25 Beet Recipes and Are Red Beets an Aphrodisiac?

You are smiling aren’t you. Something about the word aphrodisiac gets us all smiling. Partly, we think it’s folk lore, and partly we’re like the idea and want it to be true.

How does a food qualify as an aphrodisiac anyway?  Science, and this put beets right in the game with a trace mineral called boron, a trace mineral that increases the level of sex hormones in both men and women. Smiling again!

Healthy is sexy! Beets contain betaine, a substance that relaxes the mind and is used in other forms to treat depression. It also contains trytophan which is also found in chocolate and contributes to a sense of well being, promotes the health of internal organs and a growing body of evidence shows that betaine is an important nutrient for the prevention of chronic disease. It’s just a little easier to hold hands when you feel good.

Beets may promote romance! In many cultures the belief persists that if a man and a woman eat from the same red beet then they will fall in love. I wonder if it’s true that if they eat from the same red beet, they will stay in love. Testing that for 15 years now.

The power of the red beet just may be why this red beet smoothie is always in my top three favorite posts.  I call it my elixer, because I feel energy right after drinking it, and it tastes so good. (Kids love this one too).

I fell deeply in love with beets years ago, especially smitten with their versatility. Aside from a deep color that speaks right to my heart, I am truly inspired to etch out recipes featuring this super health delight.

Here are a few of my Beet recipes and some of my favorite recipes from other bloggers, which may or may not prove this aphrodisiac claim.

Red Storm Beet Infused Cocktail from Sippity Sup

Red Flannel Hash made with corned beef and beets by Simply Recipes

Roasted Golden Beets from Spinach Tiger

Super Health Salad with Shaved Brussels Sprouts Red Beet Pesto from Spinach Tiger

Ravioi Hearts with Beets and Goat Cheese Filling from Spinach Tiger

Remembering Beets so Red, It’s Fusilli from Greg at Sippity Sup

Raw Beet Salad with Shallots, Orange from Spinach Tiger

Roasted Golden Beet Carpaccio from Spinach Tiger

Beet Ice Cream from White on Rice

Beet and Blue Cheese Grill Bites by Cheap Ethnic Eats

Morrocan Roasted Beets with Pomegranate Seeds from Feasting at Home

Chocolate Beet Cake with Beet Cream Cheese Frosting from Joy the Baker

Roasted Beet Crostini with Goat Cheese and Honey from Spinach Tiger

Five Star Beet Salad by She’s Cookin

Marbled Beet Cheesecake from With a Spin

Beet Mousse with Cardamom from Artsy Food

Borscht, the Elixer of Soups from Spinach Tiger

Baked Beet Chips from a Cozy Kitchen

Red Beet Crostini from Spinach Tiger

Red Beet Pesto with Sunflower Seeds from Spinach Tiger

Salad of Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Red Beet Pesto

Beet Bread from a Cozy Kitchen

Red Beet Pasta with Beet Gnocchi and Cream Cheese with Poppy Seeds from Spinach Tiger

Beets and Beet Green Salad from Spinach Tiger

Look what my Nashville friend and food blogger, Teresa from Food on Fifth did with her beet juice. She made the Olympic Rings.  Go see her fabulous borscht that goes with this creation.  She’s a food stylist, so you are always in for a treat.

A Few Notable Beet Moments When Dining Out

Chilled Strawberry Beet Consumme with horseradish oil,  featured at Basi Italia in Columbus, Ohio

(Greg of Sippity Sup has the recipe at his site.)

 Beet Down a signature cocktail Root Down in Denver

Honey Beet Ice Cream at Silly Goose

Beet Sriracha at Etch

Roasted Beets, Housemade Burrata, Balsamic Caviar, Beet Mostarda at Via Italia Trattoria in San Diego

Beets & Benton’s Bacon Pizza at Bella Nashville

Roasted Beets & Grilled Sweet Corn with Ricotta Salata & Avocado Cream at Margot

Well, there you have it. I’ve brought you the best 25  beet recipes I could find, along with a few memorable dining out moments. Try all 25 recipes and let me know if you think red beets are an aphrodisiac.