Roasted Golden Beets

Roasted golden beets are one of the most delicious vegetable side dishes. You'll roast the whole beets in a foil packet until tender.

This cooking method is incredibly simple. You don't even have to peel the beets before roasting, as the skin will pull right off after they come out of the oven.

This recipe will convert even a beet hater - yellow beets have a milder and less earthy flavor than red beets.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• How to Use Roasted Beets
• Roasted Beet Variations
• Storage
• Golden Beets FAQs and Cooking Tips
• Roasted Golden Beets

I think roasted golden beets are even more delicious than red beets. Golden beets have a similar flavor profile to red beets, but they're slightly less sweet, mellower, and more buttery. They still have a delicious earthy flavor, like all beet types.

You'll roast these golden beets for quite a long time, but it will pay off with a tender, deeply flavorful side dish.

If you love beets, we have 20 more beet recipes you should try!

Ingredients

You won't need much to make this simple recipe - the beets are the star of the show!

• Golden Beets -  Also called yellow beets. You don't need the green tops for this recipe, but save them for your next salad. They add a delicious flavor.
• Olive Oil - You can use any type of oil you'd like, but olive oil adds great flavor. I wouldn't recommend using extra virgin olive oil, because you'll roast the beets at a higher temperature, and EVOO can burn. Use regular olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil with a higher smoke point.
• Sea Salt - Use coarse or fine sea salt to bring out the richer flavors of the beets.
• Ground Black Pepper - Just a pinch of black pepper will add a delicious bite.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. 

Cut the tops off the fresh beets, along with any darker, discolored sections around the edges. Cut off any long roots.

Place each beet in the center of a piece of foil. Drizzle it with a little olive oil and sea salt. Using your hands, massage the oil all over the beets.

Close the foil around the beets and place them on a baking sheet or sheet pan.

Bake the foil packets for 40 to 55 minutes, until fork tender. The time will vary depending on the size of the beets. 

If you are worried about the beets leaking, you can place a piece of parchment paper on the sheet pan.

Remove the beets from the oven and carefully pull back the foil. Be careful, as the trapped steam can be very hot. 

Allow the beets to cool for a few minutes before using your fingers or a paper towel to pull off the skin.

Slice the beets and place them in a large serving dish. Drizzle them with a little olive oil and sprinkle on additional salt and a pinch of black pepper.  

How to Use Roasted Beets

You can use roasted beets for more than just a side dish! Here are some ways to add them to dishes to make a full meal.

• Salads - roasted beets are absolutely delicious in a salad. Toss them with some spring greens, feta, pepitas, and a mustard vinaigrette for a fantastic lunch.
• Veggie Bowls - toss the beets with some cooked quinoa or farro, diced bell pepper, cucumbers, and a simple dressing for a fantastic vegetable bowl.
• Dips - roasted beets will blend and taste great when added to hummus or a yogurt-based dip.
• Tacos - add your beets to a black bean taco for a flavorful vegetarian meal.
• Sandwiches - thinly slice your beets and place them in a single layer with some cream cheese and sprouts for a veggie sandwich.

Roasted Beet Variations

Want to kick the flavor up a notch or add some color? Try some of these variations and toppings.

• Fresh Herbs - top your roasted beets with chopped parsley, basil, or microgreens
• Cheese - serve the roasted beets with some crumbled feta or goat cheese or a sprinkle of parmesan for some creaminess.
• Nuts - toast some nuts like pepitas or pine nuts and sprinkle them across the beets.
• Beet Greens - if your beets come with greens, you can use them as well! Simply wash them, and then sauté them in the same method as this Swiss chard (the stems and greens are both edible). Or use them in a fresh salad. 
• Citrus - squeeze some lemon juice or orange juice on the cooked beets for a little kick of flavor.

Storage

The cooked beets will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

I don't recommend freezing the cooked beets unless you are going to use them in a smoothie or soup and blending them. The consistency after unfreezing won't quite be the same.

Golden Beets FAQs and Cooking Tips

Are golden beets healthier than red beets? In terms of nutritional value, golden beets and red beets are practically identical. They're heart-healthy, high in antioxidants, and are great for your hair and skin.

Is it better to peel beets before or after roasting? Roast your beets before peeling. The skin peels right off after roasting, which makes it super easy.

Do golden beets taste different? Golden beets taste similar to red beets but have a milder, slightly less earthy taste. If you don't generally like red beets, you may like golden beets.

Can you eat golden beet skin? You can eat golden beet skin if you scrub the beets well before roasting. Depending on preference, you may want to peel the skin off, but it's completely edible. 

How to know when beets are done cooking? Your cooking time will vary based on the size of your beets. You can check doneness by pulling the aluminum foil back slightly and poking the beet with a sharp knife or fork. If it slips in easily, it's ready.