16 Indian Beetroot Recipes
Just like any other vegetable, root veggies are also an important part of our lives. Out of the entire lot, beetroot or beets are one of those root vegetables that are not really popular with people. But we really can’t ignore the health benefits it has. For the same reason, I have shared my personal favorite collection of 16 Indian Beetroot Recipes here. These Beetroot Recipes include dry preparations (sabji), side dishes, snacks and sweets too.
Beetroots are rich in iron, calcium and minerals and there are various ways you can include them in your meals. With this compilation, you will be able to dish-up some really simple and easy recipes with this gorgeous looking veggie, at the comfort of your home.
More on Beetroot
Like I said, beetroot is a root vegetable having a vibrant crimson & deep red color. It also has a slightly sweet taste with an intense earthy flavor. Usually consumed both for its delicious taste and potential health benefits, its distinctive color comes from pigments called betalains, which also have antioxidant properties. Beetroot can be eaten raw, cooked or pickled.
It’s a rich source of essential nutrients, including dietary fiber, vitamins like folate and vitamin C, and minerals like potassium and iron. Additionally, beetroot contains natural compounds called nitrates, which have been associated with potential cardiovascular and exercise performance benefits.
Beetroots and carrots often make an appearance in our menu. Apart from preparing the Beetroot Recipes listed below, I also add beetroots to pulao/pilaf or mixed vegetable dishes. Due to its versatility and nutritional profile, Indian Beetroot Recipes range from salads, soups and juices to more, and even used as a natural food coloring.
Use of beetroot in Indian cuisine
Before you actually check my selection of Indian Beetroot Recipes in this post, here’s a bit more on the use of this nutritious vegetable. As I mentioned, beetroot is used in various ways in Indian cuisine to add both flavor and color to dishes.
Apart from the Beetroot Recipes mentioned on this post, here are a few common uses of beetroot in Indian cooking:
- Beetroot is often used to make yummy vibrant curries. The beetroot is peeled, diced, and cooked with spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and sometimes red chili powder. The curry base can be of onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger or coconut milk or ground coconut and spices paste.
- Halwa is a traditional Indian sweet dish made from various ingredients. Beetroot halwa is prepared by grating or finely chopping beetroot, cooking it in ghee (clarified butter), and then adding milk, sugar, and cardamom for flavor. It’s a rich and indulgent dessert.
- Pulao or pilaf is a rice dish made with aromatic spices and vegetables. Beetroot chunks can be added to the rice while cooking, infusing both color and flavor into the dish.
- Beetroot can be used to make hearty soups. The beetroot is usually blended with other vegetables and broth, creating a nutritious and colorful soup.
- Cutlets or patties made of beetroot are a popular snack or appetizer. Grated beetroot is mixed with mashed potatoes, spices, and breadcrumbs to form patties, which are then shallow-fried until crispy and golden.
- Chutneys are a staple in Indian cuisine and can be made from a variety of ingredients. Beetroot can be turned into a tangy chutney by blending it with ingredients like tamarind, coconut, and various spices.
- Beetroot can be pickled with a mix of spices, vinegar, and sometimes mustard oil. This pickle is not only a tangy and spicy accompaniment to meals but also adds a pop of color to the plate.
16 Beetroot Recipes
With beetroots, the color of the dish that you prepare changes to a nice pink to crimson red tone, depending on the ingredients used in the recipe. So, the food looks very colorful and appealing to the eyes. These Indian Beetroot Recipes list features just some of such tasty and pretty looking dishes.
And while you’re at this collection of Beetroot Recipes, you can also check these other popular veggie recipes collections:
Moderate
1 hour 15 minutes
Beetroot Halwa is a tasty Indian sweet made by slow-cooking grated beetroots with milk, sugar, cardamom, dry fruits and nuts.
50 minutes
These are tasty Bengali vegetable chops which are a popular street food recipe of veg cutlet from west bengal.
Easy
1 hour
Beetroot paratha is an Indian whole wheat flatbread stuffed with a spiced and savory beetroot filling. They beet flatbread make for a filling breakfast or brunch and can be also packed for tiffin box.
Moderate
1 hour 5 minutes
Beetroot poori is a crisp crimson colored poori made with beetroot puree, whole wheat flour and some spices.
Easy
30 minutes
This Beetroot ki Sabzi or Dry Beetroot Curry is a spiced South Indian style recipe made with beets, onions, coconut, spices and herbs. Make for a healthy meal when paired as a side with some roti or chapathi.
Moderate
35 minutes
This Beetroot Rice or Beetroot Pulao is a one pot dish that is slightly spicy with the sweetness of beetroot coming through in the spiced rice. Makes for an healthy and tasty lunch or dinner option.
Moderate
15 minutes
This beautiful vibrant Beetroot Pachadi or Beetroot Chutney is a tasty healthy chutney variation made with grated beetroot, coconut, lentils, herbs and spices. Make in 30 minutes and serve as a breakfast dip with idli, dosa or vada.
Moderate
20 minutes
Beetroot Poriyal is a lightly spiced South Indian special preparation made with beets, coconut, spices and herbs. The addition of spices and coconut add to the earthiness of this tasty dish.
40 minutes
Crispy and delicious beetroot patties or cutlet made with beets, potatoes, semolina and spices. Makes for a tasty evening snack.
Moderate
35 minutes
Beetroot thoran is a dry and delectable mildly spiced preparation made with beetroots, curry leaves, pearl onions, coconut and some spices and herbs. This dish has sweet notes from the beetroot as well as the coconut.
Easy
20 minutes
Beetroot Raita is a colorful, vibrant raita or yogurt dip made with healthy beets, onions, bell pepper, carrots, spices and curd (yogurt). It pairs nicely with most Indian meals.
Easy
15 minutes
Learn to make Kanji that is a traditional North Indian fermented drink. This healthy probiotic drink is traditionally made with black carrots. But with all the health benefits, my easy recipe is made with regular red carrots and beets.
Moderate
25 minutes
Beetroot rasam is a spicy, tangy and delicious variety. Unlike regular rasam recipe, beetroot rasam has light sweet tones of the beetroot blending beautifully with the sour and spicy taste of tamarind, black pepper and dry red chilies.
Moderate
35 minutes
This Veg Sandwich Recipe is a popular Mumbai street food of flavorful and tasty sandwiches made with mix vegetables like beetroot, potato, tomato, onion and cucumber paired with butter, green chutney and a few ground spice powders. Also famous as the Bombay Sandwich, this is a sweet, salty, spicy and savory recipe filled with a flavor that will leave you wanting for more!
Moderate
50 minutes
This Grilled Sandwich Recipe which also happens to be an Indian street food favorite is filled with spiced cilantro chutney and delicious vegetables, then grilled to perfection. If you’re in the market for a new veggie laden sandwich, try my authentic Indian Veg Grilled Sandwich recipe today!
Moderate
40 minutes
Delicious and filling Vegetable Cheese Sandwich made with assorted mix veggies like tomato, cucumber, onion, bell peppers, boiled potatoes topped with grated cheddar and later grilled to perfection.
This collection of Beetroot Recipes from the blog archives was first published in January 2017. It has been updated and republished in August 2023.
