All About Golden beets
Your complete guide to golden beets - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Golden beets Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for golden beets 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.
Cooked in fridge3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Slimy texture, sour or fermented odor, visible mold growth, discoloration (e.g., dulling of color, darker spots).
How to Check
Visually inspect for mold or any unusual discoloration. Touch the beets; they should not feel slimy or sticky. Smell them; fresh cooked beets have a mild, sweet earthy aroma. Any sour, pungent, or off-odor indicates spoilage.
Storage Tips
Store cooked beets in an airtight container in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. This prevents bacterial growth and keeps them fresh longer.
Raw, trimmed (no greens) in fridge2-4 weeks (up to 1 month with ideal conditions)
Signs of Spoilage
Softness, shriveling, wrinkled skin, slimy film on the surface, mold growth (fuzzy white, green, or black spots), strong pungent or sour odor (instead of a mild earthy smell).
How to Check
Visually inspect for mold, dark spots, or a slimy coating. Touch the beet; it should be firm and hard. If it feels soft, squishy, or spongy, it's likely spoiled. Smell the beet; a fresh beet has an earthy aroma, while a spoiled one will smell sour, fermented, or unpleasant.
Storage Tips
Do not wash beets until you are ready to use them, as moisture can encourage spoilage. Store them unwashed in a plastic bag or an airtight container in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator to maintain humidity and prevent dehydration. A paper towel can be added to absorb excess moisture.
Frozen (blanched or cooked)8-12 months (for best quality)
Signs of Spoilage
Significant freezer burn (dry, discolored patches), strong off-flavors or aromas after thawing, extremely mushy or watery texture upon thawing (beyond normal softening). While safe indefinitely at 0°F (-18°C), quality degrades over time.
How to Check
Visually inspect for excessive ice crystals or large areas of freezer burn. After thawing, check the texture; it should still hold some integrity. Smell for any unpleasant odors. If the texture is completely disintegrated or the smell is off, it's best to discard.
Storage Tips
For best results, blanch whole or cut beets before freezing. Peel and chop/slice blanched beets, then pack them into freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Cooked beets can also be frozen, but their texture might be softer upon thawing.
Raw, untrimmed (with greens) in fridge3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Greens wilting, yellowing, or becoming slimy; beet root becoming soft, shriveled, or developing dark spots.
How to Check
Visually inspect the greens for freshness and the beet root for firmness. Gently squeeze the beet; it should be firm, not soft or squishy. Check for any mold or off-odors.
Storage Tips
The greens draw moisture from the root, shortening its shelf life. For longer storage, it's best to remove the greens as soon as possible after purchase.