These Honey And Orange Roasted Beets are the upgrade your beet game’s been waiting for—zingy citrus, golden honey, and oven-roasted perfection in every bite.
Let’s be honest—beets get a bad rap. If your only experience is those squishy canned ones from your nana’s pantry, I get it. But once I started roasting fresh beets with citrus and honey? Total game-changer. The natural sweetness intensifies, the edges caramelize, and that earthy beet flavor turns into something magical.
This is one of my go-to side dishes when I want something vibrant, nourishing, and just a little fancy (without any actual effort). I’ve tested this combo with different citrus, vinegars, and cheeses over the years, and nothing beats the sweet tang of orange and honey paired with creamy goat cheese. It’s a hit at family dinners, works great for holiday spreads, and always gets the “wait, I like beets now?” reaction from skeptics.
If you're already a fan of Honey Roast Parsnips or my cozy Shakshuka With Goat Cheese, this sweet and savory twist is right up your alley.
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💖 Why This Recipe Works
- Naturally sweet & tangy: This honey roasted beets recipe is bursting with flavor.
- Fuss-free roasting: Simple oven steps give you a hands-off, roast beet recipe.
- Goes with everything: Citrus and honey beets are a great side for salads, mains, or even brunch boards.
⭐ Star Ingredients
Here are the ingredients needed for citrus honey beets:
- Beets: The heart of this dish. I love using large fresh beets for their earthy flavor and gorgeous color. Roasting deepens their natural sweetness and brings out their best.
- Honey: A golden drizzle of raw honey caramelizes as it roasts, creating a gorgeous sticky glaze. (Maple syrup also works for a vegan option!)
- Orange Zest & Juice: Adds brightness and zing, balancing the richness of the beets with citrusy notes.
- Goat Cheese: The creamy, tangy contrast to sweet roasted beetroot is just divine. Trust me—you don’t want to skip it.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Maple syrup: Swap the honey for maple syrup to make these vegan roasted beets with citrus glaze.
- Use canned beets: Short on time? Use canned or pre-cooked beets, just reduce the roast time.
- Balsamic vinegar: No citrus? A splash of balsamic adds a similar sweet-tart balance.
- Feta instead of goat cheese: Still tangy, but with a saltier kick.
- Roast in foil: Great for keeping cleanup easy and locking in moisture.
- Add walnuts: For crunch and a nutty twist, toasted walnuts go beautifully with this combo.
Love roasted veggies? Check out my Air Fryer Broccolini or Stuffed Mushrooms next!
🔪 Honey and Orange Roasted Beets (Roasted Beetroot)
- Step 1: Wash and scrub your beets. Cut off the tops and tails, and then peel the skin. You'll need a good vegetable peeler to peel beets like this Good Grips Swivel Peeler! Chop your beets into bite-size cubes or slices.
- Step 2: In a cast-iron skillet or an Instant Pot, sauté the shallots in olive oil. Add the cubed beets and coat well with a little olive oil. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Step 3: Add honey, lemon juice, and orange juice. Toss to coat. Transfer to an oven-safe dish or keep in the skillet if it’s oven-proof. Roast for 30 minutes until fork-tender. If they’re not quite soft, roast 5–10 minutes more. The beets should cook evenly; however, if any of the beets are not yet soft, continue roasting for a further five minutes.
- Step 4: Let cool slightly. Top with crumbled goat cheese, fresh thyme, orange zest, and a drizzle of sour cream if desired.
💡Hint: Want easier cleanup? Roast your roasted orange beets with honey on a parchment-lined sheet pan instead!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Here are some top tips for cooking your citrus beets.
- Use gloves when peeling beets to avoid bright pink fingers.
- Cut beets evenly so they roast at the same rate and don’t dry out.
- Roast uncovered to help the honey caramelize and get those crispy edges.
FAQ'S
Roasting beets in foil is another option. Simply preheat the oven to 375°F, place the cubed beets on a large piece of aluminum foil, wrap them up, and roast the wrapped beets.
Drizzle with olive oil, honey, orange juice and lemon juice. Fold up the sides of the foil to create a packet and seal tightly.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the beets are tender. Open the foil packet carefully and serve with your favorite garnishes.
No, you don't need parchment paper for roasting beets. However, it can help make cleanup easier and prevent sticking. If you are using a sheet pan to roast the beets instead of a skillet, then line the sheet pan with parchment paper before adding the ingredients.
Shallots make this recipe great but if you don't have any to hand there are plenty of substitutes you can use.
Yes! "Beetroot" is just another name for beets—especially in UK and Australian recipes.
How To Store Orange Roasted Beets?
- Fridge Storage: Place leftover roasted beets in an airtight container; store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezer Storage: Freeze roasted beets in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag; can be frozen for up to 8 months.
Thawing: Thaw frozen roasted beets overnight in the fridge or by using the defrost setting on your microwave.
Reheating: Reheat beets gently in the microwave with a splash of water, or in a covered skillet over low heat until warmed through.
💖 Serving Suggestions
Here are some tasty pairings for your honey roasted beets:
- Chinese Chicken Salad: Crunchy and tangy with just enough contrast to those sweet beets
- Goat Cheese Salad: Take the goat cheese and beet combo even further
- Avocado Salad: Creamy and refreshing alongside warm roasted root vegetables
- Eggplant Shakshuka: A smoky, tomato-rich main that loves sweet beet sides
- Purple Cabbage Soup – A cozy, colorful combo for cooler nights
- Baked Spaghetti Squash – For a hearty yet healthy veggie dinner
🍽 Try These Healthy Beetroot Recipes
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Citrus And Honey Roasted Beets
Ingredients
- 4 Beetroot Cubed
- ¼ cup Shallots Diced
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Raw Honey pure maple syrup may be substituted
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- ¼ cup Orange Juice + reserved Zest
- pinch Salt
- 4 oz Goat Cheese
Instructions
- Here are the step by step instructions for making fork tender honey roasted beets.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
- Wash and scrub your beets. Cut off the tops and tails and then peel the skin. You’ll need a good vegetable peeler to peel beets like this good grips swivel peeler! Chop your beets into bite-size cubes or slices.
- In a cast iron skillet or an Instant Pot, saute the shallots in olive oil. Add the cubed beets and coat well with a little olive oil.
- Cover the beets with honey, lemon and orange juice. The orange will give a beautiful citrus flavor.
- Take the skillet from the stovetop to the oven & roast for 30 minutes until the beets are soft and fork-tender. The beets should cook evenly, however, if any of the beets are not yet soft continue roasting for a further five minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and let cool slightly before topping with crumbled goat cheese, fresh thyme or dill and reserved zest. Serve warm with a drizzle of sour cream.
The citrus really lifts the sweetness of the roasted beets—so good with the creamy goat cheese on top! Great side for chicken or even brunch.