Today, we will take you through an in-depth guide on how to boil beets. We’ll discuss everything about boiling beets including what prep is involved, how you can boil them, how long to boil beets, and even how to use them.
Beets are one of those vegetables we don’t cook often enough. But once you know how to boil beets properly, they become so easy to use in everyday meals.
We have already shared how to roast beets in the oven before. Today, we’re focusing on the easiest method: boiling.
They are low in calories, rich in fiber, and full of vitamins (source here), so definitely worth adding to your meals more often.
How To Prepare Beets
Before we get into how to boil beets, let’s quickly talk about how to prepare them.
Start by washing the beets under running water. If they are very dirty, gently scrub them with a brush or paper towel.
Cut off the stems and leaves, but leave about 1 inch of the stem. This helps prevent them from bleeding too much while cooking.
And don’t throw the leaves away, you can use them in salads or sauté them.
Do You Need To Peel Beets Before Boiling?
You don’t have to peel beets before boiling them. Their skin is completely edible, and honestly, we almost never bother peeling them at this stage.
Some people prefer peeling just for appearance, but there’s no real need. In fact, the skin holds some nutrients too, so keeping it on is actually a good thing.
If you still want to peel them, it’s much easier after cooking. When the beets are still slightly warm, the skins come off very easily, just rub them gently and they’ll slide right off. Just a small tip: you might want to wear gloves, because they can stain your hands quite a bit.
Can You Cut Beets Before Boiling?
We don’t recommend cutting beets before boiling.
When they are cut, they tend to release their color and flavor into the water. That means you lose some of that earthy taste and that beautiful deep color.
Boiling them whole helps keep everything inside—flavor, color, and nutrients. It also makes peeling much easier later on.
How To Boil Beets
Boiling beets is one of the easiest ways to cook them. To boil beets, simply place them whole in water, bring to a boil, and simmer until tender.
Now let’s get into it step by step.
Start by washing the beets well. There’s no need to peel or cut them at this stage.
Place the whole beets in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let them simmer, covered.
Depending on their size, this usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes. Larger ones might take a bit longer.
To check if they’re ready, insert a knife or fork into the center. If it goes in easily, they’re done.
Once cooked, drain them and rinse under cold water. Let them cool just enough to handle, then rub off the skins or peel them with a knife.
That’s all.
How Long To Boil Beets
The cooking time mostly depends on their size.
Smaller or medium beets usually take around 30 to 40 minutes, while larger ones can take up to 50 minutes.
We usually start checking them after 30 minutes. If a knife slides in easily, they’re ready.
Can You Steam Beets Instead?
Yes, you can definitely steam them instead of boiling.
If you have a steamer basket, place it over a pot of boiling water (just make sure it’s not touching the water). Add the beets, cover, and let them steam until tender.
This usually takes around 40 to 50 minutes, depending on their size.
How To Tell When Beets Are Done
The easiest way is to use a knife.
Just insert it into the center of a beet. If it goes in easily but still meets a tiny bit of resistance, they’re perfectly cooked.
How To Store Boiled Beets
Once cooled, you can store boiled beets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
They might release a bit of their juice while sitting, which is completely normal.
If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them too. We like slicing them first, freezing the slices on a tray, and then transferring them into freezer bags. This way, they don’t stick together.
They keep well in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Tips for Boiling Beets
When buying beets, go for ones that feel firm and smooth, without any soft spots.
Try to leave a little bit of the stem when trimming them—this helps reduce bleeding while cooking.
Cooking time always depends on size, so it’s best to check them with a knife rather than relying only on time.
Peeling is easiest when they are still slightly warm, and if you want to avoid stains, wearing gloves really helps.
How To Use Boiled Beets
Once you know how to boil beets, you’ll find yourself using them in so many different ways.
The simplest way is to slice them and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. It makes such a fresh and easy side.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to use them:
They go really well with goat cheese or feta too.
Is It Better to Boil or Roast Beets?
It really depends on what you’re making. Boiling gives you softer beets that work well in salads or pickles. Roasting brings out a deeper, slightly sweeter flavor.
Can You Eat Beets Raw?
Yes, you can. We sometimes grate them into salads, and they add a really nice crunch. You can even pickle them raw.
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📖 Recipe
How To Boil Beets
INGREDIENTS
- 5 beets
- 4 cups water
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare the beetroots: Wash them well. Cut the long stems leaving about 1 inch of it. If you cut them all, they will bleed a lot, releasing their juice.
- Place beetroots in a large pot and fill the pot with water. Make sure the beets are all covered with water.
- Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for about 40 minutes, or until tender. Check it with a knife.
- Drain and let them cool for 10 min.
- Remove their skin by rubbing off. Make sure to wear gloves when doing this.
- Use immediately in your recipes or keep them whole in a container in the refrigerator for 5 days.
NOTES
- Pick firm beets when buying. There shouldn't be any blemishes or bruises on them.
- Make sure to leave about an inch of the stems of each beet when cutting them off. This will prevent the beets from bleeding much.
- Add a teaspoon of salt and a drop of vinegar or lemon juice in the boiling water if the beets you are using don't have any stems. This is another method to help beets not to release their pink color much.
- The cooking time will depend on the size of the beets. The larger the beetroot, the longer it will need to be cooked.
- Always check the progress after about 30 minutes by using the tip of a knife. If it’s tender and the knife goes in easily, the beets are ready.
- Wear gloves when peeling and working with beets. This will avoid pink stains on your hand that will last days!
- When peeling the beets, don’t allow them to cool off completely. Once they are cooled, their skins become very difficult to remove again. They should still be slightly warm.
- If you have a steamer basket, you can steam the beets instead. Place your steamer basket onto boiling water in a large pot. Make sure that its bottom is not touching the water. Put the beets in the basket and steam covered until the beets are tender, for about 40-50 minutes depending on the size of the beets.
NUTRITION
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gloria says
My mom used to cook beets this way. She would then squeeze a lemon on them. It was my favorite snack after pickles 🙂
Zerrin & Yusuf says
Hi Gloria,
Yes, that's how we often eat boiled beets too 🙂