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Learning how to roast beets is something that I am so glad I took the time to figure out. Getting those purple rocks soft and delectable is much easier than I imagined!
Beets are one of those vegetables that don’t get appreciated nearly as much as they should. Knowing how to prepare beets and what to pair them with will add some color and flavor to the dinner table.
Often thought of as super hard and impossible to cut and slice. Roasting is a great way to enjoy them without the wrestling match and the risk of losing a finger.
How To Roast Beets
Want to make the best oven-roasted beets? Read on for a few tips.
First, Don’t bother peeling them first. I know that sounds crazy but just give them a good scrubbing with a vegetable brush. Cut off the roots and tops, if desired.
Use a sturdy cutting board and long knife, and cut larger beets in half, if needed. Smaller beets can just be left whole in one piece.
Second, place the beets on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Roast your beets until they are fork-tender.
Third, wear rubber gloves when removing the skins. Use a paring knife to peel the skins off the beets after roasting. The skin is edible though and after a good scrubbing will nearly disappear into the beets when cooked.
Beets are known for their purple-dying abilities so no gloves will result in purple hands for a week or so. I use these kitchen gloves for countless cooking tasks.
Roasted beets are an amazing side dish on their own, or sprinkle them with a few herbs or goat cheese for a creamy topping. You can also chill your beets and chop or grate them later for topping dishes like this Roasted Beet Salad.
How To Roast Whole Beets
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to roast beets:
Prep the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prep the beets: Wash and trim your beets. You can roast them whole or cut them into halves or quarters for a faster roasting time. Oil and season the beets and arrange them on your baking pan.
How Long To Roast Beets
Wondering how long to roast the beets? The size of the pieces and how crowded your baking sheet is will impact the cooking time.
Beets are a dense vegetable, so start with 45 minutes and then check every 5 minutes or so by poking with a fork until the desired doneness is achieved.
How to Roast Beets
Ingredients
- 1 pound beets approximately 4 medium sized
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper adjust to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Trim the tops and roots. Wash thoroughly scrubbing with a vegetable brush. Cut beets in half for roasting.
- Place the beets on the baking sheet and drizzle with oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat.
- Roast the beets for 45 minutes. The pieces should be tender when poked with a fork. If needed roast, another 5-10 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yummy, healthy and very easy to
make.
These roasted beets are so versatile !
I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying the beets!
If beets makes your hands red will they not make your mouth red
Interesting. I’ve never heard that, Barbara.