Effortless Beets: How to Perfectly Cook & Easily Peel Beets in Your Slow Cooker or Instant Pot

Are you searching for the simplest way to cook beets to perfection? Look no further! Utilizing a slow cooker or Instant Pot transforms tough, earthy beets into tender, sweet delights with minimal effort. This guide will show you how to cook beets without the mess and then peel them with incredible ease, often just by rubbing. Once cooked, these versatile beets are ready for immediate use in vibrant salads or can be preserved for later enjoyment through pickling or freezing.

If you love easy slow cooker recipes, you might also enjoy these favorites: Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Carrots with Onions, Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes with Creamy Cheese Garlic Sauce, and Slow Cooker Honey (or Maple) Baked Beans.

Why Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Are The Best Methods for Cooking Beets

For many years, my go-to method for cooking beets, whether for roasting and freezing or preparing delicious pickled beets, involved the oven. Roasting offers a fairly quick and easy, hands-off approach that I found much simpler than traditional boiling methods, which can often lead to waterlogged beets and a stained kitchen.

However, there are frequent occasions when turning on a hot oven isn’t ideal. During warm weather, adding extra heat to the kitchen is undesirable. Or, perhaps you only have a smaller batch of beets to cook, making a large oven operation less efficient. This is precisely why, when a reader shared her technique for cooking beets in a slow cooker, I was immediately intrigued and knew I had to give it a try!

After a few rounds of trial and error – adjusting for varying beet sizes from my garden and fine-tuning cooking times (the initial suggestion was a bit too long) – I discovered what I believe is the simplest and most consistently perfect way to cook beets. The results are incredibly tender, sweet, and wonderfully vibrant.

Now, I find myself reaching for the slow cooker most of the time when preparing beets. It uses significantly less electricity than heating a large oven, eliminates the need for aluminum foil (which is a plus for both cost and environmental reasons), and requires minimal monitoring. The only time I revert to the oven is when I’m faced with a truly massive harvest that simply won’t fit into my trusty crockpot. The convenience and efficiency of the slow cooker method are simply unmatched for regular batches.

And for those times when speed is of the essence, my Instant Pot becomes the hero! The steps for pressure cooking beets are remarkably similar to the slow cooker method, but as you might expect, the cooking time is drastically reduced. Not only is it much faster than slow cooking, but it also often beats the oven in terms of overall cook time, making it perfect for last-minute meal prep or when you’re in a hurry.

Choosing between these two appliances often comes down to timing. If you have a few hours and want a completely hands-off approach, the slow cooker is fantastic. If you need beets ready in under an hour, the Instant Pot is your best friend. Both methods yield beautifully cooked beets that are incredibly easy to peel, setting them apart from more cumbersome traditional techniques.

How to Cook Beets in a Slow Cooker

Cooking beets in a slow cooker is a set-it-and-forget-it process that results in perfectly tender beets every time. Follow these simple steps for delicious results.

Step 1: Prep Beets Thoroughly

Begin by trimming off the greens from your beets, leaving about an inch of stem attached if you prefer, though I recommend trimming them closer for easier peeling. Next, scrub the beets thoroughly under cool running water. Pay close attention to any crevices or rough spots to ensure all dirt is removed. You can cook as many beets as will comfortably fit in your slow cooker crock without overcrowding. To ensure even cooking, cut any exceptionally large beets in half or quarters so that all the beets are roughly similar in size. This consistency in size is key to achieving uniform tenderness across the entire batch.

Step 4: Incorporate into Recipes or Preserve for Later

Your beautifully cooked and peeled beets are now ready to be transformed into a myriad of delicious dishes! They are fantastic sliced or diced and added immediately to fresh salads, like my personal favorite, a vibrant beet and goat cheese salad. For a simple yet comforting side dish, gently reheat them with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. You can also grate them raw or cooked to add a sweet, earthy crunch to any salad or coleslaw. Beyond immediate use, these cooked beets are perfectly suited for long-term preservation methods like pickling or freezing, ensuring you can enjoy their goodness for months to come.

How to Cook Beets in an Instant Pot

For those times when you need perfectly cooked beets in a fraction of the time, the Instant Pot is your culinary ally. The preparation steps are very similar to the slow cooker method, ensuring consistency and ease, but with the added benefit of pressure cooking speed.

• Prepare Your Instant Pot: Begin by pouring 1 cup of water into the bottom of your Instant Pot liner. This liquid is essential for creating the steam needed to build pressure. You have two options for placing your beets: you can either use a trivet (steam rack) to keep the beets out of the water, or simply place them directly in the water, just as we do with the slow cooker method. Both approaches work effectively.
• Add Prepared Beets: Place your trimmed beets (remembering to cut larger ones in half for even cooking) into the Instant Pot liner. Arrange them in a single layer if possible, though a slight stack is usually fine.
• Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and ensure the sealing valve is set to the ‘Sealing’ position. Select the Manual or Pressure Cook setting (High Pressure) and set the cooking time for 20 minutes. After the cooking cycle completes, allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes. This gradual release helps prevent the beets from bursting and ensures they remain tender. After 10 minutes, you can perform a quick release of any remaining pressure if needed. Quick Note: If your beets are predominantly smaller in size, reduce the initial cooking time to 15 minutes before the natural release to avoid overcooking.
• Peel with Ease: Once the pressure has fully released and the lid can be safely opened, carefully remove the beets. Let them cool slightly until they are comfortable to handle. Then, transfer the metal liner (if using a trivet, transfer beets to a bowl) and fill with cool water. Just like with the slow cooker method, the skins will easily slip off with a gentle rub.

This Instant Pot method provides tender, flavorful beets with impressive speed, making it an excellent choice for busy cooks.

Storing & Preserving Cooked Beets

Once you’ve cooked your beets, you have several excellent options for storing and preserving them, allowing you to enjoy their unique flavor and nutritional benefits long after they’re prepared.

• Fridge Storage: For short-term use, cooked and peeled beets can be stored whole, sliced, or chopped in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will remain fresh and delicious for up to a week, making them perfect for meal prep throughout your week.
• Freezing Beets: Freezing is a fantastic way to extend the shelf life of cooked beets for up to a year. You can slice or chop the beets into recipe-sized amounts, which makes them incredibly convenient for future use in soups, stews, or roasted dishes. To learn all the detailed steps for successful freezing, be sure to see how to freeze beets. This method helps maintain their texture and flavor when thawed.
• Pickling Beets: For a tangy and flavorful preservation method, consider pickling your cooked beets. Slice or dice the beets and immerse them in a vibrant pickling liquid. You can then process them in a water bath canner for shelf-stable storage of up to 18 months, or simply store the pickled beets in your refrigerator for up to a year. Pickled beets make a wonderful condiment, side dish, or addition to salads. For a comprehensive guide on making these delicious preserves, see how to make pickled beets with all the essential steps.

The Incredible Health Benefits of Beets

Beets are not just delicious; they are also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins, minerals, and powerful plant compounds. Incorporating them into your diet regularly can offer numerous health advantages:

• Rich in Nutrients: Beets are an excellent source of essential nutrients including folate (Vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and Vitamin C. These contribute to various bodily functions, from red blood cell formation to nerve function.
• Heart Health: They are particularly known for their high concentration of nitrates, which the body converts into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps to relax and dilate blood vessels, leading to lower blood pressure and improved blood flow. This makes beets beneficial for cardiovascular health.
• Boost Exercise Performance: The nitrates in beets have also been shown to enhance athletic performance by improving oxygen use and increasing stamina. Many athletes consume beet juice to gain an edge.
• Powerful Antioxidants: Beets contain betalains, pigments that give them their vibrant red color. Betalains are potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, helping to protect cells from damage and reduce chronic inflammation in the body.
• Digestive Health: High in dietary fiber, beets support a healthy digestive system, aiding in regular bowel movements and preventing constipation. Fiber also contributes to a feeling of fullness, which can be beneficial for weight management.
• Brain Health: Improved blood flow from the nitrates may also benefit brain health, potentially enhancing cognitive function and reducing the risk of age-related cognitive decline.

With such an impressive array of benefits, it’s clear why beets are considered a superfood and a valuable addition to any healthy diet.

Beet Recipes to Try

Once your beets are perfectly cooked and peeled, a world of culinary possibilities opens up. Here are some fantastic recipes that highlight the versatility and deliciousness of cooked beets:

• Easy Pickled Beets for Canning or Refrigerator, Jar-by-Jar: A classic way to enjoy beets with a tangy kick, perfect as a side or condiment.
• How To Roast And Freeze Beets (Picture Tutorial): While this article focuses on slow cooker/Instant Pot, understanding roasting can add another dimension to your beet cooking repertoire.
• Roasted Beet Salad With Goat Cheese: A truly divine combination of earthy beets, creamy goat cheese, and fresh greens.

Beyond these, consider adding diced beets to hummus, blending them into smoothies for a vibrant color and nutritional boost, or even incorporating them into savory tarts and main dishes. Their sweet, earthy flavor pairs well with a variety of ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Beets

Here are some common questions people have when cooking beets:

• Do I need to peel beets before cooking? No, it’s best to cook beets with their skins on. The skin helps to seal in their nutrients and vibrant color. The methods described here make peeling incredibly easy after cooking.
• How do I prevent beet stains? Beets can stain hands and cutting boards. Wearing rubber gloves during peeling is highly recommended. For cutting boards, wash them immediately after use, or use a plastic board that you don’t mind getting stained. Lemon juice can often help remove light stains.
• Can I cook different sized beets together? Yes, you can, but it’s best to cut larger beets in half or quarters so all beets are roughly the same size. This ensures they cook evenly and you don’t end up with some undercooked and some mushy beets.
• What if my beets are still hard after the recommended cooking time? Beet sizes can vary greatly, and so can their cooking times. If your beets are still firm, simply continue cooking them for another 30 minutes to an hour (in slow cooker) or 5-10 minutes (in Instant Pot, with another natural release), checking for tenderness periodically.
• Can I eat beet greens? Absolutely! Beet greens are highly nutritious and can be cooked just like spinach or Swiss chard. Sauté them with garlic and olive oil for a delicious side dish.
• What does “natural release” mean for an Instant Pot? Natural release (NR) means allowing the Instant Pot to depressurize on its own after cooking, without manually opening the steam valve. This takes about 10-15 minutes and helps to slowly cook and tenderize the food further, often resulting in better texture. Quick release (QR) means manually opening the valve to rapidly release pressure.

I sincerely hope you enjoy making these incredibly easy slow cooker and Instant Pot beets. They truly simplify the process and open up a world of healthy, delicious possibilities in your kitchen. If you try this method, please be sure to leave a rating and review so I know how you liked it!