, Sodium 100.3, Carbohydrate 25.8, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 23.4, Protein 1.5
QUICK HARVARD BEETS
We grow beets in our own garden, and they're so good in this recipe. They have such a nice flavor and are very pretty when served.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a saucepan, place raw beets and enough water to cover. Cook until tender, 15-20 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup liquid. (If using canned beets, drain and reserve 1/4 cup juice.) , In another saucepan, combine sugar, flour, vinegar and reserved beet juice. Cook over low heat until thickened. Stir in beets, salt and butter. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 133 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 280mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (21g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 1g protein.
HARVARD BEETS
If you use fresh beets, clean peel and boil until almost tender. Add other ingredients and complete recipe.
Provided by Shearyah Hawkins
Categories Side Dish Vegetables
Time 15m
Yield 3
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Drain the beet liquid into a medium saucepan. To the liquid add vinegar, sugar, cornstarch and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; stir in beets and cook until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 207.3 calories, Carbohydrate 53.1 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.1 g, Sodium 13.6 mg, Sugar 50.5 g
EASY AS 1-2-3 HARVARD BEETS
Make and share this Easy As 1-2-3 Harvard Beets recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Maven in the Making
Categories Vegetable
Time 10m
Yield 3-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In small saucepan, combine the ONE tablespoons cornstarch, the TWO tablespoons sugar and the THREE tablespoons vinegar (get it, 1-2-3?)! Stir.
- Drain the can of beets, reserving the liquid. Add 1/2 cup of the liquid to the pan.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring till thickened and bubbly.
- Add 1 tablespoons butter and salt and pepper to taste.
- Add drained beets and heat in the sauce till hot through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 142.2, Fat 4.1, SaturatedFat 2.5, Cholesterol 10.2, Sodium 144.4, Carbohydrate 25.1, Fiber 2.9, Sugar 19.8, Protein 2.5
Tips:
- Select the Right Beets: Choose small to medium-sized beets with smooth, firm skin and deep red color. Avoid beets with bruises or blemishes.
- Prepare Beets Properly: Scrub beets thoroughly to remove dirt. Trim the tops and roots, leaving about 1 inch of stem.
- Cook Beets Until Tender: Beets can be boiled, roasted, or steamed until tender. Boiling takes about 45 minutes, roasting takes about 1 hour, and steaming takes about 30 minutes.
- Make a Flavorful Vinaigrette: The vinaigrette dressing is key to the flavor of Harvard beets. Use a combination of vinegar (such as apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar), sugar, and spices (such as mustard seeds, celery seeds, and cloves).
- Let the Beets Marinate: After cooking the beets, let them cool slightly before slicing them. Then, place the beets in the vinaigrette dressing and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
Conclusion:
Harvard beets are a delicious and versatile side dish that can be enjoyed warm or cold. They are perfect for potlucks, picnics, and holiday meals. With their sweet and sour flavor, Harvard beets are sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. So next time you are looking for a colorful and flavorful side dish, give Harvard beets a try!
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