Beets Dressed with Garlic

Learn about this recipe from our Historic Foodways staff, then try it at home.

Beets are a versatile root vegetable. These are simmered in sauce, along with scallions and garlic, for a tender side dish.

Learn how we make this recipe in our kitchens based on the 18th-century description below, then use our 21st-century translation to try the recipe at home!

18th Century

21st Century

Ingredients

• 3-5 fresh whole beets
• 1 stick or 8 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp. parsley, minced
• 1 scallion, minced
• cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. white wine vinegar
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. pepper
• 1 lemon

Instructions

1. Boil beets until fork tender. When they are cool enough to handle, take a paring knife and scape the skin off. The skin should easily come off. Then cut them into round slices. Set aside.
2. For the sauce, take a medium saucepan and melt the butter on a low heat. Once melted, whisk four into butter. Then stir in the parsley, scallions, garlic, vinegar, salt and pepper.
3. Add beets to sauce. Thoroughly coat the beet slices as you stir.
4. Let simmer on medium heat for ten minutes or until sauce becomes thick. Garnish with sliced lemons.