Roasting Beets: How Long Does It Really Take?

Roasting beets is a simple process that can elevate the vegetable's flavour and texture. The roasting time depends on the size of the beet, with small beets taking around 35 minutes and large beets taking an hour or more. The oven should be preheated to around 375-400°F. Beets can be roasted with or without foil, and the skin can be peeled before or after cooking.

Beet preparation: trim, scrub, and wrap in foil

Preparing beets for roasting is simple and requires minimal prep effort. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to trim, scrub, and wrap beets in foil:

Step 1: Trimming

Start by trimming the beets. Cut off the root and stems close to the tops of the beets, leaving enough to grip. If your beets have leafy greens attached, you can cut them off as well, but these can be saved and used in stir-fries, frittatas, or pasta dishes.

Step 2: Scrubbing

Once the beets are trimmed, it's time to give them a good scrub. Use a vegetable brush or your hands to scrub the beets under running water to remove any dirt or debris. This step ensures that your beets are clean before cooking.

Step 3: Drizzling with Oil

After scrubbing, place each beet on a piece of foil. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil (or avocado oil) on each beet. You can also add a sprinkle of salt and pepper at this stage for extra flavour. Then, use your hands or a brush to coat the beet skin evenly with the oil.

Step 4: Wrapping in Foil

Now it's time to wrap the beets in foil. Fold the foil over each beet and then roll up each side of the foil square to create a sealed packet. This step is important as it helps trap heat and steam, ensuring that the beets cook evenly.

Once your beets are trimmed, scrubbed, and wrapped in foil, they are ready to be placed in the oven for roasting. Remember to adjust your oven temperature and roasting time based on the size and quantity of beets you are cooking. Enjoy your perfectly roasted beets!

Oven temperature: 375-400°F

Roasting beets is a great way to bring out their natural sweetness. The length of time it takes to roast beets in the oven depends on the oven temperature and the size of the beets. At 375-400°F, beets will take around 40-75 minutes to roast.

Preparation

First, preheat your oven to 375-400°F. Then, prepare the beets by removing any greens, leaving at least an inch of the stem attached to stop the beets from bleeding during roasting. You can also trim the pointy ends of the beets. Wash the beets well, scrubbing away any dirt. There is no need to dry the beets.

Roasting

For roasting beets at this temperature, it is recommended to wrap them in foil. Place each beet on a piece of foil large enough to wrap it up. Drizzle the beets with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired. Wrap the beets tightly in the foil, twisting the top to create a seal. Place the wrapped beets on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips and roast for 40-75 minutes. Check the beets every 20 minutes or so. If they are starting to look dry or are scorching at the bottom, dribble a tablespoon of water over them before re-wrapping.

Testing for Doneness

Beets are done when a fork or skewer slides easily into the centre. Smaller beets will cook faster than larger beets.

Peeling and Storage

Once the beets are done roasting, set them aside to cool. When they are cool enough to handle, use a paper towel to rub or slip the skins away. If the skins do not peel away easily, the beets may need to be cooked a little longer. Roasted beets can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Cooking time: 35-60 minutes

Cooking time: 35–60 minutes

The cooking time for roasting beets in the oven depends on the size of the beets and the temperature of the oven. Small beets will take around 35–40 minutes to roast, while larger beets may take up to an hour or longer. The oven temperature should be set at 375–400°F.

Step 1: Prepare the beets

Start by preheating your oven to 375–400°F. While the oven is heating up, prepare the beets by trimming the tops and bottoms. If you have large beets, you may want to cut them into halves or wedges. If your beets have leafy greens attached, you can save these for another use, such as stir-fries or pasta dishes.

Step 2: Season the beets

Drizzle or rub the beets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic, thyme, or rosemary for more flavour.

Step 3: Wrap the beets

Place each beet on a piece of foil and wrap them up tightly. The foil helps to lock in moisture, making the beets tender and sweet. You can also add a drizzle of water to the packet before sealing to prevent the beets from drying out.

Step 4: Roast the beets

Place the wrapped beets on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven for 35–60 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the size of your beets. Small beets will be done in around 35–40 minutes, while larger beets may take up to an hour or more. Check on the beets periodically to ensure they are not drying out or scorching.

Step 5: Test for doneness

Beets are done when you can easily pierce them with a fork or skewer. If the beets are still hard, they need more time in the oven.

Step 6: Peel the beets

Once the beets are cooked, remove them from the oven and let them cool until they are easy to handle. Then, simply slip off the skins under cold running water. You can use a paper towel or rubber gloves to help with this step.

Step 7: Serve or store the beets

At this point, your beets are ready to be served! You can slice or dice them and season with additional salt, pepper, or herbs. Roasted beets can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for several months.

Beet size: small beets cook faster

When roasting beets, the size of the beet will determine how long it takes to cook. Small beets will cook faster than large beets.

Small beets may take as little as 35 minutes to roast, while large beets may take an hour or longer. The cooking time will also depend on the temperature of the oven. At higher temperatures, beets will cook more quickly.

For example, if roasting at 375°F, small beets will take around 35 to 40 minutes to cook, while larger beets may take up to an hour. If roasting at 400°F, small beets may take around 40 minutes, while large beets may take up to 75 minutes.

It's important to note that the cooking time can also vary depending on the freshness and firmness of the beets. Beets that are hard and fresh will take longer to cook than those that are softer or less fresh.

To ensure even cooking, it is recommended to cut the beets into similar-sized pieces before roasting. This will help ensure that all the beets are cooked through at the same time.

Additionally, the type of beet can also affect the cooking time. Baby beets, for example, may need less time in the oven, while larger varieties like golden, red, or Chioggia beets may require a longer roasting time.

In general, it's a good idea to keep an eye on the beets while they're in the oven and adjust the cooking time as needed. Checking the beets every 20 minutes or so is a good idea, especially if they are starting to look dry or are scorching on the bottoms.

So, when roasting beets, remember that the size of the beet will play a significant role in determining the cooking time, with smaller beets generally requiring less time in the oven than larger ones.

Peeling: easier to peel after roasting

Peeling beets after roasting is a good option if you want to save time on prep work and avoid the hassle of peeling raw beets, which can be tricky and time-consuming. Leaving the skins on during roasting also helps the beets retain their natural moisture, resulting in a moist and tender final product.

To peel roasted beets easily, first let them cool down until they are safe to handle. Then, hold a beet in your hand under running water and use your fingers or a paper towel to slip the skin off. The skin should come off easily, but if you find it challenging, you can use a vegetable peeler to remove any remaining bits of skin.

Some people prefer to peel beets before roasting to avoid having to deal with hot vegetables. However, this is not necessary, and peeling after roasting can be a more efficient use of your time. It is also worth noting that beet skins are edible, so you can choose to leave them on if you don't mind the texture.

Additionally, wrapping beets in foil before roasting can make the peeling process even easier. The foil helps lock in moisture, making the beets tender and allowing the skins to slip off effortlessly. However, this is not mandatory, and you can achieve good results without using foil by scrubbing and roasting the beets with the skin on.

Frequently asked questions