Beets: A Guide to Microwave Preparation

Cooking beets in the microwave is a quick way to get the sweet flavor of roasted beets.

They come out tender and ready to season however you want.

These root vegetables are frequently overlooked as garnishes in salads or powdered in smoothies, but they make a delicious side dish to meals all year long.

Of course, they can be canned, but so much of their nutrition (and even flavor) is lost in the process.  

So, let's say you're trying to increase your vegetable intake but still want to add some starch to your entree while saving time in the kitchen.

This, my friends, is one of the most important reasons we own a microwave: quick vegetables.

In about six minutes, you can transform a bowl of diced beets into a beautiful microwave beets recipe: three minutes for prepping and dicing, and three minutes for cooking.  

Be aware that the sugar beet is high in potassium, fiber, and sugar.

The special betalain that gives the beet its rich color is also beneficial to you.

In September, Colorado hosts the Sugar Beet Days festival to honor the humble beet. Festival of Sugar Beets

Before you begin cooking beets, there are two things you should consider.

• Do you prefer whole beets, sliced beets, or diced beets?
• Do you want to start by peeling the beets?

There are no incorrect answers here.

We prefer to dice the beets without peeling them, but our recipe for cooking diced beets in the microwave follows.

Experiment with different cuts and seasonings, in my opinion.

It turns out that you can eat the entire beet, from roots to leaves.

Concerning beet cutting

Here's something to keep in mind if you decide to dice the beets.

Beet cutting can be a messy adventure.

Beet juice has the potential to stain your clothes, kitchen towels, and even cutting boards.

Before you cut the beets, there are a few things we recommend you do.

• When cutting beets, use latex gloves. We keep a box of them in our kitchen just in case.
• Before you begin, change into a shirt that you don't mind getting stained. I never seem to be able to cook without getting something on my shirt. This is even with an apron on.
• Put on an apron. It's CookingChew merch.  
• After working with the beets, immediately clean your cutting board and knife. Here are some cleaning tips for a cutting board.

Can you cook beets in the microwave?

Yes, beets can be cooked in the microwave.

To prepare diced beets:

1. 1. Beets should be washed and dried. If desired, peel  
   2. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the beet into 1-inch thick cubes.
   3. Place diced beets in a microwave-safe container with your preferred seasoning, such as salt and pepper or lemon pepper, and a teaspoon of fat for flavor. Coconut butter is an excellent flavoring for cooked beets. (If not using fat, add about 2 tablespoons of water.) )
   4. Loosely cover
   5. 2 minutes on high for 1 cup diced beets
   6. Stir Cook for another minute.
   7. Test for tenderness with a fork. To remove from the microwave, use hot pads.

To microwave sliced beets, follow these steps:

1. 1. Beets should be washed and dried.  
   2. If desired, peel
   3. Trim off each tough end of the beet with a sharp knife, then slice into desired thickness.
   4. In a microwave-safe container, combine sliced beets and 2 tablespoons water.
   5. Loosely cover
   6. 2 minutes on high for 1 cup sliced beets
   7. Stir Cook for another minute.
   8. To test for tenderness, gently poke with a fork.
   9. To remove from the microwave, use hot pads.  
   10. Season with a fast pickling spice (1 T apple cider vinegar, 1 t sugar, 12 t salt) if desired.
   11. Toss thoroughly and serve warm or chilled before serving.

Cooking whole beets in the microwave:

1. 1. Wash and pat dry the beets completely.
   2. If desired, peel
   3. If you don't peel the beets, poke them a few times with a fork to let the steam escape while they cook (as you would with potatoes).
   4. Wrap beets in a paper towel OR place beets on a microwave-safe plate and loosely cover.
   5. Cook for three minutes on high for up to three small whole beets, then turn with tongs or a hot pad and cook for another 30 seconds to one minute.
   6. To test for desired tenderness, poke with a fork.
   7. To remove from the microwave, use hot pads.

Microwave beet cooking instructions

• You do not need to peel the beets before microwaving them. This is purely a matter of personal preference. Keep in mind that the larger the diameter of the beet, the rougher the skin will be and the taste may be more earthy.
• You can microwave whole small beets in the same way you would small potatoes.
• The smaller the beets are cut, the faster they will cook.  
• Cut the beets into pieces that are as close to the same size as possible. This will aid in even cooking.  
• Use the largest glass microwave-safe dish that your microwave can accommodate. The more evenly you distribute the beets in the dish, the faster they will cook. If possible, avoid stacking them.
• If you have a lot of diced beets that are overlapping in the dish, cook them in rounds instead. Cooking multiple batches is preferable to cooking them unevenly.