Name: Simple and Delicious Beet Greens
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 bunches beet greens, stems removed; 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, or to taste; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 2 lemons, quartered

Prep Time:

5 mins

Cook Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

15 mins

Servings:

4

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Did you know you can eat beet greens? Well, you can! The delicious and nutritious leaves make a fantastic side dish. Learn how to make perfect beet greens with this incredibly simple recipe.

What Are Beet Greens?

Beet greens are the deep red-veined leaves that grow on beets. The nutrient-packed greens and stems have a mild, sweet, and slightly earthy flavor. They can be used in many of the same ways as kale, but they're less bitter (making them more palatable for many people).

How to Cook Beet Greens

Simple and Delicious Beet Greens — Photo by Myra Golden.

This recipe for beet greens truly couldn't be simpler. You'll find the full recipe below, but here's a brief overview of what you can expect:

Blanch the lightly salted beet greens, drain well, and chop coarsely. Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then add the garlic and crushed red pepper. Stir in the greens until they're evenly coated with oil. Season with salt and pepper and serve with lemon wedges.

What to Do With Beet Greens

These cooked beet greens pair perfectly with almost any entree. Serve them on the side of chicken, fish, steak, or countless other main dishes. In need of a little inspiration? Try serving these beet greens with one of these tasty recipes:

Garlic Chicken
Marinated Flank Steak
Maple Salmon

How to Store Cooked Beet Greens

Store leftover cooked beet greens in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove. However, for best tasting results, cook and eat these beet greens on the same day.

You can also prep part of this recipe ahead of time. Recipe creator Daryl Gerboth suggests storing blanched beet greens in the fridge for up to three days. Cook as directed when you're ready to serve them.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Satisfying and good for you," according to Karin Cyrus Ebertz. "I also chopped the stems, and sautéed them first with a little garlic before adding the greens. I would add some crumbled bacon for a little flavoring."

"First time having beet greens and definitely a winner," says SWEETONE76. " Followed the recipe except for a few changes. I did not use red pepper flakes. I cut the stems into small dice and sautéed with minced garlic and spring onions in olive oil until tender. The lemon juice is a must!"

"I cannot believe how delicious this was," raves Christa Togans. "I added beef bacon plus a little of the bacon grease to the olive oil!!! I use lots of garlic and I will be making it again! I never knew how good this could be!"

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

2 bunches beet greens, stems removed
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, or to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (Optional)
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 lemons, quartered

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add beet greens and cook, uncovered, until tender, about 2 minutes, and drain in a colander.

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Immediately immerse in ice water for several minutes to stop the cooking process.

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Once the greens are cold, drain well, and coarsely chop.

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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the chopped greens until coated, then season with salt and pepper. Cook just until greens are hot; 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

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Serve with lemon wedges.

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Tips

To make ahead, complete Step 1 and store the blanched greens in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to cook, complete Steps 2 and 3.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

49	Calories
4g	Fat
7g	Carbs
1g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 49
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g	5%
Saturated Fat 1g	3%
Sodium 45mg	2%
Total Carbohydrate 7g	3%
Dietary Fiber 3g	12%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 48mg	240%
Calcium 59mg	5%
Iron 1mg	6%
Potassium 236mg	5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.