Steaming Beets: A Simple Guide To Deliciousness

Steaming is a great way to cook beets, and it's super easy! Beets are a nutritious root vegetable loaded with vitamins and minerals, and they're inexpensive and available all year round. Steaming beets is a simple and healthy way to cook them, and they can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to soups. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to steam beets:

First, scrub the beets clean and trim off any beet greens by slicing off the tops. You can leave the root end intact. Then, place the beets in a steamer basket and cook for about 30-40 minutes, depending on their size, or until they are tender. You want to be able to easily pierce the beet to the middle with a knife or skewer. Once they're done, remove them from the heat and let them cool. When they're cool enough to handle, rub or peel off the skins and cut them into your desired size. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. And that's it! You now have perfectly steamed beets that can be enjoyed as a simple side dish or added to your favourite recipes.

How to steam beets in a microwave

What You'll Need:

• Microwave-safe dish with a lid
• Plate or cutting board
• Paper towel or plastic wrap
• Microwave-safe parchment paper (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Beets

Rinse the beets under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Using a knife, carefully trim off the tops and roots. You can also trim the stems and leaves, but don't throw them away as they can be used in other recipes.

Step 2: Microwave Setup

Place the beets in a microwave-safe dish and add enough water to cover them halfway. It is crucial to use a dish with a lid to retain steam. Alternatively, you can wrap the beets in microwave-safe parchment paper, ensuring you pierce the beets several times with a sharp knife to allow steam to escape.

Step 3: Microwave Cooking

Cover the dish with the lid or parchment paper and microwave on high. For smaller beets, cook for 10 minutes, and for larger beets, cook for 15 minutes. You can also follow a general guideline of 5-6 minutes per medium-sized beet or 10-12 minutes per pound of beets.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

After microwaving, carefully remove the dish and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. Check the tenderness of the beets by inserting a fork into the thickest part. If they are not yet tender, return to the microwave and cook in additional 1-minute intervals until desired tenderness is achieved.

Step 5: Cool and Peel

Once the beets are tender, remove them from the microwave and let them cool for a few minutes before handling. Using a paper towel or wearing gloves, gently rub or peel off the skin. The skin should come off easily, revealing the tender flesh underneath.

Benefits of Microwave Steaming:

• Quick Cooking: Microwaving beets significantly reduces cooking time compared to methods like boiling or roasting.
• Nutrient Retention: Steaming in the microwave helps retain the beets' natural nutrients, which may be lost through other cooking methods.
• No Added Fat: Microwaving beets requires no additional fat, making it a healthier option than roasting.
• Convenience: The microwave method allows you to enjoy steamed beets without heating up your oven or stove, making it perfect for busy days.

How to steam beets without a steamer

Using a Metal Strainer or Colander

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

Using a Wire Cooling Rack

This method works best with a wider saucepan, such as a Dutch oven or roasting pan. Add about an inch of water to the pan, place the cooling rack over the top, and then add the beets.

Using a Splatter Screen

Place a splatter screen over a wide saucepan filled with water. Add the beets on top of the screen and cook.

Using a Foil Pie Tin

Place a foil pie tin upside down in a saucepan that is wide enough to fit it inside. Poke holes in the bottom of the pie tin and add a thin layer of water to the pan. Place the beets on top of the tin and steam.

Using a Microwave

Place the beets in a microwave-safe container with a small amount of water. Cover the container and microwave on high for 5-6 minutes, or until the beets are tender.

General Tips for Steaming Beets:

• Before steaming, scrub the beets clean and trim off any beet greens by slicing off the tops.
• It is not necessary to peel the beets before steaming. The skins can be easily removed after cooking.
• Steaming beets takes around 30 minutes for small to medium beets and 40 minutes for large beets.

How to steam beets with their greens

Steaming beets is a great way to cook them while preserving their colour and nutrients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam beets with their greens:

Step 1: Prepare the Beets

Cut the greens away from the beets, leaving about a quarter to half an inch of the stems. You can trim the root end after steaming. Scrub the beets with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt.

Step 2: Steam the Beets

Place the beets in a steamer basket and put the basket in a pot. Make sure the water level is just below the steamer basket, as you want the steam to circulate under and around the beets. Add about two inches of water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Cover the pot and steam small to medium beets for about 30 minutes, and large beets for about 40 minutes. The beets are done when you can easily pierce them to the middle with a knife.

Step 3: Prepare the Greens

Wash the greens thoroughly and chop them into smaller pieces. You can either add them to the steamer for the last 4 minutes of cooking time, or cook them separately. If cooking separately, sauté them in a skillet with olive oil and your choice of seasonings over medium heat until they are wilted.

Step 4: Serve

Once the beets are cool enough to handle, peel the skins off and cut them into your desired shape. Drizzle with olive oil, a splash of vinegar, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the beets with their greens on the side, or as a bed for the beets. Enjoy!

How to steam beets without them bleeding

Beets are a delicious and nutritious root vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including steaming, boiling, and roasting. Here is a guide on how to steam beets without them bleeding:

Preparing the Beets:

Before steaming beets, it is important to trim the tops off the beets, leaving about 1-2 inches of the stem. This helps reduce the amount of colour that bleeds out during the cooking process. It is also a good idea to wash and scrub the beets to remove any dirt. Some people also recommend scoring each end of the beet with an "X" to make it easier to remove the skin after cooking.

Steaming the Beets:

To steam beets, you will need a steamer basket or colander and a pot with a tight-fitting lid. The pot should have about 1-2 inches of water in it, making sure that the water does not touch the steamer basket. Place the beets in the steamer basket, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and steam the beets for about 30 minutes for small and medium beets, and 40-50 minutes for large beets. The beets are done when you can easily pierce them with a knife or skewer.

Preventing Beet "Bleeding":

To prevent beets from "bleeding" and preserve their vibrant colour, there are a few things you can do:

• Add lemon juice to the water: Adding a little lemon juice to the water in the pot can help keep the beets from bleeding and make them look brighter after cooking.
• Don't peel beets before cooking: Cooking beets with the skins on helps to keep the juices inside the beet. The skins will slip off easily after steaming, but be warned that this method will likely result in purple fingers!
• Use parchment paper or gloves: When handling and peeling cooked beets, it's a good idea to lay down parchment paper to catch any drips, or wear kitchen gloves to protect your hands from stains.

Serving Steamed Beets:

Once your beets are steamed and peeled, you can finish them with a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Fresh herbs such as parsley, mint, or dill can also be added for extra flavour. Steamed beets can be served as a simple side dish, added to salads, blended into soups, or made into dressings and dips.

How to steam beets without them tasting bland

Preparation

Chop off the beet greens, leaving approximately 1/2 inch of the green intact. Wash and scrub the dirt from each beet.

Steaming

Add just enough water to a large pot so that the water level remains below the steamer basket. This ensures that the steam circulates under and around the beets as they cook. Add the beets to the pot, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and bring the water to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the beets to steam until they are fork-tender. You want them to be tender but not too soft or mushy.

After Steaming

Carefully remove the beets from the pot and let them cool before peeling and rinsing them under cold water. The skins should slip off easily.

Serving

Steamed beets can be served simply with a little butter and lemon juice as a side dish, or they can be paired with grains, roasted meats, or used in beet salads. For extra flavor, finish them with a splash of vinegar, a kiss of olive oil, and a pinch of kosher salt. They can also be tossed with fresh herbs like parsley, mint, or dill.

Tips

• To steam whole beets, use small to medium-sized beets of uniform size to ensure even cooking.
• If you want to steam the beet greens, wash them thoroughly and add them to the steamer for the last 4 minutes of cooking time, or cook them separately.
• Beets will stain anything they touch, so you can lay down parchment paper before peeling and cutting, or wear kitchen gloves to avoid stained hands.
• The cooking water from steaming beets contains minerals and water-soluble vitamins, so you can use it in soups or for cooking other foods.

Frequently asked questions