Looking for a dish that brings all the cozy fall vibes with just six simple ingredients? These balsamic roasted beets deliver perfectly caramelized sweetness, balanced by a tangy balsamic drizzle—it’s as fun to assemble as it is to eat.
With the summer heat finally out of the way and the air turning crisp, there’s nothing quite like the warmth of the oven to make everything feel right again. Enter this balsamic roasted beets dish—it’s the kind of thing that turns your kitchen into the coziest spot in the house.
Thin slices of red and golden beets, arranged in a spiral, are roasted until tender and caramelized, with the help of balsamic drizzle at the end to tie it all together. It looks like you put in a ton of effort, but really, it’s just slice, stack, and let the oven do the rest—all with just six simple ingredients.
The best part? Assembling it is like a hands-on project with a delicious reward. There’s something quietly satisfying about lining up those beet slices just right, and as they roast, the kitchen fills with that earthy, caramelized aroma that practically says, hey, grab a plate and get cozy.
Serve it with some crusty bread, maybe a glass of wine, and suddenly, you’ve got a dinner that feels special without needing to pull out all the stops.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Let’s face it—fall cooking should be cozy without feeling like a chore. This balsamic roasted beets dish hits that sweet spot between looking impressive and being secretly low-maintenance. Here’s why you’ll keep coming back to it:
- Simple Yet Impressive: Thinly sliced beets arranged in a spiral—minimal effort looks like a labor of love, but really, it’s just smart assembly. We won’t tell if you don’t.
- Cozy Aromas, Major Vibes: As those beets roast, your kitchen fills with that earthy, caramelized goodness that makes you want to settle in and get comfy.
- Visually Satisfying: The spiral of red and golden beets? It’s basically an edible art project that turns dinner into a mini showstopper.
- Weekend Perfection: Perfect for a laid-back weekend cooking project when you’ve got a little more time to enjoy the process and let the oven do its thing.
- Pairs Like a Pro: Crusty bread, a glass of wine—suddenly, you’re serving up a meal that feels restaurant-worthy without leaving your house.
Key Ingredients
This recipe keeps it simple, but each ingredient plays an essential role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that beautiful roasted color. Here’s what makes this balsamic roasted beets dish shine:
- Red Beets: These bring that deep, earthy sweetness and a vibrant pop of color. Their natural sugars caramelize beautifully in the oven, giving the dish its signature roasted depth.
- Golden Beets: Slightly milder than their red counterparts, golden beets add a subtle sweetness and a sunny hue that makes the spiral even more striking.
- Rutabaga: Earthy and slightly peppery, rutabaga adds a bit of contrast to the sweetness of the beets. It also brings some hearty texture to round out the dish.
- Olive Oil: Helps everything roast up perfectly, creating that golden caramelization while keeping the beets tender and rich.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Think of it as the finishing touch that makes everything pop. A drizzle toward the end of roasting adds that perfect tangy bite, cutting through all the sweetness and caramelization like it’s on a mission. It adds an umami note, making each bite offer a bit of magic. Suddenly, the whole dish feels brighter, bolder, and like you planned it that way all along.
- Fresh Thyme: Sprinkled at the end for a fragrant, herbal finish. Its woodsy flavor adds a subtle depth that ties the whole dish together.
What Is Balsamic Vinegar?
How To Make
This balsamic roasted beets dish might look impressive, but it’s actually a breeze to put together. With just a few steps, you’ll have a cozy, show-stopping meal that’s both beautiful and delicious. Here’s how to bring it all together:
Step 1: Prep the Root Vegetables – Scrub and peel your red beets, golden beets, and rutabaga. Slice them thinly with a mandoline for even, thin slices—this is key for that perfect spiral.
Step 2: Build the Spiral – Drizzle olive oil in a small cast-iron skillet (6 to 8 inches works great). Lay alternating slices of the three root vegetables in a line down your palm, then press that strip into the outer edge of the skillet.
Keep going, layering slices in a spiral toward the center, angling them slightly upwards. To fill out any gaps, tuck any extra slices between any spaces. Once the pan is full, gently press down with your (now beet-stained) palms.
Step 3: Roast to Perfection – Preheat your oven to 400°F. Roast for about an hour, checking every 15 minutes. Be generous with a drizzle of olive oil as needed. Don’t be shy here with the oil – this prevents the top of the slices from burning and encourages that beautiful caramelization!
Step 4: Balsamic and Thyme Finish – After an hour, drizzle balsamic vinegar over the top and sprinkle on some fresh thyme. Roast for another 15 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy – Serve these balsamic roasted beets straight from the skillet with some crusty bread or focaccia. It’s the perfect cozy dinner that feels like a weekend treat, packed with wholesome root vegetables, and doubles as an art project!
What is a Mandoline Slicer?
How To Serve
Once these balsamic roasted beets come out of the oven, the real question is: how are you going to dive in? Whether you’re keeping it simple or stepping it up a notch, this dish is versatile enough to fit into any meal situation. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Keep It Classic: Serve the roasted beets straight from the skillet with some crusty bread or easy homemade focaccia. Add a glass of red wine, and suddenly, you’ve got yourself a cozy dinner that feels both effortless and impressive.
- Grain Bowl Game: Toss the roasted beets into a hearty grain bowl with quinoa, farro, or couscous. Throw in some fresh greens, a handful of nuts, and maybe drizzle a little extra balsamic. It’s the kind of meal that feels balanced but secretly indulgent.
- Leftover Salad Remix: Leftovers? No problem. Turn the roasted beets into a salad by layering them over greens, adding walnuts, vegan cheese, and a dollop of Dijon vinaigrette. Or serve them with vegan cheese and crackers or bread. It’s the quickest way to make yesterday’s dinner feel brand new.
- Serve It Fancy: Want to take it up a notch? Serve the beets as a side dish for a fancier dinner, paired with dishes like toasted farro or rice and grains. This would also fit right into a holiday spread with vegan stuffing, gravy, and a mushroom Wellington!
FAQs
Yes, roasted beets still contain key nutrients like folate, potassium, and fiber, which make them a great addition to any meal. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness without compromising their nutritional benefits.
Roasting beets with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, like in this balsamic roasted beets recipe, brings out their natural sweetness and adds depth. They’re also great in salads, grain bowls, or served with crusty bread and vegan cheese.
Roasting beets caramelizes their natural sugars, enhancing their sweet, earthy flavor. Pairing them with ingredients like balsamic vinegar, fresh thyme, and olive oil elevates the dish and balances the richness of the beets.
Check Out More Beet Recipes!
- Salt-Roasted Golden Beets
- Beet Tartare Recipe
- Vegan Burgers With Beetroot And Farro
- Roasted Beets with Balsamic and Thyme
Get This Recipe In Your Inbox
Share your email, and we’ll deliver it straight to your inbox.
Plus, enjoy new content every week as a bonus!
Balsamic Roasted Beets Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This balsamic roasted beets recipe is all about fall vibes and cozy flavors. We’re talking beautifully roasted root veggies, caramelized to perfection, with a spiral pattern that looks fancy but is super simple to pull off. Drizzle with balsamic, sprinkle with fresh thyme, and serve with some crusty bread for a no-fuss dinner that feels a little fancy.
Ingredients
- 3 medium-sized red beets
- 3 medium-sized golden beets
- 3 medium-sized rutabaga
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
Instructions
To prepare the beets
- Scrub the beets and rutabaga. Lop off the ends, and peel away the skin with a Y-Peeler or sharp knife.
- Starting with the rutabaga, use a mandoline slicer and slice them all up. Place in one pile. Repeat the process with the golden beets, and finish with the red beets.
- Place about 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the bottom of a 6 to 8-inch cast iron skillet.
- Place alternating slices of beets in a straight line down the palm of your hand, about six at a time. Place them around the edge of the pan in a tight spiral. Keep spiraling towards the center until the pan is filled.
- When you are done, go back and insert extra slices to make the arrangement tight. Once done, slightly press down on the top to make sure all of the slices are wedged in. Drizzle with more of the olive oil, season with some salt and pepper and set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 400.
- Place the skillet into the oven to bake for an hour, checking on it every 15 minutes to ensure the tops are not burning. Drizzle again with a little more olive oil if any portions of the tops start to look singed.
- Remove from the oven, drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with the fresh thyme. Bake for an additional 15 minutes.
- Serve immediately straight out of the pan with crusty bread or focaccia and a glass of red wine.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to maintain their caramelized texture and crispy edges.
- Time Saver: To save time, you can prep and slice the vegetables ahead of time and store them in the fridge until ready to roast. Just let them come to room temperature before assembly.
- The Right Tool: Use a cast-iron skillet to get the best caramelization and heat distribution!
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side
- Method: Sliced, Roasted
- Cuisine: French
This post was last updated on September 27, 2024.
Barb says
Just had to let you know. This summer I was experiencing “garden wealth.” When searching what to do with all those beets, I found your recipe. My hubby and I were gaga. Shortly after, one of my sons visited (so awesome after 2020). He despises beets. I told him it’s all in the way the beets are treated. And he finally agreed to my experiment with him. He was intrigued by the gorgeous arrangement, which helped entice him to taste it. He looooved it. That was this summer. Now he requested it for Thanksgiving dinner!!!
Tammy says
Mine was no where as beautiful as yours but the flavors were divine. I don’t think my mandolin slices as thinly and likely I didn’t have enough but so easy and everyone loved it. Thank you so much.
erinwyso says
Tammy,
Thanks so much for your feedback! Glad the flavors came through, and I’m so happy to hear that you shared with others and it was enjoyed. <3
Katie says
Giving this a try right now!! My spiral didn’t turn out as nice so we’ll see how it turns out!!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
I must admit I am not a beet lover, especially for their taste. But this recipe seems delicious and I can definitely see myself indulging in it! 🙂
Sue says
I love that first photo! Amazing. 🙂
Ellen Lederman says
This looks gorgeous and I’m sure was delicious. I’m just so impressed with all the time you took to arrange it. Talk about a mindfulness activity! We can be mindful even off our yoga mats and meditation cushions. Erin, maybe you’ve discovered the next mindfulness activity” mindful root veggie arranging!
erinwyso says
Thanks Ellen! Now that you mention it, this did require a mindfulness similar to taking a yoga class. It was very relaxing! 🙂
marinka says
Absolutely amazing. Looks so beautiful. Need to try this.
Lane Anita says
Looks delish! My fav root vegetables altogether. Gotta go to the store today so this can be dinner. Thanks!
Kayse says
This is absolutely stunning and looks too beautiful to eat. Though, I’m sure I could be convinced to dig in haha!
erinwyso says
Thank you! Yeah, it was a little sad to “break” the spiral, but nonetheless very tasty! 😉