Melting Beets with Maple Butter

• The beets caramelize in a sweet maple butter glaze, creating a side dish that pairs with any protein.
• Beets are rich in antioxidants and nitrates for healthy blood pressure.
• Multicolored beets would look beautiful. The juices may stain the other colors, but the result will be stunning.

These Melting Beets with Maple Butter pair perfectly with your favorite protein. Earthy, antioxidant-rich beets become candied and caramelized on the outside and buttery smooth on the inside after soaking up the sweet maple butter. The leftover sauce becomes concentrated, perfect for drizzling over the beets before serving. This is one dish that even beet-avoiders will get on board for. Keep reading for our expert tips, including ingredient substitutions. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• Multicolored beets can be quite beautiful. The juices from the red beets will likely stain the other colors, but this mixing can create some pretty colors, too.
• To avoid staining your hands, it’s a good idea to wear gloves when working with red beets. If you happen to stain your fingers, try gently rubbing them with a paste of baking soda and water, then rinsing. You can also use a cut fresh lemon half.
• For added flavor, incorporate crumbled goat cheese or feta. To provide a satisfying crunch, consider garnishing the beets with toasted nuts.
• Chop the beets and serve them over a bed of greens for a hearty, healthy salad.

Nutrition Notes

• Beets have blood pressure–lowering abilities, thanks to their nitrates and potassium. They’re also an amazing source of folate, a B vitamin necessary for fetal development and heart health. Beets’ fiber will help fill you up and keep things moving through your gut, while their antioxidants help reduce inflammation and prevent disease. Beets are especially rich in betalains, a type of antioxidant associated with fighting cancer.
• Maple syrup not only sweetens the beets but also provides manganese, an essential trace mineral that’s necessary for numerous bodily processes, including activating enzymes that break down carbohydrates so they can be used for energy. This is perfect, since maple syrup also provides carbohydrates, which are used for energy.

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.