Make homemade steamed beets in a snap and with only 2 ingredients with this Instant Pot Beets Recipe! Slice the cooked beets to use in another recipe or top a salad. Naturally gluten-free and vegan!
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If you like beets but don't like their long roasting or steaming time, this Instant Pot beets recipe is a game changer! The pressure cooker is the perfect appliance for beets: it cooks quickly and efficiently, producing tender and flavorful beets you can enjoy anywhere you would enjoy classically steamed or roasted beets.
Though you can use an Insant Pot steamer basket if you'd like, it is not imperative. Healthy beets cook up like a dream cooked directly in the electric pressure cooker pot. All you need is 1 cup of water and the Instant Pot does the rest of the work for you! Silky fork-tender beets are easier than you can say "Instant Pot!"
If you would like more easy and delicious Instant Pot recipes, check out my Instant Pot Cuban Black Beans, Instant Pot Tuna Casserole, Instant Pot Apple Butter, and Instant Pot Maple Kidney Beans.
Why You'll Love Instant Pot Beets
- Simple & Delicious: This recipe is so easy to make and tasty that it will be cooking beets in the Instant Pot from now on!
- Just Two Ingredients: Need I say more? Short ingredient lists for the win!
- Easy to Multiply. Cook a large harvest of fresh beets in the Instant Pot, with no need to increase the cooking time or pressure!
- Nutritious and Allergen-Friendly. Rich in many nutrients and naturally gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and nut free, there's room in almost anyone's diet for pressure-cooked beets.
Ingredients
Make this easy Instant Pot beets recipe with just 1 ingredient (other than water) that you can find at most major grocery stores!
- Beets: Choose whole beets that have a deep burgundy color and smooth skins. Small or medium beets tend to cook the easiest and are usually the most flavorful, though large beets can work if cut in half. Choose organic beets if pesticides are a concern.
- Water: 1 cup of water, tap or purified.
How to Make Instant Pot Beets
For the complete recipe and measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: Add the cold water and the beets to the Instant Pot in a single layer.
Step 2: Lock on the Instant Pot lid. Pressure cook beets on high pressure for 33 minutes.
Step 3: Quick-release the remaining pressure. Scoop the steamed beets out of the water.
Step 4: Let the pressure cooker beets cool at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes, or until the beets are cool enough to handle.
Step 5: Peel the beets with your fingers or a sharp knife. Use as desired in your favorite side dishes and beet recipes or slice to put on a salad!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Scrub the Beets Before Pressure Cooking. Scrub the fresh beets thoroughly and trim off the stems and beet greens before adding them to the Instant Pot.
- Cut Large Beets in Half. Any beets that are larger than 2 ½ inches wide can be cut in half before steaming for a thorough pressure cook.
- Make Yellow Beets. Follow the same recipe directions with golden beets or even Chioggia beets. Both yellow and Chioggia beets have milder and sweeter flavor profiles than red beets, making them a great option for beet salads, galettes, and more.
- Peel the Beets After Pressure Cooking. Save yourself the hassle of peeling raw beets. Wait until after the beets have cooled and the skins will easily slip off when peeled with your fingers!
Serving Suggestions
Ruby red delicious beets can be used in any recipe that calls for cooked beets. Slice the soft beets and top your favorite salad; make beet hummus; make smashed beets by smashing them and sear in butter and oil; make beet brownies and more.
Storage Directions
- Refrigeration: Leftover beets keep covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
- Freezing: Cooked beets can be frozen in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Defrosting: Thaw the frozen beets in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight or until defrosted through.
FAQs
Though it technically is possible to overcook beets, you have to overcook them significantly to have their texture or flavor affected.
Both roasting and steaming are great ways to cook beets, though how you cook them is a matter of preference. Roasting beets imparts a slightly caramelized flavor whereas steaming gives the beets a cleaner and more true beet flavor. Choose the cooking method that best fits your desired flavor and texture goals.
Tools Needed to Make This Recipe
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Baby Potatoes
- Instant Pot Risotto
- Instant Pot Apple Butter (No Peel!)
- Instant Pot Cuban Black Beans
- Instant Pot Maple Meatballs
- Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Recipe Card
Beets in the Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb. beets scrubbed
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Add the water and the beets to the Instant Pot.
- Lock on the Instant Pot lid. Pressure cook on high for 33 minutes.
- Quick-release the pressure. Scoop the beets out of the water. Let cool at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes, or until the beets are cool enough to handle.
- Peel the beets with your fingers or a sharp knife. Use as desired in your favorite recipe or slice to put on a salad!
Notes
- Refrigeration: Cooked beets keep covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
- Freezing: The beets can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Peel and completely cool the beets before freezing.
