A Guide To Grilling Beets - Just Beet It

As a grilling enthusiast, I am always searching for ways to take the flavors of my favorite foods to the next level. That is how the humble, earthy beet came to be introduced to the flames of my forge. And once the match was made, there was no turning back.

Why Should You Grill Beets?

Beets can be enjoyed in a myriad of ways—like most veggies, they can even be eaten raw—but there's something transformative about cooking over an open flame. It elevates even the most basic ingredients into the realm of the extraordinary. Given the understated yet undeniable complexity of the beet, it's no wonder that the technique works so well.

Grilling beets brings out their natural sweetness, providing a nice juxtaposition to the smokiness of the grill. Because of their density, there are numerous ways to grill beets. Whole beets grill best when wrapped in foil instead of placed directly on the grill. If you've ever had the privilege of enjoying potatoes cooked this way (wrapped in foil), you know that this does not compromise the flavor in the slightest. However, you may also slice raw beets and place on grill with or without foil. Sliced beets take less time to grill but may need to be closely monitored as they can burn more easily than whole beets wrapped in foil.

Preparing Beets for the Grill

I prefer to wait and peel beets after they are cooked, rather than doing it beforehand. It's still a messy pursuit—often, it looks as though I've been butchering my own meat by the time I have finished—but the skins slip off more easily once the beets are soft. Besides, you'll probably have to slice them anyway. This way, your kitchen only needs to turn scarlet once.

It's not necessary to peel the beets at all, especially if they are small. Beet skins are perfectly edible. Like potato skins, they are also a great source of fiber. They can impart a slightly bitter flavor, though, which is why I like to peel mine once they have finished cooking.

Before getting started, it’s best to don a set of clean plastic gloves. These will keep your hands from suffering the same fate as your cutting board. Just make sure they fit tightly enough—loose gloves can cause you to lose your grip on the knife, which can be disastrous when dealing with hearty vegetables like beets.

Wash the beets well under cold running water. Trim the root and stem ends. If you're planning on slicing them or cutting them into wedges, it helps if you trim the stem end so that it will lay flat on the cutting board later. Rinse again and scrub if necessary to remove any caked-on dirt.