How to Cook Beets
Posted: 09/23/21
Updated: 01/26/22
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Learning how to cook beets is surprisingly easy! There are four main ways to cooking beets, allowing you to choose whichever method is easiest for you. Enjoy this delicious and nutritious vegetable now that you know how to cook them!
What’s So Great About Beets
- Beets are jam-packed with vitamins and minerals! They have an impressive amount of fiber, folate, and vitamin C. Include this nutritious veggie into your diet to reap its incredible benefits!
- They’re delicious and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways! Once cooked, beets become super tender and slightly sweet. You can enjoy beets on a salad, in a dip, or simply on their own.
- There’s evidence to show that incorporating beets into your diet could help you lose weight! Beets are low in calories, meaning if you swap them out for high calorie foods, you will likely shed some pounds. Also, since beets are packed with fiber they’ll help you feel fuller for longer which will reduce your urge to snack on potentially unhealthy food.
How to Cook Them
Boiled: To boil beets, start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add in your washed beets and a pinch of salt. Let them boil for anywhere between 20 to 30 minutes depending on the size of your beet, then they’re done! Transfer the tender beets to an ice bath to stop the cooking and enjoy.
Steamed: You can steam beets the same way that you’d steam any other vegetable. Get a pot of water and a steamer basket ready for steaming. Once the water is boiling, drop in the beets and steam until tender – that’s it!
Roasted: When asked how to cook beets, I always recommend the roasted method first! In my opinion, roasted beets take on just a bit more flavor and yield the least mess. To do this, drizzle beets with olive oil then wrap individually in aluminum foil. Roast the foil-wrapped beets on a baking sheet for up to 50 minutes (again, depending on their size) until tender and delicious.
In the Microwave: This method will surprise you because yes, you can in fact cook beets in the microwave. For this trick, pierce beets all over with a fork creating little vents for the steam to enter and exit each beet. Then, place the beets in a bowl filled halfway with water and cover with a damp paper towel. Last, cook your beets in the microwave for 5 minutes or until tender.
You can also follow our Instant Pot method for perfectly cooked beets!
Tips for Success
- You can either remove or leave the skin on before eating! Once cooked, the skin becomes soft and safe to eat. Therefore, to avoid the mess of peeling them, simply don’t!
- I highly recommend wearing gloves while handling beets. Red beets are filled with opaque red juice which can stain your skin and/or clothes. Therefore, be very careful when cooking and cutting beets to avoid a potential mess!
- Learning your preferred method on how to cook beets is an essential first step to including this healthy veggie into your diet. Experiment with each method and then decide which one is your favorite. Once chosen, incorporate cooked beets into your cooking routine and diet!
Other Simple How To’s
- How to Roast Garlic
- How to Cut Watermelon
- Three Ways to Freeze Zucchini
- How to Boil Corn
- How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven
How to Cook Beets
Learning how to cook beets is surprisingly easy! There are four main ways to cooking beets, allowing you to choose whichever method is easiest for you. Enjoy this delicious and nutritious vegetable now that you know how to cook them!
servings
Ingredients
For Boiled Beets
- 4 beets washed
- water
- Pinch of salt
For Steamed Beets
- 4 beets washed
- water
For Roasted Beets
- 4 beets washed
- olive oil
For Beets in the Microwave
- 4 beets washed
- water
Equipment
- Large pot with lid
- Steamer basket
- Baking sheet
- Large microwave-safe bowl
Instructions
For Boiled Beets
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Once boiling, add in a big pinch of salt along with the beets.
- Cook for about 20-30 minutes or until a fork easily pierces beets. Strain from water and transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking.
For Steamed Beets
- Fill a pot with about an inch or two of water, then place over high medium-heat and secure a steamer basket over the top.
- Once steam begins to rise from the basket, place beets in basket then cover with a lid.
- Cook for about 30 minutes or until easily pierced with a fork.
For Roasted Beets
- Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit.
- Place each beet on a sheet of aluminum foil and drizzle with olive oil, then wrap the beets in the foil.
- Place foil pouch in oven and roast for 35 minutes for small beets or 50 minutes for large beets.
For Beets in the Microwave
- Prick each beet all over with a fork, creating holes for the steam to escape.
- Place beets in a microwave-safe glass bowl then fill bowl halfway with water.
- Cover bowl with a damp paper towel and microwave on high for 5 minutes or until easily pierced with a fork.
Notes
- Be sure to wash and scrub your beets very well before cooking. Beets grow in the ground and are pretty much covered in dirt. Therefore, give them a good scrub before cooking and eating!
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 35kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 64mg, Potassium: 267mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 27IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 1mg, Net Carbs: 6g
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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