Learn how to roast beets in this easy tutorial. Roasted beets aren’t just delicious, they are good for you too and you will love adding them to everything!
Roasted beets are one of my very favorite ingredients for so many different recipes. My absolute favorite is my easy beet salad; so delicious all year long. Roasted beets are so easy to make, that I find myself doing it on a weekly basis so that I can add beets to my salads. They are such a sweet and delicious addition. Read on and you will see how nutritious they are too. Like a super vegetable flying in to save the day.
Easy and delicious. I ate half the roasted beets and pickled the rest using your refrigerator recipe. Thank you.
How to Roast Beets in the Oven
Here is a brief overview of how to roast beets in the oven. For the full recipe, be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Prepare the beets. Cut off the tops and bottoms of the beetroot. Scrub the beet well to remove any dirt and debris and wrap each beet in foil.
- Roast the beets. Wrap the beets in foil and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This way, if the beet juice leaks from the foil, you have less mess to clean up. Bake for an hour or until tender.
- Peel the skin. Pull them out of the oven and allow the beets to cool to the touch. Unwrap them from the foil and peel off the skin.
Buying and Storing Fresh Beets
When stored properly, fresh beets can last in your refrigerator for up to one week. Here are a few things to look for when buying beets from your local grocery store or farmer’s market.
- Choose beets that are mostly similar in size. That way they will be done roasting at the same time.
- Choose beets that feel firm and heavy for their size.
- Store the roots in a perforated bag. Or store them loosely wrapped in the crisper drawer of your fridge.
- Don’t wash the beets until you are ready to roast them. They will store longer if they are dry.
How Long to Roast Beets
Bake them for about an hour at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. How long to roast beets varies from oven to oven and beet to beet, with large beets needing more time and small beets taking less. I like to poke mine with a toothpick after an hour and get a sense of how soft they are. If inserting the toothpick was hard, I give them another 10 to 15 minutes.
When are Beets Done
As mentioned above, the easiest way to know when a beet is done roasting is to insert a toothpick into the center. While you can follow a clock, beets come in different sizes – even within the same bunch – and therefore will take different amounts of time.
Insert the toothpick into the center of the beet. There should be very little resistance. If there is any, place the beet back in the oven for another ten to fifteen minutes. I worry less about overcooking my beets than I do about undercooking them.
How to Peel a Roasted Beet
After they are done cooking, let them cool to the touch. Then you can easily just peel the skin right off. It’s like magic and I’m weirdo, but there is something super satisfying about it.
They are easiest to peel if you let them sit still wrapped in the aluminum foil for about 10 minutes and then peel immediately after taking the foil off. If you want to avoid pink fingers, wear gloves while peeling.
What to Make with Oven Roasted Beets
As I mentioned, my favorite way to use roasted beets is in a simple salad, but there are so many other great uses for them. Most recipes that call for beets require that you roast them first, so be sure to bookmark this handy tutorial.
- Salad: As mentioned above, this is my favorite way to use them. They are tossed with balsamic vinegar and feta or goat cheese.
- Harvard Beets: Simmered in a delicious sauce with cloves and other spices, you will adore this classic.
- Beet hummus: While this may seem like an odd combo, this recipe is such a hit whenever I serve it.
- Pickled Beets: This is an easy and delicious recipe that you will absolutely love.
Pickled Beets
Storing and Freezing Roasted Beets
Store your beets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Always use your best discretion when storing and eating leftovers. To make your beets last longer, try making pickled beets.
You can also freeze roasted beets! Once they have cooled, put them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. Grab out the portion you plan to eat and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Fun Beet Nutrition Facts
Beets aren’t just a delicious way to think about Dwight and Schrutte Farms. The research on the benefits of beets is super fascinating. If you are looking to improve your overall health, adding beets to your diet is a great place to start. Beets are:
- Low in calories for all the nutritional benefits and vitamins and minerals they offer.
- A great source of fiber.
- Have the potential to reduce your blood pressure and risk of heart disease.
Other Great Recipes Using Roasted Vegetables
- Brown Sugar Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Asparagus
- Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots
- Roasted Baby Potatoes
If you make this roasted beets recipe or any of my other recipes, I’d love to hear what you think!
How to Roast Beets
Ingredients
- 1 pound beets
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scrub the beets clean.
- Cut off the top greens and the bottom root. Wrap them individually in aluminum foil. Bake for 1 hour.
- After an hour, insert with a toothpick. If you can insert it easily, they are done. If not, bake for another 10 to 15 minutes (depending on the size of the beet) until you can insert the toothpick easily.
- After cooking, allow them to cool to the touch, then gently peel off the skin and discard. Slice and use to top salads or enjoy on their own!
Shirley says
Thinking it might work to wrap in parchment, instead of foil.
And for those who have those cooking bags, of black silicone—would make good use of those—& those clear cooking bags that used to be popular, & they did a good job.
Jan says
Does anyone have a recipe for beet soup it is so good
Wendy St. John says
We are able to dig the beets when the are small. Like quarter size. How long to roast them about?
Hi Wendy! With beets that small I would probably start checking them at about 25 minutes in.
Joann says
Can I use can beets to pickle.
You can, but you just want to make sure that the ingredients list only beets and no other ingredients.
Helen says
Hi Lisa,
These sound like a great idea.
Can I use cider vinegar instead of white?
I enjoy all your recipes.
Thanks so much!
Helen
For me, apple cider vinegar would be strong in this. But it’s all just a matter of preference. You can definitely try it and the recipe will still work.
aline bizier says
est ce que l on peut faire rotir dans la friteuse a air si oui a quelle degre et combien de temps et est ce que je les mets dans du papier d aluminium merci j attends votre reponse
I’m so sorry, I haven’t made these in the air fryer. I’m sure it could be done, but I’m not sure how long it would take without testing it.
Libby Fontaine says
I always try your recipes and I love beets so I will be trying them
I hope you love them!