Smoked beets with balsamic glaze combine the earthy essence of beets with a tantalizing smokiness, while the balsamic glaze adds a sweet and tangy finish.
This harmonious blend creates a sophisticated and flavorful dish, perfect for those seeking a balance of savory and sweet notes in their culinary indulgence.
Smoked beets are a modern take on a classic soul food vegetable favorite.
Beets are lightly smoked and tossed with simple vinaigrette and topped with goat cheese.
Beats and Eats (music to pair wth smoked beets)
Smoked beets and Maze's song "We Need Love to Live" go well together because the tasty, earthy flavors of the beets blend nicely with the feel-good and heartwarming vibes of the song. It's like they both bring out the best in each other, making your meal taste and feel even better.
The soulful message of the song about love and life complements the deliciousness of the beets, creating a combo that's both satisfying to your taste buds and uplifting to your mood. It's a simple way to make your eating experience more enjoyable and memorable!
Key Ingredients Needed To Maximize Flavors
- Olive Oil - helps bind the flavors together, creating a cohesive and satisfying mouthfeel. It acts as a culinary enhancer, providing a finishing touch that brings out the best in the smoked beets, making them more succulent and enjoyable.
- Kosher Salt - enhances the flavor of smoked beets by providing a well-distributed and controlled level of seasoning. Its coarse texture helps to draw out moisture from the beets, intensifying their natural sweetness and promoting a firmer texture. Additionally, kosher salt contributes to a balanced savory profile, counteracting any potential bitterness and complementing the smokiness.
- Balsamic Vinegar - adds a sweet and tangy dimension to smoked beets. The deep, rich flavor of balsamic vinegar enhances the earthy sweetness of the beets, creating a well-rounded and balanced taste. The acidity in balsamic also provides a subtle contrast, cutting through the smokiness and adding a bright, flavorful element to the dish.
- Sugar - adds a touch of sweetness to smoked beets. When used in moderation, sugar enhances the natural sweetness of the beets, balancing out any potential bitterness and harmonizing with the smoky undertones.
- Goat cheese - adds a delightful creaminess and tangy kick to smoked beets. Its velvety texture contrasts with the earthy sweetness of the beets, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. The cheese's tanginess enhances the overall taste, while its richness complements the smokiness, resulting in a more complex and satisfying combination.
- Fresh herbs - add vibrancy, freshness, and an aromatic dimension to smoked beets. Whether it's parsley, cilantro, tarragon, or other herbs, they bring a burst of flavor that complements the earthy sweetness of the beets. The herbs contribute a subtle, herbaceous note, cutting through the smokiness and providing a delightful contrast.
BEETS SMOKING INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare the beets
Place whole beets in a large saucepan with salted water. Bring to a boil then reduce to medium cooking until beets are easily piercable with a knife (about 25 minutes). Drain and rinse. Once cool, peel the beets - wrap them in a paper towel and just rub the skin off with your fingers.
Smoke the beets
Pre-heat smoker to 375 degrees. Brush beets with oil and a little salt. Once smoker is ready, place beets on a grill basket/tray, place in smoker, and cook over indirect heat 15-30 minutes.
Make the glaze
Mix balsamic vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, stirring as needed, until thick and syrupy. Serve the beets with the glaze drizzled or brushed on. Remove the beets and slice into wedges. Topped with fresh herbs and goat cheese.
What To Serve with Smoked Beets
Smoked beets pair well with a variety of complementary dishes. Consider serving them alongside grilled or roasted vegetables for added depth and texture. They also work beautifully with creamy goat cheese or feta, providing a rich and tangy contrast.
Incorporate them into salads with mixed greens, nuts, and a balsamic vinaigrette for a refreshing ensemble. Smoked beets can also be an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats or as a flavorful addition to grain bowls. The versatility of smoked beets allows them to be paired with diverse flavors, making them a flexible and tasty addition to your meal.
SMOKED BEETS CONSIDERATIONS
Cooking time will depend on how smoky you want them. The boil essentially pre-cooks them to make the beet pliable for the smoke to penetrate. The longer you cook, the deeper the smoke penetration.
These are better sliced on the thinner side. I slice mine on the thinner side for about ¼ inch thick wedges.
Highly recommend owning and using a grill pan. They make it easy to handle vegetables on a grill without fear of any falling through the grates. Though its not a worry for these beets it does matter when smoking smaller vegetables.
I ate these smoked beets as a stand-alone dish, but you could easily add lettuce or greens to build a more traditional salad.
Remember these are red beets, so be careful as they stain everything they come into contact with. I keep plastic bags around to mitigate the staining.
MORE SMOKE VEGETABLES RECIPES
Smoked and fried green tomatoes
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Ingredients
- 4 medium beets scrubbed and sliced in halves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ tsp. Kosher Salt
- 4 oz. goat cheese
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh herbs parsley, cilantro, tarragon, etc. (optional)
Instructions
- Place beets in a large saucepan. Add salt and cover with water by at least an inch. Bring to a boil and cook until beets are easily pierced with a knife, 25 to 35 min.
- Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Once cool, peel beets.
- Meanwhile, preheat smoker/grill to about 375 degrees. Brush beets with oil and add a pinch of salt.
- Once ready add beets to a "vegetable grill basket" and place in the smoker cooking over indirect heat for 15 to 30 min. depending on how smoky you want them. Remove beets from smoker/grill and cut into smaller slices
- Make the glaze by mixing balsamic vinegar, sugar, and salt together in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce to simmer, stirring as needed, until thick and syrupy and reduced by about half.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool; glaze will thicken as it cools.
- Serve beets with balsamic glaze drizzled or brushed on and topped crumbled goat cheese and herbs.
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