Harvard beets are a delightful side dish that brings a sweet and tangy flavor to your table. This classic recipe combines the earthy taste of beets with a luscious sauce made from sugar, vinegar, and butter. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a weeknight dinner, these beets are sure to impress your guests.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are common pantry staples, but you might need to ensure you have beets on hand. Fresh beets can be found in the produce section of your supermarket, and they may need to be cooked before slicing. Additionally, make sure you have cornstarch for thickening the sauce.

Ingredients for Harvard Beets Recipe
Beets: The main ingredient, providing a rich, earthy flavor and vibrant color.
Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the tanginess of the vinegar.
Vinegar: Provides the tangy component that complements the sweetness of the sugar.
Water: Used to create the base of the sauce.
Cornstarch: Mixed with water to thicken the sauce.
Butter: Adds richness and a smooth texture to the final dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the flavor of your beets, consider roasting them instead of boiling. Roasting beets intensifies their natural sweetness and adds a depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with the vinegar and sugar in this recipe. Simply wrap the beets in foil, roast at 400°F for about an hour, then peel and slice before adding them to the saucepan.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
sliced cooked beets - Substitute with canned beets: Canned beets are pre-cooked and can save time while providing a similar texture and flavor.
sliced cooked beets - Substitute with carrots: Cooked and sliced carrots can offer a different but pleasant sweetness and texture.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey provides a natural sweetness and can add a slight floral note to the dish.
sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a rich, complex sweetness and a hint of maple flavor.
vinegar - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice provides acidity and brightness, though it will have a slightly different flavor profile.
vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar offers a milder acidity and a subtle fruity flavor.
water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can add more depth of flavor compared to plain water.
cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is a similar thickening agent and works well in place of cornstarch.
cornstarch - Substitute with flour: Flour can also be used as a thickening agent, though it may slightly alter the texture.
butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine provides a similar texture and richness as butter.
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can add a different but pleasant flavor and is a healthier fat alternative.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Beet Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Beet Dish
Allow the beets to cool completely before storing. This helps to prevent condensation, which can lead to soggy vegetables.
Transfer the cooled Harvard beets to an airtight container. Glass containers with tight-fitting lids are ideal as they help maintain the freshness and flavor.
Store the container in the refrigerator. The beets will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, consider freezing. Place the cooled beets in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container or bag with the date. This helps you keep track of how long the beets have been stored.
When ready to use, thaw the beets in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain their texture and flavor.
Reheat the Harvard beets gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Add a small amount of butter or water if needed to restore the sauce's consistency.
Avoid reheating in the microwave, as it can cause the beets to become rubbery and the sauce to separate.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Place the leftover Harvard beets in a saucepan.
- Add a splash of water or vegetable broth to prevent sticking.
- Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the beets are warmed through.
Microwave Method:
- Transfer the Harvard beets to a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap.
- Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the beets are hot.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the Harvard beets in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the beets are heated through.
Steamer Method:
- Place the Harvard beets in a heatproof dish that fits inside your steamer.
- Fill the steamer with water and bring to a boil.
- Steam the beets for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are thoroughly heated.
Sous Vide Method:
- Seal the Harvard beets in a vacuum-sealed bag or a ziplock bag using the water displacement method.
- Set your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
- Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 30 minutes.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Saucepan: A medium-sized pan used to combine and heat the sugar, vinegar, and water mixture.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the precise amounts of sugar, vinegar, and water.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the cornstarch and water mixture accurately.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the mixture to ensure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
Whisk: Useful for mixing the cornstarch and water together to avoid lumps.
Knife: Used to slice the cooked beets if they are not pre-sliced.
Cutting board: A safe surface to slice the beets on.
Serving dish: For presenting the finished Harvard beets.
Stove: The heat source for cooking the mixture and heating the beets through.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Use pre-cooked beets: Save time by using pre-cooked beets available in the grocery store instead of cooking them yourself.
Measure ingredients in advance: Measure out the sugar, vinegar, water, and cornstarch before you start cooking to streamline the process.
Combine ingredients efficiently: Mix the cornstarch and water together while the sugar, vinegar, and water are heating up to save time.
Use a microwave: Heat the beets in the microwave before adding them to the saucepan to reduce cooking time.
Prep butter in advance: Cut the butter into small pieces before starting to ensure it melts quickly when added.

Harvard Beets Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups sliced cooked beets
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine sugar, vinegar, and water. Bring to a boil.
- Add cornstarch mixture and cook until thickened.
- Add beets and butter. Cook until heated through.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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