What to Serve with Beets? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Beets are a kitchen staple packed with nutrients and color. Did you know these vibrant roots can boost your stamina? They’re not just for salads anymore.

We’ve all been there, staring into the fridge, wondering what on earth to pair with beets. It’s a real puzzle. I remember my first beet fiasco; it ended up as a pink mess on the plate.

Lesson learned: beets need the right sidekick.

This article is here to save dinner. We’ve got 10 side dishes that make beets shine. No more guesswork, just delicious meals.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Beets?

Not everybody enjoys the distinct earthy flavor beets have.

Therefore, whether your dinner guests like them depends on how you cook them and what you serve on the side.

Before thinking about what to serve with beets, you might want to consider how you want to cook the beets first.

You can either get a soft or a crunchy texture.

If you want to eat them raw, try incorporating the beets in your favorite salad for a healthy and nutritious meal.

Serving side dishes with beets is a good idea, as you certainly cannot serve them alone.

They are meant to be accompanied by complementing textures and flavors to create a wholesome meal that treats your palate, too.

What to Serve with Beets? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Here are the ten best side dishes we think taste great with beets.

You can pick your favorites and proudly serve them to your guests the next time you cook beets.

1. Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad

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One of the first things that comes to mind when talking about accompaniments for beets is goat cheese.

Arugula also works perfectly with beet.

So, why not combine and make a goat cheese arugula salad?

You’ll get the peppery contrasting flavor from the arugula to contrast the beets’ sweetness and creamy goodness from the cheese.

You can add other vegetables, too, if you want to balance the flavors more and add textures.

Orange slices work well to cut the beets’ sweetness.

This salad gives the best combination of softness and crunchiness that can both be light and filling.

2. Balsamic Roasted Chicken

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Using balsamic vinegar to marinade your chicken will bring out the sweet and earthy flavors of the beets even more.

Chicken has enough flavor to handle the sweet beet but not so much to overpower it.

It is a great food with which you can complement your beets and serve a hearty meal.

You can use chicken breasts or thighs to make balsamic roasted chicken.

It will take only around 20 minutes to prepare and two hours to bake to make twelve servings.

3. Pork Schnitzel with Fennel Salad

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If you think chicken is too mild for your dinner, consider pork.

You can ditch the other recipes and go for pork schnitzel with fennel salad.

This salad calls for new potatoes, sliced fennel, fat-trimmed pork loin steaks, and mayonnaise.

It is the perfect spring side dish to impress your guests when serving beets.

The addition of mayonnaise makes the pork extra succulent and flavourful.

All the ingredients in the salad blend beautifully to add a good contrast to the beets.

You’ll need only 30 minutes to prepare this side dish, so its a good option when you’re out of time.

4. Pan-Seared Lemon Asparagus

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Serving beet and asparagus together might seem odd, but these vegetables, with their intense and unique flavors, complement each other well.

When roasted or seared in parmesan cheese and lemon juice, the asparagus turns from a simple stalk to a multi-flavored side dish.

It is great for serving at dinner parties. Asparagus has an earthy flavor, too, with a bitter-sweet taste.

Surprisingly, combining it with beet works well without overpowering one another.

So, if you’re looking for a side dish that you can prepare in a jiffy, we recommend going for this simple yet flavorful option.

5. Pan-Fried Salmon with Broccolini

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Another quick side dish that will keep your guests asking for a second serving is pan-fried salmon with broccolini.

Salmon and beets have complementary flavors.

Salmon is salty, buttery, and flavourful, and beets are earthy and sweet.

So, they create the perfect pair when you want to serve something elegant.

Cook your salmon fillet in just ten minutes and add some steamed or seared Broccolini on the side of the plate.

6. Cheesy Rice Balls

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You can add some crunch to your meal by making scallion rice balls.

The crispy outer layer and chewy center of the rice balls provide a good contrast to the beets.

They are non-greasy and perfect for parties.

Although this side dish doesn’t take too much time, you can prepare it in advance and bake them in the oven when you want to serve them.

Imagine onion rings in the form of balls. That’s what scallion rice balls taste like.

We bet everyone will enjoy this crispy and savory side dish.

Feel free to include a dipping sauce if you like.

7. Beef Bourguignon

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Also known as beef burgundy, beef bourguignon is a red wine-braised beef stew with its origins in France.

It contains mushrooms, garlic, bacon, onion, thyme, and various other ingredients that work well with beets.

You’d traditionally serve beef bourguignon with noodles, but it tastes great with beets too.

Also, mushrooms and beets never disappoint, so don’t be shy to add as many as you like.

Regardless of how you make it, beef and beets make a beautiful combination.

8. Chili Lime Butter Grilled Corn

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Corn tastes best when grilled.

It’s even more delicious when you add a mixture of melted butter and chili lime on top.

The corn’s sweetness enhances the beet’s sweetness, while chili lime butter balances the earthy flavors of the beet.

Grill the corn to give it some char, and enjoy the mixture of different flavors and textures by combining it with your beets.

This side dish is a good option if you have vegan friends.

You can prepare it in less than an hour to serve six people.

9. Shrimp Fried Rice

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It is important to see that your side dish does not compete with the main course.

You can make sure of it by serving shrimp fried rice with your beets.

Shrimps have a unique taste that isn’t overpowering.

Therefore, they work great as a side dish for many meals.

To make it more filling, we recommend making shrimp fried rice.

You can use leftover rice, eggs, and your favorite veggies to make this side dish.

In fact, we suggest using leftover rice to prevent sogginess.

It takes around 30 minutes to make four servings. Ensure that your shrimps are deveined.

You can use Sesame oil for a more flavourful result.

10. Quinoa Pilaf with Dried Cranberries and Pecans

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A quinoa pilaf might be the side dish you’re looking for if you prefer some light, healthy, and fresh.

It is a versatile ingredient you can eat plain, make into a salad, or create a pilaf.

When added dried cranberries and pecans to the quinoa pilaf, this side dish provides a crunchy and sweet element to the meal.

Add your favorite herbs to enhance the flavor.

Quinoa is a healthier alternative to rice and other heavier options.

So, it’s ideal for serving for lunch and dinner.

Conclusion

There are many options when it comes to choosing side dishes for beets.

However, some work better than the rest, depending on how you cook your beets.

Consider the overall flavor profile of your main dish, its texture, and whether you want something heavy or light.

Our side dish suggestions include a variety of options for you to choose from.

Pick any of them for your next meal, and we’re sure you’ll have people asking for more.