One of the brightest vegetables in any diet, the humble beetroot can add a bright pink color and an earthy-sweet flavor to any dish.
It is rich in manganese, folate, manganese, potassium, and phosphorus, making it a wonderful addition to your recipes.
8 Great Substitutes for Beetroot to use in your Diet
The best substitute for Beetroot are – Rainbow Carrots, Celeriac, Red Cabbage, Spinach, Parsnip, Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard, and Onion.
They are discussed in detail here –
Rainbow Carrots
Carrots are available in several colors these days, everything from reds, yellows, oranges, and purple carrots. They are a great replacement for beetroot. They have bright colors and a similar root-vegetable texture.
One good thing about carrots is they aren’t particularly affected by season; they are generally available all year round, almost everywhere, from farmer’s markets to supermarkets and grocery stores.
They are rich in Vitamin A, Biotin, Potassium. Carrots are also a great source of soluble fiber, a nutrient that can stabilize digestive activity and improve and maintain gut health.
Summary
Carrots are easily available and are rich in nutrients. Their texture and bright colors make it a great substitute for beetroot.
Celeriac
Celeriac(or celery root) is a good replacement for beetroot in several recipes. This uncommon root vegetable is becoming increasingly popular among health fanatics due to its richness in several nutrients.
A serving of celeriac contains over 51% of the required daily intake of vitamin K. This has been proven to reduce the risk of chronic conditions like strokes by 13%.
Celeriac lacks the bright color of beetroot but can replace the same in many recipes.
Summary
This is an uncommon root vegetable that is very good for health; it is rich in potassium and can replace beets in many recipes.
Red Cabbage
Red cabbage is an easily available substitute for beetroot that can be used in most recipes.
While this leafy vegetable lacks the earthy and sweet flavor of beetroots, red cabbage can be an interesting and visually appealing addition to your recipes.
Red cabbage can add a similar pink color if added raw; when cooked, it can add a mellow flavor to recipes and give stews and soups body and texture.
It is also rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin B6, alongside thiamin and riboflavin.
Summary
Red cabbage is a visually appealing and healthy vegetable that can substitute beetroot in many recipes. It is easily available.
Spinach
Spinach can rescue any recipe; the earthy flavor is unmatched when it comes to using it to replace vegetables like beetroot. It is an important source of iron, which helps hemoglobin production, which is imperative for blood health.
It is also available year-round and in different varieties; baby spinach may also match the sweetness of beets in salads and sandwiches.
While spinach does not have a very bright color, greens always make any food group look healthy and delicious while adding a twist of nutrition.
A serving of spinach can provide you with a vast array of nutrients; folic acid, vitamin A, C, K1, Iron, and calcium.
Summary
Spinach is available year-round and is a nutrient-packed replacement for beets that you can use in virtually any recipe to achieve a similar sweet and earthy flavor.
Parsnip
Parsnip is a wonderful root vegetable with a nutty flavor that works like a charm in soups and purees. It is also really great for health. A 133 gram serving of parsnip can provide you with several nutrients.
These nutrients include magnesium, folates, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, soluble fibers, and more.
Parsnips are also rich in antioxidants, crucial for controlling chronic illness-causing free radicals.
Summary
This root vegetable has a nutty flavor that can replace beets in several recipes involving purees or soups. Parsnips are also very good for health, given their nutrient-rich nature.
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is widely available and is sweet and earthy in flavor. Some sweet potatoes can also have a rich orange color that can easily substitute beetroots in many recipes.
You may add sweet potatoes into soups and purees as well as into salads after boiling.
Sweet potatoes are incredible sources of vitamin A and soluble fiber, packed with them both.
They are incredibly nutritious and may even serve you as many as ten different nutrients; manganese, vitamin A, C, B6, potassium, several antioxidants and more!
Summary
Sweet potatoes are easy to find and are a nutrient-packed replacement for beetroots in many recipes. Sweet potatoes can emulate a similar sweet and earthy flavor too.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard, a dark green leafy vegetable, actually belongs to the same family as beetroots, the Chenopodiaceae.
A rich source of vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, and manganese, swiss chard is a healthy alternative to beetroots.
Swiss chard, torn and sauteed or added raw, can add texture, color, and flavor to any dish that calls for beetroot, making it a great healthy replacement. Swiss chard is also rich in fiber and antioxidants.
Summary
Swiss chard is a fiber-rich leafy vegetable from the same family as beetroot. This is a great healthy and green replacement for beets in many recipes.
FAQs
Both carrots and beetroots are nutritious. Both have different properties but may have similar values. Carrots have higher water content and more vitamins, whereas beets have more iron, potassium, and protein.
Beetroots have a higher quantity of sugar than other vegetables. However, this may not be harmful to you. Beets contain phytochemicals that are monumental in regulating blood sugar levels.
Beetroots have a high quantity of oxalates that may promote kidney stone formation in humans. However, this seems to affect only a small percentage of the susceptible populous.
Bottom Line
A lack of availability of beetroots should not be a hurdle for your recipes.
Use any of the above substitutes as beetroot replacements to achieve a similar earthy, sweet and satisfying result in your soups, purees, and salads.
Hopefully, you can find an alternative here for your following preparations.