Beets are a tasty, nutritious vegetable that can be used in a variety of recipes. They are easy to make and a great addition to salads, soups, and more.

The first step in making beets is to wash them thoroughly before cooking. You can use a produce brush to scrub them down or place them under running water and then wipe with a clean towel or cloth.

Another option is to boil them. This is a quick and easy way to cook beets, but they will lose some of their color. If you want to preserve the vibrant red color, add a few drops of vinegar or lemon juice when boiling the beets.

Steaming Beets

You can easily steam beets in a pot with a steamer basket to keep them from sticking together. Fill the pot with water about an inch below the steamer basket to prevent burning and simmer until fork tender.

This is a great way to prepare beets when you don’t have time to bake them in the oven. It takes about 10 minutes to cook small beets and 40 minutes for large ones, so you need to check them more frequently.

To steam beets, cut them into even chunks and place them in a pot of boiling water. You can also put the beets in a paper bag to prevent them from slipping and rolling around during cooking.

Once they are steamed, you can peel them off and serve as a side dish or garnish. Just be sure to drain the water off the beets when you are finished.

Roasting Beets

To roast beets, coat them with olive oil and seasonings. Then wrap them in foil and bake in a preheated oven until they are tender, about 40 to 60 minutes at 204degC (400degF).

This method is a quick way to prepare beets and it creates a more concentrated flavor. The high heat of the oven encourages Maillard browning, which infuses flavors into each slice.

When you are done cooking the beets, remove them from the oven and carefully open the foil pouch to reveal the cooked beets. The skin should come off with ease.

You can serve these beets raw, sliced and drizzled with olive oil or you can cut them into wedges and roast them in the oven until they’re soft and delicious. You can even serve them in a salad with a little dressing or tossed with olive oil and salt to taste!

Microwave Beets

You can microwave beets as easily as you would a potato. Just remember to add about 1 teaspoon of water for each beet. You’ll need to stir them during the cooking process to ensure they cook evenly.

Beets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, which can be thawed and added to recipes in the future. Be sure to rinse thawed beets under cold water before serving them.