Pickled beetroot

Preserve roasted beetroot in a sweet and spiced vinegar to make this punchy, classic accompaniment to cold meats and cheeses

Prep:20 mins
Cook:1 hrs 10 mins

Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 37
fat 2g
saturates 0g
carbs 4g
sugars 3g
fibre 1g
protein 1g
salt 0.9g

Ingredients

1kg beetroot
vegetable oil
4-5 tsp coarse crystal sea salt
1 tbsp black peppercorns
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tbsp yellow mustard seeds
10 cloves
few pieces of mace blades
pinch of dried chilli flakes (optional)
2 bay leaves
700ml white wine vinegar, plus 3½ tbsp
100g light brown soft sugar

Tip

Sterilising jars and equipment

Wash jars and lids in hot, soapy water, rinse, then place on a baking tray and put in a low oven for 10 mins or until completely dry. If you want to use rubber seals, remove the seals and cover in just-boiled water. Make sure you sterilise any funnels, ladles or spoons you’re going to be using too. All equipment must be sparklingly clean before you begin, to eliminate bacteria or yeasts from the equation.

Choose the right vinegar

For pickles to last in the jar, the vinegar must be 6% acidity. White wine and malt vinegars are 6%, but cider vinegar has slightly lower acidity, so is more suitable for chutneys.

Choose the right salt

Do not use table salt for pickling, as the anti-caking agents can give a cloudy, discoloured result. Look for either coarse crystal or coarse grain salt.

Cover the veg

Allow a few centimetres of space at the top of the jar and make sure the vegetables are well-covered in vinegar. A pestle or the end of a rolling pin is ideal for pushing the veg down into the vinegar.

Storing the pickles

When salted or brined and pickled, and kept in a cool, dark place, these pickles should last, unopened, for several months. Softer vegetables, such as beans and cucumbers, are most likely to go soggy sooner, as they are the most watery.

Method

Wash and trim the beetroot, rub each with 1 tbsp vegetable oil, then wrap individually in foil. Roast on a tray at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 1 hr or until tender. Cool, peel, then cut into wedges.
To make the pickling vinegar, put the whole spices in a medium saucepan. Toast over a low heat until they begin to smell aromatic. Add the dried chilli flakes last, as these can easily catch. Add the bay, pour in all of the vinegar and sugar, let it dissolve, and bring to a simmer.
Pack the beets into sterilised jars (see tip below), add 1 tsp coarse crystal sea salt to each, then pour over the hot vinegar and seal. Ready to eat in 2 weeks, or longer, if you like.