Marianne Martinez
Slow cooking beets is a great way to prepare them with minimal effort and similar results to roasting. The crockpot method is also less messy, uses less electricity, and requires less monitoring than roasting in the oven. To cook beets in a crockpot, you should trim the greens and roots off the beets, wash them, and place them in the slow cooker with a small amount of water. Then, you can season the beets and cook them on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 7-8 hours. Once they're cooked, you can rub or peel the skins off and use them in a variety of recipes.
Explore related products
$35.99 $59.99
What You'll Learn
Prepping the beets
To prep beets for cooking in a crock pot, start by washing them to remove any debris. You can use a swivel peeler to remove the skins, but this is not necessary as the skins can be easily removed after cooking. If you do peel the beets, slice them into wedges.
Next, trim the greens off the beets and cut off the tops and bottoms. You can discard the greens or use them in another recipe, such as a salad. Try to make all the beets similar in size by cutting any large beets in half or quarters. The pieces should be no thicker than 2 inches.
Finally, place the beets into the crock pot and add water. You only need to add enough water to barely cover the bottom of the pot, about 1 cup, as this will create enough steam to cook the beets. However, some sources recommend adding 2 cups of water to keep the crock pot moist.
Panning in Reaper: Centering Your Mix
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for beets in a crock pot can vary depending on the size of the beets and the specific model of the crock pot. However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow.
Firstly, it is important to prepare the beets properly before placing them in the crock pot. Wash the beets and trim the tops and bottoms, removing any greens without cutting into the beets themselves to prevent bleeding. You can peel the beets before cooking, although this is not necessary and may be messier. If you choose to peel them after cooking, the skins should slide off easily.
When ready to cook, add water to the crock pot. The amount of water can vary, but it should be enough to barely cover the bottom of the pot or partially cover the beets. Some recipes suggest adding a half teaspoon of salt to the water.
Now, place the beets into the crock pot. If your beets are large, cut them into halves or quarters so that the pieces are no thicker than 2 inches. This will help ensure even cooking.
Close the lid of the crock pot and set the temperature to high. The cooking time will depend on the size of your beets and your desired level of doneness. For smaller beets, cook for around 3 hours on high. For larger beets, cook for 4 hours on high or until tender. If you prefer a slower cook, you can set the crock pot to low and cook the beets for 7-8 hours.
To check if the beets are done, insert a fork or sharp knife into the largest beet. If it slides in easily, the beets are ready. If not, continue cooking in 30-minute intervals until done.
Once the beets are cooked to your desired level of doneness, turn off the crock pot and carefully remove the beets with tongs or a slotted spoon. If you find that the skins are difficult to peel, run them under cool water and use a paper towel or your hands to rub off the skins.
The Science of Non-Stick: What's in Your Pan?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Removing the skin
It is not recommended to peel beets before cooking them in a crockpot. The skin of the beet should be removed after cooking, as it will be easier to peel. Firstly, trim the greens, and then scrub thoroughly, ensuring that any crevices are cleaned. You can cut off the tops and bottoms of the beets, but this is optional. Some people choose to do this to prevent "bleeding" during the cooking process, but others claim that this does not make a difference.
After cleaning the beets, cut any large beets in half so that they are all similar in size. This will ensure that they cook evenly. Then, place the beets into the crockpot and add water—the amount of water added depends on personal preference, but it should be enough to 'steam' the beets. Some people add a small amount of salt at this stage for seasoning.
Cover the crockpot and cook on a low setting for 8 hours or on a high setting for 3 to 5 hours, depending on the size of the beets. Smaller beets will take less time to cook, so adjust the cooking time accordingly. The beets are done when they are tender.
Once the beets are cooked, let them cool down. The skins should now be easy to remove. You can use a paper towel or your hands to rub or slide the skins off. Some people like to do this under running water to help remove the skins, but this may wash off some of the flavor.
Test Kitchen's Pots and Pans: Brand Secrets
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storing and freezing
Storing in the Fridge
Before storing, it is important to note that cooked beets should be sliced or cut into cubes. This ensures they cool down faster and are easier to work with. Place the beets in an airtight container or zipper-top freezer bag and store them in the refrigerator. They will last for about 3 to 7 days.
Freezing
Allow the beets to cool completely before freezing. Then, transfer them to freezer bags, removing as much air as possible, and seal tightly. Lay the beets on a parchment-lined sheet pan in a single layer, cover, and freeze for about 3 hours or until frozen. After they are frozen, you can transfer them to an airtight container or bag for longer-term storage. Frozen beets can last for about 6 months to a year in the freezer.
Pickling
Pickling is another great way to preserve your beets. Slice the beets and add them to a pickling liquid. Then, use a water bath canning method for long-term storage of up to 18 months, or store them in the refrigerator for up to a year.
Remember, storing and freezing beets ensures you always have this nutritious root vegetable on hand for future meals or as a colourful addition to your dishes.
Baking Cinnamon Rolls: Square Pan, Round Rolls
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$89.99 $94.99
Serving suggestions
Slow-cooked beets are a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions:
Side Dish
Beets can be served as a side dish for dinner, with butter, salt, and pepper. They pair well with meat or fish. You can also reheat the beets and serve them with goat cheese and pumpkin seeds. For a tangy twist, sprinkle the beets with toasted walnuts and goat cheese.
Salads
Beets are a great addition to salads. You can cut them into cubes or slices and add them to a green salad, spinach salad, or goat cheese salad. For a more elaborate salad, try a Spiralized Golden Beet Salad with a rosemary honey dressing.
Lunch Bowls
Slow-cooked beets are perfect for meal prep and can be added to lunch bowls throughout the week.
Freezing
If you have leftover beets, you can freeze them for future use. Cut the beets into slices or cubes and spread them out on a sheet pan. Once frozen, place them in ziplock bags or airtight containers. Frozen beets can last up to a year.
Pickling
You can also try pickling your beets. Slice the beets and add them to a pickling liquid. Pickled beets can be stored in the fridge for up to a year.
Other Recipes
Beets can be used in a variety of recipes, such as cupcakes, soups, or beet and carrot veggie applesauce. They can be roasted, steamed, boiled, or barbequed.
Easy Bake Oven Pans: Where to Get Them?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Wash and trim the beets, cutting any large beets in half so that they are all similar in size. Place them in the crock pot with 1-2 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook on high for 3-5 hours, or until tender.
It is recommended to trim the greens and roots off the beets and scrub them thoroughly. Some recipes suggest peeling the beets before cooking them, while others suggest leaving the peel on and removing it after cooking.
Let the beets cool down enough to handle, then use a paper towel or your hands to rub or slide the skins off. You can do this under running water to make it easier.
Depending on the size of the beets, cook them on high heat for 3-5 hours or until tender. Smaller beets may take less time, around 3-4 hours.
Crock pot beets are a great side dish and can be served alone or with toppings such as goat cheese, pumpkin seeds, or walnuts. They can also be added to salads, lunch bowls, or used in recipes such as beet and carrot applesauce or beet slaw.
