This beet appetizer recipe has just FOUR ingredients! And these beet and goat cheese bites don't just look beautiful, they are the easiest and most delicious party appetizers ever! Finger foods tend to be brown and dull, but not these babies. Read my step-by-step instructions for easy shortcuts.
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The recipe can be easily sized up or down making these beet bites perfect for your next holiday gathering. The colors say Christmas but I also have them for Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve.
I am not kidding about scaling this appetizer recipe up and down. As written, it makes about 30 beet bites. But I have made as few as 12 for a small dinner party and as many as 60 for a large neighborhood get-together.
🧾Ingredient Notes
Jarred Beets- I always use jarred beets for this recipe. Not just because it is faster, but because the precooked beets are more consistent in size and color. But most importantly, the texture is firm enough to hold the toppings but perfectly cooked for eating.
I always use red beets because they contrast so nicely with the orange. But golden beets work too. And yes, you can use pickled beets for more zing!
Herbed Goat Cheese-I prefer to buy goat cheese with the herbs already added I stay away from the versions that are heavy on the garlic.
If you only have plain goat cheese available, soften the cheese by leaving it on the counter for 20 minutes and mix in 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs. Any combination of parsley, basil, and chive works.
Candied Orange Slices- These can be a little hard to find, especially outside the holiday season. The recipe includes instructions for making them from scratch, you just need one orange, sugar, and water.
You can use any small fresh orange you like. I don't recommend using candied orange peel, the texture is too tough.
Chives- Just for a garnish. To be honest, any fresh green herb works. But again, I typically stick to chive, parsley or, or basil chiffonade for the garnish.
💭 Can I make this beet appetizer vegan?
To make this recipe vegan, substitute vegan cream cheese or vegan ricotta with your own herbs. I have had the best results with our own cashew cream cheese (minus the garlic) and Kite Hill plain cream cheese.
⏲️ How to Make Beet and Goat Cheese Bites
Assuming you are going to make the candied orange slices from scratch, I suggest getting the oranges started first.
While those are warming you can drain the beets and assemble the bites. When the oranges are done simply garnish.
Step 1: Candied Oranges
I prefer to cut the oranges before placing them in the water-sugar mixture. If you want to cut after, try use kitchen shears rather than a knife.
Heat the water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Add the oranges and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until the rind is soft.
Lay the oranges on parchment or wax paper to drain and cool off.
Step 2 - Prep the Beets
Drain the beets in a colander and layout on paper towels. Allow to dry for 5 to 10 minutes. Flip halfway through to dry both sides.
You can use a small cookie cutter to cut the beets out, or leave as is for a more rustic look.
Step 3- Assemble
You can spoon or pipe the goat cheese onto the beet rounds. Personally, I find piping to be significantly faster. It doesn't have to be perfect, they will be topped with the orange slices.
Cap the bites with a small slice of candied orange and your herb of choice.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Make the candied oranges up to a week in advance and store in the syrup. The orange rind will get softer with time.
- The appetizers can be assembled 2 to 4 hours in advance. Any longer than that and the beet will stain the goat cheese.
- Soften the goat cheese for at least 20 minutes on the counter to make it easier to pipe onto the beet rounds.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
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📖 Recipe Card
Beet and Goat Cheese Appetizer Bites
Ingredients
- 15 ounces jar of sliced beets
- 4 ounces herbed goat cheese without garlic- see notes
- chives for garnish
Candied Orange Slices
- 1 orange
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
Instructions
Candied Orange Slices
- Slice your orange into rounds, they need to be thin. About ⅛ inch thick at most. Discard ends and seeds. Cut each slice into triangles, either 4 or 6 per ring depending on the size of your orange.1 orange
- In a small, heavy-bottomed pan add the sugar and water. Heat until the sugar dissolves and then add your orange slices Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then reduce heat to a slow simmer and cook, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes.½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup water
- Allow the orange slices to cool for a few minutes then transfer to a sheet of parchment so they can finish draining.
Appetizer Assembly
- While the oranges are cooking, drain all the liquid from the jar of beets. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and lay out the beets to dry. Flip after 5 minutes to ensure that the majority of the liquid has been absorbed by the towels.15 ounces jar of sliced beets
- Using a 1-inch cookie cutter cut the beets into small rounds. This step is optional.
- Place the softened cheese in a piping bag. Pipe onto the beet rounds. OR, use two spoons to top each round with about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese.4 ounces herbed goat cheese
- Top each beet and goat cheese bite with a wedge of candied orange and garnish with chopped chives.chives
Video
Notes
- *To make your own herbed goat cheese mix 4 oz of softened goat cheese with 2 tablespoons of chopped herbs (parsley, basil, and/ or chives).
- For a vegan alternative, substitute vegan cream cheese for the goat cheese.
- Oranges can be made 2 days ahead of time. Store in a single layer, cover, and keep in the fridge.
- The bites can be assembled 2 to 4 hours before serving.
Victoria Olson says
Looks amazing! Can I use Feta instead of goat cheese?
Jen Wooster says
Yes, I would suggest whipping it with a little milk to make it easy to serve.
Jessica Formicola says
These little bites are gorgeous! I love goat cheese, and this is such a great flavor combination!
Jen says
Glad you enjoyed.
Tara says
These cheese bites have such a beautiful color! Love the combination of beet and goat cheese.
Jen says
Thanks for giving them a try!
Jersey Girl Cooks says
This is a great appetizer recipe and they are gorgeous bites for a party!
Claudia says
Your step by step directions is what inspired me to try these and they were outstanding and will make again for sure!
Jen says
Glad you found the photos helpful
Liz says
These look so adorable and tasty! I love easy peasy recipes so I'll definitely be making these!
Jen says
Let us know how they turn out.