The contents of this article are human-created.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for details.
Boasting an earthy and herbaceous flavour with a touch of warmth, These Rosemary and Cinnamon Balsamic Glazed Beets are a delectable winter side that's sure to impress. Not only are they perfect for spicing up everyday dinners, but also make a festive addition to holiday meals.
*Nutrition Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please read my disclaimers page for more information.
Whether looking for a simple way to enhance your roasted beets or an elegant side to serve with holiday meals, these Balsamic Glazed Beets are sure to impress. The combination of rosemary, cinnamon and balsamic vinegar brings a touch of magic to the earthy flavour of beets. Plus, your home will be filled with a delightful aroma as this dish bakes.
Not only a tasty and aromatic delight, These Cinnamon Roasted Beets are also a wholesome addition to your meals. Which is why they are a favourite to serve as an elegant holiday side that's also nutrient-dense and suitable for various dietary restrictions.
Plus, since they're even good cold, I love tossing the leftovers with mixed greens for a hearty winter salad. It makes a simple and delicious lunch! Another way I love to enjoy these roasted beets is served over whole grain jasmine rice for a nourishing autumn and winter side.
Are Roasted Beets Healthy?
Roasting Beets is a delicious way to enjoy their nutritional benefits. Combined with rosemary and cinnamon, this recipe is full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, heart-healthy nutrients, blood sugar balancing properties and gut-loving fibre.
Health Benefits
Antioxidant-rich. Cinnamon, beets and rosemary make a powerful combination of antioxidants that can contribute to combating oxidative stress, reducing inflammation and protecting against free radical damage.
Heart-healthy. Both cinnamon and beets have been linked to lower cholesterol levels, while rosemary is linked to improved circulation, making these Cinnamon and Rosemary Roasted Beets a delicious heart-healthy option.
Blood Sugar Balancing. Both beets and cinnamon have been found to positively affect insulin uptake and overall blood sugar regulation.
Beneficial to digestion and gut health. Beets are a favourite food for gut health and digestion. They're full of dietary and prebiotic fibre along with properties that protect the gut lining and reduce inflammation. On top of that, they are rich in digestive enzymes, which improve nutrient breakdown and absorption. Rosemary has also long been used to soothe the digestive system and alleviate gas and bloating. (Which can be especially helpful to serve with big holiday meals).
Vitamin and mineral-rich. Beets are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, B6, folate, iron, carotenes and manganese.
Seasonal Benefits
Autumn is a wonderful time to enjoy freshly harvested beets. The cinnamon also adds a delicious autumn flavour and a warming touch during the change of seasons. They also make a flavourful Thanksgiving side dish!
Winter is the perfect time to add root vegetables like beets to your diet. They can be cellared over the winter and are full of valuable nutrients to support the body through the colder months. Roasting them with cinnamon adds a delightfully warming touch, while rosemary offers more valuable nutrients to keep the immune system strong. They also make a festive side dish for Christmas and holiday dinners!
How to Make Balsamic Glazed Beets with Rosemary & Cinnamon
Making Cinnamon and Rosemary Balsamic Glazed Beets is an easy way to spruce up roasted beets. It only takes a few minutes of preparation and a handful of wholesome ingredients. Follow the steps below or watch the video!
What You Will Need
Equipment
- Oven. An oven is required for these roasted beets.
- Roasting dish. For best results, a glass roasting dish with an oven-safe lid is required. However, you can use a baking sheet if needed.
- Vegetable peeler. While you can use a pairing knife, I find using a vegetable peeler much easier.
- Knife. A good knife is needed to chop the beets. I like using a chef's knife.
- Measuring spoons. You will need measuring spoons to measure the ingredients accurately.
Ingredients
- Raw beets. You will need 4 - 5 medium-large beets or about 4 cups of chopped and peeled beets.
- Fresh or dried rosemary. I much prefer to use fresh sprigs of rosemary. However, dried will also work.
- Ground cinnamon. To evenly coat the beets with the warm, sweet flavour of cinnamon, I find using ground works much better than sticks.
- Ground nutmeg. A dash of nutmeg adds a little extra warmth and earthiness, along with properties that soothe the digestive tract. Which can never hurt when it comes to large holiday feasts and hearty winter meals.
- Balsamic vinegar. The acidity and slight sweetness of balsamic vinegar bring balance to the rich earthiness of beets.
- Olive oil. A touch of olive oil cuts the acidity of the vinegar and prevents the beets from sticking and drying out.
- Himalayan salt. A sprinkle of mineral-rich Himalayan salt helps to marry the flavours together.
Step 1: Peel & Chop Beets
First, preheat your oven to 350°F.
Then wash, peel and chop your beets into 1-inch cubes. You can also slice the beets for a more eye-catching presentation. Once your beets are chopped or sliced, place them in a roasting dish or bowl and set aside to prepare the balsamic glaze.
Step 2: Make Cinnamon Balsamic Glaze
In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Keep stirring until the ingredients are well combined.
Step 3: Toss Beets in Balsamic Glaze
Next, drizzle the cinnamon balsamic glaze over the beets. Use a spoon to toss the beets in the glaze, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Step 4: Add Fresh Rosemary
Chop or pull off the leaves of a fresh sprig of rosemary and sprinkle over the beets. Give them another stir to mix the rosemary in evenly.
Step 5: Oven Roast
If using a roasting dish, cover with an oven-safe lid and place in your preheated oven. Stirring halfway through, bake for 50 - 60 minutes or until the beets are tender. If your beets are thinly sliced or on a baking sheet, reduce the baking time to 30 - 40 minutes or until the beets are tender enough to your liking.
Step 6: Garnish & Serve
Once the beets are tender, remove from the oven and serve as is, or garnish with a few extra sprigs of fresh rosemary for display. These roasted beets are also delicious topped with lightly toasted pecans and walnuts and a sprinkle of cashew cheese or pasture-raised goat cheese. I like serving them on the side for everyone to top as they please.
My Top Tips
- Use fresh organic beets if possible. The fresher the beets, the easier they are to peel and the more flavour they will have.
- Use fresh rosemary. While you can use dried rosemary, fresh adds a more flavourful and festive touch.
- Roast in a glass dish covered with an oven-safe lid to lock in the flavour and moisture. Roasting on a baking sheet will work in a pinch. However, the beets will be slightly dryer with a little less flavour.
- Remove from the oven once tender to prevent the beets from shrivelling and becoming too sweet.
Substitutions & Variations
Pure avocado oil can be used in place of pure extra virgin olive oil. Nutrition tip: It is best to avoid using vegetable or seed oils as they are not heat stable.
Omit the balsamic vinegar if needed. These Cinnamon Roasted Beets are still delicious without the balsamic vinegar and simply drizzled with a touch of olive oil.
Make them oil-free by omitting the olive oil and adding a teaspoon or so of water in place.
Add nuts and cheese for extra deliciousness. I love topping these Rosemary and Cinnamon Beets with lightly toasted pecans and/or walnuts with crumbled cashew or pasture-raised goat cheese.
What to Serve with Roasted Cinnamon & Rosemary Beets
Holiday meals. These Cinnamon and Rosemary Roasted Beets make a delightfully flavourful and aromatic holiday side. Whether serving turkey and potatoes or a plant-based main, these beets will surely add a touch of festive elegance to your holiday meal.
Winter salad. These Cinnamon Rosemary and Balsamic Beets make a delectable topping for hearty winter salads. Especially when going the extra mile to add pecans and walnuts with cashew or goat cheese.
Whole grain rice. I love serving these roasted beets over whole-grain jasmine rice whenever I need an easy winter warmer. However, you can use any rice of your choice. The combination makes a flavourful and hearty side to spice up simple mains.
Saving & Storing
These Cinnamon Roasted Beets are most delicious served warm and fresh out of the oven. However, they can be easily reheated or even served cold over salad, making them a great make-ahead dish.
To store these Roasted Beets, make sure they have cooled before sealing in a container. This keeps them from getting too soggy. If they are well-sealed, they can last up to 3 days in the refrigerator. I prefer to store them in glass since they can stain plastic and make it difficult to clean. They also maintain a fresher flavour when stored in glass.
To serve after storing, reheat them in the oven for 10 - 15 minutes at a low temperature. As mentioned above, they can also be served cold over salad greens, making them great for lunches and potluck parties.
FAQs
How long do Roasted Beets last?
These roasted beets can last up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Make sure they are well-sealed in a clean container. I prefer to keep them in glass as they maintain a fresher flavour and can stain plastic containers.
Roasted and cooked beets freeze much better than raw. To freeze these roasted beets, allow them to fully cool before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Make sure they are well-sealed, and they can last up to 3 months.
Allow them to fully thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.H
To be safe, Roasted Beets should not be left out for more than 2 hours. After 2 hours of sitting at room temperature, they should be placed in the refrigerator to avoid the growth of bacteria and pathogens that can cause spoilage and foodborne illness.
Recipe Highlights
Nurtient-dense. Full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, along with gut-loving and heart-healthy properties, these Cinnamon Rosemary Roasted Beets are nutrient-dense side that adds a touch of elegance.
Versatile. These roasted beets are delicious on their own, garnished with nuts and cheese or topped on rice and salad.
Suitable for many diets. These roasted beets are free of gluten, soy and added sugar. Without the extra garnishings, they are also nut and dairy-free, making them ideal for many dietary needs and preferences.
Easy to make. Only requiring a few minutes of preparation and a handful of simple ingredients, these roasted beets make an easy and wholesome side that's sure to impress.
More Warming Winter Recipes
If you try these Rosemary and Cinnamon Balsamic Glazed Beets, let me know how they turn out by leaving a comment and rating below. Also, make sure you're following along on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Flipboard for more wildly nutritious recipes!
Rosemary & Cinnamon Balsamic Glazed Beets
Print RecipeEquipment
- Oven
- Roasting dish
- Vegetable peeler
- Knife
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 4 - 5 Medium Large Beets (about 4 cups chopped)
- 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
- ½ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 - 2 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary (or 1 - 2 teaspoons dried)
- ¼ Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ¼ Teaspoon Himalayan Salt
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Then wash, peel and chop your beets into 1-inch cubes. You can also slice the beets for a more eye-catching presentation. Once your beets are chopped or sliced, place them in a roasting dish or bowl and set aside to prepare the balsamic glaze.
- In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Keep stirring until the cinnamon and nutmeg are well mixed.
- Next, drizzle the cinnamon balsamic glaze over the beets. Use a spoon to toss the beets in the glaze, making sure they are evenly coated.
- Chop or pull off the leaves of a fresh sprig of rosemary and sprinkle over the beets. Give them another stir to mix the rosemary in evenly.
- If using a roasting dish, cover with an oven-safe lid and place in your preheated oven. Stirring halfway through, bake for 50 - 60 minutes or until the beets are tender. If your beets are thinly sliced or on a baking sheet, reduce the baking time to 30 - 40 minutes or until the beets are tender enough to your liking.
- Once the beets are tender, remove from the oven and serve as is, or garnish with a few extra sprigs of rosemary for display. These roasted beets are also delicious topped with lightly toasted pecans and walnuts with a sprinkle of cashew cheese or pasture-raised goat cheese. I like serving them on the side for everyone to top as they please.
Stella says
I’ve been eating a lot of pickled beets lately since I jarred 30 pounds. I love roasted beets though. I can’t wait to try this.
Thank you!
Michelle McCowan says
Wow, 30 pounds of yummy pickled beets! ? I'd be eating them up too! I hope you enjoy ?