Perfect Whole Instant Pot Beets: A Quick & Healthy Side Dish

Cooking **whole Instant Pot beets** has never been simpler, bringing tender, flavorful vegetables to your table in record time. Whether you use an Instant Pot, a Crockpot Express, or a Ninja Foodi, your multi-pot pressure cooker will transform hard, raw beets into a delicious side dish with minimal effort.

Mastering Whole Beets in Your Instant Pot

Beets are truly an underestimated vegetable. For those who haven’t yet discovered their charm, the key lies in perfect seasoning and achieving that ideal soft, fork-tender texture. With just an electric pressure cooker, a trivet, or an optional steamer basket, you can enjoy incredibly healthy and delicious beets in no time. Their earthy sweetness and vibrant color make them a fantastic addition to any meal, often surprising even the most skeptical eaters.

You don’t necessarily need an official Instant Pot-branded appliance to achieve these results. We regularly prepare these tender beets in our **Crockpot Express** and Ninja Foodi pots, which perform just as effectively. While you *could* slice or cube beets before cooking, we find it far easier to simply cook them whole. This method simplifies prep, as slicing and peeling become much more effortless once the beets are soft and cooked to perfection. Plus, cooking them whole helps retain their nutrients and vibrant color, leading to a richer flavor profile.

Cooking Instant Pot Beets Without a Steamer Basket

While a steamer basket is a handy accessory to keep vegetables elevated from the cooking liquid, it’s certainly not essential for cooking whole beets. You can easily achieve perfectly steamed results using just the trivet that came with your pressure cooker. Simply place the beets directly on the trivet, ensuring they are above the water line, and let the pressure cooker work its magic. This method ensures uniform cooking and tender results without needing extra equipment.

Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Beets: A Versatile Option

Before perfecting our pressure cooker method, we experimented with air fryer beets, which are good but don’t quite achieve the same fork-tender texture as pressure-cooked ones. The Ninja Foodi, a versatile multi-cooker, allows you to enjoy both methods. You can follow the same timing and instructions provided here to pressure cook both red and golden beets. The primary difference between red and golden varieties is their flavor profile: golden beets tend to be sweeter and possess a slightly less intense earthy flavor compared to their red counterparts. A practical bonus? Golden beets won’t stain your fingers or countertops like red beets can, making prep a bit tidier!

Can You Pressure Cook Beets and Carrots Together?

Absolutely! Beets and carrots are excellent candidates for pressure cooking together due to their similar density and cooking times required to reach tenderness. Their hard texture means they both benefit from the high-pressure environment, softening beautifully at roughly the same rate. We frequently pair them together in our Instant Pot potatoes and carrots recipe, and they make a fantastic, nutritious combination as a side dish. Their combined earthy sweetness and vibrant colors also make for an appealing presentation.

We understand that beets can appear a bit intimidating, especially when they come straight from the garden, covered in dirt with rough, unappetizing areas. Before the advent of the incredible electric pressure cooker, the thought of preparing them at home was often dismissed. However, with this modern kitchen marvel, cooking beets is now as effortless as making baked potatoes! If you have a Ninja Foodi, you even have the added option of making air fryer beets for a different texture.

How Do You Prepare Beets for Eating?

The first step in enjoying your freshly cooked beets is removing their thin outer skin. This can be done either while the beets are raw or, more commonly and easily, once they are succulently tender after cooking. For cooked beets, simply rub the skins off with a paper towel or your fingers; they should slip away with minimal effort. Be mindful that handling red beets will likely discolor your fingers quite a bit. If this concerns you, wearing a pair of gloves before handling them will prevent any temporary staining. After peeling, you can easily trim any remaining root or stem ends.

The cooking process itself is incredibly simple: just pour a cup or so of cold water into your pressure cooker pot. Lower a trivet (a handled one is particularly convenient for easy removal), arrange the cleaned, whole beets on top, and you’re ready to pressure cook. After the cooking time, a natural release followed by a quick release of pressure will reveal perfectly tender beets. A steamer basket can also be used if preferred, providing another way to keep the beets out of direct contact with the water. Are you excited to try this colorful and nutritious vegetable?

Can Beets Be Eaten Raw?

Yes, absolutely! Raw beets offer a delightful crunch and a distinctly different flavor profile compared to their cooked counterparts. They are actually much sweeter and less earthy before cooking. To enjoy them raw, you’ll want to prepare them by shaving them thinly, julienning, or grating them into salads, slaws, or as a garnish. Eating beets raw ensures you retain all of their heat-sensitive vitamins and nutrients, making them a powerhouse of nutrition in their most natural state. We highly encourage trying both raw and cooked versions to experience their full range of flavors and textures.

Do You Have to Peel Beets?

For most culinary applications, peeling beets is recommended. The outer skin is typically quite bitter, tough, and fibrous, and most people find it unpalatable. Removing this layer significantly improves the texture and overall eating experience. While you can attempt to peel raw beets (though it can be challenging), many find it easier to steam or boil them quickly first, which softens the skin and allows it to rub or peel off with greater ease. As a gentle reminder, always wear gloves when handling and peeling red beets to prevent staining your hands.

Simple Ingredients for Perfect Beets

Gathering just a few basic ingredients is all it takes to make these delicious Instant Pot beets:

• 2-3 medium to large whole beets: We typically use beets roughly the size of a baseball, which fit comfortably in a 6-quart pressure cooker with a bit of space between them for even cooking.
• Water or broth: Essential for generating the steam needed to tenderize the beets.
• Olive oil: For coating the cooked beets, enhancing their flavor and texture.
• Pepper: To taste, adding a subtle warmth and spice.
• Himalayan pink salt: Our preferred seasoning for its delicate flavor, but any salt will work.

Flavor Variations and Cooking Adjustments

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. While we enjoy the classic simple seasonings, feel free to customize your beets to suit your palate. You could sprinkle red pepper flakes for a touch of heat, or add garlic powder for a more savory profile. Fresh herbs like dill or parsley also make excellent additions after cooking.

For particularly large beets, those significantly bigger than a baseball, you may need to increase the cook time. While 25 minutes typically works for medium to large sizes, truly ginormous beets might require up to 30 minutes under pressure to become perfectly fork-tender. Always ensure they are easily pierced with a fork before serving.

Creative Uses for Steamed Beets

Once you’ve mastered steaming beets, a world of culinary possibilities opens up! Their tender texture and distinct flavor make them incredibly versatile. Here are just a few ideas for what you can make with your perfectly steamed beets:

1. Pickle them: Transform them into tangy pickled beets, just as you would cucumbers or cabbage, for a delightful condiment.
2. Mash them: Mash cooked beets like potatoes, incorporating a dollop of butter and a drizzle of olive oil for a vibrant, earthy side.
3. Slice for sandwiches: Thinly slice the cooked beets to add a unique flavor and beautiful color to your favorite sandwiches or wraps.
4. Dice into risotto: Fold diced beets into a creamy risotto for an added layer of flavor and a stunning visual appeal.
5. Blend into soup: Puree them into homemade tomato soup to enrich its flavor and create a lovely reddish hue.
6. Simple side dish: Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a simple yet elegant side.

Like many, I was a latecomer to appreciating this interesting vegetable. Similar to my initial hesitation with Instant Pot Brussels sprouts, I was wary of beets. However, as one gets older, the wisdom of “you just never know” takes hold, and the importance of trying new things becomes clear. Lo and behold, beets were enthusiastically added to my “now I like them” list, and even my kids found their vibrant color quite fun. When it comes to vegetables and children, I believe color truly is everything! Speaking of color…

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Cook Whole Beets in an Instant Pot

Follow these detailed steps to achieve perfectly tender, flavorful whole beets every time:

• **Prepare the Beets:** Begin by thoroughly cleaning the beets to remove any dirt or debris from their surface. Trim off any leaves and the stringy root end that they may have.
• **Set up Pressure Cooker:** Place the steaming rack (trivet) into the bottom of your pressure cooker pot. Pour in 1 cup of water or broth. Carefully arrange the cleaned beets on the steaming rack, ensuring they are not submerged in the liquid.
• **Pressure Cook:** Securely close the pressure cooker lid and position the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” (or Manual) setting on high pressure and set the timer for 25 minutes.
• **Release Pressure:** Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pot to naturally release steam for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, carefully move the steam release valve to the “Venting” position to quick release any remaining pressure.
• **Cool and Handle:** Once all pressure has been released, open the lid. Carefully remove the beets from the pot. Allow them to cool sufficiently until you can comfortably handle them, or run them under cold running water to speed up the cooling process.
• **Peel and Trim:** Once cool enough, the skin should easily rub or peel off. Remove all the skin and trim off any remaining root or top portions.
• **Slice and Season:** Now, you can cut or slice the cooked beets into any shape you desire. We recommend thin wedges for an elegant presentation. Drizzle the sliced beets generously with olive oil, then sprinkle with pepper and salt to taste. Gently mix until all beet pieces are well coated in the oil and seasonings.
• **Serve and Store:** Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve your delicious Instant Pot beets at room temperature, or refrigerate them until you’re ready to enjoy. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Enjoy your healthy, homemade beets!

Keep in mind that cooking timing may vary slightly based on your preferred beet texture. For a slightly firmer bite, you might reduce the cook time by a minute or two, while those who prefer them exceedingly tender can add a minute. Experiment to find your perfect doneness! Here are a few other excellent pressure cooker vegetable recipes you can use as healthy side dishes:

1. Give our delicious Instant Pot spaghetti squash a try for a low-carb alternative!
2. For ultimate convenience, Instant Pot steamed vegetables are an ideal way to cook several types of vegetables all in one pot, making meal prep a breeze.

Canned vs. Steamed Beets: A Nutritional Comparison

When comparing canned versus freshly steamed beets, most nutrients and fiber content are quite similar. However, the most significant difference lies in sodium content; canned beets typically contain considerably more sodium than fresh ones. Steaming your own beets using this method is highly recommended as it gives you complete control over the amount of salt added, which is particularly beneficial for individuals managing high blood pressure or those who prefer to limit their sodium intake. The same pressure cooking instructions below can be easily adapted to make this an easy Ninja Foodi recipe, offering the same health benefits and control over ingredients.