What Goes Well with Beets for Dinner? (21 Foods)
If you’re looking for the right foods to serve with beets for dinner, we can help.
Beets are a wonderfully versatile vegetable: they can be eaten raw, roasted, or boiled.
They’re also an excellent source of potassium and antioxidants.
The trick is finding the right accompaniments for them.
While beets pair well with earthy flavors like mushrooms and potatoes, they don’t work as well with some other foods—like citrus fruits (which overpower their flavor) or herbs such as mint (which clashes in texture).
So, what goes well with beets for dinner?
When it comes to beets, you can’t go wrong with a plate of roasted potatoes. The combination of earthy, almost sweet flavor of beets with the starchy and satisfying texture of potatoes is an easy way to make dinner feel special. For something more exotic, try slices of grilled salmon topped with a dollop of sour cream and garnished with crispy roasted beets.
This dish will leave you feeling satisfied and ready for bed after a long day!
If you’re looking for more ideas, then keep scrolling!
What Goes Well with Beets for Dinner?
Beets are a great addition to dinner, and they’re also delicious on their own.
Here are some ideas for what goes well with beets for dinner:
1. Roasted Carrots
Roasted carrots are a great way to take advantage of the natural sweetness of beets.
You can roast them together in the oven for about 30 minutes at 400°F.
Then serve them with a sprinkle of parsley or cilantro on top for extra flavor and color.
2. Creamy Avocado Soup
This creamy soup is made with avocado, cucumber, and fresh lime juice.
It’s the perfect complement to beet salads or roasted beets!
Just toss all your ingredients into a blender, give it a whirl until smooth, then serve chilled or over ice cubes (for an extra refreshing treat!)
3. Quinoa
This ancient grain pairs well with almost anything, but its nutty flavor is particularly complementary to beets’ earthy tones.
Try making quinoa with roasted beets by tossing them together with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and cumin (or any spice blend you like).
4. Goat Cheese
Beets’ sweetness makes them an ideal partner for salty, creamy goat cheese like feta or fresh mozzarella—or even brie (if you’re feeling fancy)!
Try topping these babies with some goat cheese crumbles and some fresh herbs like parsley or basil for an extra-special treat!
5. Chicken or Beef Patties
You can make these patties from scratch or from frozen hamburger patties in just 20 minutes!
Cook them over medium heat until they’re browned on both sides then serve with a side salad for lunch or dinner!
6. Pistachios
Pistachios are the perfect accompaniment to roasted beets because they add another layer of flavor that complements the sweetness of both ingredients.
Try sprinkling them over top before serving!
7. Dill Yogurt Dip
Beets pair well with many flavors, but one that stands out is dill.
Combine thinly sliced red beets with plain Greek yogurt and a generous amount of chopped fresh dill for an easy dip that will make your guests swoon!
8. Arugula Salad
The peppery flavor of arugula pairs well with earthy beets, as does the lemon vinaigrette dressing that’s typically used on arugula salads.
Serve this side with grilled fish or chicken for an easy dinner that will please everyone at the table!
9. Roasted Potatoes
You don’t need much to make these potatoes delicious—just toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder then bake until crispy brown on top.
Serve alongside roasted beets for a simple side dish that adds color and texture to your plate.
10. Cauliflower Mash
Roasted cauliflower is delicious by itself, but adding beets gives it an extra boost of sweetness and color—plus it looks amazing!
Try roasting cauliflower and beets together in one pan at 400°F for about 15 minutes, until tender; then mash up both veggies into one bowl and serve warm with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or salt & pepper if desired!
11. Fish
Beets pair well with fish because they both have a mild flavor that won’t overpower each other when they’re cooked together.
Try serving roasted salmon or cod with some sautéed beets on top—you’ll love it!
12. Creamy Avocado Dip
If you’re looking for something lighter but still veggie-packed, this creamy dip is a delicious option that pairs perfectly with both raw and roasted beets alike.
Just mix together 1/2 avocado (mashed) with 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream, 1 teaspoon lemon juice or lime juice, and salt and pepper to taste—and voilà!
You’ll have yourself an easy dip that’s perfect for pairing with roasted beets or even raw ones if you’re feeling adventurous!
13. Green Salad
A simple green salad is another great way to enjoy both beets and carrots together at the same meal—just add them both on top of your greens, dress lightly with olive oil and vinegar, and enjoy!
14. Green Beans
Green beans and beets both have a natural sweetness, which makes them a perfect pairing for each other.
Just sautee some green beans with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder until they’re tender but not mushy then top with roasted beets!
15. Beef
Whether it’s steak or burgers, beef pairs beautifully with beets.
The earthiness of the meat enhances the earthiness of the root vegetable, while its fat content complements the naturally sweet flavor of beets.
For an extra kick, try serving them with some horseradish sauce or spicy cheese sauce on top!
16. Beef Bourguignon
This classic French dish is made with beef stewed in red wine, mushrooms, vegetables, bacon or salt pork, onion, garlic, herbs and seasonings such as thyme leaves and bay leaves (or allspice berries).
It’s traditionally served over noodles but works well with mashed potatoes too!
17. Salmon
Beets and salmon complement each other beautifully—one is sweet and earthy while the other is salty and flavorful; together they create a perfect pairing that will leave your guests asking for seconds!
18. Chicken with Lemon-Caper Butter
This recipe is simple and delicious—you’ll love it!
- Just combine 1 pound boneless chicken breasts with 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, salt and pepper to taste, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons capers in a large bowl until well mixed.
- Then spread evenly over each piece of chicken and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
- Serve over rice or quinoa with steamed broccoli (or your favorite vegetable) on the side.
19. Chicken with Lemon and Thyme
This classic combination makes for a beautiful, elegant dish—and it’s incredibly simple!
- All you have to do is pan-fry chicken breasts in olive oil or butter until they’re golden-brown, then add lemon juice and thyme leaves to make the sauce.
- Serve alongside roasted beets (or even just raw ones!).
20. Chicken with Chutney Sauce
The sweetness of the chutney sauce will complement the earthy flavor of roasted beets, while the chicken adds an irresistible crunchiness that complements both flavors perfectly.
Serve it with basmati rice to soak up some of that delicious sauce!
21. Chicken with Balsamic Vinegar
A little bit of balsamic vinegar will really bring out the earthy sweetness of roasted beets and make them taste even better than they already do!
Serve this dish over brown rice or quinoa and garnish with fresh basil if you have it on hand—it’ll add an extra punch!
What Goes Well with Beets in A Salad?
When you’re looking for something to go along with your beets in a salad, consider pairing them with some of these ingredients:
1. Cucumber
Cucumbers are crunchy and refreshing, so they go well with beets because they balance out the texture of the dish.
2. Radishes
Radishes have a similar texture to beets, which makes them a great match for beets in salads.
3. Goat cheese or feta cheese
Goat cheese or feta cheese adds an extra tangy kick to the salad, which is great for cutting through the sweetness of the beets without overpowering them.
It also adds some creaminess and richness to the salad that can help balance out the saltiness of other ingredients like bacon bits or sunflower seeds.
4. Red onion
Onions are pungent and strong, so they add a ton of flavor to any dish—and they pair well with beets because they cut through their sweetness while adding a little spice.
5. Walnuts
These nuts are chock full of good fats and omega-3s, which can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation in the body.
Plus, they add crunch and texture to your salad!
6. Chives or scallions
These fresh herbs add a lot of flavor and color to salads.
They also bring out the sweetness of beets while adding some brightness.
7. Avocado
Avocado is creamy and rich, making it an ideal match for the earthy sweetness of beets.
It’s also high in healthy fats, which will help balance out the sharpness of the vinegar.
8. Bacon lardons
Bacon lardons add salty smokiness and crunchy texture that balances out the softness of beets and other greens like arugula or watercress.
If you want something more neutral-tasting than bacon, try olives!
They provide briny goodness without being overpowering or overwhelming—they’ll just add a hint of saltiness and pickle-y goodness that works well with almost anything else on this list!
9. Olive oil
Olive oil is obviously great for salads, and it can help bring out the earthy taste of beets while keeping them from tasting too sweet.
10. Fresh herbs (like parsley, mint, or cilantro)
These herbs are packed full of flavor and can add another dimension to your salad—especially if you include them as toppings on top of your dressing instead of using them as part of it!
They’re also great at cutting through any heaviness from other ingredients like bacon bits or egg yolks.
11. Arugula
This peppery green adds a nice kick to the dish, which can help balance out the sweetness of beets while also adding a bit of crunchy texture.
It’s also really good at cutting through rich flavors like cheese, so it’s perfect for this dish!
12. Sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds add crunchy texture and a nice nutty taste that pairs well with beets, especially if you use roasted sunflower seeds instead of raw ones so they have more flavor.
They also provide healthy fats and protein!
13. Nuts and seeds
Adding nuts and seeds to your salad is always a good idea, as they add texture and flavor and help provide some protein, too!
Try adding some nuts like cashews or almonds and seeds like sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds to your beet salad—they’ll add a crunchy texture while still letting those earthy beets shine through.
14. Salad dressing
Dressing up your beet salad is another way to make sure it’s well-balanced and delicious!
Try using vinaigrettes (like olive oil-based ones) or creamy dressings such as ranch or blue cheese—but avoid anything super high in fat content (like mayonnaise-based dressings).
What Meat Goes with Beet Salad?
We believe that the best meats to go with beet salad are…
1. Chicken
The chicken will be able to handle the beet’s taste and texture, and it will also have its own flavor that won’t overpower the concoction.
Chicken has a mild flavor that won’t compete with or cover up the earthy taste of the beets, but it will add some of its own flavor to make sure you don’t just taste beets (which are delicious but can get kind of boring).
It’s also easy to prepare, so you won’t have to spend too much time making your meal—just throw some chicken in a pan, season it with salt and pepper, and cook until done!
2. Shrimp
Shrimp is another great choice for pairing with beet salad because it has its own unique taste that doesn’t compete with the other ingredients.
But what’s even better is that shrimp cooks quickly—and since we’re all about keeping things simple around here, this is a great option if you’re looking for something easy-peasy!
3. Steak
Steak is another popular option for pairing with beet salad because it has enough fat content that it can handle the crunchy texture of this vegetable without getting soggy.
Steak also has a strong flavor profile that won’t be overpowered by the sweetness of beets; instead, it’ll complement it nicely!
4. Turkey
Turkey is another great option for this type of salad because it’s also low-calorie and versatile.
You can use turkey breast instead of chicken or you can even go with ground turkey if you want something less expensive!
This option would work well because it has a rich flavor that pairs well with earthy vegetables like beets.
5. Pork
Pork is also a good choice for this dish. It’s not as mild as chicken, but it still won’t overpower your beets.
It has a stronger flavor than chicken does, so if you’re looking for something that isn’t quite as subtle then pork might work better here than chicken would.
What Goes Well with Roasted Beets?
Because beets are both sweet and savory, they can be paired with many different foods. If you’re looking for something light and fresh to go with your roasted beets, try pairing them with avocado slices or a simple garden salad with olive oil dressing.
If you’re in the mood for something heartier, try serving them alongside grilled chicken or fish and mashed potatoes.
How to Choose Foods that Go Well with Beets for Dinner
Beets are the perfect thing to add to a dinner that’s lacking in color and flavor.
They’re also super healthy, so you can feel good about eating them!
But how do you know what to pair them with?
Here are some things to consider when choosing a side dish to go with your beets:
Do I Want Something Sweet or Savory?
If you want something sweet, try pairing your roasted beets with brown rice and some fresh herbs like basil or cilantro.
If you prefer savory, try making a salad out of roasted beets, quinoa, and whatever else sounds good—you can’t really go wrong here because beets go well with everything!
Do I Want Something Light or Hearty?
If you want something light, think about how much time it will take to cook the other parts of your meal before deciding on what kind of side dish would work best here—you don’t want to spend too much time cooking!
But if your main course requires a longer cooking time than usual (like if it’s not fully cooked by the time all the other dishes are ready), then adding something hearty like mashed potatoes might be best for balancing out the flavors of your meal.
What Kind of Texture Do I Want?
Beets can have a different texture depending on how they’re cooked—some people prefer them crunchy while others prefer them soft and mushy (you know who you are).
If you’re looking for a crunchier texture, consider pairing your beets with something crunchy like carrots or celery sticks; if you’re looking for something softer, try pairing them with mashed potatoes or polenta instead!
What Goes Well with Beets for Dinner? (21 Foods)
Ingredients
- Roasted Carrots
- Creamy Avocado Soup
- Quinoa
- Goat Cheese
- Chicken or Beef Patties
- Pistachios
- Dill Yogurt Dip
- Arugula Salad
- Roasted Potatoes
- Cauliflower Mash
- Fish
- Creamy Avocado Dip
- Green Salad
- Green Beans
- Beef
- Beef Bourguignon
- Salmon
- Chicken with Lemon-Caper Butter
- Chicken with Lemon and Thyme
- Chicken with Chutney Sauce
- Chicken with Balsamic Vinegar
- Cucumber
- Radishes
- Goat cheese or feta cheese
- Red onion
- Walnuts
- Chives or scallions
- Avocado
- Bacon lardons
- Olive oil
- Fresh herbs (like parsley, mint, or cilantro)
- Arugula
- Sunflower seeds
- Nuts and seeds
- Salad dressing
- Chicken
- Shrimp
- Steak
- Turkey
- Pork
Instructions
- Pick any of the sides from this list to serve with your beets for dinner.
- Prepare the rest of your meal.
- Be ready to munch in no time!
Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.