Rosy Roasted Beet Jam Recipe: A Sweet Garden Surprise

Culinary magic happens when you blend earthy roasted beet jam with unexpected ingredients.

Vibrant colors dance across your kitchen workspace during preparation.

Sweet and tangy notes emerge from carefully caramelized root vegetables.

Rustic techniques transform ordinary produce into something extraordinary.

Each spoonful carries deep, complex flavor profiles that surprise and delight.

Seasonal ingredients connect you to traditional cooking methods with modern twists.

This recipe promises a delectable journey through taste and texture that will spark your creativity in the kitchen.

Roasted Beet Jam: A Unique and Flavorful Spread

• Craft a Gourmet Spread: Transform ordinary beets into a luxurious, restaurant-worthy jam that elevates your breakfast toast or cheese board with sophisticated flavors.
• Master Artisan Preserving: Learn the art of homemade jam-making with this detailed recipe that teaches classic preservation techniques and spice infusion methods.
• Customize Your Culinary Creation: Experiment with different sugar levels, add unique spices, or swap ingredients to make this recipe truly your own signature condiment.
• Preserve Peak Seasonal Produce: Capture the rich, earthy sweetness of fresh beets by turning them into a vibrant, long-lasting jam that extends their delicious flavor profile.

Ingredients Needed to Make Roasted Beet Jam

• Beets: Sweet root vegetables that provide the base and rich color for the jam.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel flavor and helps with jam's sweetness and texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides additional sweetness and helps with jam's consistency.

• Maple Syrup: Contributes a rich, complex sweetness to the jam.
• Crystallized Ginger: Adds a warm, spicy note and subtle heat to the mixture.
• Lemon: Provides brightness and helps balance the jam's sweetness.

• Cinnamon Stick, Cloves: Create a warm, aromatic background flavor for the jam.
• Canola Oil: Used for roasting beets and ensuring even cooking.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavor profile of the jam.

• Cheesecloth, Kitchen String: Used to create a spice bag for infusing flavors.
• Sterilized Jars: Essential for storing and preserving the homemade jam.

Preparation Steps for Roasted Beet Jam

Step 1: Prepare Beets for Roasting

Crank up your oven to 400F (200C). Gently peel the beets and slice them into rustic wedges.

Spread the beet pieces on a baking pan and drizzle with canola oil, making sure each piece gets a lovely coating.

Step 2: Roast and Cool Beets

Pop the baking pan into the hot oven and roast the beets for about an hour, or until they’re fork-tender and slightly caramelized.

Once done, let them cool down and collect their sweet, earthy essence.

Step 3: Prepare Lemon and Spices

Tackle the lemon by slicing off the top and bottom.

Stand it upright and carefully remove the peel and outer membrane. Slice one half of the lemon, removing any pesky seeds.

Create a cozy spice bundle by placing cinnamon stick and cloves on cheesecloth, then tie it up securely with kitchen string.

Step 4: Transform Beets into Jam Base

Pulse the roasted beets in a food processor until they’re finely chopped.

• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Maple syrup
• Crystallized ginger
• Salt
• Sliced lemon
• Spice bag

Step 5: Simmer and Thicken

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble away for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Watch as the mixture transforms into a luscious, thick jam.

Step 6: Finish and Preserve

Remove the spice bag and let the jam cool slightly.

Carefully ladle the jam into sterilized jars, leaving a small space at the top. Clean the jar rims and seal with lids.

Step 7: Storage Options

For long-term storage, process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. If you prefer quick storage, pop the cooled jars in the refrigerator for a week or freeze for up to 12 months.

Tips to Perfect the Roasted Beet Jam Texture

• Roast beets at high temperature to caramelize natural sugars and intensify their earthy sweetness.
• Wear disposable gloves when handling beets to avoid red-stained hands and cutting surfaces.
• Use fresh whole spices like cinnamon stick and cloves to infuse deeper, more complex flavor into the jam.
• Stir occasionally during simmering and cook until mixture reaches thick, spreadable texture for perfect jam.
• Refrigerate jam for short-term use or freeze in airtight containers to enjoy this delicious spread for up to 12 months.

Variations to Enhance Roasted Beet Jam

• Spiced Berry Variation: Replace beets with mixed berries like raspberries and blackberries for a tangy, fruity jam with similar spicing technique.
• Low-Sugar Adaptation: Swap brown and granulated sugars with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining jam consistency.
• Herbal Infusion Option: Add fresh rosemary or thyme during roasting for an earthy, aromatic flavor profile that complements the sweet and spicy notes.
• Vegan Alternative: Use maple syrup as primary sweetener and replace crystallized ginger with fresh grated ginger for a plant-based friendly version.

Foods that Complement Roasted Beet Jam

• Spread the roasted beet jam on a crisp cracker or toasted baguette slice, then top with a dollop of tangy goat cheese for a delightful flavor combination that balances the jam's sweetness.
• Serve alongside warm, crusty artisan bread or sourdough to highlight the jam's rich, earthy beet flavor and provide a perfect vehicle for enjoying its complex taste.
• Enjoy a glass of dry prosecco or champagne to cut through the jam's sweetness and enhance its vibrant, deep flavors with a crisp, bubbly contrast.

Best Practices for Storing Roasted Beet Jam

• Store the roasted beet jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Keep the jam away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• Transfer the cooled jam to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Leave about 1/2 inch of space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 12 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
• Process the jam in sterilized glass jars using a boiling water bath method. Sealed jars can be stored in a cool, dark pantry for up to 18 months. Check the seal before each use.
• Gently warm the refrigerated or thawed jam in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

FAQs

• Why roast the beets before making jam?

Roasting concentrates the beets’ natural sweetness and creates a deeper, richer flavor profile compared to using raw beets. The caramelization process enhances the overall taste of the jam.

• What does the spice bag do in the recipe?

The spice bag allows you to infuse complex flavors from cinnamon and cloves without leaving whole spices in the jam. It ensures a smooth texture while adding warm, aromatic notes to the final product.

• Can I use different types of sugar in this recipe?

Yes, you can experiment with different sugars like coconut sugar or raw sugar. However, the combination of brown and granulated sugar provides the best balance of sweetness and depth in this beet jam recipe.

Roasted Beet Jam Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Sweet, earthy roasted beet jam celebrates autumn’s rich bounty with elegant simplicity. Deep crimson preserve brings Mediterranean charm to morning toast, delighting palates with its rustic, concentrated essence.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2.5 pounds (1.13 kilograms) fresh beets
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup maple syrup

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
• 1 medium lemon
• 1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
• 8 whole cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation Ingredient:

• 1 tablespoon canola oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 400F (200C) for roasting beets.
2. Carefully peel and slice beets into uniform wedges.
3. Arrange beet wedges on a large baking pan, lightly coating with canola oil to ensure even roasting.
4. Roast beets for 50-60 minutes until they become tender and easily pierced with a fork.
5. Let roasted beets cool slightly to make handling easier.
6. Prepare the lemon by trimming off the top and bottom, creating a stable base for cutting.
7. Remove the lemon’s outer membrane and peel using a sharp knife.
8. Halve the lemon, thinly slice one half while removing seeds, and set aside the other half.
9. Create a spice bundle by placing cinnamon stick and cloves in cheesecloth, securing tightly with kitchen string.
10. Pulse roasted beets in a food processor until finely and uniformly chopped.
11. Transfer processed beets to a large saucepan.
12. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, maple syrup, crystallized ginger, salt, and lemon slices to the beets.
13. Insert the prepared spice bag into the mixture.
14. Bring the entire mixture to a rolling boil over medium heat.
15. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring periodically for 1 to 1¼ hours until the mixture reaches a thick, jam-like consistency.
16. Remove from heat and discard the spice bag.
17. Allow jam to cool slightly before transferring.
18. Carefully ladle jam into sterilized jars, maintaining ½ inch of headspace.
19. Clean jar rims thoroughly and secure lids.
20. For long-term storage, process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
21. Alternatively, cool jars completely and store in refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for 12 months.

Notes

• Select deeply colored, firm beets for the most vibrant and intense jam flavor, avoiding any beets with soft spots or blemishes.
• Wear kitchen gloves while handling beets to prevent staining your hands with their deep red pigment.
• Consider adding a splash of balsamic vinegar during roasting to enhance the beets’ natural sweetness and complexity.
• Customize the spice profile by experimenting with alternative spices like star anise or cardamom for unique flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Breakfast
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 152
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 12 mg
• Fat: 1 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg