This study investigated quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of beetroots after blanching. Beetroots were blanched in distilled water, 2% NaCl water, and 2% citric acid water at 100°C for 3 minutes (the blanched group). The moisture content was highest in the control (CON) at 91.30% (p<0.05), and cooking loss was lowest in the water-blanched beetroot (BW) at 5.39% (p<0.01). Chromaticity decreased after blanching compared to CON (p<0.001). Total polyphenol contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) decreased after blanching, and as a result of comparing the True retention (TR) of the blanching treatment group, BW had the highest with TPC TR 91.22% and TFC TR 70.51%. DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activities were highest in the CON, and in the blanching group BW was highest scavenging activity. The total number of microorganisms in the CON group was 2.97 log CFU/g, whereas no microorganisms were detected in the blanched groups. Therefore, this study, blanching in water without additives is the most appropriate method for preserving physiologically active substances and nutrients in beetroots and inhibiting microbial growth.