By Krista Teigen
Published Nov 27, 2024
Harvard beets are something I remember quite fondly from my childhood. I was never much of a fan of beets, but this recipe always got me to gobble them right up. These beets are sweet, tangy, and totally delicious! Coated in a rich glaze, I’m sure they could turn any beet hater into a beet lover. Plus, they’re super gorgeous to look at, too!
These jewel-toned Harvard beets are such an easy way to pretty up any meal. They’re so bright and beautiful, and they taste delicious to boot! I love the sweet and tangy flavor and the creamy thick sauce. They’re perfect for the holidays!
What’s in This Harvard Beets Recipe?
- Beets: I used packaged cooked whole beets, but canned also work well. When I’m in a time crunch, I often reach for cooked sliced beets.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar boosts the natural sweetness of the beets.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce.
- Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar balances the sweetness of the beets with a bit of acidity and tanginess.
- Salt + Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor of the beets.
- Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness to the beets.
Tips for Success
- To use fresh beets, place them in cold water, bring to a boil, add 1 teaspoon of salt, and cook for 15 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly before slicing.
- The cornstarch will cause the sauce to thicken significantly once chilled in the refrigerator, but it should thin back out once reheated. You may need to add a little extra water.
- I do not have any canning experience and would not recommend this recipe for canning.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover Harvard beets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying cold or gently reheated in a pan on the stovetop.
Serving Suggestions
These sweet, earthy, and tangy Harvard beets are the perfect healthy side dish for any meal. I especially love them with my herb crusted salmon , peppercorn steak , or honey pork chops .
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 pounds cooked whole beets (2 packages)
- ▢ ½ cup granulated sugar
- ▢ 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ▢ ½ cup water
- ▢ ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
Instructions
- Cut the beets into ¼-inch slices. 2 pounds cooked whole beets
- Whisk the sugar and cornstarch together in a large skillet. ½ cup granulated sugar, 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
- Add in the water and apple cider vinegar and whisk to combine. ½ cup water, ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- Bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce to a simmer and cook for a minute until thickened.
- Add in the beets and stir to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper and stir in the butter. ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Harvard Beets Step by Step
Cut the Beets: Cut 2 pounds of cooked whole beets into ¼-inch slices.
Whisk the Sugar and Cornstarch: Whisk ½ cup of granulated sugar and 1½ tablespoons of cornstarch together in a large skillet.
Add the Water and Vinegar: Add in ½ cup of water and ½ cup of apple cider vinegar and whisk to combine.
Thicken the Mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce to a simmer and cook for a minute until thickened.
Add the Beets: Add in the beets and stir to coat. Season with ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper and stir in 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
More Veggie Side Dishes to Try!
Cucumber Onion Salad
Baked Tomatoes with Cheese
Honey Glazed Carrots (Ginger Carrots)
Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Harvard Beets Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds cooked whole beets (2 packages)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
Instructions
- Cut the beets into ¼-inch slices. 2 pounds cooked whole beets
- Whisk the sugar and cornstarch together in a large skillet. ½ cup granulated sugar, 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
- Add in the water and apple cider vinegar and whisk to combine. ½ cup water, ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- Bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce to a simmer and cook for a minute until thickened.
- Add in the beets and stir to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper and stir in the butter. ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
