Boiling whole beets is a straightforward process that takes between 15-50 minutes depending on their size and the desired tenderness.
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Choosing the beets and storing them fresh
If you go to the store to buy the beetroot specifically for boiling them whole, make sure to choose the same size roots so they cook evenly.
If you see small-medium size beets - those are the best ones, because large one takes almost forever to boil and you will need a huge pot, to ensure they are fully submerged in water.
If you do not plan on cooking them right away, store the beets in the fridge. And do not wash them before storing them. Moisture will make them go bad faster.
If the beets come with the greens, cut off the greens, leaving about 1-2 inches of the stem. This preserves the freshness longer. If left attached, the greens will keep drawing moisture from the beetroot.
You can store the greens separately in the fridge and use them for soups and sauteing.
The size of the beets can affect their taste
Beets come in different sizes and their size can sometimes affect their taste and texture. The longer the root stays growing, the large it becomes developing tougher textures. Beets are naturally high in sugar but as they grow and age, some of the sugar changes into other compounds making them less sweet.
Growing conditions may also affect the taste and texture of the vegetable.
Small beets (1-2 inches in diameter) are more tender and sweet. Sometimes they are called baby beets. They are great for cooking, pickling, and eating raw.
Medium beets (3-5 inches in diameter) have a great balance of sweetness and earthiness. They are great for boiling, roasting, and juicing.
Large beets (3-5 inches in diameter) have a strong earthy flavor and the least amount of sweetness. They are great for the dished that require longer cooking time. I do not recommend boiling them whole as it will take a very long time.
How to boil whole beets
Below is a simple guide on how to boil whole beets of different sizes. I also included different times to achieve a tender or slightly crunchy texture.
1) Preparation. First, wash and scrub the beets thoroughly to remove any dirt. Cut off the greens if attached. Make sure to leave about one inch of the stem to prevent them from releasing too much red color into the water. Do not peel the beets before boiling, unless you want to boil them cubed.
Some may prefer to cut off the root end. But I usually keep it when boiling them whole.
2) Boiling Times by size and desired tenderness
Small beets (1-2 inches in diameter)
- Tender: boil for 20-30 minutes
- Slightly crunchy: boil for 15-20 minutes
Medium beets (2-3 inches in diameter)
- Tender: boil for 30-40 minutes
- Slightly crunchy: boil for 25-30 minutes
Large beets (3-5 inches in diameter)
- Tender: boil for 40-50 minutes
- Slightly crunchy: boil for 35-40 minutes
3) Boiling process. Place washed beets in a large pot. Fill the pot with water to cover the beets. Bring it to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer the beets for about 20-50 minutes depending on the size and desired tenderness.
If the knife or a fork goes in easily ( as if it's butter), they are tender.
Check the time guide in the previous paragraph, in case you missed it. If there is a little resistance, they are slightly crunchy.
When there is a lot of resistance, boil the beets for another 5 minutes and check them again.
And if a lot of water evaporated during the cooking process and the beets are not fully covered, add more water to the pot.
4) Cool down and peel. Once the beets are cooked, remove them from the water and let them cool down for at least 15 minutes.
When they are cool enough to handle, you can easily peel off the skin using your hands, knife or a paper towel.
I recommend wearing food-grade gloves if you do not want to stain your hands in red.
Tips to avoid staining the cutting board, hands, and other surfaces
Beets have vibrant red color, which can stain cutting boards, counters, clothing, and hands. Below are some tips to help you with this problem.
- Use glass or plastic, cutting boards. If stained, these are easier to clean compared to wooden ones.
- Place a sheet of parchment paper on a cutting board to catch most of the juice.
- Rinse the cutting board under cold water right away. Same with hands.
- Wear gloves and an apron to protect your hands and clothes from staining.
- Lemon juice or baking soda can help to remove the stains from hands or cutting boards.
Frequently asked questions
You can store cooked beets in an airtight container for about 3-5 days.
Yes, you can freeze cooked beets for up to 3 months. Let the beets cool down completely, peel them, cube them, and portion them in a freezer-safe bag or a container before freezing.
Yes, you can cook the beets in a pressure cooker. I have a whole separate recipe post on how to cook whole beets in Instant pot.
How to use boiled beets
I have been a big fan of beets since being a kid. Growing up in Ukraine, beets were one of the most popular winter vegetables. B
Besides enjoying them cubed as a side dish or adding them to any salad, I offer a lot of recipes you can use for this vegetable. From breakfast and salads to vibrant main dishes:
- beet pancakes
- beet waffles
- beetroot risotto
- Ukrainian vinegret salad
- German beet salad
- herring under the fur coat salad
- spaghetti in a beetroot sauce
- beetroot patties
- Polish red borscht
- Turkish beets salad
📖 Recipe
How to Boil Whole Beets
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 plastic or glass cutting board
- 1 pair of food prep gloves optional
Ingredients
- 4 small or medium beets
- 1 liter water or more as needed
- 2 teaspoon salt optional
Instructions
- Trim off the green stems if present. Wash and scrub the beets well to remove nay dirt.
- Place beets in a large pot and fill it with water enough to cover the beets. Add 2 teaspoons of salt (optional).
- Boil the beets for about 30-50 minutes depending on the desired tenderness and on the size of the roots. *see notes below.
- Remove from water and let the beets cool down. Now, you can peel them using hands, knife or paper towels. Consider wearing food prep gloves to avoiding staining your hands.
- Slice and serve them warm, cold or use to make other recipes.
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