Learn how to make perfectly steamed beets for a variety of healthy dishes from a simple side to salads and soups.
In my opinion, beets are an underrated vegetable. They’re inexpensive, available year round and are loaded with nutrients. Steamed beets can be used as a simple side dish, as a salad ingredient, and blended into soups. They can even be made into delicious dressings and dips!
And if you’ve only ever tasted canned beets, you’re in for a real treat! These steamed beets are not only easy and nutritious, they’re actually super tasty!
How Do You Make Steamed Beets?
The first step to steaming beets is to scrub them clean. Next, trim off any beet greens by slicing off the top of the beets. You can trim off the root end after the beets have steamed.
In order to save a little time, I steam the beets with the skins still on. This way I don’t have to deal with peeling the beets before I cook them. Once they’re cooked, the skins peel right off, the only catch to this time-saving method is that there is pretty much no way to avoid purple fingers!
Finishing them with a kiss of olive oil, a splash of vinegar, and a pinch of kosher salt gives them just the right balance of flavor so that you could easily serve them as-is. If you wanted to take them one step further try tossing them with some fresh herbs (parsley, mint, and dill are my faves!).
Tips
- The beet greens are similar to kale or collard greens. They are a good source of calcium, vitamins, and iron. You can sauté them in a skillet with olive oil and seasonings for a healthy side dish.
- Be aware that the cooked beets will stain anything they touch. You can lay parchment paper down on the surface before peeling and cutting. You can also wear kitchen gloves to peel. Or use a paper towel for holding and peeling the beets.
- Find my method for roasting beets here.
Are Beets Healthy?
Beets are a very nutritious root vegetable! They are a great source of potassium, manganese and folate as well as vitamins A, B6, C and K. They are low calorie and thought to be good for the heart and have anti-inflammatory properties. Beets are also high in fiber which can help with digestion. So go ahead and enjoy as many steamed beets as your heart desires!
Although perfectly simple and delicious as is, I like to make these beets as a head-start ingredient. It’s an easy way to turn a basic mid-week salad into something extra special!
More Beet Recipes
Beet Salad with Arugula and Walnuts
Thanks so much for reading! If you make this recipe I would love for you to give it a ★ rating below. And be sure to follow me on YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and FaceBook for more healthy food inspiration!
Steamed Beets
Ingredients
- 4 medium sized beets about a pound
- 2 tsp sherry vinegar
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Scrub beets clean and then place them in a steamer basket and cook for about 30 minutes or until tender all the way through.
- Once the beets are cool enough to handle, rub the skins off and cut into small bite size pieces.
- Toss with vinegar and oil and finish with salt and pepper.
Cathy S says
I love the new site Dani! Very nice! Thank you for all your great inspiration! I bought my Kale today! Can’t wait to make the chips!
Dani says
Thanks Cathy:) Can’t wait to hear what you think of the Kale Chips!!
jeanie says
best of luck with the new look!
FYI: you might want to add a link to recipes listed just plain ol’ alphabetically, too.
Dani says
I agree! It’s on the top of my list:)
Sandy says
Love the new look Dani. It’s very clean and delicious looking!
Keep all the wonderful recipes coming and hope you are keeping well.
Sandy xx
Dani says
Thanks Sandy:)
deo says
another recipe said steam 7 min
Adriana says
Love the new site! I’m excited to see what’s to come.
When I cook my beats, after they’ve cooled, I actually rub the skin off with a paper towel. It comes right off and no red fingers!
Dani says
Great tip!! Thanks so much… sometimes it’s just too easy to overlook the most simple ideas:)
Adriana says
And that should read BEETS… oops!
Priyanka says
I absolutely love the new look of your site.
Dani says
Thanks Priyanka!
Natalie says
Love the new site, Dani! It’s gorgeous! And I loooooove beets. 🙂
Dani says
Thanks Natalie! I looooove beets too!
spoonthat.com says
Hey Dani! Love the new design! It really is simple and clean just like your recipes!
Dani says
I was going for simple and clean so I’m happy to hear that’s how it feels:)
Danielle says
I love the new look! And I love that you have featured beets in this post because beets are my favourite! I eat roasted beets about 3-4 days a week. I have been afraid of preparing them any other way, becuase I love how vibrant and sweet they are when roasted but those steamed beets look wonderful. Next week I will definitely be trying to steam them.
Dani says
I love them roasted too but a quick steam is just to easy to pass up sometimes;)
Aly says
Love the new look! Very Fresh 🙂 Also, I made the Lentil Joe’s last night (I swapped out the lentils for ground turkey) and they were awesome!
Dani says
Thanks! So glad you liked the Lentil Joes’… now I’m craving them made with turkey:)
Hilary says
I love beets….they are great as beet chips…sliced thin (I use a mandolin) and then drizzle with a little olive oil, season with salt and bake…yum!
Dani says
Never made beet chips…. sounds like a fun video idea! Thanks for the inspiration!
Tina says
I love beets and cannot wait to try this recipe! I am new to your site and I absolutely love what you are doing Dani! I have forwarded your link onto many friends and family to use and enjoy. Thanks for what you do!
Dani says
Thanks so much Tina and thanks for passing my link along! I really appreciate it:)
Marcia says
The website looks great Dani! It really gives a sense of Clean and Delicious! I love beets, just never knew how to use them in dishes. Thanks for the great tips! 🙂
Dani says
You’ll have to try the salad I posted today… great way to use up your beets!
Jackie says
hi Dani,
My husband and I decided to grow beets this year in our garden and we were wondering how should we prepare our beets for our 3 year old daughter to try for the first time? Should we leave them raw or do they taste better roasted?
Any tips would be amazing, Thanks!!
Dani says
I think roasted or steamed would be the best way to present them for the first time – it makes them just a little sweeter and more tender!