Whole Pressure Cooker Instant Pot Beets

Instant Pot beets whole have never been easier to make! Using your multipot pressure cooker you too can make vegetables tender and flavorful in no time at all. A Crockpot Express or Ninja Foodi works well for this as well.

Instant Pot Beets Whole

This is a very underestimated vegetable for sure. If you have never tried them it is all about the seasonings and getting them soft so the texture is perfect. First we made air fryer beets, good but not as fork tender. All you need is an electric pressure cooker, a trivet or steamer basket and that is it! You’ll get tender bites of really healthy veggies in no time.

You don’t need to have an official IP either. We make these in our Crockpot express or Ninja Foodi pots too and those work just as well. You could slice or make them cubed to begin with but why? It is easier to just throw them in and when they are soft it’s easier to cut and eat or blend to Cure Salmon with Beets.

Instant Pot Beets without Steamer Basket

I do have all the things and this is an option to keep them out of the hot water at the bottom but you can skip that. Just use the trivet your pot came with is all you need if left whole as you see here.

Instant Pot Golden Beets

You can use this timing and instructions for both red and yellow versions. Works the same way. The difference between the two is these are sweeter and have more of an earthy flavor to them really. They don’t stain my fingers either like it’s counterparts.

Instant Pot Beets and Carrots

Yes! These can be cooked together with others pretty well since they are hard and need some time to get soft. We pair them together in our Instant Pot potatoes and carrots recipe too. Both are great together as side dishes.

How to cook beets?

I agree, they do look a bit intimidating. Especially right out of the ground in your garden they are hard with areas that don’t look edible. Before the emergence of the amazing electric pressure cooker I didn’t even think about attempting to cook one. BUT now it’s as easy as making baked potatoes!! If you have a Ninja Foodi you can make air fryer beets now too.

How do you prepare beets to eat?

First you have to get rid of the paper thin skin. Peel it off while it’s raw or when they’re succulently tender. Then rub the skins off with a paper towel. (note that your fingers will get quite discolored, not in a pretty way, so if this bothers you just put on a pair of gloves first.

That’s right…. Just dump a cup of cold water or so into your pot. Lower down a trivet (I like this one with handles), place the beets on top, quick release, and once your cook time is done they’re perfectly tender! You could use a steamer basket too. 😉 Are you new to this colorful vegetable??

How do beets help your body?

• They’re a great source of fiber, folate and vitamin c!
• They are also said to help lower blood pressure and improve athletic performance.
• Beets also detox the liver ridding the body of toxins and defend your body’s bile ducts.

Overall these naturally red colored and beautiful vegetables are super healthy and low in calories. You can use them in a variety of recipes too!

Can beets be eaten raw?

Now first of all….

• Yes!!
• If you shave them thinly or grate them you can eat them raw.
• They’re much sweeter before they’re cooked actually.

Do you have to peel beets?

Yes you will want to. The outside is quite bitter, tough, and fibrous. You won’t want to eat this area and it is best to cut or peel it off before consuming.

Ways to use beets

Now after they’re done cooking, what do you do with them?

1. Pickle them just like you would cabbage or cucumbers
2. Mash them like potatoes and add a bit of butter and olive oil
3. Slice them to put on sandwiches
4. Add diced pieces into your risotto
5. Blend them into your homemade tomato soup
6. Drizzle with olive oil and serve as a side dish

Aren’t these gorgeous??!!

I was late to the game when it comes to this interesting veggie. Like brussel sprouts I was hesitant but I guess the older you get the more you realize that “you just never know” and you should at least try something once.

Low and behold they were added to the “now I like them” list and my kids thought they were fun too. Color is everything when it comes to vegetables and kids I think.  Speaking of color….

Note: For much larger beets you may want to increase cook time to 30 minutes. 25 works for med./large but some ginormous ones may need a bit longer to become fork tender. Or keep same timing but allow to naturally release for 15 minutes vs. 5 to give it a bit more time to soften up.

Instant Pot beets

Timing will vary slightly according to how you like to eat beets. A bit more firm = less time, etc.. You get the idea. 😉  Here are a few other pressure cooker vegetable recipes you can use as healthy side dishes:

1. Try our Instant Pot spaghetti squash!
2. Cheesy Instant Pot cauliflower is seriously amazing
3. This creamy baked brussel sprouts and cauliflower recipe is great
   1. Pressure cooker corn on the cob
4. Instant Pot steamed vegetables are the way to go in order to cook several types all in one pot.

Are canned beets as good as fresh beets?

I think everyone would agree that fresh is always best if you can get it, no matter what food you’re referring to. Though both canned fruits and vegetables are nutritionally similar to fresh and frozen, and in some cases, it’s the sodium content that differs.

Pressure Cooker Beets

Most nutrients and fiber in the canned vs. fresh cooked beets are similar. Canned beets have more sodium than fresh which is the biggest difference. Steaming them this way is best so you can control the amount of salt added especially if you have high blood pressure. Follow the same instructions below if you want to make this as an easy Ninja Foodi recipe.