Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Rinse the 5-6 medium beets (32 oz / 907g) thoroughly, trim the ends, and slice them into quarters.
- Slice each quarter into 0.25-inch thick pieces and place them directly on a large baking sheet.
- Drizzle the sliced beets with 2 tbsp. (1 fl oz / 30g) of extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with 0.25 tsp. (0.05 oz / 1.5g) of sea salt and 0.25 tsp. (0.02 oz / 0.5g) of freshly ground black pepper.
- Toss well to ensure an even coating, then spread the beets out in a single, even layer on the sheet.
- Roast in the preheated oven for exactly 60 minutes, or until the beets are completely fork-tender.
- In the meantime, combine 0.5 cups (4 fl oz / 120g) of balsamic vinegar and 2 tbsp. (1 oz / 30g) of maple syrup in a small saucepan set over high heat.
- Cook the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced by half and achieved a rich, thick syrup consistency.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately and set the glaze aside to cool slightly.
- When the beets are perfectly roasted, transfer them to a serving dish, drizzle them generously with the prepared glaze, and sprinkle with 1 tsp. (0.07 oz / 2g) of fresh orange zest right before serving.
- Cut Uniform Pieces: To ensure your Roasted Beets with Balsamic Glaze cook evenly, take your time slicing the beets into equal 0.25-inch pieces. If some pieces are much thicker than others, you'll end up with a mix of mushy and undercooked bites.
Protect Your Hands and Cutting Board: Red beets are notorious for staining everything they touch. Wear a pair of food-safe disposable gloves and lightly oil your cutting board (or use a plastic one that you don't mind staining) before peeling and slicing.
Watch the Glaze Closely: When reducing the balsamic vinegar and maple syrup, do not walk away from the stove. The high sugar content means the mixture can go from a perfect, thick syrup to a burnt, bitter mess in just a matter of seconds. Remove it from the heat as soon as it coats the back of a spoon.
Try Golden Beets: If you want a slightly sweeter, milder flavor (and zero red stains on your hands!), swap the red beets for golden beets. They look beautiful on the plate and roast exactly the same way.