Red Beets
Estimated Inventory, 25 lbs : 46.28
This item was last sold on : 07/01/25
Description/Taste
Red beets vary in size, typically averaging 3-7 centimeters in diameter, and have a globular to ovate shape with a small taproot extending from the non-stem end. The firm skin is dark red to purple and is semi-smooth with tiny root hairs, russet, and scrapes covering the surface. Each beet varies in texture and shape depending on growing conditions. Underneath the surface, the flesh is a deep crimson and is dense, aqueous, and crunchy. When cooked, Red beets develop a tender, soft texture with a mildly sweet, earthy flavor. The beet plant also grows leafy stalks that are edible and have a taste similar to swiss chard.
Seasons/Availability
Red beets are available year-round.
Current Facts
Red beets, botanically classified as Beta vulgaris, are edible, underground roots that sprout tall leaves and are members of the Amaranthaceae family. The term Red beet is a broad descriptor used to encompass many different varieties of beets, including one of the most popular red cultivars known as the Detroit Red. Favored by chefs for their earthy flavor and deep crimson coloring, Red beets are cultivated primarily as a table root, used in everyday cooking in both sweet and savory preparations.
Nutritional Value
Red beets contain antioxidants known as betalains, which are pigments that give the root its dark hue, and this pigment is believed to help cleanse the body and remove toxins from the bloodstream. Red beets also contain iron, vitamins C and B6, magnesium, manganese, potassium, folate, and fiber to spur digestion and cleansing.
Applications
Red beets are popularly consumed raw in salads or are utilized in cooked applications such as roasting, steaming, frying, and boiling. It is important to note that Red beets will bleed a dark red hue when raw or cooked, and this liquid has the potential to stain surfaces and skin. The roots can be roasted and incorporated into soups, burgers, and quiche, cooked into pasta, blended into sauces, or sliced thinly into wedges and fried into chips. Red beets can also be mixed into hummus or used in baked goods such as cupcakes, cheesecake, tarts, and brownies. In addition to the roots, the leaves are also edible, commonly sautéed or used in salads, and are prized for their tender, crisp texture. Red beets pair well with fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, pears, and avocadoes, greens such as kale, spinach, arugula, and pea shoots, cheeses such as pecorino, goat, brie, and gorgonzola, pepitas, and walnuts. The roots will keep 2-3 weeks with the leaves removed and stored in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. With the leaves still attached the roots will keep up to one week. The green leaves will only keep 1-2 days once removed from the roots and stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Ancient Greece and Rome, Red beets were highly revered and were first cultivated for their leafy green stalks. These civilizations also developed methods to grow the plants year-round as the population grew to consume the leaves and occasionally the roots. In mythology, Red beets are considered an aphrodisiac as the goddess of love, Aphrodite, was rumored to have consumed the roots to enhance her attractiveness. Many Greeks also believed that eating from the same beet would cause a man and a woman to fall in love.
Geography/History
Red beets are native to the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Europe and North Africa and have been growing wild since ancient times. Initially, the plant was cultivated for its leafy green tops, and the roots were often discarded or used as animal feed. Primary consumption of the root itself did not take place until the 1500s, and the discovery of the beet's high sugar content also led to its increased agricultural value, spreading the root throughout the world via immigration and trade. Today Red beets can be found at specialty grocers and farmers markets in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Ciccia Osteria | San Diego CA | 619-674-4069 |
| Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
| Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria | San Diego CA | 619-220-0692 |
| Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
| Cross Roots | San Diego CA | 858-245-1678 |
| Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| Cocina de Barrio Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Rancho Bernardo Inn | San Diego CA | 877-517-9340 |
| Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
| Madi | San Diego CA | 320-491-1217 |
| Vitality Tap - 1St Ave | San Diego CA | 619-237-7625 |
| Wildland Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
| Flora Cafe | Bonita CA | 619-339-6604 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Burgo Direct | Chula Vista CA | 619-793-2325 |
| Fox Point Farms | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Joya Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-255-5979 |
| Shoreside Support Boat | San Diego CA | 704-277-7929 |
| Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Counterpoint | San Diego CA | 619-564-6722 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Lilo | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
| Dot Cafe | San Diego CA | 914-263-1424 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
| Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Bea Green Cold Pressed Juice | Alpine CA | 619-398-6295 |
| Pokewan (Del Mar) | San Diego CA | 858-847-2881 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Vulture / Dreamboat | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
| Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
| Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
| Asti Ristorante | San Diego CA | 619-232-8844 |
| Leu Leu | Leucadia CA | 619-316-5807 |
| Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Sbicca Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 619-417-2587 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Cantina Mayahuel | San Diego CA | 619-283-6292 |
| Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Mission Bay Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-201-7551 |
| Lilo NA | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
| Solana Beach Kitchen | Solana Beach CA | 610-717-7217 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
| Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
| Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Pete's Premade Paleo | San Diego CA | 770-359-8274 |
| Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Armonia LLC | San Diego CA | 619-724-7210 |
| Neighborhood Burger | San Diego CA | 619-446-0002 |
| Nomad Donuts | San Diego CA | 619-431-5000 |
| The Beau Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-310-5160 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| The Tavern Bar | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch) | San Marcos CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Campfire Bar | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| El Sueno | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
| Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
| Wet Stone Winebar and Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-255-2856 |
| The Victorian at Hill Street | Oceanside CA | 442-266-8285 |
| Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
| Bar Same Same (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| The Promiscuous Fork-La Jolla Blvd | La Jolla CA | 858-776-3246 |
| Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
| The Field Irish Pub & Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-232-9840 |
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
| The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa) | Costa Mesa CA | 714-852-3181 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
| Rabbit Hole | San Diego CA | 619-255-4653 |
| Cocina de Barrio NP | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
| Sabi Juice | Chula Vista CA | 619-971-8545 |
| Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
| Craft House Fashion Valley | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Botanica | San Diego CA | 619-310-6320 |
| Institutes of Health LLC | San Diego CA | 800-270-5016 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
| Living Coast Discovery Center | Chula Vista CA | 619-409-5900 |
| Vinya: Vino & Vinyasa | San Diego CA | 858-703-8101 |
| Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Barra Oliba | San Diego CA | 610-310-5110 |
| The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Storyhouse Spirits Bar | San Diego CA | 801-949-5955 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Starlite Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-358-9766 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Webbcreationfood LLC | San Diego CA | 619-829-9194 |
| Alexander's on 30th | San Diego CA | 858-774-3062 |
| Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Rustic Root Solana | Solana Beach CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Red Beets. One
is easiest, three is harder.Podcasts
Latest in season fruits and vegetables posted from the Specialty Produce App
