If you've never cooked golden beets, this recipe offers an easy and delicious way to prepare them. Roasted golden beets are prepared easily by tossing chunks of beets in oil and fresh herbs, and then roast them in the oven until they are caramelized. They're a great addition to any meal.
Quick note for those who haven't tried golden beets: They are similar to red beets but with a few differences. Besides the color, golden beets are sweeter and have a less earthy flavor than red beets. They can be used interchangeably in some recipes, but the choice will depend on flavor preference and color impact.
I love roasted beets so much that I can eat them straight out of the pan.
They are a great side dish to any meal, and they make a delicious addition to your salads or bowls. You can roast them with just olive oil and salt, but I've developed a simple herbs and oil mix that transforms them into a truly flavorful dish.
Looking for more easy sided dishes? Try our baked carrot chips, air fryer carrots and potatoes, air fryer parsnip fries, or roasted sweet potato slices.
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Ingredients notes
Here are all the ingredients you will need to make the recipe. You can find the quantities in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Golden beets: you can find yellow beets at a farmer's market or your local grocery store. You can easily use red beets instead.
- Extra virgin Olive oil: a popular choice for roasting any vegetables. You can also use avocado oil or coconut oil.
- Fresh thyme and rosemary: finely chopped thyme and rosemary bring unique flavors to complement sweet beets. If you do not have fresh herbs, use dried.
- Garlic powder: adds garlicky notes without overpowering the dish. I avoid fresh garlic for roasting as it burns very easily.
- Black pepper and salt: add some to the seasoning mix and more for serving to taste.
How to roast golden beets in the oven
Here are a few easy-to-follow steps on how to make this delicious recipe:
1. Rinse your fresh thyme and rosemary and shake off the access water. Chop herbs very finely. In a large bowl, add olive oil, chopped rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix to combine and set it aside for now.
2. Cut off the beet greens if present. Wash the beetroots under cold water to remove any dirt and debris. Trim off the beet tops and root ends with a sharp knife. Using a vegetable peeler or a small knife, peel off the skin. Try to remove as little flesh as possible.
3. If you have smaller beets, just quarter them. Cut each beetroot in half from top to bottom and then slice each half in half again. If you have larger beets, you can cut them into slabs or chunks. Place quartered beets into a bowl with olive oil and herbs. Mix well to ensure each piece is well coated.
4. Spread the beets in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 30-40 minutes or until the beets are tender. You can check it by inserting the fork or knife in one of the largest pieces. Sprinkle already cooked beets with extra salt and black pepper to taste before serving.
Serving ideas
Roasted beets are great enough on their own as a simple-sided dish on a dinner table.
For the holiday dinner, I love to add some chopped fresh parsley and dill on top and pair them with rich flavors of roasted duck or turkey.
On busy weekdays, they become a perfect side for comforting dishes like chicken cutlets, chicken kebobs, air fryer cod fish (cooked from frozen) or a hearty meatloaf.
And of course, they are great in a salad, with greens, feta or goat cheese, and a simple dressing, just like this red beets salad with arugula.
And if you have leftovers, add them to the savory breakfast hash with potatoes and onions the next day.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy: instead of herbs, add chili powder, cumin, or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the olive oil.
- Sweet: for a sweet version, add a tablespoon of maple syrup or brown sugar and a little bit of cinnamon for roasting.
- Tangy: serve roasted beets with crumbled goat cheese and chopped fresh herbs on top.
Nataliia's tips
- While the skin of beets is edible, I recommend peeling them, unless you choose to roast them whole.
- Space the beet chunks out on a pan, so they roast without steaming.
- To store: once the beets cool down, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
- Reheat: they reheat well in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use red beets instead of yellow. You can also consider combining red and yellow beets for a beautiful mix of colors.
Yes, you certainly can freeze cooked beets. Cooked beets can be frozen for up to 12 months.
The cooking time for your beets will depend on their size. Typically, whole beets take about 50-60 minutes, while cut-up beets take between 30-40 minutes. The beets are done roasting when they are fork tender.
More delicious beet recipes to try next
📖 Recipe
Roasted Golden Beets
Equipment
- 1 large bowl
- 1 veggie peeler
Ingredients
- 6 small or medium golden beets
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉. Line a baking sheet with some parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix olive oil, salt, finally chopped thyme, finally chopped rosemary, black pepper and garlic powder. Set aside.
- Wash and scrub the beets. Use a veggie peeler to peel the skin. Quarter the beets. Alternatively, you can cut them in to bite size cubes.
- Add the beets into the bowl with oil and herbs. Stir until well coated.
- Arrange the beets on a prepared baking pan in a single layer. Bake them for about 30-40 minutes until the beets are tender inside. You can check it by inserting a fork or a knife in one the largest pieces. Take it out of the oven and serve.
AA-ron says
Really, 422 degrees? I hope that was a mistake. If not it makes no sense! Anyway, really good, easy to follow recipe. I hate beets but this one is a goody!
Nataliia says
I am glad you enjoyed this beets recipe. And it was for sure a mistype and thank you for letting me know about it, I got it corrected :). You can bake them at 400F for about 30-40 minutes or even at 425F for about 20-25 minutes.