How to Roast Beets

plate of roasted beets next to uncooked beet bulbs and beet greens on marble background

Learn how to roast beets like the pros! This foolproof technique gives you buttery smooth beets with sweet caramelized edges and a deep earthy flavor, just like oven-roasted veggies should be. Great in salads, bowls, and so much more. Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Oil-Free.

Course Side

Cuisine American

Method Oven

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Total Time 55

Servings Roasted Beets

Calories 15kcal

Author Caitlin Shoemaker

Ingredients

1-5 + medium-to-large beets any color/variety
Filtered water 1 teaspoon per beet
Additional supplies: aluminum foil, parchment paper (optional)

Instructions

Prep: Preheat the oven to 400F and set a baking tray aside. Scrub each beet well, so no dirt remains. Cut the top and bottom off of each beet, removing the top root and bottom stem portions. Place the flat side of the top of each beet onto the cutting board, then carefully quarter each bulb (this helps with faster and more even cooking).
Wrap: Lay a medium square of aluminum foil on a flat workspace, then cover it with a square of parchment paper, if desired*. Place one of the quartered beets in the center of the sheet(s), then pull each corner upward so it will seal at the top. Before you close the seal, add 1 teaspoon of water to the center of the beet to help with moisture. Seal each beet by pulling all four corners together, twisting to close.
Bake: Place each beet with the sealed side up on a baking tray, to prevent the juices from spreading and burning on the bakeware. Bake your beets in the middle rack of the oven for 45 to 60 minutes; this will vary slightly based on the size of each beet. The beets are almost done when you start to smell a deep and subtly-sweet earthy scent. Once fully cooked, a fork or metal skewer should slide through the thickest part of each beet easily.
Peel: Remove the beets from the oven and carefully open their wrappers and let sit for a few minutes. Once they are cool enough to handle, use your hands (gloves are recommended) to peel the skin off of each beet – it should glide off easily. A paper towel can also help to remove areas that are not coming off.
Serve & Store: Serve as desired, warm or cold. Roasted beets will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week, or can be frozen for up to two months.

Notes

Parchment Paper: Some people prefer to not have aluminum foil come in contact with their food; if this is you, wrap the beets in parchment paper first. Otherwise you do not need to include this step!
Prevent Stains: Beet juice can stain hands easily, so I recommend using gloves for peeling, if not the entire cooking process. Otherwise, try to rinse your hands with dish soap as quickly as possible after you finish handling the beets. Beets should not permanently stain wood cutting boards, but if you are worried, it’s best to use a plastic surface.
Beet Greens: If you buy beets with greens attached, simply remove the greens and carry on. Beet greens actually taste very similar to chard – I love to cook them down with a bit of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and minced garlic, or you can make this Swiss Chard Salad!

Nutrition