Buttered Beets is a wonderfully simple vintage vegetable side dish that turns earthy beets into something bright, buttery, and gently sweet-and-sour. Recipes like this were especially at home in mid-century American kitchens, where inexpensive garden vegetables were often dressed with butter, sugar, and vinegar to give them extra flavor. Here, cooked beets are sliced, arranged in a baking dish, and covered with a hot mixture of butter, sugar, and vinegar before spending just ten minutes in the oven. The vinegar cuts through the natural sweetness of the beets while the butter gives them richness and a glossy finish. With only four ingredients and very little preparation, this colorful side dish is an appealing companion to roast beef, pork, chicken, or a traditional Sunday dinner.
Ingredients
- 6 cooked beets
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp vinegar
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Beets
- Slice the 6 cooked beets into 1/8-inch-thick slices.
- Arrange the sliced beets in a baking dish.
Step 2: Make the Butter Sauce
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tbsp vinegar.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Step 3: Coat the Beets
- Pour the hot butter mixture evenly over the sliced beets.
Step 4: Bake
- Place the baking dish in a moderate oven, approximately 350°F.
- Bake for 10 minutes, until the beets are heated through and coated with the buttery glaze.
Step 5: Serve
- Serve the buttered beets warm, spooning any remaining sauce from the baking dish over the top.
Tips
- Use beets that have already been boiled or roasted until fork-tender before beginning the recipe.
- Slice the beets as evenly as possible so they heat at the same rate.
- Apple cider vinegar can add a slightly fruitier flavor than plain white vinegar.
- For a less sweet version, reduce the sugar to 1 tbsp.
- Add a small pinch of salt to emphasize the buttery, sweet-and-sour flavors.
- A little freshly ground black pepper provides a savory contrast to the sugar.
- Try using a mixture of red and golden beets for a colorful presentation.
- Fresh parsley or dill makes a simple garnish without overpowering the beets.
- The beets can be assembled with the sauce ahead of time and baked shortly before serving.
- Serve alongside meatloaf, roast chicken, pork, ham, or other traditional comfort-food entrées.
Nutrition
Calories: 99kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1.4gFat: 5.8gSaturated Fat: 3.6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.5gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 85mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2.5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 180IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.7mg