Roasted beets are soft with a slight crispness, making them a fantastic choice for a healthy and flavorful side dish. Their natural sweetness and rich, earthy flavors come alive when roasted, perfect for pairing with your main courses throughout fall and winter. Not only are they delicious, but they're also packed with antioxidants and offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
What You’ll Find On This Page
You can enjoy these versatile veggies in various ways—whether juiced, blended into colorful pancakes, or simply roasted to perfection. Roasting beets enhances their natural sweetness, making them a wonderful addition to any meal. They're great alongside proteins, mixed into rice dishes, or tossed in salads for a nourishing lunch or light dinner.
What's great about roasted beets is how customizable they are. Choose your preferred cuts, seasonings, and toppings to match your cravings or the occasion. If you're in search of a healthy side that's as tasty as it is nutritious, give roasted beets a try. They're sure to add a special touch to any meal!
Enjoy More Roasted Veggie Recipes:
- Roasted Garlic
- Roasted Tomatoes
- Roasted Chickpeas
- Roasted Asparagus
- Roasted Green Beans
- Roasted Broccoli
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
To make these roasted beets, you'll need just a few simple ingredients: beets, basic seasonings, and a couple of optional toppings. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need:
- Beets: Go for beets that are firm and have smooth, brightly colored skin—whether they’re red, golden, or another variety catches your eye. If the tops are still on and they look fresh and crisp, that’s a good sign they’re nice and fresh. Stay away from beets that are soft, or have noticeable wrinkles or blemishes.
- Seasonings and Oil: I like to keep it simple with just salt and black pepper to season the beets. A splash of olive oil helps everything stick together and keeps the beets nice and juicy while they roast.
- Feta Cheese: A little feta cheese on top adds a delicious tangy and savory flavor. Don’t hesitate to experiment with other toppings like chopped nuts, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a splash of balsamic glaze for a different twist!
- Herbs: Tossing in some fresh herbs at the end adds a nice touch of flavor. I usually go for cilantro, but parsley, dill, chives, or thyme are all good options depending on your preference or what you have on hand.
How to Roast Beets in the Oven?
Let's roast some beets together! I'll show you how to peel them, slice them into wedges, and season them just right. Then we'll pop them in the oven until they're perfectly roasted. I've included step-by-step photos and a video to guide you through each part. Let’s get cooking!
Explore More Roasted and Baked Vegetable Recipes:
- Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Pumpkin
- Roasted Butternut squash
- Roasted Acorn Squash
- Roasted Cauliflower
- Roasted Carrots
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Roasted Zucchini
- Roasted Potatoes
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Baked Spaghetti Squash
Oven Roasted Beets
Ingredients
- 4 Beets
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper Powder, to taste
- Feta Cheese, for topping
- Cilantro Leaves, or parsley, to garnish
Instructions
Preparing the Beets
- Start by peeling your beets and cutting them into wedges, as shown in the pictures. If you prefer, you can leave the skin on and peel it after roasting. Cutting the beets into even pieces helps them cook quickly and evenly. If you're interested in roasting them whole, see the additional tips below for guidance.
- Transfer the sliced beets to a mixing bowl and toss them with oil, black pepper, and salt. Make sure each piece is well coated. This not only enhances the natural sweetness of the beets but also prevents them from drying out while they roast.
- Spread the seasoned beets in a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or foil. Avoid overcrowding the tray; if you’re roasting a large batch, it's best to use a second tray. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of roasting, potentially softening the beets too much and preventing them from achieving that delicious roasted edge. Using parchment or foil also makes cleanup afterward much easier.
Roasting the Beets
- Place the tray with the seasoned beets into a preheated oven at 400°F. Roast them for about 35 to 40 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. This timing is ideal for achieving beets with crispy edges and a beautifully caramelized interior.
- After roasting, remove the beets from the oven and let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the beets to cool slightly, making them easier to handle. When ready to serve, garnish the roasted beets with freshly chopped cilantro leaves and crumbled feta cheese for a burst of freshness and a tangy contrast to the sweet beets.
Serving
- These perfectly roasted beets are versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of dishes. Serve them alongside rice or as a complement to proteins like chicken and seafood. They also make a nutritious addition to salads, bringing a rich, earthy flavor to your meal. For more creative pairing ideas, be sure to explore our Serving Suggestions section below!
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Choose Fresh Beets: For the best flavor, select fresh beets with smooth, shiny skin and no blemishes. Whether you opt for beets with greens attached (trim these before roasting) or pre-cut beets, both types are great for roasting. Don't throw away the greens if you have them—sauté them, add them to stir-fries, or toss them into salads for an extra boost of freshness.
- Peeling the Skin or Not: Roasting beets with their skin on can enhance their earthy flavor and simplify the initial preparation—just scrub and roast. After cooking, the skin peels off easily, which some find preferable. Alternatively, peeling the beets before roasting allows for immediate caramelization and the convenience of serving them right away without the extra step of peeling them hot.
- Wearing Gloves: To avoid beet stains on your hands, consider wearing gloves while peeling and cutting the beets. If gloves aren’t your thing, like me, try rubbing some oil on your hands before handling the beets. This creates a barrier against the color. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water afterward to remove any leftover stains.
- Roasting with Foil: Covering beets with foil isn't necessary, but it's an option if you prefer your beets juicier, similar to how you might roast garlic. Personally, I love roasting them uncovered to achieve a perfect crunch on the outside and a soft, caramelized inside. Feel free to experiment to see which method you prefer!
- Roasting the Beets Whole: If you like, you can roast the beets whole. This method intensifies their natural sugars and flavors, keeping them juicy and tender. Simply scrub the beets, pat them dry, season with salt and pepper, and wrap each one in aluminum foil. Roast at 400°F for about an hour or until fork-tender. This fuss-free approach not only simplifies preparation but also makes the beets easy to peel and slice for various dishes once they’re cool enough to handle.
- Roast in Batches: If you're working with multiple colors of beets (like red, golden, and chioggia), consider roasting them in separate foil packets or trays. This prevents the colors from bleeding into each other, ensuring that each beet type retains its vibrant hue.
- Check for Doneness: Different sizes of beets might require different cooking times. Test for doneness by inserting a fork into a beet. It should slide in easily if it's perfectly cooked.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Serving Suggestions
Roasted beets are incredibly versatile and complement a variety of dishes beautifully. Here are some favorite pairings that I hope you'll love and try out:
- Grains: Roasted beets taste fantastic with different types of rice—whether it's white, brown, black, or aromatic basmati. For a more nutrient-rich option, consider pairing them with quinoa, farro, or barley.
- Roasted or Baked Meats: Looking for a protein-packed meal? Try serving roasted beets alongside roasted chicken—whether it's thighs, breasts, drumsticks, or leg quarters. It's a hearty and satisfying combination.
- Seafood: Roasted beets also go wonderfully with seafood. Pair them with baked salmon, tilapia, or your favorite fish, alongside some grains for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Salads: Adding roasted beets to salads brings a sweet, earthy flavor that's just delicious. They work well with leafy greens, goat cheese, walnuts, or feta, creating a rich and varied texture.
- Dressings and Sauces: Enhance the flavor of your roasted beets by drizzling them with a balsamic glaze, yogurt sauce, tahini sauce or your favorite vinaigrette. It’s a simple touch that makes a big difference.
- Nuts and Seeds: To finish off the dish, sprinkle some nuts or seeds like pistachios or roasted pumpkin seeds. It adds a lovely crunch and a nutritional boost.
Storage Suggestions
Roasted beets taste best when they're warm, letting you savor their caramelized sweetness. If you find yourself with leftovers, no worries—they store well too. Place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator; they'll stay good for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the beets.
Just pop them into freezer-safe bags, and they'll last for up to a month. When you're ready to enjoy them again, thaw the beets in the refrigerator overnight and reheat them in the microwave or oven until they're warm throughout. This way, you can always have a tasty, healthy side dish ready to go!
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