Tillie Doyle
Beets are a versatile ingredient, finding their way into salads, soups, cupcakes, and more. They are also packed with vitamins and nutrients. Slow cooking beets is a convenient, low-effort way to cook them, allowing you to set them and forget them. This method is also great for cooking large quantities of beets. In this article, we will explore how to cook fresh beets in a crock pot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prep time | A few minutes |
| Cook time | 3-4 hours on high heat, 7-8 hours on low heat |
| Ingredients | Fresh beets, water, olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, rosemary, sea salt |
| Crockpot benefits | Hands-free cooking, less electricity, no foil required, less monitoring, large batch cooking |
| Nutritional info | 78-96 kcal, 13-17g carbohydrates, 2-3g protein, 1-4g fat, 1g saturated fat, 106-240mg sodium, 400-590mg potassium, 4-5g fiber, 9-12g sugar, 45-60IU vitamin A, 6-9mg vitamin C, 22-31mg calcium, 1mg iron |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, can be frozen for 8 months to 2-3 years |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping the beets
Some recipes suggest cutting the trimmed tops and root areas off the beets, while others advise leaving the skin on for cooking. If you do decide to peel your beets first, use a swivel peeler to remove the skins, then slice the beets into wedges. However, removing the skin is not necessary, and some cooks suggest that cooking the beets with the skin on helps to maintain nutrients and flavor.
If you're going to cook the beets with the skin on, place them on a piece of foil large enough to cover them all. Drizzle or spray oil over the beets, and sprinkle with salt if desired, before wrapping them up in the foil.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time for beets in a crock pot depends on the quantity of beets, their size, and whether your crock pot is set to high or low heat.
For a large quantity of beets (3-5 pounds), cooking on high heat for 3-4 hours should be sufficient. If your beets are on the smaller side, check them after 3 hours and continue cooking for another 30 minutes to an hour if necessary. You can test their doneness with a fork or a sharp knife.
If you are cooking a smaller quantity of beets, you can cook them on high heat for 4 hours or on low heat for 8 hours.
Some recipes call for specific cooking times depending on the size of the beets. For example, one recipe suggests cooking beets on manual high pressure for 20 minutes, then letting them naturally release for 10 minutes, and quickly releasing the pressure if needed. If your beets are on the smaller side, this recipe suggests cooking them for 15 minutes instead of 20.
It's important to note that you should not cut into the beets before cooking, as this will cause them to bleed. Instead, trim the greens and scrub the beets thoroughly. You can also cut off the tops and bottoms of the beets, but this is optional.
Additionally, there are different opinions on whether to peel the beets before or after cooking. Some sources suggest peeling after cooking, as the skins will be easier to remove, while others recommend leaving the peel on to preserve the nutrients and flavor.
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Removing the skins
When preparing fresh beets for the crock pot, it is important to leave the skins on during cooking. This is because cooking raw beets with the skin on is the best way to maintain the nutrients and flavor.
After cooking, the skins of the beets should be removed. To do this, first let the beets cool down enough to be handled. You can then use a paper towel to rub off the skins. This can be done under running water. Another method is to fill a bowl with water and slip the skins off. Using rubber gloves can prevent staining, although this is not necessary as the stains can be washed off.
It is not recommended to peel the beets before cooking, as this can be messy and may result in a loss of flavor.
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Storing and freezing
Beets can be stored in a few different ways, depending on whether they are raw or cooked, and whether they are to be refrigerated, frozen, or stored in a cold room or cellar.
Raw beets can be stored in the refrigerator for a short period of time. To prepare them for storage, trim the greens, stems, and leaves, leaving about 0.5 inches of the stem intact to minimize color bleed. Scrub the beets under running water to remove any dirt, then dry them. Raw beets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Alternatively, raw beets can be frozen, either whole or chopped into cubes or slices. To freeze raw beets, first trim the roots, stems, and leaves, then scrub the beets under running water to remove any dirt. Blanch the beets by placing them in boiling water for a few minutes, then transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Remove the skin, which should slip off easily, then cut the beets into your desired shape. Spread the beets out on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Transfer the frozen beets to freezer-safe bags or containers, seal tightly, label, and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Raw beets can also be frozen without blanching, but they may not last as long or retain the same quality.
Cooked beets can also be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. To store cooked beets in the refrigerator, simply place them in a sealed container and use them within 3-5 days. To freeze cooked beets, allow them to cool, then remove the skin and cut them into your desired shape. Spread the beets out on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Transfer the frozen beets to freezer-safe bags or containers, seal tightly, label, and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Frozen cooked beets can be added to soups, smoothies, salads, and other dishes, but they may be more watery than freshly cooked beets.
Large beets are also suitable for long-term storage in a cold room or cellar.
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Serving suggestions
Slow-cooked beets are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:
Side Dish
Beets make a great side dish for a variety of meals. Pair them with proteins such as whole chicken, barley, salmon, or horseradish roast. They can also be served as a simple side on their own, perhaps with some additional rosemary or a sprinkling of goat cheese crumbles and pumpkin seeds.
Salads
Add some colour and flavour to your salads by including slow-cooked beets. They can be sliced, diced, or cubed to suit your salad style. Don't forget to make use of the beet greens too—they're great in salads!
Soups
Slow-cooked beets can add a depth of flavour and a beautiful colour to soups. Puree them or chop them into bite-sized pieces to include in your favourite soup recipes.
Pickling
Beets are commonly used for pickling hard-boiled eggs, adding a unique flavour and gorgeous colour to the eggs.
Freezing
Slow-cooked beets freeze well, so consider making a large batch and freezing them in meal-sized portions. They can be frozen for up to 6 months to 2 years, depending on your freezing method. Simply thaw in the fridge before using.
Creative Combinations
Beets can be used in some unexpected ways! Try adding them to cupcakes or lunch bowls for a unique twist.
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Frequently asked questions
First, wash and trim the beets, removing any greens and either discarding them or saving them for another recipe. You can leave the skins on for extra flavour and nutrients. Place the beets in the crock pot and add around 1 cup of water. You can also add salt, oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, rosemary and other seasonings if desired. Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 7-8 hours. Once cooked, you can remove the skins with a paper towel.
It is recommended to cook beets in a crock pot for 3-4 hours on a high setting, or 7-8 hours on a low setting. You can test their doneness with a fork or sharp knife.
Yes, you can cook beets in a crock pot without using foil.
