Description

A simple, elegant side dish featuring whole roasted beets glazed with honey and balsamic vinegar. This recipe requires minimal prep, as the skins slip off easily after roasting, resulting in a sweet, tangy, and earthy flavor profile.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds beets (standard red, golden, or chioggia)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Optional: 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
Optional: 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Optional: 1/4 cup toasted walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Wash beets thoroughly and trim off the tops (leaving about an inch of stem) and the root end. Do not peel.
Place beets on a sheet of aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Wrap the foil tightly around the beets to create a sealed packet.
Place the packet on a baking sheet and roast for 45-60 minutes, or until a knife slides easily into the center.
Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
Rub the skins off the beets with your fingers or a paper towel. Trim away any remaining skin patches.
Cut beets into wedges or cubes.
In a small bowl, whisk together honey and balsamic vinegar.
Pour glaze over beets and toss to coat.
Return beets to the baking sheet and roast for another 10 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with optional ingredients like feta, walnuts, and thyme.

Notes

Do not skip salting before roasting to concentrate flavor. Watch the honey closely during the second roasting phase as it burns easily. Beets can be roasted and peeled up to 3 days ahead; glaze and finish roasting just before serving. Golden beets are less messy than red beets.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
Calories: 180
Sugar: 28
Sodium: 250
Fat: 6
Saturated Fat: 1
Carbohydrates: 32
Fiber: 6
Protein: 4

Keywords: roasted beets, honey balsamic beets, easy side dish, vegan side, gluten-free recipe, meal prep, healthy vegetables