Best Ways To Boil Beets

Why Boil Beets?

Boiling beets is quite an easy process among many methods of cooking them. It doesn't require much equipment and skills. Instead boiling helps provide many benefits. After being boiled, we can make them soft thereby making them easy to eat as well as to incorporate with other dishes. Interestingly, the boil helps them preserve the vibrant color and natural sweetness, especially when the skin is left on during cooking.

Not just that, boiling beets help retain their nutritional value. These vegetables are rich in essential nutrients such as folate, potassium, and dietary fiber, as well as antioxidants such as betalains, which give them their characteristic color. If we boil them with skin then there will be less chance of loss of nutrients.

Also, we can utilize the water used in boiling for making soups and other dishes. Hence, boiling beets is absolutely a healthy, versatile, and straightforward cooking method that helps you maintain the beets' nutritional benefits while making them palatable and versatile in culinary applications.

Best Ways To Boil Beets

Boiling beets is an easy task to do, however, it requires some skills to do that properly. The proper way to boil helps retain both taste and nutritional values. Here are some of the best ways to boil beets, have a look:

1. Boiling Whole Beets

The basic boiling method is the most easy and simple way to do this. Here are the steps you can follow for the best result:

1. Prepare the Beets

• First of all, you need to collect some beets and wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt and clean them evenly.
• Then, you need to trim the leaves and stems of the vegetable, leaving about an inch of stem attached to prevent the beets from bleeding during cooking. You can also leave the root end intact.

2. Boil the Beets:

• Now, gently place the beets in a large pot and then cover them with water. The water should be about an inch or two above the beets. Less water may cause uneven cooking.
• You need to add a pinch of salt to the water for seasoning.
• Then, bring the water to a boil over high heat and reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer.
• It's time to boil the beets until they are tender. This usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the beets. To check for doneness, you can insert a fork or knife into the largest beet; it should go in easily.

3. Cool and Peel

• Once cooked, you need to drain the beets and let them cool slightly.
• To peel the beets, you can use a paper towel or your hands to rub off the skin, which should come off easily. You can also use a paring knife if needed.

2. Quick Boiling with Sliced Beets

This is another best way to boil beets. This method is often followed to make the boiling process in less time. Here are the step-by-step guidelines, you can follow:

1. Prepare the Beets

• To start this method, you need to wash and peel the beets if desired. Interestingly, peeling before boiling can save time, but you need to be aware that the beets may lose some color.
• Now, gently cut the beets into halves, quarters, or small slices to reduce cooking time. This ensures the boiling is done very quickly as well as there will be even cooking.

2. Boil the Beets

• You need to place the beet pieces in a pot and cover them with water. Kindly add a pinch of salt to make the dish soft and flavourful.
• Then, bring them to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until tender. The right time for the boiling process is about 20 to 30 minutes in a low flame.
• You can check the beets using a fork to make sure they are perfectly cooked.

3. Drain and Cool

• After that, you need to drain the beets and let them cool slightly before handling them.
• Now, you can serve them or use them as per your desire.

3. Flavor-Infused Boiling

Boiling plain is good but you can also infuse flavor in boiling beets. Here are the step-by-step guides, have a look:

1. Prepare the Beets

• First of all, you need to start this method by washing the beets thoroughly.
• Then, you need to trim them. Kindly cut off the leaves and stems, leaving about an inch of stem attached to keep the beets from losing too much juice while cooking. You can also keep the root end on.

2. Boil the Beets with Flavorings

• To boil the beets, take a large pot, and add water and a splash of vinegar, lemon juice, or a bit of sugar. Interestingly, these additives help to improve the natural sweetness of the beets and also help to maintain their color.
• Then, add the beets and bring the water to a boil. You need to reduce heat and simmer until the beets are tender. 
• Now, it is time to check for doneness. Use a fork and pierce the beets, if it goes perfectly in it is boiled, if not then again let them cook for some time.

3. Cool and Peel

• Finally, your beets bliss is ready. Now, it is time to drain and let the beets cool before peeling.
• After that, you can serve them.

4. Pressure Cooking

The pressure cooking method is an effective and reliable method that is often considered a faster method. You can follow the below steps to do this:

1. Prepare the Beets

• In this method, you can start boiling by washing the beets perfectly.
• Then, trim the beets, leaving some stems and roots intact.
• You can use whole beets or cut them in small even pieces for even faster cooking.

2. Pressure Cook

• You need to place the beets on the trivet in a pressure cooker and then add water. Actually, the water used should be just enough to cover the bottom (about 1-2 cups). Lack of water hampers both even cooking and taste, so you need to make sure water is enough.
• Then, you need to cook them on high pressure for 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the beets. You can use a quick release or natural release to release the pressure. Also, make sure you don't overboil them as overcooking destroys nutritional values.

3. Cool and Peel

• Finally, the time has come to remove the beets from the pressure cooker and let them cool before peeling. To peel you can use your fingers or any kitchen tools.

Tips For Boiling Beets

Though boiling beets is an easy thing to do, you need to consider several things for the best results. Here are the essential tips you need to have a perfect boil:

• Retain Nutrients: Boiling beets with the skin on helps you retain more nutrients on beets also by preventing the beets from losing their color.
• Avoid Stains: Sadly, beets can stain hands and surfaces. You might have faced that too. To avoid this, you need to wear gloves and use a cutting board that you don't mind getting stained.
• Use Beet Greens: Don’t discard the beet greens as they are nutritious and can be sauteed or added to salads.
• Cut Uniform Sizes: If you want to boil beets by cutting them into small pieces, then you need to make sure they are similar in size so they cook evenly.
• Avoid Overcrowding: It is better not to overcrowd the pot with too many beets at once. This can cause uneven cooking.
• Boil with Vinegar or Lemon Juice: Adding a little vinegar or lemon juice to the water while boiling can help you preserve the beets' vibrant color.

Storage

Proper storage is quite necessary to keep boiled beets fresh and maintain their flavor and nutritional value. Here are some tips for storing boiled beets:

1. Refrigerator Storage

• Cool Completely: First of all, you need to allow the boiled beets to cool completely at room temperature before storing them. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to spoilage.
• Peel and Slice: If desired, you can peel and slice the beets before storing them. This can make them easier to use later, but you can also store them whole if preferred.
• Airtight Container: Then, place the cooled beets in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This helps prevent them from drying out and absorbing other flavors from the fridge.
• Label and Date: Now, you need to label the container with the date, so that you will know how long they have been stored.
• Shelf Life: Boiled beets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. If you notice any off smells or mold, gently discard them.

2. Freezer Storage

• Preparation: To store boiled beets by freezer method, kindly cut them into slices or cubes for easier portioning later. You can also leave them whole if you prefer.
• Flash Freeze: Then, you need to place the beet pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are not touching each other. Freeze them for a few hours until they are solid. This prevents the pieces from sticking together.
• Storage in Freezer: Once frozen, you need to transfer the beets to a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove as much air as possible from the bag to prevent freezer burn.
• Label and Date: Then, you need to label the bag or container with the date and contents.
• Shelf Life: Boiled beets can be stored in the freezer for up to 10-12 months. They may lose some texture but will still be good for use in soups, smoothies, or as a side dish.

Using Boiled Beets

Boiled beets are versatile and can be used in many dishes. Here are some popular uses, have a look:

1. Salads

You can use boiled beets in a delicious and healthy salad. Yes, they can be sliced, diced, or grated and added to salads. They pair well with ingredients such as goat cheese, walnuts, arugula, and balsamic vinaigrette, adding color, sweetness, and a unique earthy flavor. 

2. Side Dishes

You can also serve boiled beets simply with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil or butter. If you want to improve their flavor kindly use them with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice. This can be a tasty twist on your healthy beets.

3. Soups

After being boiled and stored, these beetroots can be used to make soups such as borscht, a traditional Eastern European beet soup. Do you know, that they are said to add a rich color and earthy sweetness to the broth? This is an amazing use of boiled beets.

4. Smoothies and Juices

Boiled beets can also be blended into smoothies or juices, adding nutrients, color, and natural sweetness. Not just that, they pair well with fruits like apples, berries, and oranges. You can enjoy these healthy smoothies and juices by incorporating other ingredients too.

5. Pickled Beets

You can pickle boiled beets in a vinegar-based brine, creating a tangy, flavorful side dish that can be stored for longer periods. You can enjoy this incorporated dish anytime.

6. Beet Hummus

You can blend boiled beets with chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice to create a vibrant pink hummus. This beet hummus is both visually appealing and delicious. You must try this once.

7. Beet Puree

Interestingly, you can blend boiled beets into a smooth puree, which can be used as a colorful sauce for meats, a base for soups, or even as a baby food. It has multiple purposes.

8. Sandwiches and Wraps

Sliced boiled beets can be added to sandwiches and wraps, offering a sweet and earthy flavor that pairs well with cheeses, greens, and meats. This combination can be both tasty and healthy.