You can quickly steam beets in your Instant Pot instead of roasting them for an hour in the oven. They’re quick, easy, and full of flavor. Steamed beets are great on salads, perfect to be pickled, or just to snack on. Save yourself the time and let your Instant Pot do all the work.
[This recipe was originally posted in April 2019. It has been updated with new cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ]
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How will these Instant Pot beets make your life easier?
Cooking beets in your instant pot is a great because all you need are the IP bowl, trivet and water. When you roast them you need a baking sheet, tin foil, you have to peel and cut all the beets, and check on them often so they don’t burn. Plus they take about 1/2 the time, and you can’t check them so you can literally set it and forget.
Use these steamed beets in this easy beet & arugula salad, or add them to this white bean & farro bowl, lamb steak, kale apple & pecan salad, pan fried pork chops with apples, warm harvest bowl, pan seared pork chops, or sheet pan maple mustard salmon.
What makes these beets so good?
- Beets
- Water
How do I make steamed beets?
Prepare Beets: First, slice your beets in half, down the center, then cut both ends off. Peel beets after ends have been cut off.
Expert Tip: You can discard your peels in a tabletop compost bin.
Prepare your Instant Pot: fill the bowl with 1 cup of water, then place trivet or steaming rack inside. You’ll place your beets on top of the steamer basked so they won’t sit in the water and get soggy. Close lid, and set knob to sealing.
Expert Tip: If you already have one, use your steamer basket, it’s easier to get the beets out. Plus they are less likely to get soggy because they won’t be sitting in the water as they’re cooking.
You’ll cook the beets on the MANUAL setting for 15 minutes. Once cooking is finished (remember it will take about 25-30 total minutes to cook), let pressure release naturally for 10-15 additional minutes before turning knob to venting to release steam. This will ensure that your beets are cooked and soft.
Pierce a beet with a fork. If it’s soft and the fork goes in and out easily, they’re done. Pull steamer basket or trivet out and slice beets to store for later or use immediately.
Expert Tip: If you’d like to cook them for longer, repeat the process. Just set timer for 5-10 minutes instead of 15.
Expert Tips
- You can discard your peels in a tabletop compost bin.
- If you already have one, use your steamer basket, it’s easier to get the beets out. Plus they are less likely to get soggy because they won’t be sitting in the water as they’re cooking.
- If you’d like to cook them for longer, repeat the process. Just set timer for 5-10 minutes instead of 15.
FAQ
Do I steam or roast beets?
Steaming beets is easier than roasting them. But how do they compare to roasted beets? My mom said roasted beets are way better, but honestly, I can’t remember much of a difference. Sure steamed beets aren’t quite as sweet as roasted beets, but they maintain their moisture. They don’t dry out as much as roasted beets can. And, again I feel like they’re so much easier.
Is it better to eat beets raw or cooked?
Really thinly sliced beets are good raw, but they’re just too hard to eat if they’re anything thicker than a few centimeters thick. It’s usually best to steam or roast beets so they’re easy to eat.
What pairs well with beets?
Beets + goat cheese is my absolutely favorite pairing. The creamy tangy goat cheese is yummy with earthy beets. Try it in this easy beet & arugula salad.
Epicurious says that citrus, fennel, dijon mustard, nuts, and apples all go well with beets. So try those too!
How can I use these beets?
- An easy beet & goat cheese salad. I recently had one with arugula, beets, goat cheese, pistachios, and blackberries with a balsamic glaze. OMG the blackberries were the best addition I’ve had. Or try this recipe of mine.
- Beet, avocado, and goat cheese salad via Foodie Crush
- Pickle them. OMG. Pickled beets via Half Baked Harvest
- Beet, goat cheese, and honey tarts via How Sweet Eats.
Did you make these Instant Pot beets? Leave me a comment & rating to share how they turned out!
Instant Pot Beets
Equipment
- knife
- cutting board
- Instant Pot
- Steamer basket or trivet
- Measuring cup
Ingredients
- 2 large beets
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare your beets: Slice your beets in half, down the center, then cut both ends off. Peel beets after slicing them.
- Prepare your Instant Pot: fill the bowl with 1 cup of water, then place steaming rack inside. You'll place your beets on top of the steaming rack so they won't get soggy, sitting in the water. Close lid, and set knob to sealing.
- Cook the beets on the MANUAL setting for 15 minutes. Once cooking is finished (remember it will take about 25-30 minutes to cook), let pressure release naturally for 10-15 additional minutes before turning knob to venting to release steam. This will ensure that your beets are cooked and soft.
- Open lid and pierce the larger beet with a fork. If beet feels soft, they're done. Fork will go into and come out of beet easily if it's done. If not, repeat the process. Just set timer for 5-10 minutes instead of 15.
Video
Notes
- You can discard your peels in a tabletop compost bin.
- If you already have one, use your steamer basket, it’s easier to get the beets out. Plus they are less likely to get soggy because they won’t be sitting in the water as they’re cooking.
- If you’d like to cook them for longer, repeat the process. Just set timer for 5-10 minutes instead of 15.
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Abbey Sharpe says
I have never thought to do beets in the instant pot! I usually roast or boil them up. I gotta try this out next time. Thanks for sharing xo
Rebecca says
Ohh it’s way better (& easier) than boiling them! try it!
Deborah Brooks says
I love beets and usually roast them. I bet this a huge time saver great idea!
Rebecca says
I can roast beets pretty quickly if I cut them into small chunks, BUT this is just so easy and hands off. I need to do a side by side taste test next time
GiGi Eats says
Well shoot. I don’t have an Insta-pot. I maybe the only person who doesn’t honestly, hahahha!
Rebecca says
haha! lots of people don’t have them. Roasting beets is always a good option!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I have to be honest, I’ve never made beets myself — only tasted the jarred ones that my grandmother used to serve with a salad. Do these taste different than the jarred ones? I might like them better — I know beets are good for you, and I’d like to add them to our diet.
Rebecca says
hmmm, depends. I’ll be honest too, I love roasted, steamed, canned, and pickled beets… so I may not be the best person to ask 😉 Do you know if those jarred beets were pickled or seasoned in some way? These steamed ones don’t develop sweetness like they do if they’re roasted, but the texture is great (not mushy at all!) and it’s just so easy in the IP> My fave way to eat beets is with goat cheese, I’d recommend starting there 🙂
Sarah says
This is such a fun recipe – never even thought about doing this! Would it work in a crockpot, too?
Rebecca says
ohh good question! I haven’t tried them, I’m not patient enough to let them cook for 4-8 hours haha! I also wonder if they get mushy or soggy at all. Maybe I’ll have to taste test crock pot, IP (pressure cooker), and roasted!
sarah grace spann says
Mmmm I need to get an instapot! Maybe I’ll have to add that to my wedding registry!! hehe
Rebecca says
yes! you do!