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Golden Beets with Black Beans and Dried Cherries

Earthy smoky black beans simmered with dried cherries, together with golden roasted beets, sautéed greens, and tender nutty brown rice, this recipe for golden beets with black beans is a bright colorful flavorful feast!

black beans and golden beets in bowl with wooden spoon on blue background

Click here to PIN Golden Beets with Black Beans and Dried Cherries!

Don’t you love the vibrant orange roasted beets in contrast to the black beans and cherries? Golden beets are mellower in intensity than red beets and tend to taste a little less earthy, so they’re an easier sell to “beet-avoiding eaters.” The rest of us, well, bring on the beets!

The black beans and tart cherry combo is a wink and a nod to feijoada, the Brazilian national dish, a rich black bean stew with smoked meats and tangy orange. I’m sure this meatless mix of smoky black beans and sweet-tart fruit is a far cry from feijoada, which I’ve never had. Inspired, but not the real thing.

You’ll want to cook the beets beforehand. You choose which method, roast, steam, or pressure cook your beets. Naturally, pressure cooking is the fastest. For this recipe I roasted the beets in a foil packet, on the grill. Once the beets are cooked and and you’ve removed the skin, cut them in wedges. A quick sauté in a hot skillet gives the beets their finishing color.

Golden Beets with leaves for Golden Beets with Black Beans

My golden beets came with healthy looking greens attached–if yours do, definitely take advantage. If the beet greens have been cut off or don’t looks very fresh, substitute kale or another bitter green like collards or spinach. The sautéed greens are traditional in Brazil’s feijoada, though totally optional. A genersous sprinkle of chopped parsley and/or cilantro will add plenty of green sparkle and contrast for the golden beets and black beans.

Golden Beets with Black Beans

Golden Beets with Black Beans recipe notes:

  • Cook your dried beans from scratch using the Instant Pot or stovepot pressure cooker.
  • For extra flavor add a couple of dried chiles to the pot.
  • Prep ahead: The beans and cherries can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the fridge for 2 days.
  • If you don’t have dried cherries, substitute dried cranberries, or better yet, dried apricots cut in smaller pieces.
  • Like they do in Brazil, serve with rice and sautéed bitter greens, .
  • To sauté the greens: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet. Add one minced garlic clove, and cook a minute or so. Add washed and chopped greens (1 bunch); cover and cook about 5 minutes. Splash with a teaspoon of red wine vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.


#Eat Seasonal:

  • This golden beets with black beans recipe is part of July’s seasonal recipe roundup, orchestrated by our friend Becky from The Vintage Mixer blog.
  • For more recipes showcasing seasonal fruits and veggies, follow the links from other bloggers below. We hope our recipes encourage you to get in the kitchen and cook something delicious—and seasonal!

Summer Melon Cous Cous Salad with Avocado, Grapes and Mint by Foodie Crush

Berry Frangipane Brioche Toast by Vintage Mixer

Kale Salad with Blueberries Cherries and Goat Cheese by Flavor the Moments

Pesto Butter Corn on the Cob by Cookin’ Canuck

Gluten-Free Strawberry “Shortcakes by Food for My Family

Triple Berry No-Bake Cheesecake with Amaretti Crust by Floating Kitchen

Pickled Beets by Healthy Seasonal Recipes

Sour Cream Panna Cotta with Strawberry Compote by Simple Bites

Blueberry Acai Frozen Yogurt by Kitchen Confidante

Lower Carb Zucchini Noodle Pasta Bake by She Likes Food

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Nutrition Facts
Golden Beets with Black Beans and Dried Cherries
Amount Per Serving
Calories 186 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Sodium 571mg25%
Potassium 478mg14%
Carbohydrates 29g10%
Fiber 8g33%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 460IU9%
Vitamin C 6.7mg8%
Calcium 59mg6%
Iron 2.6mg14%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

17 comments

  • I LOVE that you use the whole beet Letty! Golden beets are some of my favorites! Reply · 10 July, 2017

    • Thank you Laura. I’m always delighted to find beets with good-looking greens attached! Reply · 10 July, 2017

  • We love beans in our home and this is such a creative recipe! Reply · 10 July, 2017

    • We eat beans quite often here too! Beans are such an excellent source of protein and fiber. Reply · 10 July, 2017

  • The beet greens are such an added bonus — I love using them in salads or tossing them soups! I’ve never heard of the Brazilian dish but yours is just beautiful and the flavors sound fantastic! Reply · 10 July, 2017

    • Thank you Marcie! I usually chop up the beet stems too, like I do with chard. The stems give the beans a nice texture too. Reply · 10 July, 2017

  • Golden beets are such a treat — and perhaps more so are those delicious beet greens! I love the nod to feijoada — it’s been so long since I’ve eaten it! Reply · 10 July, 2017

  • Thanks, Letty. We enjoy your recipes. Reply · 10 July, 2017

    • Thanks back to you! Reply · 10 July, 2017

  • I love golden beets! Lucky you to get some in your CSA share! This dish looks so hearty and delicious! Reply · 10 July, 2017

    • Yes! Love to see what’s in the box each week! And figure out what to cook with it all. Reply · 10 July, 2017

  • I absolutely love the black bean and tart cherry combo!! I’m totally going to use that soon! This dish looks delicious! Reply · 10 July, 2017

    • Thanks Izzy. The fruity and the earthy smoky balance quite nicely! Reply · 10 July, 2017

  • I love the idea of adding the softened cherries to the beans! I bet these flavors are incredible together. Reply · 11 July, 2017

  • Yes I do love golden beets and black beans next to each other on the plate. I think EVERYONE does. GREG Reply · 20 July, 2017

    • Thanks Greg! For all the beet lovers in the world! Reply · 21 July, 2017

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