Baked beets

in Basics & techniques, Sides

Incredibly versatile

Baked beets are incredibly versatile and can be used in a multitude of recipes. In the colder months, I bake a batch every week, so that I always have them on hand. They make a colorful and flavorful addition to salads, soups, pastas… and many other goodies.

Tender, juicy roots and loaded with concentrated beetiness

The beets are baked with a little water to keep them moist while they’re cooking. The result is especially tender and juicy roots that are loaded with concentrated beetiness!

To get the most tender, juicy beets, pick small or medium-size bulbs (large ones tend to be more fibrous). Also, always choose bunched beets, with their leaves still attached to them (the greens should still be fresh and vibrant). You can bake red, golden or pink beets, but the pink ones will lose their color and turn pale pink if not almost white.

Recipes

Beet soup with orange crème fraîche and beet chips

Cara Cara orange and beet salad with pomegranate

Linguini with roasted beets, fresh tarragon and caraway

Beet latkes with scallion and cayenne crème fraîche

Baked golden and red beets with anise vinaigrette

Baked beets

Makes

1 1/2 lbs (680 g)

Prep time

10 minutes

Cooking time

1 hour to 1 1/4 hour

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs (680 g) beetroots (6 medium) – left whole, scrubbed and unpeeled

Directions

Preheat oven to 450ºF (230ºC).
Place the beets in a ceramic baking dish. Fill the pan with 1/2″ of spring water. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour to 1 1/4 hours until tender. Remove from the pan and set aside to cool to room temperature. The beets can be used immediately or refrigerated for up to 5 days.