# How do I cook beet greens? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 14, 2017, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244 "2017-07-14T13:46:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/1 "2017-07-14T13:46:13Z")
The Missus brought home some beet greens that someone gave her. How do I cook them? I’ll probably cook them tonight. First thought: Fry a piece of bacon and sauté them in the grease, and serve them with cornbread. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/2 "2017-07-14T13:55:17Z")
Cooking isn’t even necessary; raw works. That can be with other greens or by themselves as a salad. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/3 "2017-07-14T14:21:47Z")
You’ll like them fine with the bacon and cornbread. They’re a lot like spinach, only more robust and a bit earthier in flavor. If they have large middle ribs, I’d remove those. A lot of people put a little sprinkle of vinegar over them for an extra kick. Personally, I like to just steam them and serve them as a side dish, nicely salted. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/4 "2017-07-14T14:43:31Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > If they have large middle ribs, I’d remove those. I was wondering about that. Without looking in the fridge, I’ll say the ribs are about a centimetre or so wide at the ends. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/5 "2017-07-14T14:52:36Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I was wondering about that. Without looking in the fridge, I’ll say the ribs are about a centimetre or so wide at the ends. Yeah, I’d slice those out if crunchiness in your greens is problematic. 🙂 Basically, if they seem tough to you, off with them! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/6 "2017-07-14T17:29:43Z")
Essentially, cook them like you would chard or spinach. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/7 "2017-07-14T17:42:08Z")
Sautee with garlic and a drop of balsamic vinegar is my favorite way. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/8 "2017-07-14T17:45:53Z")
I discard the ribs. I sometimes make a pasta where I sautee the beets in some garlic, then when they’re getting close to being done, I toss in the greens. Put in a little water to make a thin sauce and toss with the pasta. Serve with a dollop of ricotta. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/9 "2017-07-16T06:08:42Z")
My wife will cut up and cook a few slices of bacon, then cook any kind of greens (beet, collard, kale, mustard greens, you name it and then add a piece of ham. With boiled potatoes and some good hot mustard it makes a wonderful meal. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/10 "2017-07-16T14:24:26Z")
We had seared ahi the night I posted this thread, so the greens have been delayed. Tonight I’m making country pork ribs. We have red BBQ sauces, and I’ve also made the South Carolina-style mustard-based sauce I linked to in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=830773). So the greens will be a side-dish to the ribs. ---
**Author:** ![pjacks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@pjacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjacks)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/11 "2017-07-16T18:44:14Z")
Just chop them up and use them as a lettuce. A light dressing, dried fruit like raisins & pine nuts or pepitas tossed with it is all you need. I grow beets in my yard and this is how we eat the greens. Sent from my R1 HD using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/12 "2017-07-16T19:03:05Z")
> [@pjacks](#): > > Sent from my R1… Please don’t text and [ride](http://pw1.netcom.com/~heliboy/r1.jpg)! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/13 "2017-07-16T19:45:24Z")
Just wanted to say that if anyone has a juicer, beet greens make excellent juice. While I like the flavor, beet juice is pretty intense and I always add something else. Beet greens taste like beets but aren’t quite as strong, and also have a nice slightly green flavor. I was surprised. I just stuck them through out of curiosity’s sake. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/14 "2017-07-17T02:06:06Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Essentially, cook them like you would chard or spinach. Chard IS beet greens, just a variety of beet grown specifically for the leaves and stalks. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/15 "2017-07-17T02:12:22Z")
Serve them with beets, as you would turnip greens. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/16 "2017-07-17T03:29:54Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Chard IS beet greens, just a variety of beet grown specifically for the leaves and stalks. I know, hence my suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/17 "2017-07-17T05:36:04Z")
I braise them in olive oil and add some lemon juice when they’re done. I think bacon is too strong - beet greens have a more delicate flavor than, say, kale or mustard greens. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/18 "2017-07-17T14:06:21Z")
I just sautéed them in a little olive oil, crushed garlic, and salt. The Wife said they were good. (I liked them too.) ---
**Author:** ![ashtayk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@ashtayk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ashtayk)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-cook-beet-greens/791244/19 "2017-07-18T03:30:25Z")
Being Indian, I chop them up add pink lentils, water and pressure cook it to make a daal. Season it however you like. With a little rice, it’s a complete meal. Protein, carbs and greens. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk