There are many different ways to cook beets. Some methods are quicker and/or more convenient than others, but they all make cooking beets a breeze.
Are Beets Healthy ?
Yes, beet normally known as beets have many health benefits. Beets are packed with nutrients including vitamins, vitamin bc and character and are besides low in fat and calories. Beetroot contains antioxidants that may lower the hazard of heart disease and certain cancers. Beets have anti-inflammatory properties and help regulate blood pressure .
How To Select Beets From The market
Although red beets and fortunate beets are the most coarse beets found at the supermarket, this robust flavored root comes in an array of vibrant colors, including a beautiful crimson and white candy-striped variety .
Consider the postdate when picking beets :
- Select beets that are firm to the touch and free of blemishes and bruises.
- Pick beets that have the stems, the leaves and the taproot still attached. Beets with the greens attached mean that the beetroot is still fresh.
- Avoid beets with a hairy taproot. The tiny roots indicate that the beets are mature and could be woody and tough.
- Pick smaller to medium size beets. Smaller beets tend to be sweeter and of course they are much easier to cut. Small beetroots cook faster than bigger ones as well.
- Avoid beets with wrinkly skin.
How To Store Beets
Beets can last for about a month if stored properly – even longer if harvested from your own backyard .
The secret to keeping beets bracing long is to cut off the tops before storing them. When cutting off the tops, leave about 1 – 2 inches of stem turn attached. You can save the greens as they are edible and taste perplex, particularly when sautéed .
Beets can be left in a cool area for a pair of days, but the best means to store them is in the refrigerator, broadly wrapped, void sealed or in a resealable storage bag ( remove any excess air from the bag ). Place the beets in the crisp drawer of the electric refrigerator .
Beets can be frozen but only after cooking .
How To Prepare Beets For Cooking
- This root vegetable, like carrots, grows in the dirt so it’s important to scrub them well before cooking.
- Remove the stems and leaves.
- It’s not necessary to peel the beets before. Removing the skin from cooked beets is so much easier.
- Pink and red beets’ intense color will stain your hands and any surface you use when preparing them. To prevent beet-red stains, you may want to cover your working area with wax or parchment paper. You may also want to consider wearing gloves.
How To Cook Beets
These are the different ways to cook beets that we will explore in this post. Boiling, steaming, roasting whole beets, roasting cut up beets, microwaving and pressure fudge. Keep in heed that cooking times will vary depending on the size of the beets .
1. How to Boil Beets on the Stovetop
Boiling beets is one of the easiest ways to cook this hearty root to tender paragon. When boiling beets, you will notice that some of the beet ’ second tinge will leak into the fudge liquid. Some people suggest adding a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to prevent this and set the color. Although this helps, the color still seeps into the cook liquid but not a much .
Pros : Foolproof and easy.
Cons : Some of the color seeps into the cooking urine .
How To Boil Beets :
- Clean and trim beet tops.
- Peeling beets is not necessary. The peel will come off very easily when the beets are cooked.
- Place the beets in a pot big enough to hold them comfortably. Add water to cover the beets by about 2 inches.
- Bring to a boil then, lower the heat and simmer until the beets are tender, about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the size. To check for doneness, pierce a beet with the tip of a knife, a skewer or fork. You should be able to pierce the root easily without much resistance.
- Remove the beets from the stove and place them under cold running water, until they are cool enough to handle.
- To peel the beets, rub a piece of paper towel all over the surface. The skin will come right off!
2. How to Steam Beets
You can steam beets solid ( my preferred method acting ) or cut into halves or quarters .
Pros : Steaming preserves nutrients that differently leak into the cook water.
Cons : You need a steamer basket. This of path is not a trouble if you already have one .
How To Steam Fresh Beets :
- Clean and trim beet tops. You can steam beets whole or cut.
- Peeling beets is not necessary. The peel will come off very easily when the beets are cooked.
- Place the beets in a a steamer basket above 2-inches of water. Make sure the water doesn’t touch the beets for better circulation of heat.
- Bring to a boil and cover. Lower the heat and steam until the beets are tender, about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the size. Check for doneness by piercing the beet with the tip of a knife, a skewer or fork. You should be able to pierce the root easily without much resistance.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
- To peel the beets, rub a piece of paper towel all over the surface. The skin will come right off!
3. How to Roast Beets Whole
Roasting beets is by far my darling way to cook beets. It ’ sulfur easy, my oven does all the sour and roasting intensifies the flavor, bouquet and color of this hearty vegetable. Beets should be roasted at senior high school temperature – 400 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit .
Pros : Roasting beets produce the tasty, fresh beets.
Cons : roasting hale beets in the oven takes a longer time than other methods .
How To Roast Beets :
- Preheat the oven.
- Clean, dry and cut off the tops close to the top of the beet. Don’t trim the root.
- Peeling is not necessary.
- Place your beets in a big piece of aluminum foil – big enough to create a sealed pouch.
- Coat the beets with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper (this step is optional but recommended as it flavors the beets).
- Wrap the beets with the aluminum foil (as if creating a pouch for the beets).
- Place the pouch on a baking sheet and roast for 40 to 60 minutes, depending on their size or until a small sharp knife can easily be inserted in the middle.
- Remove from the oven and carefully open the aluminum foil pouch (steam may come off). Set the beets aside to cool.
- To peel the beets, rub a piece of paper towel all over the surface. The skin will come right off!
4. Roasting Beets Cut Up
barely like roasting beets wholly, this method intensifies the beet ’ s natural flavor and sweetness .
Pros : improbable spirit ! You can season the beets to your preference with unlike spices and seasonings.
Cons : Cut up roasted beets need to be peeled when crude .
How To Bake Beets Cut Up :
- Preheat the oven.
- Clean, dry and cut off the tops close to the top of the beet.
- Peel the beets and cut them into wedges.
- Place the beets on a sheet pan lined with foil or parchment paper.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season to taste.
- Bake for 25 to 35 minutes (depending on sizes) or until tender.
- Remove from the oven and serve.
5. How to Cook Beets in the Microwave
Cooking beets in the microwave is very alike to microwaving potatoes. Choose beets that are exchangeable in size for even cooking .
Pros : It ’ sulfur fast and easy.
Cons : Depending on the microwave, size of the beets and time, beets may be unevenly cooked or a morsel dry on the come on .
How To Cook Beets In The Microwave :
- Choose beets that are even in size.
- Clean and cut off the tops close to the top of the beet.
- Prick each beet with a fork.
- Place the beets in a microwave safe dish and fill with water about 1/2 to 1 cup water. You want the water to cover about 1/4 of each beet.
- Cover with plastic wrap.
- Microwave for 5 minutes. Check for doneness.
- Remove from the microwave and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process.
6. Cooking Beets in a Pressure Cooker
Cooking beets in the Instant Pot/pressure cooker is comfortable and the beets don ’ t lose their nice texture or color .
Pros : Fast fudge. good spirit.
Cons : Cooking times vary depending on the beet ’ sulfur size .
- You must choose beets that are even in size for best results.
- Clean beets and trim beet tops and roots.
- Peeling is not necessary.
- Measure the circumference of the beets to determine cooking times.
- Pour 1 cup of water into the instant pot.
- Place a trivet or steamer basket in the pot and place the beets on top.
- Close the lid, seal and cook on high pressure (check times below).
- Do a “Quick” release of pressure. Open the lid and remove beets.
Instant Pot Beets Cooking Times :
The cook times below are for beets cooked at high imperativeness. After the cook is done, do a quick release. These cooking times will result in soft beets. If you like your beets crisp, tauten and crunchy reduce cooking times .
- 5-inch diameter: 15 to 16 minutes
- 6-inch diameter: 20 to 22 minutes
- 7-inch diameter: 25 to 26 minutes
- 8-inch diameter: 31to 32 minutes
- 9-inch diameter: 35 to 37 minutes
What is the Healthiest Way To Cook Beets ?
The healthiest way to cook beats is by steaming them. Steaming beets preserves nutrients that otherwise leak into the cooking water. Roasting beets whole or cut up is besides a very goodly means to cook – and besides the most delicious !
Before Cooking Beets, Do You Have To Peel Them ?
No, you don ’ t have to peel beets before cooking them. The skin actually comes off well when the beets are cooked. The only meter I peel beets before cooking is if I roast them cut up into pieces, normally quarters .
Can Beets Be Eaten Raw ?
Yes ! Beets can be eaten natural. raw beets should be peeled ahead feed as the hide is ruffianly when raw .
crude beets can besides be juiced or blended into smoothies, shred into salads and sliced thinly for dishes like beet tartare .
other Beet Recipes
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How To Cook Beets
Learn How To Cook Beets with these different methods for perfectly tender beets. Find your own favorite way of cooking beets and enjoy this healthy and delicious root vegetable any time. Boiled, Steamed, Roasted 2 ways, Instant Pot, Microwaved.
Prep:
8
minutes
Cook:
30
minutes
Total Time
38
minutes
Servings
8
servings
equipment
-
▢
Instant Pot 6 Qt.
-
▢
Baking Sheet
Ingredients
Boiled Beets
-
▢
1 sudanese pound beets
-
▢
water
-
▢
1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice
Steamed Beets
-
▢
1 pound beets choose beets that are about 3-inch in circumference .
Roasted Beets Whole
-
▢
1 impound beets 3 to 4 inch in circumference
-
▢
olive petroleum for drizzling
-
▢
Salt and bootleg pepper as needed for seasoning
Roasted Beets Cut Up
-
▢
1 pound beets
-
▢
olive petroleum for drizzling
-
▢
Salt and black pepper as needed for seasoning .
Instant Pot Beets
-
▢
1 british pound beets ( about 5 inches in diameter. choose beets that are even in size .
-
▢
1 cup water
Read more: Garlic Roasted Radishes
Instructions
To Boil Beets
-
Wash, scrub and trim beet tops. Peeling beets is not necessary. The peel will come off very easily when the beets are cooked.
-
Place the beets in a pot big enough to hold them comfortably. Add water to cover the beets by about 2 inches.
-
Bring to a boil then, lower the heat and simmer until the beets are tender, about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the size.
-
Remove the beets from the stove and place them under cold running water until they are cool enough to handle.
-
To peel the beets, rub a piece of paper towel all over the surface. The skin will come right off!
To Steam Beets
-
Wash, scrub and trim beet tops. You can steam beets whole or cut.
-
Peeling beets is not necessary. The peel will come off very easily when the beets are cooked.
-
Place the beets in a a steamer basket above 2-inches of water. Make sure the water doesn’t touch the beets for better circulation of heat.
-
Bring to a boil and cover. Lower the heat and steam until the beets are tender, about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the size.
-
Remove from the heat and allow to cool. To peel the beets, rub a piece of paper towel all over the surface. The skin will come right off!
To Roast Beets Whole
-
Set the oven rack in the center position. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
-
Wash, scrub and dry beets. Cut off the tops close to the top of the beet. Don’t trim the root.
-
Place beets in a big piece of aluminum foil, big enough to create a sealed pouch. Coat the beets with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper (this step is optional but recommended as it flavors the beets). Wrap the beets with the aluminum foil (as if creating a pouch for the beets).
-
Place the pouch on a baking sheet and roast until tender or about 40 to 60 minutes, depending on size. Check for doneness after 30 minutes of cooking by piercing beets with the tip of a knife.
-
Remove from the oven and carefully open the aluminum foil pouch (steam may come off). Set the beets aside to cool. To peel the beets, rub a piece of paper towel all over the surface. The skin will come right off!
To Roast Beets Cut-Up
-
Set the oven rack in the center position. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.
-
Wash, scrub, dry beets. Cut off the tops close to the top of the beet. Peel the beets and cut them into wedges or slices (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices).
-
Place the beets on a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
-
Bake for 25 to 35 minutes (depending on sizes) or until tender. Remove from the oven and serve.
To Pressure Cook Beets / Instant Pot
-
Wash, scrub, dry beets. Cut off the tops close to the top of the beet.
-
Pour 1 cup of water into the instant pot. Place a trivet or steamer basket in the pot and place the beets on top.
-
Close the lid, seal and cook on high pressure for 16 minutes.
-
Do a quick release by turning the venting knob to the venting position to release all the pressure. Open the lid and remove the beets.
Chef ’ s Tips
- To check for doneness, pierce a beet with the lean of a knife, skewer or pitchfork. You should be able to pierce the settle easily without much resistance .
- To peel fudge beets, rub a man of composition towel all over the surface. The clamber will come right off !
- Instant Pot Cooking Times:
- 4-inch diameter: 13 – 14 minutes
- 5-inch diameter: 15 to 16 minutes
- 6-inch diameter: 20 to 22 minutes
- 7-inch diameter: 25 to 26 minutes
- 8-inch diameter: 31to 32 minutes
- 9-inch diameter: 35 to 37 minutes
nutrition
Calories:
24
kcal
(1%)
Carbohydrates:
5
g
(2%)
Protein:
1
g
(2%)
Fat:
1
g
(2%)
Saturated Fat:
1
g
(6%)
Sodium:
44
mg
(2%)
Potassium:
184
mg
(5%)
Fiber:
2
g
(8%)
Sugar:
4
g
(4%)
Vitamin A:
19
IU
Vitamin C:
3
mg
(4%)
Calcium:
9
mg
(1%)
Iron:
1
Read more: Crab Fried Rice
mg
(6%)
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results .
