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Pink Greens

These vibrant pink greens offer a sophisticated way to reduce food waste by using the often-discarded tops of beetroot. This vegan side dish balances the natural, earthy sweetness of the leaves with a sharp hit of sherry vinegar and a subtle warmth from dried chilli flakes. The combination of garlic and shallots provides a savoury base that complements the tender texture of the wilted greens beautifully.

Quick to prepare and naturally nutritious, this healthy recipe is an excellent accompaniment to roast dinners or as part of a plant-based spread. While this version uses beet greens for their striking colour, the same method works perfectly with chard or spinach. It is a versatile addition to your repertoire for anyone looking to incorporate more seasonal, leafy vegetables into their weekly meals.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Pink Greens

  • 1 large bunch beet greens

  • 2 teaspoons chopped garlic

  • 1 shallot, chopped

  • 1/4 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

  • 1/2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper

  • 2 teaspoons sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoons salt

  • 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar

How to make Pink Greens

  1. Wash and trim the beet greens. If the stems are very thick, it's worth trimming them back a bit.

  2. In a large sauté pan over medium heat, sauté the garlic, shallot, and red pepper flakes in the olive oil until slightly browned. Add the black pepper, sugar, and salt.

  3. Place the beet greens in the pan, pour 60ml water over them, and immediately cover. Once the greens have cooked down, 1 to 2 minutes, remove the lid and stir. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the water to evaporate.

  4. Just before serving, pour the vinegar over the greens. Serve and enjoy!

If you double the amounts as we did, so that it serves 4 people, add vinegar to taste. Twice the amount may be too much. You could use the same technique with spinach, rocket, chard, or any other dark leafy green.

Marissa Grace Desmond and her husband, Ian Kaminski‐Coughlin, live in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their favourite entertaining tip: "For dinner parties, we share online spreadsheets with our guests, so everyone can see who has responded. It also makes it much easier to coordinate who is bringing what and whether or not we need more wine!"

Alli51: "This recipe would work great for various types of Asian greens (which I typically just cook with a bit of oil, kosher salt, and some soy/fish sauce and maybe some chicken broth). This will be much more interesting!"

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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