Incredibly Easy Smoked Beets + 3 Delicious Recipes
Smoked beets are a serious game changer! These earthy root vegetables take on a whole new dimension when they’re smoked – they become tender and sweet with a subtle smoky flavor that’s incredibly addictive. Smoked beets can be used in a variety of dishes, adding depth and complexity to everything from salads and sandwiches to hummus, beet dip, and even smoothies. One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is in a salad with fresh goat cheese and walnuts, where their unique flavor and texture really shine through. If you haven’t tried smoked beets yet, now is the time to give them a go – you won’t be disappointed!
Don't toss your beet tops or stems! The whole beet is edible!! For inspiration check out this guide for Edible Vegetable Tops. From beet leaf cabbage rolls to powdered beet tops, to smoothies, the options for using your beet tops are endless!
This smoked beets recipe caters to a wide variety of dietary preferences and food restrictions such as gluten intolerance. Jazz it up with some diced bacon and goat cheese or keep is basic. It is also a great vegan/vegetarian option for those who stay away from meat and animal products.
All About Beets
As both an avid gardener and cook, I can’t enough of cooking with fresh beets! This root vegetable is incredibly easy to grow and can be used in a variety of dishes, from roasted beets and beet hummus to beetroot soup and beet salad.
The different varieties of beets available, such as gold beets, candy stripe beets, and baby beets, offer unique flavors and textures that are perfect for experimenting with in the kitchen. Pairing two or more types of beets on one plate will give you serious style points! One of my favorite ways to prepare beets is by smoking them on my pellet grill, slicing, and putting them in a salad with goat cheese and balsamic glaze.
Beets are also packed with nutrients and antioxidants, making them an excellent addition to any diet. Whether you love beets or have yet to try them, I encourage you to get creative in the kitchen and explore the many delicious ways this root vegetable can be prepared!
Tips + Tricks
- You can smoke fully cooked and peeled beets by slicing them and placing in a grill safe pan on the smoker at 225 degrees f for 25-30 minutes.
- Beets are fully cooked when they can easily be pierced by a fork and the internal temperature reads 205-210°F.
- Make extra smoked beets and keep them in the fridge for extra sides, salads and smoothies throughout the week.
- Smoke beets over indirect heat to avoid burning them.
Best Pellets for Smoking Beets
If you prefer a strong smoke flavor for your grilled beets, hickory pellets (or chips) are the way to go! Normally hickory is reserved for red meats and dishes that can handle stronger flavors but because the beets are being peeled, hickory works great.
Generally for vegetables a milder wood flavor is suggested such as maple, oak, pecan, and different fruit woods.
Key Ingredients
Medium Sized Beets- Choose firm, medium sized beets for this recipe. Large beets will take longer to smoke whereas small beets will take longer to peel (making them a lot less worth your time and effort). If choosing beets with the stems and leaves attached, consider saving the tops for smoothies, beet leaf cabbage rolls, etc.
Exactly How To Smoke Beets
Step 1. Preheat your Traeger, Pit Boss, or other pellet grill to 300°F. Chop the stems off so that they are less than an inch long. Wash beets to remove any dirt or other residue.
Step 2. Place beets in a single layer, directly onto the grill grate, leaving space between them for airflow and optimal smoke absorption!
Step 3. Smoke beets for two hours. You can check for doneness by poking them with a fork. If they are easily pierced, they are likely done. You can also check the internal temperature of the beets using a probe or other thermometer- once the internal temperature reads 205-210°F, they are ready.
Step 4. Use a paring knife to cut the top of the beet off, removing the stem section. The skin should peel off quite easily when pulled back with your knife. If you are having trouble peeling with the knife, consider using a sharp peeler.
Step 5. Slice the beets up according to your intended use! I like to halve them and chopp them into 1/4 inch slices for salads and to sautee with butter and a pinch of salt. If you are using beets in a sandwich, consider slicing them into whole rounds.
Smoked Beet Recipes
Smoked Beet Salad With Strawberries, Goat Cheese, and Balsamic Glaze
Whip up a salad with some fresh greens, strawberries, goat cheese, and balsamic glaze. Top with candied pecans or walnut pieces. This recipe from Love and Lemons looks great.
Smoked Beet Hummus
Check out this Roasted Beet Hummus from Minimalist Baker but swap the roasted beet for some of your smoked beets! Talk about turning up the flavor!
Beet Soup
There are many variations for beet soup that you can add your smokey beets to! Because these beets are precooked, consider adding them toward the end of the cooking time. Try out Food Network Kitchen’s beet soup recipe with ginger and cabbage.
What To Serve With Smoked Beets
When serving your smoked beets as a side, consider pairing them with a smoked entree! If your entree is cooked at a lower temperature, keep your beets on for longer. Alternately, if the smoked entree is grilled at a higher temperature, consider checking your beets after the 60 and 90 minute mark.
Printable Recipe Card for Smoked Beets
Incredibly Easy Smoked Beets + 3 Delicious Recipes
Smoked beets are a serious game changer! These earthy root vegetables take on a whole new dimension when they're smoked - they become tender and sweet with a subtle smoky flavor that's incredibly addictive. Smoked beets can be used in a variety of dishes, adding depth and complexity to everything from salads and sandwiches to hummus, beet dip, and even smoothies.
Ingredients
- 6 medium beets
Instructions
- Preheat your Traeger, Pit Boss, or other pellet grill to 300°F. Chop the stems off so that they are less than an inch long. Wash the beets to remove any dirt or other residue there may be left.
- Place the beets in a single layer, directly onto the grill grate, leaving space between them for airflow and optimal smoke absorption!
- Smoke beets for two hours. You can check for doneness by poking them with a fork. If they are easily pierced, they are likely done. You can also check the internal temperature of the beets using a probe or other thermometer- once the internal temperature reads 205-210°F, they are ready.
- Use a paring knife to cut the top of the beet off, removing the stem section. The skin should peel off quite easily when pulled back with your knife. If you are having trouble peeling with the knife, consider using a sharp peeler.
- Slice the beets up according to your intended use! I like to halve them and chopp them into 1/4 inch slices for salads and to sautee with butter. If you are using beets in a sandwich, consider slicing them into whole rounds.
Notes
Smoked Beets FAQ
Yes, fully cooked beets can be cold smoked for 30 minutes at 225° to add smokey flavor!
All types of beets work well for smoking including red beets, golden beets, and striped beets (Chioggia beets).
Any grill will work for smoking beets including a charcoal smoker, electric smoker, and traditional gas barbecue. If you are using a barbecue, consider adding a smoker box with wood chips.
No! Leave the beet skin on to hold in moisture– peel them after they have been smoked!
