How To Cook Beets In The Instant Pot

ByLily

Instant Pot beets cook in about 15 minutes under pressure, compared to an hour in the oven. If you want to know how to cook beets in the instant pot without heating up your whole kitchen, this guide walks you through every step.

The method is simple. You scrub the beets, add water, set the timer, and let the pot do the work. The skins slip off easily afterward, and the beets come out tender and sweet every time.

Why Use An Instant Pot For Beets

Roasting beets in the oven takes close to an hour, sometimes more for large ones. The Instant Pot cuts that down to roughly 15 minutes of pressure cooking, plus a few minutes to build pressure.

There are a few other perks too:

  • No babysitting a hot oven on a summer day
  • The skins slide off with almost no effort
  • Beets stay moist and keep more of their color
  • You can cook a big batch at once and store the rest

It also works for any size beet. You just adjust the time based on how big they are.

How To Cook Beets In The Instant Pot

Here is the full process, start to finish. Read it once before you begin so you know what to expect.

What You Will Need

  • Fresh beets, any color
  • 1 cup of water
  • A trivet or steamer basket
  • A sharp knife for trimming
  • An ice bath or cold running water

You do not need oil, salt, or seasoning for this step. The beets cook in plain water and get seasoned later in whatever recipe you use them for.

Step 1: Wash And Trim The Beets

Rinse the beets under cool water and rub off any loose dirt with your hands or a vegetable brush.

Cut off the leafy tops, leaving about an inch of stem. Do not cut the root tail off. If you cut into the beet before cooking, it bleeds juice and turns mushy.

Leave the skin on. It comes off much easier after cooking, and it keeps the beet firm inside.

Step 2: Add Water And The Trivet

Pour 1 cup of water into the inner pot. Place the trivet or steamer basket inside.

The water is only there to create steam. The beets should sit above it, not boil in it.

Step 3: Arrange The Beets

Set the beets on the trivet in a single layer. If you have several, it is fine if they touch, but try not to stack them too high.

For even cooking, keep them roughly the same size. If you have a mix of big and small beets, cut the larger ones in half so everything finishes at the same time.

Step 4: Set The Time

Close the lid and set the valve to sealing. Press the Pressure Cook or Manual button and set the timer based on size:

  • Small beets, 1 to 2 inches wide: 10 minutes
  • Medium beets, 2 to 3 inches wide: 15 minutes
  • Large beets, 3 inches and up: 20 to 25 minutes

Use high pressure for all of these. The pot takes about 10 minutes to come up to pressure, so add that to your total time.

Step 5: Release The Pressure

When the timer goes off, let the pot sit for 10 minutes on its own. This is called a natural release.

After 10 minutes, turn the valve to venting to let out any remaining steam. Wait for the float valve to drop before you open the lid.

Step 6: Cool And Peel The Beets

Move the beets to a bowl of ice water or run them under cold tap water for a minute. This stops the cooking and cools them enough to handle.

Then rub the skin with your fingers or a paper towel. It should slide right off. If a spot sticks, use a small paring knife.

Trim off the stem end and the root tail once the skin is gone.

Tips For Perfect Beets Every Time

  • Do not skip the natural release. A quick release can make the beets tough.
  • Add a splash of vinegar to the water if you want to keep red beets from staining the pot.
  • Cook extra beets and store them in the fridge for up to five days.
  • If your beets are still firm after cooking, put the lid back on and pressure cook for 3 more minutes.
  • Wear gloves if you are working with red beets and do not want pink hands.

How To Use Cooked Beets

Once your beets are cooked and peeled, you can slice, dice, or cube them for whatever you have planned.

They work well in salads with goat cheese and walnuts. You can blend them into a smooth soup or toss them with olive oil and herbs as a side dish. Pickled beets are easy too, just cover sliced beets with a mix of vinegar, water, and sugar and let them sit overnight.

You can also eat them warm with a little butter and salt right out of the pot.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

The biggest mistake is cutting the beets before cooking. Keep them whole and the result is much better.

Another common issue is not adding enough water. One cup is the minimum for a 6-quart pot. If you go below that, you risk a burn notice.

Finally, do not crowd the pot past the max fill line. Beets need room for the steam to move around them.

Storing And Reheating

Keep cooked beets in an airtight container in the fridge. They last about five days.

To reheat, warm them in a skillet with a little oil or in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds. You can also eat them cold, which is how most people use them in salads.

For longer storage, freeze peeled cooked beets in a freezer bag for up to three months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before using.

That is the whole process. Once you try beets this way, the oven method starts to feel like a lot of extra work for the same result.

Similar Posts