All About Beet
Your complete guide to beet - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Beet Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for beet in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
raw, greens removed, unwashed (fridge)2-4 weeks
Signs of Spoilage
Beet roots become soft, rubbery, shriveled, or wrinkled. Appearance of dark spots, fuzzy mold (white, green, or black), or a slimy film on the surface. A strong, sour, or pungent odor instead of its characteristic earthy smell.
How to Check
Visually inspect for any mold growth, significant shriveling, or discoloration. Touch the beet: it should be firm and hard. If it feels soft, squishy, or slimy, it's spoiled. Smell the beet; a sour or unpleasant odor is a clear sign of spoilage.
Storage Tips
Do not wash beets until just before use, as moisture can accelerate spoilage. Store unwashed beets in a perforated plastic bag or wrapped in a damp paper towel in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator to maintain humidity and prevent drying out.
frozen (blanched)8-12 months
Signs of Spoilage
Excessive freezer burn (dry, discolored patches on the surface), significant loss of vibrant color, strong off-odor after thawing, or a mushy texture beyond what's expected from cooked beets.
How to Check
Visually inspect for large ice crystals or widespread freezer burn. After thawing, check for a strong, unpleasant odor. While some texture change is normal with freezing, excessively mushy or disintegrated beets may be past their prime. Taste a small piece if other signs are absent, but discard if flavor is significantly off.
Storage Tips
Blanching (boiling briefly then shocking in ice water) before freezing helps preserve color, flavor, and texture. Store in freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date of freezing.
cooked (fridge)3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Slimy texture, dull or darker discoloration (beyond normal cooked color), sour or off-putting odor (fermented, yeasty, or unpleasant). Visible mold growth.
How to Check
Visually inspect for sliminess, mold, or unusual discoloration. Smell for any sour, fermented, or unpleasant odors. Cooked beets should have a mild, earthy, slightly sweet aroma. Do not taste if any spoilage signs are present.
Storage Tips
Store cooked beets in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing other food odors and to maintain freshness. Cool completely before refrigerating.
raw with greens attached (fridge)3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Greens become yellow, wilted, slimy, or start to decay. The beet root itself may begin to soften slightly.
How to Check
Visually inspect the greens for wilting, yellowing, or sliminess. Feel the beet root for firmness; it should be hard, not soft or pliable.
Storage Tips
The greens draw moisture from the root, so for longer storage, it's best to remove them. If keeping greens, store them separately wrapped in a damp paper towel.