Vegan lovers: Don't miss out on beetroot leaves
What's the story
Beet leaves, the unsung heroes often overshadowed by their bulbous roots, pack a serious nutritional punch and boast a flavor profile that's anything but ordinary.
Loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals like iron and magnesium, these leafy greens are your secret weapon to level up your vegan meals from meh to mind-blowing.
Get ready to discover five game-changing ways to use beet leaves in your culinary creations.
Salad Twist
Refreshing beet leaf salad
Thoroughly wash beet leaves to remove any grit, finely chop them, then combine with cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced avocado.
Drizzle with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Enjoy the contrasting textures and the harmonious blend of earthy beet leaves and refreshing veggies.
Stir-fry innovation
Savory beet leaf stir-fry
If you fancy cooked greens, whip up a savory stir-fry.
Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Saute minced garlic and chopped onions until translucent.
Add chopped beet leaves, sauteing until wilted, about five minutes.
Season with soy sauce or tamari and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Enjoy this with brown rice or quinoa.
Snack option
Beet leaf chips
Turn those beet leaves into crispy chips for a healthy snack!
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove stems and tear the leaves into large pieces. Wash and dry, then lightly toss in olive oil.
Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then sprinkle with sea salt or your favorite spices (paprika is great!).
Bake for 10-12 minutes until crispy - but watch out, you don't want them burnt.
Dip delight
Creamy beet leaf dip
Make a creamy dip for parties or as an appetizer! Just blend steamed beet leaves with cashews soaked overnight (drained), garlic cloves, lemon juice, nutritional yeast (for cheesy flavor), salt, pepper, and enough water to achieve the desired consistency in a food processor until smooth.
Serve this vibrant green dip with carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or pita bread for dipping. Delicious!
Pasta perfection
Beet leaf pesto pasta
Take your pasta to the next level with beet leaf pesto.
Simply blend beet leaves, pine nuts or walnuts, vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Toss with pasta and drizzle with more olive oil as needed for a deliciously earthy twist.