How Long Do Cooked Beets Last in the Fridge?

Wondering how long cooked beets last in the fridge? Here’s exactly how long they keep, plus simple storage and freezing tips to help them stay fresh.

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How Long Do Cooked Beets Last? (Storage & Freezing Guide)

I love beets and their earthy flavor. In fact, I enjoy them so much that I grow fresh beets in my garden and roast them throughout the season.

The only problem? I always seem to roast more than my husband and I can eat in one sitting. I hate to see them go to waste, especially after putting in the time to grow and cook them, so today I am sharing exactly how long cooked beets last in the fridge, along with simple storage and freezing tips to keep them fresh.

Beets are incredibly versatile. You can eat them raw, roasted, or even juiced, and they work beautifully in salads, soups, and smoothies.

And as a bonus, I am also sharing a few of my favorite yummy recipes to help you use up your roasted beets. Whether you are meal prepping, saving leftovers, or roasting fresh beets from your garden, proper storage helps them stay fresh, flavorful, and safe to eat.

How Long Do Cooked Beets Last in the Fridge?

Cooked beets last 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.

Here are some tips for how to store beets in the fridge after they are cooked: 

• Allow the beets to cool completely before storing them. This will help to prevent the growth of bacteria.
• Peel the beets before storing them. This will make them easier to store and use later.
• Cut the beets into bite-sized pieces or slices. This will make them easier to store and use in recipes.
• Place the beets in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. This will help to keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out. You can also wrap beets tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the crisper drawer of the fridge.

How Long Do Cooked Beets Last in the Freezer?

If you have more cooked beets than you can use within a few days, the freezer is a great option. Cooked beets will keep for up to 3 months when frozen properly.

There are two simple ways to freeze them, including blanching and freezing them raw.

How to Blanch and Freeze Beets

Blanching is the most common way to freeze beets. To blanch and freeze beets, follow these steps:

1. Wash the beets and trim the greens.
2. Cut the beets into bite-sized pieces or slices.
3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
4. Add the beets to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes or until tender.
5. Drain the beets and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
6. Once the beets are cool, drain them and pat them dry with a paper towel.
7. Place the beets in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

How to Freeze Raw Beets

Freezing raw beets is less common, but it’s still a good option if you have an abundant beet harvest. To freeze raw beets, follow these steps:

1. Wash the beets and trim the greens.
2. Peel the beets (optional).
3. Cut the beets into bite-sized pieces or slices.
4. Place the beets in an airtight container or use freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months.

How to Tell if Cooked Beets are Bad

Cooked beets should be discarded if you notice:

If you are unsure, it is always best to throw them out.

How to Store Fresh Beets

Different Types of Beets

There are dozens of different types of beets, but the most common ones are:

• Red beets are the most popular type of beet. They have deep red flesh and a slightly earthy flavor.
• Golden beets have yellow flesh and a milder flavor than red beets.
• Chioggia beets are a type of striped beet with red and white flesh. They have a sweet and earthy flavor.
• White beets have white flesh and a mild flavor. They are often used in salads and as a garnish.
• Baby beets are small, round ones typically eaten raw or pickled.

In addition to these common types, there are also many other varieties of beets, including:

• Bull’s Blood beets have a deep purple flesh and a strong flavor.
• Foronoa beets are a type of large, round beet with a sweet flavor.
• Cylindra beets are long, cylindrical beets with a mild flavor.
• Mangold beets are a type of beet with large, leafy greens. The greens can be eaten cooked or raw.

Tips for Storing Raw Beets

No matter what type of beet you choose, they are a healthy and delicious vegetable that can be enjoyed in many ways.

The best way to store raw beets is in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to 2 weeks in the crisper drawer. Here are some tips for storing raw beets:

• Wash the beets before storing them. This will remove any dirt or bacteria that could shorten their shelf life.
• Trim the greens off the beets. The beet greens will not store well in the refrigerator and can spoil the beets faster.
• Wrap the beets in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container or plastic bag. This will help to keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out.
• Store the beets in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. This is the coldest part of the refrigerator and will help to keep the beets fresh for the longest time.

Why are Beets Good for You?

Beets are an excellent source of dietary fiber, folate, full of vitamin C, potassium, and a source of magnesium.

They have also been shown to have several health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, improving exercise performance, and protecting against cancer. 

Delicious Ways to Use Roasted Beets

If you’ve roasted a batch of beets and want to use them within that 3 to 5 day window, here are a few of my favorite recipes. These are simple ways to turn leftover roasted beets into salads, dips, and other easy dishes.

Easy Oven Roasted Beets

Ingredients for roasted beets

How to Cook Oven Roasted Beets

Step 1: Prep your beets

• Cut a large piece of foil to wrap up the beets in a foil tent.
• Clean your beets and cut off the beet greens, leaving the skins on.
• Place the whole beets in the center of the foil in a single layer.

Step 2: Season and roast your beets

• Using a vegetable brush, give the beets a coat of olive oil. 
• Season with salt, pepper, and the Herbs de Provence over the beets.
• Wrap up the foil so it is airtight and place the beets on a baking sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 60-90 minutes. Stick a knife in the beet to see if they are done. It should slide in and out of the beet easily. 

Step 3: skin your beets

• Let the beets cool completely until they reach room temperature.
• Remove the skins with a sharp knife.

Step 4: cut and refrigerate your beets

• Cut the beets into bite-size pieces using a cutting board. 
• The easiest way to store them is in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
• Your cooked beets will last from 3-5 days in the fridge.

Beet Salad with Chicken

This colorful salad combines roasted beets, arugula, chicken, and a simple balsamic vinaigrette.

Ingredients for Beet Salad With Chicken

For the Salad

For the Vinaigrette

How to Make Beet Salad with chicken

1. Combine the arugula, roasted beets, orange slices, cooked chicken, crumbled cheese, and pecans in a large salad bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, add all the ingredients for the vinaigrette and whisk until well combined.
3. Drizzle the salad with the vinaigrette, serve, and enjoy!

Beet Hummus

Roasted beets blended with chickpeas and tahini create a vibrant, creamy hummus.

Ingredients for Beet hummus

How to make beet hummus

1. Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
2. If the dip is too thick, add some water and blend again. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.
3. Serve in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds, and some fresh cilantro.

Beet Juice

If you love to juice, you will enjoy this refreshing beet juice with apples and carrots.

Ingredients for beet juice

how to make beet juice

1. Juice In this order, the beets, apples, and carrots follow your juicer’s specific settings for each fruit or vegetable. Enjoy!

More Beet Recipes to Try

Here are just a few more of my favorites you must try!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long do beets last in the freezer?

A: Cooked beets can last up to 3 months in the freezer when stored in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. For best quality, allow the beets to cool completely before freezing.

Q: How long do uncooked beets last in the fridge?

A: Raw beets can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator when stored in the crisper drawer. Remove the greens before storing, as they can draw moisture from the root and shorten the shelf life.

Q: Can you eat old beets?

A: Old beets may still be safe to eat if they are firm and do not show signs of spoilage. However, if they develop a sour smell, slimy texture, mold, or significant discoloration, they should be discarded.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed this post on the many possibilities of cooking with beets, along with tips for how long they last once they are cooked.

Roasted beets are incredibly versatile and easy to use in everything from salads to dips. With proper storage, you can enjoy them for several days after roasting and make the most of every batch.

If you try one of these recipes, I’d love to hear which one becomes your favorite.

Until next time,