Fresh Beetroot Discover the best way to cook fresh beetroot at home for an unparalleled flavour and texture. While ready-cooked beetroot is convenient, preparing it yourself is simple and rewarding.

How to Cook Fresh Beetroot: A Simple Guide

Learn how to cook fresh beetroot at home for a superior flavour and texture compared to pre-cooked options. This guide details simple methods for washing, boiling, steaming, or baking beetroot, along with tips for selecting the freshest produce and preparing it for serving.

Why Cook Fresh Beetroot at Home?

While convenient, ready-cooked beetroot from supermarkets often lacks the vibrant flavour and satisfying texture of home-prepared beetroot. Cooking it yourself is a straightforward process that yields significantly better results, making your dishes truly shine.

Simple Methods for Cooking Beetroot

Here are a few simple methods to cook your fresh beetroot:

Boiling:

Gently wash the beetroot, being careful not to tear the skins.
Place the washed beets in a pan of warm water.
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
Cook until tender, which typically takes 20-30 minutes.

Steaming:

Steam whole beetroot until tender. This method helps retain more nutrients and flavour.

Baking:

For a deeper, sweeter flavour, bake whole beetroot in the oven at 150°C (gas mark 2) for 2-3 hours.

Checking for Doneness:

The easiest way to check if beetroot is cooked is to gently rub the skin with your fingers. If the skin moves easily, the beetroot is ready.

Peeling:

Warm beetroot is the easiest to peel. Once cool enough to handle, the skins should slip off effortlessly.

Tips for Selecting and Preparing Beetroot

Follow these tips for the best beetroot experience:

Selecting Fresh Beetroot:

Look for firm, unwrinkled beetroot. These are indicators of freshness.
If beetroot is sold with leaves attached, trim them about 2-3cm above the root. This helps prevent the juices from 'bleeding' out, keeping the beetroot vibrant.

Serving Suggestions:

Beetroot is incredibly versatile. Enjoy it raw in salads for a fresh crunch.
Serve cooked beetroot dressed with a simple vinaigrette as a delicious side dish, perfect with cold meats or as part of a hearty salad.