Beets are a versatile and delicious root vegetable that can be prepared in many ways. Roasting is one of the best cooking methods for beets, as it brings out their natural sweetness and intensifies their earthy, rich flavor. When roasted properly, beets become caramelized on the outside while remaining tender on the inside.
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay is known for his flavorful, innovative recipes. His technique for roasting beets maximizes their flavor and yields beets with a crisp exterior and moist interior every time. Read on to learn Bobby Flay’s step-by-step method for roasting beets to perfection.
Selecting and Preparing the Beets
The first step is choosing fresh, high-quality beets to roast. Look for beets that are firm with smooth skin and without blemishes. Avoid beets that show signs of wrinkling or shriveling. The beets should feel heavy for their size.
Both red and golden beets can be roasted using Bobby Flay’s method. The red variety has a rich, earthy flavor while golden beets are sweeter and more mild. Feel free to use just one type or mix both varieties together to roast.
Once you have selected fresh beets, trim off the leafy green tops, leaving about an inch of the stems attached. Do not peel the beets before roasting them. Scrub the beets under running water to remove any dirt or debris from the surface. Pat the beets dry thoroughly with paper towels.
Flavoring the Beets
Here is where Chef Bobby Flay’s roasting technique really elevates the beets’ flavor. He recommends tossing the prepared but unpeeled beets with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper before roasting.
The olive oil helps the beets develop a crisp exterior as they roast. Meanwhile, the balsamic vinegar provides a sweet tanginess that perfectly balances out the beets’ earthiness. Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper season the beets and add seasoning to the interior flesh.
Place the prepped beets into a mixing bowl. Drizzle with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and 1-2 tablespoons of good-quality balsamic vinegar. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and several cracks of fresh black pepper. Toss to evenly coat all of the beet surfaces with the oil and vinegar mixture.
Roasting the Beets
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Place the seasoned beet mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in a single, even layer, making sure none of the beets are overlapping.
Roast the beets in the preheated 400°F oven for 40-60 minutes, tossing halfway through, until fork tender. Roasting time can vary based on the size and variety of beets, so begin checking them at 40 minutes.
The beets are ready when a fork pierces through them easily. Their skins will look wrinkled and darkened and the interior flesh will feel tender when pierced. The surface may have some caramelized, crispy browned areas as well.
Peeling and Serving
Once roasted, allow the beets to cool slightly. Then, while still warm, rub the skins off with a paper towel or the back of a spoon. The skins should slip off easily.
Bobby Flay recommends slicing the peeled, roasted beets and serving them warm or at room temperature to fully appreciate their enhanced flavor. They pair deliciously with fresh goat cheese, arugula, and toasted walnuts for a salad. Roasted beets can also be used to make a relish, added to grain bowls, or served over greens.
Enjoy the sweet, concentrated flavor of Bobby Flay’s roasted beets as a simple side dish or creative ingredient in other recipes. Roasting accentuates the beets’ natural sugars and intensity. The olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper add flavor nuance so the beets become irresistibly delicious.
Bobby Flay’s Step-by-Step Roasted Beets Recipe
Follow these simple steps for the perfect roasted beets using Bobby Flay’s method:
Ingredients:
- 3 medium red and/or golden beets, greens removed, scrubbed clean
- 2-3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1-2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Trim beet greens, leaving 1 inch stems. Scrub beets clean.
- Pat beets dry. Place in a bowl. Drizzle oil and vinegar over beets.
- Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Arrange beets in a single layer on baking sheet. Roast 40-60 minutes until fork tender.
- Cool slightly. Rub off skins. Slice and serve warm or at room temp.
The Benefits of Roasted Beets
Beyond their sweet, earthy flavor, roasted beets provide the following nutritional benefits:
- High in nutrients like folate, manganese, potassium, vitamin C, iron, and fiber.
- Contain pigments called betalains which function as antioxidants and reduce inflammation.
- May lower blood pressure, improve athletic performance, and reduce cancer risk.
- Roasting boosts the overall sweetness and nutrient bioavailability.
When you roast beets using Bobby Flay’s easy method, you maximize their natural flavor while retaining their stellar nutritional profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the beets be peeled before roasting?
Do not peel the beets before roasting them. The skins help keep moisture inside the beets as they roast. Peel the skins off after roasting when they can be easily rubbed off.
What if my beets aren’t fork tender after 40 minutes?
Oven temperatures and beet sizes can vary, so roasting times may take less or more time. Check for doneness every 10 minutes after the 40 minute mark. Roast until the beets are fork tender and easily pierced all the way through.
Can I use other flavor combinations besides olive oil and balsamic?
Feel free to experiment with other oils, acids, and seasonings. Some options are grapeseed oil with red wine vinegar, walnut oil with lemon juice, or sesame oil with rice vinegar and ginger. Get creative with the flavors!
How should I store my leftover roasted beets?
Let the beets cool fully, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Roasted beets also freeze well for longer term storage. Simply cool completely, pack into freezer bags or containers, and freeze.
Tips for the Best Roasted Beets
Use these helpful tips for maximizing the flavor and texture of your roasted beets:
- Do not group the beets too close together on the baking sheet. Overcrowding prevents proper air circulation.
- Toss the beets midway during roasting to ensure even cooking on all sides.
- If roasted beets begin to dry out, simply wrap in foil and allow to steam for 5-10 minutes.
- Try roasting beets with oil and spices like cumin, curry powder, or chili flakes.
- Grate any leftovers to make a delicious roasted beet salad or relish.
Complementary Flavors for Roasted Beets
The sweet earthiness of roasted beets pairs beautifully with these ingredients:
- Creamy, tangy goat cheese
- Peppery arugula
- Toasted nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds
- Bitter lettuces like radicchio or endive
- Fresh citrus juice and zest
- Savory herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage
- Shallots and garlic
- Piquant vinaigrettes and dressings
Combine roasted beets with any of the ingredients above to balance flavors and textures.
Roasting Beets in the Oven vs. Other Cooking Methods
Oven Roasting
- Draws out natural sugars in beets for caramelized flavor
- Intensifies beets’ earthy taste
- Yields tender interior and crisp exterior texture
- Allows beets to roast evenly in dry heat
- Easy hands-off method
Boiling/Simmering
- Softens beets for easy peeling
- Less flavor concentration
- Can lead to muted, water-logged texture
- Requires active cooking time and liquid
Steaming
- Preserves nutrients better than boiling
- Slightly intensifies flavor over boiling
- Still requires active cooking time
- Does not caramelize beets or crisp them
Microwaving
- Very quick cooking method
- Leads to uneven cooking
- Easy to overcook and mushy texture
- Minimal flavor change
Conclusion
Roasting is clearly the best technique for achieving tender, caramelized beets with an intensified sweet and earthy flavor. Bobby Flay’s easy roasted beet recipe maximizes the vegetable’s natural sugars and richness by using olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and seasonings. Prep the beets as directed, roast, peel, and slice. Then enjoy the beets warm, at room temperature, or incorporate them into salads, sides, and other recipes. Follow Bobby Flay’s beet roasting method for irresistibly delicious beets every time.