Beets are a group of earthy, sweet foods that are remarkable in that practically the entire beet, including the roots, stems, and leaves, are edible. Golden beets, for instance, are high in nutrients and, as an additional bonus, are among the simplest to come by.

When properly cooked, golden beets can make for really tasty meals. As such, we have compiled all the important details you need to make an amazing golden beet recipe in this article. You’ll also want to pay attention to any extra tips as these ensure that you get the best possible results.

Cooking Golden Beets

Go through this simple guide on how to cook golden beets using four different methods:

Steaming

Steaming is a process whereby water is heated in a closed container until it transforms into superheated vapor. As a result of the high temperature (100°C/212°F) and pressure contained within the pot, the beets will cook quickly and with little water. This method is rather appealing since the nutrients remain in the vegetable rather than being washed away in the water.

Don’t let the water touch the steamer basket because you want the steam to circulate under and around the beets as they cook. Cook the beets until they are soft and the skin easily peels away from the beets, around 30 minutes, depending on size.

Whole Roasting

The skin of beets is typically coated with olive oil, salt, and pepper before being wrapped in foil pouches for roasting. This method allows you to infuse more flavors onto the surface, resulting in more vibrant flavor qualities.

This method requires more peeking and monitoring of the beets to test for doneness and takes around 40 to 60 minutes at a high temperature of 204°C (400°F).

Cut and Roast

Peeling and cutting the beets into ½ to ¾-inch wedges is the way to go if you want a faster roasting procedure that delivers the greatest flavor. High oven temperatures of 204°C (400°F) enhance Maillard browning, which results in richer flavors in each slice.

If you’re cooking red and golden beets together, use aluminum foil as a divider on the oven pan to separate the vegetables. The red beets will lose some liquid while they cook because they are peeled; the foil divider will keep the other veggies from staining. It takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes to complete this approach.

Cooking Beets in the Oven

Follow this step by step procedure to cook golden beets in the oven:

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and place a rack in the middle.
If attached, trim greens (put them away), leaving about ½-inch of stem ends. The hairy root end should not be removed or trimmed. Scrub softly without piercing the skin to clean.
In a large saucepan, rub the beets with a tiny bit of olive or avocado oil. Fill the container halfway with cold water to submerge the beets. Cover with a tight-fitting lid.
Cook for 45 minutes (at a minimum) or up to 1.5 hours in the oven. Using a paring knife, pierce the center of each beet to see whether it’s done. The beets are done when the knife meets little to no resistance. The total cooking time for your beets will depend on your cooking size.
Remove from the oven and place in a mixing basin. Allow the beets to cool down before you handle them. Peeling beets will be easier if they are warm.
Gently rub the skins off the beets with a clean kitchen cloth or gloves. The harder tailor stem end should be trimmed and discarded. Cut into half-moon or wedge shapes. Use as you see fit.

The skin is left on the beets because it makes them easier to peel off. When the beets are cool enough to handle after being cooked via the preferred method of steaming, cooking in the oven, or roasting, the peel can then be removed. The skin of the beets can be carefully wiped off by cradling them in a paper towel.

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Extra Note on Storage

Already cooked beets can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. To extend the life of cooked beets or any leftovers, freeze them. Cut the beets into wedges, then spread them out on a small sheet pan or plate, ensuring no contact between them. Transfer to a big Ziplock bag or freezer-safe container after freezing until solid.

Frozen beets can be used immediately in smoothie recipes for increased nutrients and fiber content, and they can also be defrosted and thawed in the fridge for use at a later date.

Cooking Time for Golden Beets

The table below represents a timing guideline to follow when cooking golden beets:

Cooking method and temperature	Cooking time
Steaming method – 212°F	30 minutes
Whole roasting method – 400°F	40 to 60 minutes
Cut and Roast method – 400°F	25 to 30 minutes
Cooking in the oven – 375°F	45 – 90 minutes

Roasted Golden Beets (4 Servings)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place each beet on an aluminum foil piece, afterward drizzle some olive oil on them and then season them with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Wrap up the beets in aluminum foil and roast them for about 40 to 90 minutes, or until they become soft and fork-tender. The amount of time it takes to cook the beets depends on their size and freshness. Remove the beets from the oven, discard the foil, and allow to cool. Peel the peels off the beets when they are cold enough to handle. Hold them under flowing water and use your hands to remove the skins.
Place the beets in the fridge until ready to use, sliced into halves, quarters, or bite-sized pieces.
Omit the thyme and add the coriander, honey, and cumin to the lemon vinaigrette dressing as directed in this recipe.
On a dish, arrange the beets, arugula, feta, and pistachios. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with some of the dressing. Serve with micro greens on top, if preferred.

Notes

This recipe serves 4 people and can be made within a total duration of 1 hour, with a prep time of 15 minutes. If you’re looking for more ways to cook and enjoy golden beets, then you should definitely check out this video recipe.

Author: Bobby

How To Cook Golden Beets