Beets are quiet powerhouses. Beautiful on a plate, easy to prep, and one of the best foods you can eat for supporting your liver and your hormones.
Today I’m sharing a beet and cabbage slaw with pecans that’s easy to make ahead and only gets better with time. It’s the kind of hormone-supporting recipe I love to prep on a Sunday and enjoy all week long.
Why Beets Are One of the Best Foods for Hormone Balance
Beets are truly a powerhouse vegetable. Here’s why beets belong on your plate when you’re eating for hormone balance:
🥬 They support your liver’s ability to detoxify — which is essential for healthy estrogen metabolism and hormone balance. Your liver is one of the most important organs when it comes to processing hormones.
✨ They’re rich in antioxidants — which help your body fight free radicals and reduce inflammation. Chronic inflammation is one of the biggest disruptors of hormone balance.
🌿 They’re full of gut-loving fiber — which supports a healthy gut microbiome and protects your intestinal barrier. Gut health and hormone health are deeply connected.
💛 They’re packed with folate, manganese, and potassium — nutrients that support energy, mood, and healthy blood pressure.
Beets are also incredibly versatile. You can roast, steam, boil, bake, grill, or enjoy them raw, which makes them easy to work into your weekly rhythm.
The Beet and Cabbage Slaw Recipe
Beet and Cabbage Slaw with Pecans
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 4 small beets, cooked and chopped
- 4 cups thinly sliced cabbage (about ½ medium head)
- ⅓ cup raw pecans (optional — omit if you don’t tolerate nuts)
- 2 to 3 green onions, chopped for garnish
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
Directions:
- Prepare your beets (see the how-to-cook-beets section below for two easy methods) and thinly slice the cabbage.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, garlic, sea salt, and pepper.
- Toast the pecans in a small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss together the beets, cabbage, pecans, and dressing.
- Top with chopped green onions and serve.
Always use organic ingredients whenever possible.
How to Make This a Complete Hormone-Balancing Meal
This beet and cabbage slaw is a beautiful side dish on its own, full of healthy fats from the olive oil and pecans, and healthy carbohydrates from the beets and cabbage.
To make it a complete hormonally balanced meal, pair it with a healthy animal protein. A few of my favorites:
- Grilled chicken
- Wild-caught salmon
- Grass-fed steak
- Grass-fed ground beef
- Roasted turkey
Remember, a hormonally balanced meal always includes three things: healthy protein, healthy fats, and healthy carbohydrates. This slaw brings the fats and carbs, you just need to add a palm-sized portion of protein.
How to Cook Beets — Two Simple Methods
Stovetop method: Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add 1 Tbsp lemon juice and 1 to 2 bunches of trimmed, scrubbed beets. Cover and boil for about 15 minutes, until fork-tender. Once cool enough to handle, the skins will slip right off.
Instant Pot method: Add trimmed beets, ½ cup water, and 1 Tbsp lemon juice to the Instant Pot. Cover and seal the lid. Set to manual for 10 to 12 minutes depending on size. Allow the pressure to release naturally, then peel and enjoy.
A Few Tips for Shopping and Storing Beets
Shopping for beets: Look for beets that are firm and about the same size. Smaller beets tend to be sweeter and more tender, while larger beets have more of an earthy texture. If the greens are still attached, choose ones that are crisp and bright, not wilted or yellowing.
Storing beets: Trim the greens once you get home. Store the beetroots in a brown paper bag in your fridge’s vegetable drawer. They’ll keep for up to 2 weeks.
Meal prep friendly: This beet and cabbage slaw actually gets better the next day as the flavors meld. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
There’s real joy in eating food that both tastes good and supports your body. This beet and cabbage slaw is exactly that, earthy, satisfying and truly nourishing.
Simple, beautiful, and truly nourishing. Enjoy every bite. 💛
Love,
Robin xo
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