Enough with all the meat, let’s go for something on the lighter side. With its sweet, earthy taste and dozens of health benefits, beets are becoming a staple part of everyone’s pantry. Their nutritional properties are well-suited for both weight-conscious and vegan-friendly buddies. So let’s make the Italian Beets recipe!

Italian Beets Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Entrée (main meal)
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 171 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lbs  beets, (Chioggia, red, golden or white)
  • 5 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup freshly chopped mint, or parsley
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350F 
  • Cut off the uppermost part of the beets
  •  Wash and dry the beets
  • Line a large baking tray with aluminum foil
  • Add in 1/9 inch of water 
  • Place the beets on the tray and cover it with another layer of aluminum foil 
  • Roast for about 1 ½ hour
  • Check with a fork to make sure the beets are tender
  • Once roasted, place the baking tray at room temperature
  • Once cooled down, peel the beets and cut them into 1/4 inch slices
  • Now, plate the beets by drizzling olive oil, salt, and pepper
  • Toss everything together and garnish with fresh mint or parsley
  • Soft, juicy Italian beets are ready to serve!
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Simple, healthy and delicious Italian Beets Recipe is ready to serve!

What to Serve with Italian Beets

To complement the sweet flavor and thick texture of beets, pair them up with protein-rich meaty dishes such as the Flaked Salmon for a delicious summer lunch, or try out the Instant Pot Mongolian Beef or a Gluten-free Hamburger.

More Beet Recipes

Got a sweet tooth? Try out the Candied Beets recipe. It’s nothing like your traditional desserts, but super tasty and nutritious. To get the utmost flavor, serve hot!

If chicken is a staple in your diet, this Easy and Fun Chicken Beets recipe will be your best companion. Or perhaps, try out the Chicken with citrus Beets recipe for a spicy, zesty meal.

If you devour mashed potatoes, then you definitely need to try Mashed Beets! It’s a sweet, gooey curry that can go well with any savory dish. Beetroot hummus is another great appetizer to try out. It’s a thick, creamy dish that tastes amazing with bread.

While you can whip up many salads with beetroot, this Haitian Potato Salad is one of a kind! It makes for a light, fulfilling lunch.

How to Cook the Best Beets

Roasting

Roasting is the recommended way to prepare Italian Beets. In essence, roasting any vegetable causes caramelization, which is the main driver behind the sweetness. All you need to do is cut off the top, green part to within 1 inch and rinse them thoroughly. 

Make sure to store the greens for later use. You can use it in the Beet Greens Recipe. Next, follow the exact steps mentioned above. For your convenience, you may even roast the beets and store them in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.

Boiling

Boiling the beets is another common cooking method. Even though it’s pretty quick, boiling reduces the natural juices of the beetroot and is best suited for making simple salads. To boil, just fill a saucepan with 3 inches of cold water. Add the beets and boil for about 40 minutes.

Microwave

To microwave beets, the first thing you need is a microwave-safe dish. Pour in ¼ inch water and microwave for 15 minutes. Pierce with a  fork to make sure they’re tender.

Types of Beets

Chioggia Beets

Chioggia beets are also called stripped beets because of their unique design. Some of them grow into red and light pink colors while others are usually yellow. The stripped design tends to fade when cooked.

Red Beets

When we think about beets, the first thing that rings a bell is a rich, red color. Well, red beets are the sweetest and excellent for storage purposes. If you’re on the lookout for red beets, make sure to check if the leafy greens are still attached- that’s the sign of freshness!

Golden Beets

Golden beets have more of an earthy flavor and are comparatively less sweet. They’re best to add that pop of bright yellow color into your salads.

White Beets

White beets are completely white, possess high fiber, and usually grow in round or cylindrical shapes. When it comes to taste, white beets have a mild flavor and perhaps do not taste strong and earthy like the golden or red beets.Â