Beets can be easily cooked in a variety of ways. Steaming keeps the nutrients in the beets for longer and it's an easy method to do.. Boiling is one of the most common methods of cooking beets, which is useful for producing ripe beets as an ingredient in other recipes. Roasting is one of the best methods for bringing out the natural sweetness of beets. Whichever method you choose, the resulting beets will taste delicious.
- Preparation time (Steaming): 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 15-30 minutes
- Total time: 25-40 minutes
Step
Method 1 of 3: Steaming Beets
Step 1. Prepare the steamer
Add 5 cm of water to the steamer pot and place the steaming basket over the pan.
Step 2. Bring the water to a boil
Boil the water while you begin to prepare the beets. You will need to wear gloves at this stage, to keep your hands from getting stained.
Step 3. Prepare the beets
Wash and rub the beets. Use a sharp knife to cut the stems and tails of the beets. Remove the ends before cutting the beets into quarters.
You need to leave the beet skin on to keep the color. The skin of the beetroot will also be easier to peel once you steam it
Step 4. Place the prepared beets into the steaming basket
The water should boil. Close the steamer basket so that no steam escapes.
Step 5. Steam for 15 to 30 minutes
If the beets you are using are large, consider cutting them into smaller pieces so they cook evenly and faster. Try slicing the beets to a size of 1.25 cm.
Step 6. Check the level of doneness of the beets
Pierce the beets with a fork or knife. The beets should become soft enough so that the fork slides in and out easily. If the beets are difficult to pierce or snag, they will need to be steamed longer.
Step 7. Remove the beets from the stove
Once the beets are soft, remove them from the steamer. Let it cool. Then, dry it using paper towels.
Step 8. Season the beets, of choice
Use steamed beets as an ingredient for other recipes, or simply add olive oil, vinegar, or fresh herbs to them.
Steamed beets make a delicious appetizer when paired with cheese or grains
Method 2 of 3: Boiling Beets
Step 1. Fill a pot with water and a pinch of salt
Add 1/2 tsp salt. This will help impart flavor to the beets as they cook. Bring water to a boil over high heat.
Step 2. Prepare the beets
Wash and scrub off any dirt that sticks to the beets. Cut the stem and tail end then discard. You can use whole beets or cut them into cubes, which will reduce cooking time. You don't need to peel the skin when using whole beets.
If you choose to chop the beets, you will need to remove the skin first before cutting into 2.5 cm cubes
Step 3. Enter the bits
Make sure the water covers the entire beet by a few centimeters. Once the water boils, slowly add the whole beet or beet pieces. If using whole beets, boil for 45 minutes to 1 hour. If using beetroot, boil for 15 to 20 minutes.
You do not need to cover the pot while boiling the beets
Step 4. Check the level of doneness of the beets
Pierce the beets with a fork or knife. The beets should become soft enough so that the fork slides in and out easily. If the beets are difficult to pierce or snag, they may need to be boiled longer.
Step 5. Remove the beets from the stove
Once they become soft, drain the hot water and rinse the beets under cold running water. Then, dry it using paper towels.
Step 6. Season the beets, of choice
Use boiled beets as an ingredient for other recipes, or puree and serve with butter. Season the beets with salt and pepper.
Method 3 of 3: Roasting Beets
Step 1. Preheat the oven and prepare the beets
Turn on the oven at 180ºC. Then, wash and scrub the beets. If you are using whole beets, simply cut off the ends and throw them away. Peel the beets first if you want to divide them into thick chunks.
If you are using whole beets, use small ones. If they are large, the beets will take a very long time to cook
Step 2. Place the beets in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil
Use about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and toss the beets until they are coated with the olive oil. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the beets. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.
Step 3. Put the beets in the oven
Bake for about 35 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 4. Check the level of doneness of the beets
Pierce the beets with a fork or knife. The beets should become soft enough so that the fork slides in and out easily. If the beets are difficult to pierce or snag, they will need to roast longer.
Step 5. Remove the beets from the oven and season
The roasting process will bring out the natural sweetness of the beets. Try using a little balsamic vinegar and serve it with crispy bread.
Tips
- Thinly slice the beets before roasting them to make beet chips. You may need to turn it over during the cooking process.
- Add grated beets to cakes and brownies. The beets will have a soft, moist texture.
- Dice or grate beets and add to salads or use as a garnish. This will give a beautiful color and texture to the dish.
- If you have a juicer, try making beet juice. Add apple cider for a slightly sweet and nutritious cider.
