Steaming Beets: A Quick, Healthy Way To Cook This Superfood

Steaming beets is a simple and healthy way to cook this vibrant, earthy root vegetable. Beets are highly nutritious, rich in antioxidants, folate, and manganese, and can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to soups. When steaming beets, it is best to start by scrubbing them clean and trimming off any greens, leaving about 1 inch of the stem intact. The beets are then placed in a steamer basket above about 2 inches of water and cooked for around 30 minutes, or until tender. Once cooked, the beets can be peeled and served as a side dish or added to other recipes.

How to prepare beets for steaming

Preparing beets for steaming is a simple process, and it all starts with choosing the right beets. Look for small to medium-sized beets, as they tend to be more tender and will cook faster. Make sure the beets have a firm texture, deep colour, bright unwilted leaves, and smooth, blemish-free skin.

Once you've selected your beets, follow these steps to prepare them for steaming:

• Cut away the greens: Remove the leafy greens from the beets, leaving about 1 inch of the stem intact. The greens can be reserved for later use or discarded.
• Wash and scrub the beets: Use a vegetable brush or scrubber to gently scrub the dirt from each beet.
• Trim the roots: While you can leave the root end intact, it is a good idea to trim any stringy roots before steaming.
• Score the beets (optional): To make peeling easier after steaming, you can use a knife to score each end of the beet with an "X". This will encourage the peel to pull back as the beet cooks.
• Place in a steamer: Place the prepared beets in a steamer basket, arranging them in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
• Add water and bring to a boil: Add about 2 inches of water to the steamer pot and bring it to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat and steam: Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and allow the beets to steam until they are tender. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the beets, but it typically takes around 30-45 minutes for small to medium beets and up to 50 minutes for large beets.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to preparing delicious and nutritious steamed beets!

How long to steam beets for

The cooking time for beets depends on their size. Small and medium beets will take 30 minutes to steam, while large beets will take about 50 minutes. You will know they are done when you can pierce the beet to the middle with a knife or skewer.

• Wash the beets and cut away any greens, leaving about a quarter-inch of the stem intact.
• Place the beets in a steamer basket above about 2 inches of water.
• Bring the water to a boil over high heat and cover the pot.
• Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer.
• Steam small and medium beets for 30 minutes and large beets for about 50 minutes.
• Remove the beets from the heat and allow them to cool.
• Once cool enough to handle, cut off the ends and slip off the skins.
• Cut the beets into rounds, wedges, or half-moons.

It is important to note that the beets should be cooked whole and with the skins on, as this helps keep the juices inside the vegetable. Additionally, the skins will be easier to remove after steaming.

How to serve steamed beets

Preparation

Before steaming beets, cut away the greens, leaving approximately 1 inch of the green intact. Use a vegetable scrubber to wash and scrub the dirt from each beet.

Steaming

Fill a large pot with water and insert a steamer basket. Make sure the water level is just below the steamer basket. Add the prepared beets, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and allow the beets to steam until fork-tender. Aim for beets that are tender but not too soft or mushy.

Cooling and Peeling

Once the beets are fork-tender, carefully remove them from the pot and let them cool before peeling away the skin. Rinse the beets with cold water.

Storage

Store cooked beets in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Steamed beets can be stored for 3-5 days.

Serving Suggestions

• Simple Side Dish: Finish the steamed beets with a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of vinegar, and a pinch of kosher salt.
• Salads: Add steamed beets to a variety of salads, such as a beet and quinoa salad or a beet, avocado, and quinoa salad.
• Soups: Blend steamed beets into soups, such as a cold beet and fennel soup.
• Dressings and Dips: Use steamed beets to make delicious dressings and dips.
• With Grains: Serve steamed beets with grains for a nourishing and complete meal.
• Roasted Meats: Complement roasted meats with steamed beets.

The benefits of steaming beets

Beets are a versatile and nutritious root vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including steaming. Here are some benefits of steaming beets:

Enhanced Flavor and Texture:

Steaming beets makes them tender, softer, and more pleasant to eat. It enhances their natural sweetness and makes it easier to infuse them with other flavors, such as spices or citrus zest. Steaming also keeps the beets juicy.

Easy Peeling:

Steaming makes the beet skins easier to peel off. You can simply rub them off with your fingers or a paper towel after steaming. This is more convenient than peeling before cooking, and it also helps keep the beet juices inside the vegetable.

Retains Color and Nutrients:

Steaming beets can make their flesh glossy and bright, preserving their vibrant color. Additionally, steaming is a gentle cooking method that helps retain more healthy vitamins and minerals compared to other cooking techniques like roasting or boiling.

Simple and Versatile:

Steaming beets is a straightforward and quick process that can be done in a steamer basket or even a colander. Steamed beets can be used in various dishes, including salads, soups, dips, and side dishes. They can be a convenient and tasty addition to a healthy diet.

Health Benefits:

Beets are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds, offering numerous health benefits. They are a good source of folate, manganese, copper, potassium, and fiber. Beets have been linked to lower blood pressure, improved athletic performance, reduced inflammation, better digestive health, and potential anti-cancer properties.

How to steam beets without a steamer

Beets are a versatile root vegetable that can be steamed, boiled, roasted, grilled, or even enjoyed raw. Steaming beets is a great way to preserve their vibrant colour and minimise nutrient loss. Here is how you can steam beets without a steamer:

Metal Strainer or Colander:

Fill a saucepan with about an inch of water. Choose a saucepan that is wide enough to hold the metal strainer around the rim and deep enough so that the strainer doesn't touch the bottom. Place the strainer over the pan, fill it with beets, and cook. Depending on the size of the strainer and the number of beets, you may need to work in batches.

Wire Cooling Rack:

For this method, a wider saucepan is preferable. Add about an inch of water to the pan, place a wire cooling rack over the top, and then add the beets.

Splatter Screen:

After filling a wide saucepan with water, place a splatter screen over the top, add the beets, and start cooking.

Foil Pie Tin:

Take a foil pie tin and poke holes in the bottom. Use a saucepan that is wide enough to fit the pie tin inside and fill the pan with a thin layer of water. Place the pie tin upside down in the saucepan and put the beets on top to steam.

Microwave:

Place the beets in a microwave-safe dish and cover with water. Cover the dish with a vented lid and microwave on high until the beets are fork-tender, which usually takes about 15 minutes depending on their size. Alternatively, you can cut the beets into 1/2-inch pieces, add about 1/3 cup of water, along with olive oil, salt, and herbs if desired, and microwave covered until fork-tender, stirring occasionally.

General Tips for Steaming Beets:

• Wash the beets before cooking and trim the greens, leaving about 2 inches of the stem to reduce colour leakage when boiling.
• You can trim the root end after steaming the beets.
• Steaming beets with the skins on saves time as you don't have to peel them before cooking. The skins will peel off easily once they are cooked.
• Steaming beets usually takes around 30 minutes for small to medium beets and up to 50 minutes for large beets.
• To test if the beets are done, pierce them with a knife or a fork. If it goes through easily, they are ready.
• After steaming, rub the skins off with a paper towel or wear kitchen gloves to avoid staining your hands.
• Season the steamed beets with olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.

Enjoy your perfectly steamed beets!

Frequently asked questions