Learn to cook Beets in Instant Pot - An easy fuss free method of cooking Beets in an electric pressure cooker. Ideal for meal prep, salads, weeknight dinners and much more.
Instant Pot Whole Beets is the easiest way to cook beets. Once you try the instant pot method, you will never go back to the conventional method of cooking beets on stove top. Saves time, ideal for meal prep, can be used for stir fries or salads.
We love beets and try to include it as part of our weekly menu. Beets are delicious root veggies that have an earthy aroma and gorgeous color. Cooked beets are juicy and taste sweet, which is the most amazing part.
Cooking Beets in Instant Pot is one of the best ways to batch cook for an entire week. Beets can be refrigerated and used throughout the week.
Jump to:
- Are Beetroots Healthy?
- Can Beets be consumed Raw?
- How to use Beet Greens?
- How to Cook Beets in Instant Pot without steamer basket
- Tips
- Cooking Beets on Stove Top
- How to Cook Beets in Pressure Cooker
- Using Cooked Beets for Recipes
- Storage and Freezing Cooked Beets
- Some Basic Instant Pot Recipes for meal prep
- Instant Pot Beets | How to Cook Beetroot in Instant Pot
Checkout the Video Recipe
Are Beetroots Healthy?
Yes. Beets contain Water, Carbs and Fiber. They are low in calories and a great source of essential vitamins and Minerals.
Most importantly, eating seasonal and local produce always has a positive impact on body.
This ARTICLE might help you further regarding the benefits of consuming beets.
Can Beets be consumed Raw?
It depends on personal choice.
Our family prefers cooked beets and we seldom or rarely consume raw ones.
Root Vegetables always need to be scrubbed well for dirt and mud particles before cooking. It is always safe to peel the skin before consumption.
How to use Beet Greens?
Like any other leafy greens, beet greens can be consumed in a variety of ways.
After thoroughly cleaning and finely chopping the greens, they can be tossed in some olive oil, seasoned with fresh garlic, black pepper and salt.
We love adding beet greens in Dal (substitute to Spinach) or serve as a quick stir fry (poriyal) with grated coconut.
Using every part of the vegetable goes a long way in food sustainability and reducing wastage.
How to Cook Beets in Instant Pot without steamer basket
We have used 4 Beetroots for this recipe.
Beets that weigh 4 oz., 6 oz., 7 and 8 oz. respectively.
After rinsing the beets, cut both the ends.
Add 1 cup of water in the Instant Pot Steel Insert and place the trivet.
Place the beets on the trivet. If the beets are large, you can cut them in half.
Close the Instant Pot Lid and Cook beets on High Pressure for 25 minutes. Allow Natural Pressure Release upto 10 minutes and release the balance pressure manually.
To check doneness - Insert a knife. If the beets are done, the knife should slide right in.
If not, close the instant pot lid and pressure cook on high for 5 - 10 minutes, depending on how soft you need them.
Remove the beets carefully using a pair of tongs. Allow the beets to cool before peeling them.
The peel should just slide off your hands. Note - Exactly why you shouldn't peel beets before cooking.
Tips
If you are using 4 oz. beets or small sized beets - The pressure cook time would be 15 mins.
Medium Beets (6-7 oz.) - 20 mins
Large Beets - 30 mins (also recommend cutting them in half to speed up the cooking process)
Firm Beets - Do a quick pressure release.
Slightly soft yet crunchy beets - Natural Pressure release (NPR) upto 10 minutes helps.
If for some reason, you find the beets haven't cooked (after checking doneness), pressure cook them on high for 10 minutes and then quickly release the pressure.
I am using a 6 Qt. Instant Pot which can easily accommodate upto 7-8 Beets placed on the steamer rack.
If you like, use rubber gloves to peel the skin. It prevents beet stains. However, the stains are not permanent. A quick scrub with soap leaves your hands clean and stain free.
Cooking Beets on Stove Top
This is possibly the most time consuming process which is why I never rely on cooking beets on stove top.
For starters, it needs constant monitoring and your presence in the kitchen. Note - Unless you have plenty of time on hand, give this process a miss!
Place a large pot on stove, add the beets (cut them in half for faster cooking) and allow to cook on medium flame.
Doneness can be checked by inserting a knife. Cook time is approximately 45 minutes to an hour followed by another 20 mins of cooling.
How to Cook Beets in Pressure Cooker
Pressure cooking is similar to Instant Pot and easily shortens the cooking time.
It takes approximately 4 - 5 whistles for the beets to cook (slight crunch) in a pressure cooker.
Natural pressure release (Allowing the cooker to cool completely) is recommended.
Using Cooked Beets for Recipes
Beetroot Hummus - One of the most delicious ways of using beets is to make hummus. Serve as a dip or mezze with pita, Air Fryer Falafels and salad on the side.
Beetroot Raita - Delicious South Indian Style Raita topped with a tempering of curry leaves and mustard seeds. Serve with any Main Course Rice like Pulao, Cumin Rice or Biryani.
Beetroot Thoran - Kerala Style Vegan Stir Fry using cooked beets garnished with freshly grated coconut.
Beets Paratha - Grate the cooked beets / Puree and add to whole wheat flour, knead using water and roll them into thick paratha / flatbread.
Cutlets - Mix grated beets with potatoes and basic spices. Shape them into cutlets and air fry or pan fry them using oil or butter and serve with Cilantro Mint Chutney.
Cooked Beets can be further pureed and added to Idli and Dosa batter. This is a great way to feed kids their "not so favorite veggie".
We also enjoy Beetroot Chips made in Air Fryer and Oven Roasted Beets as well.
Storage and Freezing Cooked Beets
Cooked or Steamed Beets can be refrigerated and used upto one week.
You can freeze the steamed beets and use for atleast couple of months. Use an airtight container to store the beets OR store them in small containers or zip lock pouches so that they can be thawed and used as required (small portion sizes).
For meal preps, I highly recommend chopping the beets and freezing them so you can use them for quick stir fries especially for busy weekdays.
I also grate and freeze beets for making quick Beets Pulao in Instant Pot. An Easy lunch box recipe or meal for busy weeknight dinner.
Some Basic Instant Pot Recipes for meal prep
Fluffy Quinoa
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Instant Pot Beets | How to Cook Beetroot in Instant Pot
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 4 Beetroots 25 oz / 1.56 lbs / 700 grams
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
- Wash, Scrub and Rinse the beets. Cut both the ends and keep aside.
- Add 1 cup of water in the Instant Pot Steel Insert and place the steamer rack.
- On the steamer rack, place the 4 beetroots. Close the Instant Pot Lid and Cook them on High Pressure for 25 minutes. Allow Natural Pressure Release upto 10 minutes and release the balance pressure manually.
- To check doneness - Insert a knife and if it slides easily and comes out, beets are done. If not, close the instant pot lid and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.
- Remove the beets carefully using a pair of tongs. Allow the beets to cool before peeling them.
- The peel should just slide off your hands. One of the reasons, it is highly recommended not to peel the beets before cooking.
Video
Notes
- For this recipe, we have used 4 Beets that weigh 4 oz, 6 oz, 7 and 8 oz respectively.
- If you are using 4 oz. beets or small sized beets - The pressure cook time would be 15 mins.
- Medium Beets (6-7 oz.) - 20 mins
- Large Beets - 30 mins (also recommend cutting them in half to speed up the cooking process)
- Firm Beets - Do a quick pressure release.
- Slightly soft yet crunchy beets - Natural Pressure release (NPR) upto 10 minutes helps.
- If for some reason, you find the beets haven't cooked (after checking doneness), pressure cook them on high for 10 minutes and then quickly release the pressure.
- I am using a 6 Qt. Instant Pot which can easily accommodate upto 7-8 Beets placed on the steamer rack.
- If you like, use rubber gloves to peel the skin. It prevents beet stains. However, the stains are not permanent. A quick scrub with soap leaves your hands clean and stain free.
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We will be back again with yet another exciting recipe .. Until then, stay healthy and happy!
Vidya Narayan
This recipe put beets back on the menu for me!
I am so glad to hear that Elaine. Enjoy cooking!