Simple and Sweet: Perfectly Roasted Beets Recipe

Roasted beets are one of those versatile dishes that can be the star of your meal or a flavorful sidekick. With their natural sweetness and earthy flavor, they bring a unique taste and vibrant color to any dish.

Why Roast Beets?

Roasting is one of the best ways to bring out the natural sweetness of beets. The high heat caramelizes the sugars in the beets, enhancing their flavor while keeping their texture tender and moist. This method is also incredibly simple, requiring minimal ingredients and effort.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this recipe, you’ll need just a few basic ingredients:

• 4-5 golden beets
• 5-6 red beets
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• red wine vinegar
• olive oil

These ingredients create a perfect balance of flavors, with the red wine vinegar adding a touch of acidity to complement the sweetness of the beets.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepping the Beets

The first step in any good roasted beet recipe is to clean and prepare the beets. Beets grow in the ground, so they often come with a bit of dirt. Scrubbing them under cold water will remove any lingering dirt or grit.

• Scrub and Wash: Thoroughly wash the beets under running water, using a brush if needed to remove any stubborn dirt. Don’t peel them at this stage—roasting with the skins on helps to retain moisture and flavor.

2. Seasoning the Beets

Once your beets are clean, it’s time to season them.

• Place in Baking Dish: Arrange the beets in a deep baking dish. The dish should be large enough so that the beets aren’t overcrowded, allowing them to roast evenly.
• Add Seasonings: Drizzle the beets with olive oil and red wine vinegar. The olive oil adds richness, while the vinegar enhances the natural sweetness with a bit of tang. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Spread the Seasoning: Using your hands, gently rub the seasoning all over the beets, ensuring they are evenly coated. This step is crucial for ensuring every bite of beet is flavorful.

3. Roasting the Beets

Roasting is where the magic happens. The beets will slowly become tender, and their flavors will concentrate.

• Cover with Foil: Before placing the dish in the oven, cover it tightly with aluminum foil. Make sure there are no holes or gaps where steam could escape. Trapping the steam helps cook the beets more evenly and prevents them from drying out.
• Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the covered baking dish in the oven and bake for about 1 hour. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of your beets. Smaller beets may be done in 45 minutes, while larger ones might take up to 1.5 hours.

4. Checking for Doneness

After an hour, check the beets to see if they’re done.

• Knife Test: Insert a knife into the largest beet. If it slides in easily, the beets are fully cooked. If there’s resistance, the beets need more time. If they’re not done, cover them again and return them to the oven, adding a little more water to the dish if needed to keep them from drying out.

5. Peeling the Beets

Once the beets are perfectly tender, it’s time to peel them.

• Cool and Peel: Carefully transfer the hot beets to the sink and run them under cold water. The skins should slip off easily using your hands or a paper towel. Be gentle, as the beets will be soft and delicate.

6. Serving Suggestions

Now that your beets are roasted to perfection, how should you serve them?

• As a Salad: Slice the roasted beets and toss them with fresh greens, goat cheese, and a light vinaigrette for a simple yet elegant salad.
• Side Dish: Serve the roasted beets alongside roasted meats or grilled fish for a hearty and healthy side dish.
• Snack: Enjoy the roasted beets on their own with a sprinkle of sea salt. Their natural sweetness makes them a satisfying snack.

Beets Salad

Roasted beets are beets cooked in the oven until they are tender and sweet. You clean and season the beets, then bake them at a high temperature. The roasting process makes them soft, enhances their natural sweetness, and gives them a rich flavor. After baking, the skins are easy to peel off, and the beets can be used in salads, as a side dish, or eaten on their own.

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Servings 8

Ingredients

  

• 4-5 golden beets
• 5-6 red beets
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• red wine vinegar
• olive oil

Instructions

 

Prepare the Beets:

• Scrub, wash, and clean the beets thoroughly. Remove any dirt and trim the tops and tails if necessary.

Season and Arrange:

• Place the beets in a deep baking dish. Add a small amount of water to the bottom of the dish to create steam during roasting.
• Drizzle the beets with olive oil and red wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
• Use your hands to spread the seasoning evenly around the beets, ensuring they are well-coated.

Cover and Bake:

• Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil, ensuring there are no holes or gaps for air to escape.
• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 1 hour. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the beets.

Check for Doneness:

• After an hour, use a knife to check the doneness of the beets. If the knife easily pierces the beets, they are done. If not, add more water if needed and continue baking until fully cooked.

Cool and Peel:

• Once the beets are cooked, remove them from the oven. Immediately transfer the hot beets to the sink and run them under cold water.
• Slip off the skins using your hands or a paper towel. The skins should come off easily.

Serve:

• Use the roasted beets in a salad, or enjoy them as they are.