What's the Difference Between Red Beets and Golden Beets? (2024)

Here at Misfits Market, we’ve introduced dozens of interesting fruits and vegetables to our customers, but even we can get stumped when we encounter uncommon varieties of produce. In this series—What’s the Difference?—we’ll break down some key distinctions between the usual suspects, from origin to taste to cooking methods, as well as less common varieties you may see in your box.

What are red beets?

The flavor of the deep red beet is basically synonymous with “earthy” and adds some much-needed color to green salads and roasted root veggie dishes, even if they sometimes stain your fingers blood red.

What are golden beets?

The golden beet, on the other hand, is sweeter than the humble red beet and pairs well with sweet balsamic glazes.

Try golden beets in this recipe for crispy chicken thighs with roasted beets.

When should red beets be used instead of golden beets?

Despite a difference in color, the two beets are essentially the same when it comes to nutritional value and both add plenty of essential vitamins and minerals to your diet. Have more red beets than golden beets? Try them in a delicious brownie recipe that uses beets.

Try fresh produce delivery with Misfits Market.

Hungry for more? Try these beet recipes:

Chilled Sesame Beet Salad

4 Ways to Use Up a Bunch of Beets

Beet, Pistachio, and Arugula Flatbread

Are beets starchy or non-starchy?

Beets are root vegetables, meaning we eat the plant’s root instead of its foliage. Potatoes, onions, and radishes are also root vegetables. Not all root vegetables are starchy—unlike potatoes and yams, beets actually fall under the non-starchy vegetable category. Beets have a unique earthy flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked. Raw beets have a sharp crunch, while cooked beets are tender and smooth.

• Tagsbeets, lettuce, organic produce, potatoes, squash, stone fruit

Tags

• beets
• lettuce
• organic produce
• potatoes
• squash
• stone fruit