Golden Roasted Beets: A recipe for fresh beets
This recipe uses the simplest technique for roasting whole beets. You don't have to peel the beet before roasting. Just wash them, cut the tops off, pour olive oil over the beetroot, add kosher salt and black pepper, then put them in an aluminum foil pouch. Place them on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven. In less than an hour, you have roasted golden beets. Seriously, it's that easy.
Treasures at your local farmers market
In late summer, you will find me at my local farmers market specifically looking for fresh golden beets. When I spot them, I get excited. They look so beautiful when roasted, with their bright yellow color. These yellow treasures are an easy way to add color and flavor to any meal.
Do golden beets taste different?
Golden beets are milder and sweeter than regular ones. Beets can get a bad rap. So many people never even attempt to eat them. But a golden beet recipe may swing you to the beet eaters' side.
A yellow beet is so happy looking (I’m a sucker for yellow) and mild in taste, which makes it a good choice for people to start with if you are interested in eating beets but feel a bit apprehensive about trying them.
Heck, I get it. I didn't realize how good beets were until my eyes were opened to the fact that there are more ways to eat beets than pickled ones, and there are more colors to than just red. Once I discovered the deliciousness of roasted golden beets, it became something I wanted to add to my routine as often as I could.
Shopping for fresh beets
When buying fresh beets, ensure they are firm and not soft or wrinkled. Avoid any beetroots that show signs of damage, such as cracks or bruises. Smaller beets are more tender and cook more quickly than larger ones. Those wider than 2½ inches usually have tough, woody centers.
If you buy beets with the greens still attached, choose ones whose greens are not wilted. Beet greens should be dark in color.
FAQ: How long do beets last in the fridge?
To store your beets, remove the green tops by cutting the stem about 2 inches above the bulb. Leaving a two-inch stem will help the beet retain its nutrients and color during cooking. Refrigerate the green tops separately. They will last about two to four days.
Store beets in a cool place (about 40 degrees F, this is the recommended temperature of your refrigerator) until ready to use. Unwashed beets will last in your fridge for two to four weeks.
Bright, Brillant Colors
Beets come in a variety of colors. The most common is red. They also can be purple or golden, and there are even striped ones. If you aren't too excited about the red beets’ earthy flavor, the golden beet is much sweeter and a great place to experiment with adding to your eating plan.
Nitrates for your workout
Beets deliver a dose of nitrates, which may help you run or bike faster and longer. Small studies show eating 200 grams of baked beets 75 minutes before exercise improved the running performance of recreationally fit people.
You may have heard of beetjuice before a workout. Drinking beet juice has shown to offer a slight improvement in time trial performance for cycling, according to a few small studies. This has led to the popularity of drinking beet juice as a preworkout choice.
Golden roasted beets pair well with many meals
Beets have a rich, earthy flavor that pairs well with other vegetables or meat dishes. Golden roasted beets go great in a salad. You can serve them hot or cold. Golden beets are great roasted alongside potatoes or steamed vegetables. They are a great side dish for any meal, especially during the fall season.
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Mealtime conversation starters
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Golden Roasted Beets: Roasting WHOLE beets
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 medium golden beets fresh, whole. See notes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F
- Trim and scrub your beets, leave the skin on.
- Place each beet on a piece of aluminum foil, drizzle generously with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Wrap the beets in the foil and roast on a baking sheet for 40 to 90 minutes, or until soft and fork-tender. The cooking time will depend on the size and freshness of the beets.
- Remove the beets from the oven, remove the foil, and set aside to cool. When the beets are cool to the touch, peel off the skins. I like to hold them under running water and slide the skins off with my hands.
- Slice the beets into halves, quarters, or bite-sized pieces, and place them in the fridge until ready to use.
Video
Notes
Hand Size Portions
Hand Portions
When you look at the nutritional values of a meal to log what you are eating, that is called tracking macros. A lot of people use this method to reach their health goals.
Looking at hand portion size and using this method to gauge how and what you eat is also a great method to help you reach your health goals. Many people who use this method often think this form of tracking meals is easier and more sustainable for a lifetime.
Want to learn more about hand portion size and how to use it to reach your goals? Check out the article How to Get Started with Hand Portion Sizes.
Michelle Johnson Jerome is an expert on busting through perfectionism. She is passionate about helping others live life with purpose and joy. By drawing on her extensive experience as a nutrition coach, personal trainer, and yoga instructor she helps develop a realistic approach to goal setting that allows you to make progress and stop obsessing over mistakes.
Find other articles written by Michelle on her coach profile. Discover your "easy button": learn how to manage life's unpleasant parts so you can move forward, reach your goals, and live your best life.
