If you are looking for a beautiful vegetable side dish that feels a little more special than ordinary roasted beets, these Garlic Herb Hasselback Roasted Beets are an excellent choice. Whole beets are partially sliced into thin layers, brushed with a buttery garlic herb mixture, and roasted until tender in the center with lightly caramelized edges.
The Hasselback technique allows the garlic butter and herbs to work their way between the slices as the beets roast. This gives every bite more flavor while also creating an impressive presentation. A touch of balsamic vinegar and honey balances the earthy sweetness of the beets, while fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley add a savory aromatic finish.
These roasted beets are perfect for holiday dinners, family meals, vegetarian spreads, or serving alongside chicken, beef, pork, or fish.
Why You’ll Love These Garlic Herb Hasselback Roasted Beets
The Hasselback cuts make ordinary roasted beets look elegant and impressive.
Garlic herb butter gets between the slices for more flavor throughout.
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the beets.
Balsamic vinegar adds tang while honey helps encourage caramelization.
The recipe works well as a holiday side dish or colorful addition to an everyday dinner.
You can also customize the beets with feta, goat cheese, Parmesan, walnuts, or fresh herbs.
Ingredients
For the Beets
- 6 medium beets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Garlic Herb Butter
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Balsamic Glaze
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional Finishing Ingredients
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- ¼ cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh thyme
- Lemon zest
- Balsamic glaze
- Flaky sea salt
How to Make Garlic Herb Hasselback Roasted Beets
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a rimmed baking sheet or roasting dish with parchment paper or foil.
2. Prepare the Beets
Trim the leafy tops and root ends from the beets.
Wash and scrub them thoroughly.
3. Peel the Beets
Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin.
Wearing kitchen gloves can help prevent the beet juice from staining your hands.
4. Create a Stable Base
Slice a very thin piece from the bottom of each beet.
This creates a flat surface so the beet does not roll while you cut it.
5. Position the Beets for Hasselback Slicing
Place one beet between the handles of two wooden spoons or chopsticks.
The handles will prevent your knife from cutting completely through the beet.
6. Slice the Beets
Make thin cuts across each beet approximately ⅛–¼ inch apart.
Cut downward until the knife hits the wooden spoon handles.
Do not slice completely through the bottom.
7. Repeat
Continue until all the beets have been sliced Hasselback-style.
8. Season the Beets
Place the beets in the prepared baking dish.
Drizzle with olive oil.
Season with:
- Salt
- Black pepper
Rub the oil and seasoning over the tops and sides.
9. Begin Roasting
Cover the baking dish loosely with foil.
Roast for approximately 35–40 minutes.
This initial covered roasting period helps soften the beets enough for the slices to begin opening.
10. Make the Garlic Herb Butter
While the beets roast, combine in a small bowl:
- Melted butter
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
Mix thoroughly.
11. Make the Balsamic Mixture
In another small bowl, whisk together:
- Balsamic vinegar
- Honey or maple syrup
- Olive oil
Set aside.
12. Check the Beets
After the initial roasting time, carefully remove the foil.
The beets should be beginning to soften, but they will not yet be fully tender.
13. Open the Slices Slightly
Using a small spoon or butter knife, gently separate the slices where possible.
Be careful not to break the beets apart.
14. Brush with Garlic Herb Butter
Brush the garlic herb butter generously over the beets.
Try to work some of the butter between the slices.
15. Continue Roasting
Return the uncovered beets to the oven.
Roast for another 25–35 minutes.
16. Baste During Roasting
Every 10–15 minutes, spoon some of the melted butter and pan juices over the beets.
As they soften, the slices will open more and absorb additional flavor.
17. Add the Balsamic Mixture
During the final 10–15 minutes, brush the beets with the balsamic-honey mixture.
18. Continue Roasting Until Tender
The beets are done when a thin knife slides easily into the thickest portion.
Depending on the size of the beets, total roasting time may be approximately 60–80 minutes.
19. Caramelize the Edges
If you want deeper browning, increase the oven temperature to 425°F during the final 5–10 minutes.
20. Optional Broil
For slightly crispier edges, broil for approximately 1–2 minutes.
Watch carefully because the honey and balsamic can burn quickly.
21. Remove from the Oven
Transfer the roasted beets to a serving platter.
22. Spoon Over Pan Juices
Drizzle any remaining garlic herb butter and pan juices over the beets.
23. Add Cheese
If desired, sprinkle with:
- Feta
- Goat cheese
- Parmesan
24. Add Crunch
Scatter toasted walnuts or pecans over the top.
25. Garnish
Finish with:
- Fresh parsley
- Thyme
- Lemon zest
- Flaky salt
- Extra balsamic glaze
26. Serve
Serve warm while the beets are tender and the edges are lightly caramelized.
What to Serve With Garlic Herb Hasselback Roasted Beets
These beets make an excellent side dish for many main courses.
Serve them with:
- Roast chicken
- Garlic herb chicken
- Steak
- Beef roast
- Pork tenderloin
- Lamb chops
- Salmon
- Baked fish
For vegetarian meals, pair them with:
- Quinoa
- Lentils
- Couscous
- Roasted chickpeas
- Grain bowls
- Green salad
They are especially good alongside creamy or tangy dishes such as:
- Goat cheese salad
- Feta pasta
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Risotto
Tips for the Best Hasselback Roasted Beets
Choose Similar-Sized Beets
Beets of similar size will finish roasting at approximately the same time.
Use Chopsticks as Cutting Guides
They make it much easier to avoid accidentally slicing all the way through.
Don’t Make the Slices Too Thin
Extremely thin slices can tear as the beets soften.
Cover During the First Stage
Covered roasting traps steam and helps the beets soften before caramelization.
Add Garlic Butter After Partial Roasting
Fresh garlic can burn if exposed to high heat for too long.
Baste More Than Once
Spoon the garlic butter between the slices as they open.
Add Honey Near the End
Sugars caramelize quickly and can burn during long roasting.
Test Tenderness With a Knife
Cooking time varies depending on beet size, so texture is a better guide than time alone.
Easy Recipe Variations
Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Beets
Sprinkle the beets with ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan during the final 10 minutes.
Goat Cheese Hasselback Beets
Finish with crumbled goat cheese and toasted walnuts.
Feta Balsamic Beets
Top with feta, parsley, and an extra drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Honey Garlic Beets
Increase the honey to 2 tablespoons for a sweeter finish.
Maple Herb Beets
Replace honey with pure maple syrup.
Rosemary and thyme pair especially well with maple.
Spicy Garlic Beets
Add:
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Pinch of cayenne
Orange Herb Beets
Add 1 teaspoon orange zest to the garlic butter.
Finish with a squeeze of fresh orange juice.
Walnut Goat Cheese Beets
Top each beet with goat cheese and toasted walnuts immediately before serving.
Air Fryer Method
Smaller beets can also be cooked in the air fryer.
Prepare the beets and Hasselback slices as directed.
Brush lightly with olive oil.
Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 30–40 minutes, depending on size.
Brush with garlic herb butter halfway through.
Add the balsamic-honey mixture during the final 5–8 minutes.
Cook until completely tender.
Because air fryers vary considerably, check the beets regularly.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can partially prepare these beets ahead of time.
Peel and slice them Hasselback-style.
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
You can also roast them through the first covered stage, cool, refrigerate, and finish with garlic butter and balsamic shortly before serving.
This is especially useful for holiday meals.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftover beets to cool completely.
Transfer to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Store any cheese toppings separately if possible.
Reheating in the Oven
Place the beets in a baking dish.
Cover loosely with foil.
Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 10–15 minutes.
Remove the foil for the final few minutes.
Reheating in the Air Fryer
Air fry at approximately 350°F for 5–8 minutes.
Microwave
Microwave individual portions in short intervals until hot.
The beets will stay tender, although the edges will not be as caramelized.
Freezing
Cooked beets can be frozen, although their texture may soften after thawing.
Allow them to cool completely.
Freeze in airtight containers for up to approximately 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat in the oven for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Hasselback beets?
They are beets sliced almost all the way through into thin layers, similar to Hasselback potatoes. The cuts help seasonings and butter penetrate more deeply.
Do I need to peel the beets?
Peeling is recommended for this presentation because it gives the finished beets a smoother texture.
How do I stop myself from cutting through the beet?
Place chopsticks or wooden spoon handles on either side of the beet while slicing.
Why are my beets still hard?
They likely need more roasting time. Larger beets can take well over an hour to become fully tender.
Can I use golden beets?
Absolutely. Golden beets work beautifully and have a slightly milder flavor.
Can I mix red and golden beets?
Yes, although red beet juice can stain the golden beets if they are roasted closely together.
What cheese works best with roasted beets?
Feta and goat cheese are especially good because their tanginess balances the natural sweetness of the beets.
Can I make these without butter?
Yes. Replace the butter with additional olive oil for a dairy-free version.
Final Thoughts
These Garlic Herb Hasselback Roasted Beets combine naturally sweet roasted beets, garlic, butter, thyme, rosemary, parsley, balsamic vinegar, and honey in a beautiful vegetable side dish.
The key is partially roasting the beets before adding the garlic butter, gently working the seasoned butter between the Hasselback slices, and finishing with balsamic near the end so the edges caramelize without burning.
Serve them with feta or goat cheese, toasted nuts, and fresh herbs for a colorful side dish that is tender in the center, caramelized around the edges, and full of savory garlic-herb flavor.