Roasting whole beets is a simple and delicious way to enjoy this earthy, sweet vegetable. The roasting process enhances their natural sugars and gives them a wonderfully rich and concentrated flavor. The high heat of the oven, combined with a hint of olive oil and salt, transforms them from hard, raw roots to tender, deeply flavored treats. The skins are left on to help to retain the juices, ensuring the beets stay moist and flavorful. Whether you're using them for salads, side dishes, or just enjoying them as-is, How to Roast Beets Whole Perfectly in Your Oven is a technique worth mastering.
If you're a beet lover like me you've probably thought of a lot of ways to use oven-roasted whole beets. For this recipe, I chose golden beets and red beets. I love the color combination in a salad, like my Beet and Sorrel Salad with Feta cheese, pictured above. Fresh herbs go so well with beets, so the choice of fresh vibrant sorrel in this salad was a winner.
INGREDIENTS
How to Roast Beets Whole Perfectly in Your Oven calls for simple ingredients available at the grocery store or farmer's market.
- Fresh Beets - use small beets, medium beets, or large beets. If you are serving the roasted beets as a simple side dish, choose the larger beets. For salads and snacking choose the smaller beets. The beet greens are perfectly edible. (see FAQ below)
- Olive oil - I use Extra Light Tasting Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt - I use coarse Kosher salt for the roasting process. I sprinkle coarse sea salt at serving time.
See the recipe card for quantities.
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove leaves and rinse the raw beets under cold water, scrubbing with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt.
Place the beets on a piece of aluminum foil large enough to fold over and seal. Before sealing, drizzle the beets with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Seal the foil tightly around the beets to create a packet. If you have a lot of beets, you can separate them into several packets.
Place the packets on a baking sheet and roast for about 50-60 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the size of the beets.
Remove the beets from the oven and let them cool in the foil packets for a few minutes. Use a paper towel or your fingers to rub off the skin.
Serve the beets as they are, or cut them into slices, wedges, or dice. Enjoy your roasted beets!
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Oven-roasted beets are a versatile and healthy addition to many dishes. The key to enjoying oven-roasted beets is to pair them with ingredients that complement their sweet and earthy flavor. Here are some serving suggestions:
Salad: My favorite way to use cooked beets is in salads. They pair well with a variety of greens, including arugula and spinach, as well as with other ingredients like goat cheese, walnuts, and a simple vinaigrette. Roasted beets also pair well with citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruits with white balsamic vinegar.
Roasted Beet Hummus: Puree roasted beets in a food processor along with chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil to create a vibrant, flavorful hot pink beet hummus.
Grain Bowls: Add roasted beets to grain bowls, other vegetables and proteins (like chicken or tofu), and a flavorful sauce or dressing.
Sandwiches/Wraps: Slices of roasted beet can be used in sandwiches or wraps, adding a hearty and sweet element that pairs well with other vegetables, cheeses, and spreads.
Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Tart: If you're feeling a little more ambitious, try using your roasted beets in a tart. Arrange thinly sliced roasted beets and crumbled goat cheese on a sheet of puff pastry, then bake until golden and puffed.
As a Side Dish: Simply serve your roasted beets as a side dish. Drizzle them with a little bit of high-quality olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
IS THIS RECIPE BUDGET FRIENDLY?
Yes, roasted beets are generally budget-friendly. Beets themselves are typically not expensive and are often available year-round, although their price can vary depending on the region and the season. The other ingredients needed to roast beets, like oil, salt, and pepper, are also affordable. This recipe comes in as CHEAP on our affordability scale!
STORAGE
Allow beets to cool to room temperature then refrigerate thin an airtight container. leave the skin on until ready to use. Peel the skin (it should come off easily) and cut to whatever shape or size you like.
Freezer: Peel roasted beets then cut or chop and place into freezer bags. Use within 3 months.
TOP TIP FOR HOW IN ROAST BEETS WHOLE PERFECTLY in YOUR OVEN
My top tip is to wear gloves. I use kitchen-rated disposable gloves when cooking beets or creating beet recipes. You will also want to choose a non-porous cutting board for use with beets. A wooden cutting board will stain and be unsightly.
RECIPE FAQ
Yes, beet leaves are edible and quite nutritious. They can be prepared and eaten in much the same way as spinach or Swiss chard. Beet leaves are high in vitamins A and C, iron, and magnesium.
Here are some ways you might prepare beet leaves:
Sauteed: You can sauté beet greens in olive oil with garlic and onion until they're tender.
In Soup: Beet greens can also be added to soups or stews, much like you would with other leafy greens.
Steamed: Another simple way to prepare beet leaves is to steam them until they're soft, then drizzle them with olive oil.
Salad: Young, tender beet leaves can also be used raw in salads.
Remember to wash them thoroughly before use, as they can often have a lot of dirt residue.
RELATED
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
WHAT GOES WELL WITH OVEN-ROASTED BEETS
I love to serve a roasted beet salad with these great entrees:
How to Roast Beets Whole Perfectly in Your Oven
Equipment
- Sheet pan
- Aluminum foil
- Sharp knife
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 4 -6 Beets medium-sized
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- Kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Remember, beet juice can stain your hands and clothing, so you might want to wear gloves and an apron while preparing and peeling them.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Clean the beets: Rinse them under cold water, scrubbing with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt.
- Trim off any leaves. Keep the skin on; it will help to lock in the beets' juices and flavor.
- Place the beets on a piece of aluminum foil large enough to fold over and seal. Before sealing, drizzle the beets with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Seal the foil tightly around the beets to create a packet. If you have a lot of beets, you can separate them into several packets.
- Place the packets on a baking sheet to catch any drips and roast for about 50-60 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the size of the beets. They're done when you can easily insert a fork or knife into the center.
- Remove the beets from the oven and let them cool in the foil packets for a few minutes. Once they're cool enough to handle, use a paper towel or your fingers to rub off the skin. It should slide off easily.
- Serve the beets as they are, or cut them into slices, wedges, or dice. Enjoy your roasted beets!
Notes
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition information is provided as a convenience and courtesy only. You are encouraged to do your own calculations if precise data is required.
We take every effort to ensure that the estimated meal cost per serving is accurate. We use a meal cost analysis application that estimates the cost of a recipe based on groceries purchased at a Walmart store in my geographical area, northern California.
Dalya Rubin says
This guide for roasting beets is super helpful!!