Red Beets
Estimated Inventory, 25 lbs : 48.97
This item was last sold on : 07/09/25
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.
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
| Belmont Park Draft | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| Cocina de Barrio NP | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Institutes of Health LLC | San Diego CA | 800-270-5016 |
| Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
| Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| The Tavern Bar | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Bea Green Cold Pressed Juice | Alpine CA | 619-398-6295 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| The Beau Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-310-5160 |
| Counterpoint | San Diego CA | 619-564-6722 |
| Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
| Flora Cafe | Bonita CA | 619-339-6604 |
| Wet Stone Winebar and Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-255-2856 |
| Revolution Roasters | Oceanside CA | 760-330-6827 |
| Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Armonia LLC | San Diego CA | 619-724-7210 |
| Sbicca Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 619-417-2587 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| The Market by Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-237-1335 |
| El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria | San Diego CA | 619-220-0692 |
| Alexander's on 30th | San Diego CA | 858-774-3062 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Campfire Bar | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Joya Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-255-5979 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Pete's Premade Paleo | San Diego CA | 770-359-8274 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Lilo NA | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
| Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
| Storyhouse Spirits Bar | San Diego CA | 801-949-5955 |
| Rustic Root Solana | Solana Beach CA | 619-955-5750 |
| The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| Wildland Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
| Nomad Donuts | San Diego CA | 619-431-5000 |
| Cross Roots | San Diego CA | 858-245-1678 |
| Asti Ristorante | San Diego CA | 619-232-8844 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
| Bar Same Same (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Vulture / Dreamboat | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
| Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Coya Peruvian Secret | Del Mar CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Kettner Exchange Bar | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Pokewan (Del Mar) | San Diego CA | 858-847-2881 |
| Cocina de Barrio Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
| Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
| Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
| Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Leu Leu | Leucadia CA | 619-316-5807 |
| The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch) | San Marcos CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Mission Bay Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-201-7551 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Shoreside Support Boat | San Diego CA | 704-277-7929 |
| Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
| Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
| Farm Fresh Meals | Vista CA | 760-707-2383 |
| Burgo Direct | Chula Vista CA | 619-793-2325 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
| Living Coast Discovery Center | Chula Vista CA | 619-409-5900 |
| Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
| The Field Irish Pub & Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-232-9840 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Dot Cafe | San Diego CA | 914-263-1424 |
| Ciccia Osteria | San Diego CA | 619-674-4069 |
| Botanica | San Diego CA | 619-310-6320 |
| Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
| El Sueno | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
| Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
| The Promiscuous Fork-La Jolla Blvd | La Jolla CA | 858-776-3246 |
| The Victorian at Hill Street | Oceanside CA | 442-266-8285 |
| Barra Oliba | San Diego CA | 610-310-5110 |
| Solana Beach Kitchen | Solana Beach CA | 610-717-7217 |
| Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
| Vitality Tap - 1St Ave | San Diego CA | 619-237-7625 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
| Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
| Rabbit Hole | San Diego CA | 619-255-4653 |
| Extraordinary Desserts Union St. | San Diego CA | 619-294-7001 |
| Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Madi | San Diego CA | 320-491-1217 |
| The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa) | Costa Mesa CA | 714-852-3181 |
| Craft House Fashion Valley | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Starlite Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-358-9766 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| Sabi Juice | Chula Vista CA | 619-971-8545 |
| Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
| Neighborhood Burger | San Diego CA | 619-446-0002 |
| Fox Point Farms | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
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
