Garlicky Beet Spread with Yogurt, Dill and Horseradish Recipe (2024)

By Melissa Clark

Garlicky Beet Spread with Yogurt, Dill and Horseradish Recipe (1)

Total Time
20 minutes, plus 1 to 1½ hours’ roasting
Rating
5(246)
Notes
Read community notes

This recipe for an easy appetizer borrows from the Ashkenazi tradition, making it a perfect Hanukkah offering. Roasted beets, dill, walnuts and horseradish are whirred in a blender with yogurt, garlic and olive oil, coming together into a pungent magenta purée. It is thick enough to serve on latkes, and creamy enough to go it alone as a dip with vegetables. (The New York Times)

Featured in: Hanukkah’s New Tastes, Still Rooted in Tradition

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Ingredients

Yield:2 cups

  • 2medium beets, scrubbed and trimmed
  • 2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for beets
  • 45grams walnuts (about ½ cup)
  • 1very large clove garlic, minced
  • 3grams kosher salt (1 teaspoon), more to taste
  • 1cup Greek yogurt
  • 2tablespoons lemon juice, more to taste
  • 2teaspoons chopped dill
  • teaspoons prepared horseradish

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

162 calories; 14 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 6 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 6 grams protein; 226 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Garlicky Beet Spread with Yogurt, Dill and Horseradish Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. To roast beets, heat oven to 375 degrees. Place beets in a small baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Add 3 tablespoons water to bottom of dish and cover tightly with foil. Bake until tender, about 1 to 1½ hours, turning beets after 45 minutes. Let cool, then peel.

  2. Step

    2

    Using a food processor, grind walnuts, garlic and salt until very finely ground. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add the peeled beets, oil, yogurt, lemon juice, dill and horseradish and pulse until relatively smooth. Taste for seasoning and add more lemon or salt, or both, if needed. Serve with latkes or fritters, or use as a dip for vegetables.

Ratings

5

out of 5

246

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Clare

Good even with less/no horseradish. Great dip for the swiss chard/feta fritters. Canned beets also work well.

Bob

Funny thing about these notes, everyone leaves a variant suggestion. Mine is no exception!
I found it to taste a bit flat given the Central American/ Mex food influence in our area. I spiced it up a bit by increasing the prepaired horseradish to 1Tbsp, and also adding 1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper.
After those additions, it was 5 star.

Klkruger

Delish. Toast the nuts first or, alternatively, used smoked almonds. Use Greek yogurt or drain 1.5 cups standard yogurt with a sieve or cheesecloth till thick or the mix will be too thin. Can peel the beets, cut to 3/4" cubes, toss with oil and roast spread out on a sheet in a 425˚ oven and they'll be ready in 15 min or so, saving a lot of time.

lkp

Love this and have made it many times--an indulgence given that my husband can't stand beets.

My alterations:
toast walnuts
reduce yogurt to 1/2 cup
increase horseradish to 1 Tbs.
dill is optional

Ellie H.

This is definitely a "greater than the sum of its parts" recipe. I made it without horseradish (tasted great without, so decided not to add) and accidentally halved the salt, it should have had the full amount. I boiled the beets instead of roasting to save time, but would try it, and horseradish, next time! Served with crudites (pepper, cucumber, carrot) for an appetizer and it was a big hit. It paired especially well with cucumber.

Sherry

utterly delicious - I use freshly grated horse radish root and add even a little more than the recipe calls for - can't get enough of it - great on celery as a dip
or crackers - love

Daniela

Really delicious. A favorite with my friend who hates vegetables :) I used non-dairy coconut yogurt (unsweetened) with good results. I added a little extra lemon juice.

Jenny

Phenomenal dip - I used dried dill and it tasted wonderful.

Sophie

I make this often and each time and reminded why I love it so much. It is flexible in its preparation, becomes more complex with flavor as it ages, and sits a beautiful addition to any plate with its color.

Rosie

This is a multi-purpose recipe that's good to have on hand. Would make a dazzling splash on top of a potato soup. Liked it a lot.

Bethy

Much easier and quicker to microwave the beets. Deeeelish!

Ron

I shredded my beets for more texture and a stronger presence of beet flavor. I found this to be "the bomb". I severed it with rice crackers for some crunch. I love roasted beets.

Julie

This was great! I don't like spicy so I left out the horseradish but threw some garlic scapes from my CSA into the food processor. I served it alongside Melissa Clark's Zucchini and Carrot fritters in place of her suggested mint yogurt sauce since I had beets that needed using. They worked very well together and even my husband (who can't really stand beets) thought it was delicious.

David B.

Paired with latkes for Hanukkah. Absolutely perfect! Added a lot of extra dill.

Anna

This recipe is magical! The color was even more impressive than the picture on the recipe. I highly recommend making as is. Even those who are spice sensitive, the horseradish adds flavor. The only substitute I made was swapping raw pumpkin seeds for walnuts because of my allergy. It added the texture of the nuts, but not really sure if it mimics the taste since its been a lifelong nut allergy ;) but might try without the pumpkin seeds next time? All around this is a special recipe!

Lia

I made this with golden beets, which made the end result an unfortunate color. Taste was delicious. Next time I’m going lighter on horseradish though.

Evan

The beet vibes weren’t really for me, but people liked this a lot! I don’t think I would make it again for myself. Added extra yogurt, oil, and lemon juice. Needed a lot of salt!

DRP

Another substitution: I used sour cream instead of yogurt because that is what I had I didn’t want to go to the store twice in one day. Definitely good. My girlfriend really likes it. Made about two cups so might want to double it for a gathering.

Margaret

Has anyone frozen this? What is the consistency when thawed?

Briana Heaney

i wonder how adding some white beans would go over? gonna give it a try

Jennie

Delicious. Just wondering how people who didn't make fritters have been using this. I didn't find it a good match for vegetable sticks. It's hearty enough, with the walnuts and yogurt, to be considered a protein. As a crostini topping? To accompany a bland cheese? I've got a tub of this delicious but perplexing glop to finish now.

charlotte

delicious. Used it with the swiss chard fritters for last night Hanukah. Will make again.

Liz L

Subbed toasted pine nuts (55g) for walnuts as I didn’t have any and walnuts can be bitter to me. Was OUTSTANDING. Will forever roast extra beets anytime I make them so I can make this as well.

Dawn

How much in ounces or grams should the beets weigh?

nanbrand

Great way to use beets from your garden! This seemed a bit bland, so I added a diced cayenne pepper and extra horseradish. Very good with chips or crackers.

Andrea

Remove the beet greens, keeping 1 inch of the stem on the beet. Wrap each beet in heavy duty foil and roast at 425F for 45 min or more. You smell their earthy goodness when they are almost ready. When tender unwrap each beet. Their skins are easily removed. James Beard taught me that. His favorite beet recipe was puréed roast beets and carrots (Cuisinart). Balsamic vinegar would be a lovely addition. Delicious!

Miranda

Made using golden beets and it was beautiful. Doubled the horseradish.

RES

If you fancy Russian svelkolnik (a cold borscht served in summer), you are bound to fancy this beet spread (or vice versa). It's a keeper!To expedite roasting and add flavor, I peeled and cut the beets into 1 1/2" pieces, sprinkled with olive oil, and roasted them for 35 minutes, turning twice to prevent burning. In the end, I used 1 beet and added an extra 1/2 cup yogurt. More beets would have been too beety for me. Dill is obligatory, in my opinion. I served the horseradish on the side.

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Garlicky Beet Spread with Yogurt, Dill and Horseradish Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do you put vinegar in beets? ›

Beets are naturally sweet and earthy, making them a versatile vegetable to incorporate into your meals. By adding vinegar to the boiling process, you can elevate the flavors of beets and give them a delightful tangy kick.

What to eat with beet horseradish? ›

It works well on anything you would put ketchup on, sausages, ham, potatoes, sandwiches and it is always on my Easter table. Roasted shredded beet, mixed with horseradish makes ćwikła, and in addition to cutting the sharpness of horseradish, it adds a bit of sweetness and earthiness to the mix.

What makes beets taste better? ›

Slow-roasting beets in a foil packet or covered baking dish takes away much of the earthy taste and intensifies the flavor, but you will still have a bit of bleeding and nutrient loss. Grilling beets over wood or charcoal will add a layer of smokiness.

What brings out the flavor of beets? ›

Warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cardamom all pair well with the earthy flavor of beets and can help enhance their natural sweetness.

Does horseradish cleanse the liver? ›

Horseradish: This is an important root that helps to digest fat, which eases the liver's job of digesting fats. When consumed, horseradish can also help to regenerate and heal the liver, which helps to keep the liver cleansed from bad eating habits.

Is horseradish an inflammatory food? ›

Horseradish root is also known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics and is consequently used for the treatment of acute sinusitis, bronchitis, and urinary bladder infection [2–5].

Are horseradish and beets good for you? ›

Betalins help lessen growth of tumor cells in the colon, stomach, nerve, lung, breast, prostate, and testicl*s. Beets are especially protective of our eyes and our nervous system. They also help protect against heart disease, birth defects, and cancer. Beets are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and manganese.

Why might you add vinegar to red beets before simmering them? ›

Add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of vinegar or lemon juice to prevent bleeding. Use a measuring cup or spoon to portion out your acid of choice, then dump it into the pot with your boiling water. It will help lock in the beets' natural juices as they cook. As a result, they'll come out perfectly soft, tender, and flavorful.

Are vinegar pickled beets good for you? ›

Pickled beets are popular on salads or as a side or snack. These naturally sweet root veggies may have a number of health benefits, including improved digestion, physical performance, blood sugar levels, and heart health. However, you should avoid varieties with high levels of added salt or sugar.

How do you take the bitterness out of beets? ›

Beetroots can taste bitter due to compounds like geosmin and saponins. To reduce bitterness when eating them as a vegetable, choose young beetroots, peel and cook them, combine with other flavors, blanch them, or remove the skin before cooking. 2nd method you can boil beetroot to reduce bitterness before cooking.

Can you preserve beetroot without vinegar? ›

Best way to preserve beetroot if you do not share my enthusiasm for vinegar, and you want to keep it for a longer time, is to freeze it. You can also dry it, sliced, in a food dryer.

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