How to Cook Beets in a Pressure Cooker

Beets make a healthy and delicious side dish.

Beets are a simple and healthy choice for a side dish. They are high in complex carbohydrates. However, they do contain inedible fibers so beets must not be eaten raw. Cooking the beets helps to break down the cell walls and makes the nutrients easy for your body to use. It typically takes about two hours to cooks beets. In a pressure cooker, you will be able to cut the time down to 15 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Pressure cooker
• Four larger, fresh beets with the tops intact
• 1 1/2 cups water

Instructions

1. Cut the tops off of the beets. Make sure that you leave about 2 inches of the stem. Wash the beets.

2. Place the beets in a 6 quart pressure cooker and add 1 1/2 cups of water.

3. Close the cover of the pressure cooker and put the pressure regulator on the vent pipe.

4. Using 15 lbs. of pressure, cook the beets for 15 minutes. At the end of 15 minutes, cool the cooker immediately.

5. Take the beets out of the cooker and run them under cold water. Peel the skins off of the beets (the skins should come off easily).

6. Slice the beets or cut them into cubes. Serve as a healthy and delicious side dish.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that you have an accurate timer to use with your pressure cooker. Be sure to use the amount of water recommended in the recipe. Water is necessary in order to build up steam in the pressure cooker. Sprinkle baking soda in the pressure cooker when you are storing it to prevent odors.

• Timing is very important when using a pressure cooker. Vegetables will be overcooked in a matter of seconds. Do not store your cooker with the lid on. Molds and off-flavors can develop within the pressure cooker.

Resources

• More about growing beets
• eHow article "Cooking Beets Without a Pressure Cooker"