Roasted Beets with Feta: A Delicious and Nutritious Recipe
Roasted beets with feta are a simple yet elegant dish that combines the earthy sweetness of beets with the salty tang of feta cheese. This recipe is easy to customize with different herbs, spices, and nuts, making it a versatile option for a side dish, appetizer, or even a light lunch. Beets are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Feta cheese adds a boost of calcium and protein. Together, they create a flavorful and healthy combination that’s sure to please.
## Why You’ll Love This Recipe
* **Delicious Flavor:** The combination of sweet roasted beets and salty feta is simply divine. It’s a flavor profile that works incredibly well.
* **Easy to Make:** Roasting beets is straightforward, and the rest of the recipe is just a matter of assembling ingredients.
* **Healthy and Nutritious:** Beets are packed with nutrients, and feta cheese adds protein and calcium.
* **Versatile:** This recipe can be adapted to your liking with different herbs, nuts, and dressings.
* **Beautiful Presentation:** The vibrant colors of the beets and feta make for a visually appealing dish.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Beets:** Look for firm, smooth beets. Red, golden, or Chioggia beets all work well. You’ll need about 1.5 – 2 pounds of beets.
* **Feta Cheese:** Use a good quality feta cheese that crumbles easily. About 4-6 ounces is perfect.
* **Olive Oil:** Extra virgin olive oil is preferred for its flavor and health benefits.
* **Fresh Herbs:** Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, dill, or parsley add a wonderful aroma and flavor. Use about 1-2 tablespoons, chopped.
* **Balsamic Vinegar (or Lemon Juice):** A splash of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice adds acidity and balances the sweetness of the beets. About 1-2 tablespoons.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste.
* **Optional Add-ins:** Walnuts, pecans, pistachios, arugula, spinach, honey, garlic, red onion.
## Step-by-Step Instructions
### 1. Prepare the Beets
* **Wash the Beets:** Thoroughly wash the beets under cold running water. Remove any dirt or debris with a vegetable brush.
* **Trim the Beets:** Trim the tops and bottoms of the beets, leaving about 1 inch of stem attached. This helps to prevent the beets from bleeding too much during roasting.
* **Wrap in Foil (Optional):** You can roast the beets directly on a baking sheet, but wrapping them in foil helps to keep them moist and speeds up the cooking process. If you’re wrapping them, place each beet on a square of aluminum foil. Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap the foil tightly around each beet.
### 2. Roast the Beets
* **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
* **Roast the Beets:** Place the wrapped beets (or the beets directly on the baking sheet) in the preheated oven. Roast for 45-60 minutes, or until the beets are tender when pierced with a fork. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the beets.
* **Check for Doneness:** To check if the beets are done, carefully pierce them with a fork. The fork should slide in easily with little resistance. If they are still firm, continue roasting for another 10-15 minutes and check again.
### 3. Cool and Peel the Beets
* **Cool Slightly:** Once the beets are roasted, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. This will make them easier to handle.
* **Peel the Beets:** Once the beets are cool enough to handle, peel them. You can use a paring knife or your fingers to slip the skins off. If you’re using your fingers, you may want to wear gloves to prevent staining your hands.
### 4. Slice or Dice the Beets
* **Cut the Beets:** Once the beets are peeled, slice them into rounds or dice them into cubes, depending on your preference.
### 5. Assemble the Dish
* **Arrange the Beets:** Arrange the sliced or diced beets on a serving platter or in a bowl.
* **Crumble the Feta:** Crumble the feta cheese over the beets.
* **Add Herbs:** Sprinkle with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, dill, or parsley.
* **Drizzle with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar (or Lemon Juice):** Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar (or lemon juice).
* **Season:** Season with salt and pepper to taste.
* **Add Optional Ingredients:** If you’re using any optional ingredients, such as walnuts, pecans, pistachios, arugula, spinach, honey, or garlic, add them now.
### 6. Serve
* **Serve Immediately:** Serve immediately, or chill for later.
## Tips for Perfect Roasted Beets with Feta
* **Choose Beets of Similar Size:** When roasting beets, choose beets that are similar in size so that they cook evenly.
* **Don’t Overcook the Beets:** Overcooked beets can become mushy. Be sure to check them for doneness after about 45 minutes.
* **Use Good Quality Feta:** The quality of the feta cheese will make a big difference in the flavor of the dish. Look for a good quality feta that crumbles easily.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment:** This recipe is very versatile, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different herbs, spices, and nuts.
* **Roast Beets in Advance:** Roasted beets can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This makes it easy to assemble the dish when you’re ready to serve it.
* **Make it Vegan:** Substitute the feta with a plant-based feta alternative, or simply omit it for a delicious vegan dish.
## Variations on Roasted Beets with Feta
* **Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad:** Substitute the feta cheese with goat cheese for a tangy and creamy variation.
* **Roasted Beet and Walnut Salad:** Add toasted walnuts for a crunchy and nutty flavor.
* **Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad:** Add fresh arugula for a peppery and slightly bitter flavor.
* **Roasted Beet and Citrus Salad:** Add segments of oranges or grapefruit for a bright and citrusy flavor.
* **Honey-Glazed Roasted Beets with Feta:** Drizzle the beets with honey for a touch of sweetness.
* **Spicy Roasted Beets with Feta:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil for a spicy kick.
* **Garlic Roasted Beets with Feta:** Roast the beets with a few cloves of garlic for a savory and aromatic flavor.
## Serving Suggestions
* **Side Dish:** Roasted beets with feta are a great side dish for grilled chicken, fish, or steak.
* **Appetizer:** Serve as an appetizer with crackers or crostini.
* **Light Lunch:** Enjoy as a light lunch with a side of greens.
* **Salad Topping:** Add to your favorite salad for extra flavor and nutrients.
## How to Store Leftovers
* **Store in the Refrigerator:** Store leftover roasted beets with feta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Do Not Freeze:** Freezing roasted beets is not recommended as they will become mushy when thawed.
## Nutritional Information (approximate, per serving)
* Calories: 200-250
* Protein: 5-7g
* Fat: 15-20g
* Carbohydrates: 10-15g
* Fiber: 2-3g
## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
* **Can I use canned beets?** While fresh roasted beets are preferred for their flavor and texture, you can use canned beets in a pinch. Drain and rinse them well before using.
* **Can I roast the beets ahead of time?** Yes, you can roast the beets ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This is a great way to save time when preparing the dish.
* **What kind of feta cheese should I use?** Use a good quality feta cheese that crumbles easily. Greek feta is a good choice.
* **Can I make this recipe vegan?** Yes, you can make this recipe vegan by substituting the feta with a plant-based feta alternative, or simply omitting it.
* **Can I use different herbs?** Yes, you can use different herbs such as dill, parsley, or chives.
## Roasted Beets with Feta Recipe Card
**Yields:** 4-6 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 45-60 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* 1.5-2 pounds beets, washed and trimmed
* 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 4-6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
* 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, dill, or parsley), chopped
* 1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or lemon juice)
* Optional: Walnuts, pecans, pistachios, arugula, spinach, honey, garlic, red onion
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wash and trim the beets. Wrap each beet in foil with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. (Alternatively, roast directly on a baking sheet).
3. Roast for 45-60 minutes, or until beets are tender when pierced with a fork.
4. Let cool slightly, then peel the beets.
5. Slice or dice the beets and arrange them on a serving platter or in a bowl.
6. Crumble feta cheese over the beets.
7. Sprinkle with fresh herbs.
8. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar (or lemon juice).
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Add any optional ingredients.
11. Serve immediately or chill for later.
Enjoy this delightful and healthy Roasted Beets with Feta recipe! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a fantastic way to incorporate more beets into your diet.