Yes, you can eat soft beets, but with some important caveats. While the best texture is achieved with firm beets, soft beets aren't automatically spoiled. However, their quality and suitability for eating depend on the reason for their softness and their overall condition.
Understanding Beet Softness
Beets naturally become softer as they age. Fresh beets are firm, but if they feel soft, it signals they are past their prime. This softness doesn't automatically mean they're unsafe, but it does impact their taste and texture. [Source: Allrecipes, Food52](https://www.allrecipes.com/types-of-beets-7853061, https://food52.com/hotline/7820-beets-have-been-in-fridge-a-week-they-are-now-soft-but-otherwise-seem-fine-safe-to-eat-or-no)
- Acceptable Softness: Slightly soft beets, lacking slime, discoloration, or fuzzy spots, are generally safe to eat. Their texture might be less crisp, but still acceptable, particularly after cooking. [Source: Quora, Reddit](https://www.quora.com/How-can-you-tell-if-a-beet-has-gone-bad, https://www.reddit.com/r/AskCulinary/comments/51uy6i/are_beets_that-are-semi_soft_ok_to_eat/)
- Unacceptable Softness: If the beets are excessively soft, mushy, slimy, discolored, or have fuzzy growths, discard them. This indicates spoilage and potential food safety risks. [Source: Cook Eat Live Love, StackExchange](https://cookeatlivelove.com/how-long-store-beets/, https://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/11813/how-can-i-tell-whether-beetroot-is-still-edible)
What to Do with Soft Beets
- Use Immediately: If your beets are only slightly soft, use them as soon as possible to maximize their flavor and texture.
- Pickle Them: Soft beets, if otherwise sound, can be pickled to preserve them and create a delicious condiment. Source: Allrecipes
- Discard Them: If the softness is accompanied by other signs of spoilage (slime, discoloration, etc.), discard the beets immediately.
Cooking Soft Beets
Soft beets will likely become even softer when cooked. While still edible, they might become mushy. Consider cooking methods that minimize this, such as roasting or grilling. Steaming may result in a more easily-mashed consistency.
