Instant Pot Beets Recipe – Easy Peeling & Perfect Texture

Last Updated on 2 months by Neha Deshmukh

Instant Pot Beets Recipe – Easy Peeling & Perfect Texture

Hey everyone! If you’re anything like me, you love a good, vibrant vegetable side dish. And honestly, beets sometimes get a bad rap. But trust me, when cooked right – and I mean really right – they’re unbelievably delicious. This Instant Pot beets recipe is a game-changer. It makes peeling them a breeze and gives you perfectly tender beets every single time. I first made these when I was trying to recreate a beetroot salad my Dadi (grandmother) used to make, and this method got me SO close!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Let’s be real, peeling beets can be a pain. This Instant Pot method cuts down on the work and the mess. Seriously, the skins just slip off! Plus, the Instant Pot locks in all the natural sweetness and earthy flavor of the beets. It’s quick, easy, and delivers consistently perfect results. Who doesn’t love that?

Ingredients

• whole medium beets

Ingredient Notes

Beets are nutritional powerhouses! They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re fantastic for your health, and honestly, just make everything taste better.

You can find beets in a few different colours. Red beets are the most common, but golden beets are wonderfully sweet and don’t stain as much (a bonus!). Chioggia beets are striped red and white and are beautiful in salads. Don’t be afraid to mix and match!

A medium beet is generally around 50-70 grams.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Let’s get cooking! It’s easier than you think.

1. Add 2 cups of water to the Instant Pot’s inner pot.
2. Place a steamer basket or wire rack inside the pot. This keeps the beets from sitting directly in the water.
3. Arrange rinsed, unpeeled beets on the steamer basket. No need to scrub them super hard, just give them a good rinse to remove any dirt.
4. Secure the lid, close the pressure valve, and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
5. Once the cooking time is up, quick release the remaining pressure. Be careful of the steam!
6. Carefully remove the beets and peel while they’re still warm. The skins will slide off so easily – it’s magical!
7. Slice or dice the beets as desired for serving.

Expert Tips

• Selecting Beets: Look for beets that are firm and smooth, without any soft spots. Smaller to medium-sized beets tend to be sweeter and more tender.
• Perfect Texture: Don’t overcook the beets! 15 minutes in the Instant Pot is usually perfect, but cooking time can vary slightly depending on the size of your beets.
• Avoiding Staining: Beets will stain, so wear gloves if you’re worried about your hands. Or, a little lemon juice on your hands after handling them can help prevent staining. I usually just embrace the pink!

Variations

• Roasting vs. Boiling vs. Instant Pot: While roasting brings out a deeper, caramelized flavour, and boiling is classic, the Instant Pot is the fastest and easiest way to get perfectly cooked beets.
• Spice Level: My friend, Priya, loves adding a small piece of ginger and a couple of cloves of garlic to the water when cooking the beets. It adds a lovely warmth.
• Festival Adaptations: Beets are amazing in salads! During Holi, a vibrant beetroot and coconut salad is a must-have. For Diwali, you can add roasted beets to a festive chaat.
• Beet Greens: Don’t throw away the beet greens! Sauté them with garlic and spices for a delicious side dish.

Vegan

Yes! This recipe is naturally vegan.

Gluten-Free

Absolutely! This recipe is also naturally gluten-free.

Serving Suggestions

Okay, now for the fun part – eating! Here are a few of my favourite ways to enjoy these Instant Pot beets:

• Beet Salad: A classic! Combine with feta cheese, walnuts, and a lemon vinaigrette.
• Beet Raita: Grated beets mixed with yogurt, cumin, and coriander. So refreshing!
• Beet Thoran: A South Indian stir-fry with grated coconut and spices.
• Beet Juice: Blend cooked beets with apple and ginger for a healthy and delicious juice.

Storage Instructions

Leftover cooked beets can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

FAQs

• Can I cook beets with the greens attached? You can, but the greens can sometimes impart a slightly bitter flavour. I prefer to remove them before cooking.
• How do I know if the beets are cooked through? A fork should easily pierce through the beet with little resistance.
• Can I use golden beets instead of red beets? Absolutely! Golden beets are a great alternative. They cook similarly and have a milder flavour.
• What is the best way to prevent staining my hands when handling beets? Wear gloves, or rub a little lemon juice on your hands afterwards.
• Can I freeze cooked beets? Yes, you can! Let them cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Enjoy! Let me know in the comments how your Instant Pot beets turn out. I can’t wait to hear from you!