Steaming Beetroot: Quick Pressure Cooker Guide

Cooking beetroot in a pressure cooker is a quick and easy way to prepare this tasty and nutritious vegetable. The pressure cooker method is also the most economical and least messy way to cook beetroot. Here's how to do it.

How to prepare beetroot for steaming

Preparing beetroot for steaming is simple and can be done in a few easy steps.

First, you'll want to trim the beetroot leaves, leaving about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of the stem intact. This will help prevent the beetroots from bleeding too much during the cooking process. You can chop the leaves and add them to soups or stews, or discard them if you prefer.

Next, give the beetroots a good scrub to remove any dirt. It's important to do this step gently, being careful not to break the skin of the beetroot.

Once they are clean, you can place the beetroots in a steamer basket or directly into your pressure cooker. If using a steamer basket, make sure there is water in the pressure cooker just below the bottom of the basket. If placing the beetroots directly into the pressure cooker, add a little more than a cup of water.

Now, you're ready to start steaming! Lock the lid of your pressure cooker in place and follow the manufacturer's instructions for the desired cooking time, which will depend on the size of your beetroots. For small to medium-sized beetroots, 15-20 minutes of cooking time should be sufficient. For larger beetroots, you may need up to 30 minutes.

After cooking, carefully release the pressure and open the lid. The beetroots are now ready to be peeled and served!

How to set up the pressure cooker

Firstly, you will need to prepare your beetroot. Wash the beetroot and trim the leaves, stems and roots. Leave about an inch of the stem and leave the root end intact. You can chop the beet greens and add them to soups, stews, and other recipes, but they will make your dish taste sweeter.

Next, place a steamer basket inside your pressure cooker. You can use a metal or plastic vegetable steamer. Fill the cooker with water to just below the steamer basket. This should be about a cup of water, or about 2 inches.

Now, place the trimmed, uncooked beetroot in the steamer basket. It is best to have beetroots of a similar size, but if you have some larger ones, cut them in half or quarters to match the size of the others. This will ensure they are all cooked to the same tenderness.

Close the lid of the pressure cooker and bring it to pressure over high heat. Once the pressure gauge starts to hiss, lower the heat just enough to maintain high pressure.

Cook the beetroot for 12 to 20 minutes, depending on their size. You can check if they are cooked by poking them with a knife or fork. They should be tender all the way through.

Finally, turn off the stove and let the pressure drop naturally. When all the pressure is released, open the pressure cooker and remove the beetroot. The skins should now slide right off.

How long to steam beetroot for

The cooking time for beetroot depends on the size of the beetroots and the type of pressure cooker you are using.

For an Instant Pot, cook small to medium beetroots for 15 minutes and large beetroots for 20 minutes on a high pressure setting. If your beetroots are slightly smaller than the palm of your hand, 15 minutes should be sufficient.

For a stovetop pressure cooker, cook beetroots for 12-15 minutes. If your beetroots are on the larger side, you may need to increase the cooking time to 20 minutes.

After cooking, you can perform a quick release by turning the tab to Vent and letting the steam escape. Alternatively, you can let the pressure drop naturally if you have a few minutes to spare.

To check if your beetroots are cooked, insert a knife or fork into one of the beetroots. If the knife slides through easily and the beetroot feels tender, it is ready. If not, cook the beetroots for a few more minutes.

How to check if beetroot is cooked

There are several ways to check if beetroot is cooked. Firstly, you can use a sharp knife and gently insert it into the middle of the beetroot. If the knife goes in easily, the beetroot is done. Another way is to pierce the beetroot with a butter knife or chopstick. If it is cooked, it should be soft enough to be pierced all the way through. You can also check if beetroot is cooked by poking it with a fork to ensure it is tender.

How to remove beetroot skin

• Beetroot skin is removed more easily after cooking. So, first, cook the beetroots by steaming them in a pressure cooker.
• After cooking, allow the beetroots to cool.
• Slice off both ends of the beetroots.
• Hold the beetroots under cold running water.
• Using your fingertips, rub the skin until it loosens and then peel it off. You can also use a paper towel to peel the skin off.
• Wear disposable gloves to avoid staining your hands.

Note: It is not recommended to remove the skin before cooking as it helps retain nutrients and the beet's vibrant colour.

Frequently asked questions