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How to Cook Fresh Beets in the Oven. The Only Method You Need to Know.
For a while, my wife and I thought we didn’t like beets.
Then, I started roasting them like in this oven roasted beet recipe.
It can’t be beet!
When you look at a beet, you probably wonder “how am I supposed to cook this?”. It’s not very clear how to make them edible.
Beets may look difficult to cook, but this oven roasted beets cooking process is hands off. Toss them in the oven and take care of some other tasks during your busy day while they roast.
This oven roasted beets recipe shows you how to cook fresh beets to tender, juicy perfection and convert any beet haters. Adding liquid and covering the beets steams them. This allows them to fully cook and not dry out.
The best part:
This method is perfect for cooking a big batch of oven roasted beets. It is definitely the best way to cook beets for meal prep.
Ready to eat healthy beets all week? Then keep reading to learn about the best way to cook beets in the oven for meal prep!
Are Oven Roasted Beets Healthy?
Yes! Beets are healthy. Some experts even consider them a “superfood”.
Beets are packed with fiber, folate, and antioxidants that aid in digestion. According to Medical News Today, studies show beets may reduce blood pressure, improve digestion, reduce the risk of diabetes, and increase athletic performance.
Seems like we should all be eating more beets.
How Long Will These Oven Roasted Beets Keep?
After cooking, peeling, and letting the beets fully cool, store them in a covered container and place in the refrigerator. They will keep 4-5 days.
Beets are great for meal prep and can be eaten at room temperature, warm, or right out of the refrigerator.
I love these deli containers for storing meal prep ingredients. They’re cheap, versatile, and all sizes use the same lid. They are what restaurants use.
These OXO glass containers are also awesome. You can store, cover, reheat (if needed), and serve all in one container.
Tips For How to Cook Beets
Keep it Clean
Beets are beautiful. But, their color does rub off on whatever they come in contact with. Just look at my hands in the picture below.
When the beets are ready to be peeled and cut up, grab a separate small cutting board that can be easily cleaned and tossed in the dishwasher like this one.
That way, your kitchen and main cutting board won’t have streaks of purple.
Make Sure Each Beet is About the Same Size
If you have any large beets, cut them in half so that they’re about the same size as the others. This will ensure they cook around the same amount of time.
When choosing beets that I know I am going to make using this method, I try to get ones that are all the same size. But, if I can’t, then I’ll get a combo of really large ones and ones that are half the size. This way, I can make them all similar in size by cutting in half.
Peeling the Skins Off
Once the beets are finished roasting, the skins will easily slide off. You can use your hands, but I think using a paper towel works better.
The paper towel will grip the skins better. Plus, it will keep your hands at least a little less purple.
How To Buy Fresh Beets
Beets are generally available with their leafy tops on or off.
If their tops are still on, inspecting these will be your best bet. It means they were dug up within the past week or so. Look for greens that are perky with no shriveling.
If their tops are removed, look for beets with tight, firm skins. You should not be able to squish them at all.
How Can I Use These Oven Roasted Beets?
Beets are versatile and underrated. Any time you need a hint of sweetness or earthiness to a dish, cut up a few beets and toss in.
Here are a few ideas:
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Roasted Beet Salad with Avocado – A delicious and healthy beet salad for a side dish or filling meal.
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Beet Dip – Toss a few of these roasted beets in a blender or food processor to create this easy dip/spread.
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Topping a green salad – Slice up beets and add to this Simple Green Salad for a more filling dish.
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Beet Salad – Cut beets into wedges, add to a bowl, and top them with this Garlic Yogurt Sauce or Tahini Sauce to create an instant and filling beet salad.
Oven Roasted Beets
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds beets (cut any very large ones in half)
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Place beets in a 13×9” baking dish. Toss with oil and season with salt and pepper. Pour 1/4 cup water in to dish. Cover tightly with foil and place in preheated oven.
- Roast 65-75 minutes until you can easily slide a fork into the beets.
- Remove from oven and let cool covered.
- Use a paper towel to slide the skins off each beet.
- Use immediately or store up to 4 days covered in the refrigerator.
Video
Nutrition
Want to Eat More Veggies?
It is so nice to have a big batch of beets in the fridge to pull out at a moments notice. A meal comes together in no time when you can top it with a few spoonfuls of beets. I love how convenient that is.
You know what else is great about homemade veggies? The sense of pride and accomplishment you get in every bite knowing that you made them yourself.
If you’re ready to get started on your journey towards cooking and eating vegetables that you’ll actually love to eat, check out this guide: Roasted Veggie Mania: Learn to Make Veggies You Love to Eat
I did finally grow into loving beets. I think my mother used to buy canned beets in the 50’s. They do seem so old fashioned. I’m glad you gave us this recipe. I have been boiling fresh ones, but I think this will retain more of their nutrition. Thanks
That’s great! I’ve totally grown into a beet lover too. Although it is a little more work (all the reason to cook a big batch), you will notice more flavor using this roasting method compared to boiling beets. Boiling leaches some nutrients and flavor into the water. Bon appetit!
We found these giant beets at this garlic farm in Granby, Ct. took it home and scrubbed it, cut it in quarters due to the size. Boiled it for 45 min. Removed it and cut it up in smaller sizes, placed in a roasting pan seasoned it, ( whatever seasoning you like) EVOO, covered in foil and roasted it for 45 minutes. Plated it and added crumbled goat cheese and walnuts and drizzled honey.
We peeled it after removing from water.