Oven Roasted Beets

Why This Recipe Works

Transforms the Flavor: Generally, I am not a fan of raw beets. But once they are oven roasted, the flavor and texture completely transforms! Oven roasted beets are enhanced through the slow roasting process to become soft and naturally sweet, with a slight crisp on the outside thanks to the olive oil. 

Versatile: This oven roasted beets recipe is super versatile! I love to make a roasted beet salad with them. But you can also add them to grain bowls or pasta dishes! They pair well with goat cheese, nuts and citrus. Or, try blending them into soups for nutrient and color boost!

Ingredients

• Beets: You can use any variety of beets that you have on hand or find at the store, including red, golden or candy-striped. The flavor will vary, but they will all yield delicious results!
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds a richness to the beets and helps to crispy up the edges while roasting.

Here’s How to Make It

1. Preheat: Preheat the oven to 400F. 
2. Prep: Trim the rough tops from the beets, and quarter them if they’re large, halve them if they’re medium, but you can keep baby beets whole. Wear disposable gloves to avoid staining your fingers (this is not necessary with golden beets or candy striped varieties).
3. Wrap in Foil & Season: Place the beets in the middle of a large piece of foil and drizzle with the olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and wrap up in a tight package with the seam at the top to avoid any leakage.
4. Bake: Roast for 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours until the beets are fork tender.
5. Cool & Use: Once they’re cool enough to touch the skins should rub off before you continue with your chosen recipe.

Expert Tips

• Definitely wear gloves. If you are working with red beets, they can stain your hands! I recommend wearing disposable gloves if you have them, especially while peeling the roasted beets. 
• Check for doneness! Depending on the size of your beets, it may take more or less time to roast them. If you are unsure of how long to roast beets, start checking for doneness after 1 hour by poking them with a fork. If they are fork tender, the beets are ready. 
• Peel after roasting and before serving! After roasting, let the beets cool enough to handle, and then rub the skins off with your fingers or a paper towel. The skins should slip off easily, leaving you with perfectly smooth beets.

How to Use Oven Roasted Beets

1. In a warm salad. Try serving these roasted beets in a salad or a grain bowl. Try serving them with a serving of quinoa, arugula, crumbled goat cheese, walnuts and a balsamic vinaigrette! This is my personal favorite way to use these beets. In fact, I learned how to make roasted beets for salad before I paired them with anything else!
2. Make a hummus. You can turn these tender oven roasted beets into a vibrant beet hummus! Just blend them up with chickpeas, tahini, garlic and lemon juice. 
3. Try beet pasta. Toss oven roasted beets with cooked pasta, olive oil, garlic, and crumbled feta or goat cheese. The beets add a natural sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.