Yellow Beets Recipe: How to Make Roasted Yellow Beets

Golden beets are a bright yellow variety of beetroot. Beetroots, also known as beets, are round root vegetables that bear bulbous red edible fruit known for their earthy, semi-sweet flavor. Yellow beets are less earthy than their red counterparts, and home cooks commonly serve them roasted, grilled, steamed, or broiled.

These heirloom underground veggies make nutritious and hearty additions to salads, grain bowls, soups, and veggie medleys. Yellow beets are a rich source of calcium and vitamin C.

The main differences between yellow beets and red beets lie in their color and flavor. Red beets have a deep pink hue that is more likely to stain cutting boards and cookware than their yellow counterparts. On the flavor front, red beets have a bold, sweet, earthy taste, while golden beets have a mellower flavor all around.

Beyond their differences, the two beet varieties have identical nutritional profiles, with both helping to promote healthy blood pressure, digestive health, and brain function. Both beet varieties are good sources of potassium, healthy carbohydrates, vitamin B9 (folate), and manganese, which supports immunity.

This sweet-and-savory vegetable pairs well with fresh veggies, cheeses, grains, and other dishes, including:

1. 1. Dips: Incorporate cooked golden beets into batches of hummus and other puréed dips to add color, flavor, and nutrients. If you have yellow beets on hand, try making this beet hummus recipe.
   
2. 2. Grain bowls: Golden beets pair well with hearty grains like farro, quinoa, and lentils. Top a golden beet grain bowl with fresh herbs, like parsley, dill, cilantro, mint, or basil, and a flavorful vinaigrette to complete the dish.
3. 3. Juices and smoothies: Add raw golden beets to fruit juice or cooked and cooled beets to a smoothie for some sweetness and added nutrition. If you have a juicer at home, try this beet juice recipe.
4. 4. Salads: Pair golden beets with complementary raw and roasted vegetables, like winter squash, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, arugula, and carrots, for a perfect nutritious salad. Cover a plate of leafy greens like arugula, frisée, and watercress with roasted golden beets. Dress your roasted golden beet salad with rice wine or balsamic vinegar. Scatter your golden beet salad with crumbles of feta or goat cheese for a light note of fresh creaminess.
5. 5. Soups: Purée roasted yellow beets with hearty vegetables (like butternut squash) to make a rich, winter-friendly soup.
6. 6. Toasts: Top crostini or avocado toast with a layer of sliced golden beets for some color and earthy sweetness.

Make the most of this unique root vegetable by following these simple tips.

1. 1. Put the beet greens to use. Whether you grow your own golden beets or purchase them from a farmers’ market with the greens intact, save these nutritious tops for other culinary uses. Sauté the greens and incorporate them into stewed dishes in place of other hearty greens like kale or Swiss chard.
2. 2. Experiment with seasonings. Add your favorite spices and dried herbs to a simple roasted golden beet recipe to change the flavor profile. Garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper are great additions.
3. 3. Store in the fridge. Roasted beets will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Alternatively, freeze whole cooked beets in a freezer-proof container for up to 3 months. Allow the beets to come to room temperature before freezing them.