Instant Pot Cooked Whole Beets (How to Cook)

Ingredients

Water and Trivet:

Beets:

Instructions

  1. Rinse beets off in cold water.
  2. Cut off leaves, leaving 1 to 2 inches of stem on the beets, and keep the rootlets (tails) in place.
  3. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot.
  4. Place the trivet in the bottom of the pot.
  5. Place trimmed beets on the trivet. Beets can be stacked and overlapped up to the fill line indicated on the pot.
  6. Place the lid on the cooker and lock in place per Instant Pot instructions.
  7. Check to make sure the steam release handle points to "Sealing".
  8. Press the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" button.
  9. Set the timer according to the size of the beets:
  10. Time for a pot of small whole beets: 15 minutes
  11. Time for a pot of medium whole beets: 20 minutes
  12. Time for a pot of large whole beets: 25 minutes
  13. The Instant Pot will automatically build up internal pressure. This can take up to 10 minutes. Once the unit is pressurized a timer will automatically display the amount of cooking time you programmed.
  14. When the timer goes off the cooker will automatically go to the "Keep Warm/Cancel" mode.
  15. Allow the cooker to cool down naturally until the float valve drops down. This can take up to 15 minutes.
  16. Carefully unlock and remove the lid.
  17. Remove beets to a cutting board and allow to cool. See notes in "Comment Section" concerning staining from beet juice.
  18. Once cool enough, peel off the skins and cut off the tops and roots.
  19. Slice or cut the beets based on need.

Comments

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Beets can also be roasted in the oven or steamed.

Click here for steaming beets.

Click here for roasting beets.

Beets are available in many colors and sizes. Crimson, gold, orange, white, and candy striped are commonly found in produce sections. Sizes vary from round to long and slender and can be no bigger than the tip of your thumb or as big as your fist.

Beet juices will stain anything they come in contact with. Peel the beets under running cold water or simply wash hands immediately after handling beets. If staining is a big concern you can wear food service gloves while handling the beets.

To freeze: Completely cool beets, cut into slices or cubes and spread out on a flat baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 1 hour. Remove from freezer and place in an airtight container. The process of flash freezing will prevent beets from sticking together while freezing.

Defrost frozen beets in the fridge overnight then use as you would for any regularly cooked beets.

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