Healthy Recipes Ingredient Vegetable Crispy Smashed Beets with Goat Cheese 5.0 (1) 1 Review Cooked beets are lightly pressed and pan-fried for a charred, crispy outer crust--similar to that of smashed potatoes. The herbed goat cheese dip makes this healthy appetizer or easy side dish even more delicious. By Carolyn Casner Carolyn Casner See More Carolyn Casner is a longtime recipe tester and contributor for EatingWell. Over the years, she has tested and developed hundreds of recipes for the magazine and website. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 23, 2025 Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Prep Time: 30 mins Additional Time: 1 hr 30 mins Total Time: 2 hrs Servings: 4 Yield: 4 servings Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb Nut-Free Soy-Free High-Fiber Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free Low-Calorie Jump to Nutrition Facts The dish offers a crispy texture similar to smashed potatoes, offering a unique twist.It is a rich source of antioxidants, thanks to the nutrient-dense beets.The inclusion of balsamic vinegar adds a tangy depth to the beets, resulting in a more complex flavor. Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1/2x 1x 2x Oops! Something went wrong. Our team is working on it. This recipe was developed and tested at its original yield and has not been tested at other yields. Note that only the ingredient list is scaled, so you may need to make adjustments to ingredient amounts, cooking times and equipment sizes in the recipe steps. Scaling could also impact the nutrition analysis. Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings 6 small or 4 medium beets (about 1 pound), trimmed and either scrubbed or peeled ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 2 sprigs fresh rosemary ¼ cup goat cheese (2 ounces), at room temperature 2 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives 1 Pinch plus 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided 1 Pinch plus 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper, divided 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided Directions Place beets, vinegar and rosemary in a single layer in a large saucepan. Add water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cover and cook until the beets are very tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Meanwhile, whisk goat cheese and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Stir in chives and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Set aside at room temperature. When the beets are cooked, transfer them to a cutting board. Cut each beet in half horizontally. Lightly press on each beet with a sturdy salad-size plate or mason jar to flatten it, but keep it intact. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper on both sides of the beets. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the beets and cook, turning once, until browned on both sides and crispy on the edges, 3 to 6 minutes total. Transfer to a plate. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and repeat with the remaining beets. Serve with a dollop of the goat cheese mixture. Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, October 2018 Save Rate Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 170 Calories 11g Fat 14g Carbs 5g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 4 Serving Size 2 beet halves & about 1 tablespoon goat cheese Calories 170 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 14g 5% Dietary Fiber 3g 12% Total Sugars 14g Protein 5g 10% Total Fat 11g 13% Saturated Fat 3g 16% Cholesterol 7mg 2% Vitamin A 283IU 6% Vitamin C 7mg 7% Folate 128mcg 32% Sodium 342mg 15% Calcium 55mg 4% Iron 1mg 8% Magnesium 33mg 8% Potassium 412mg 9% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.