In brief
- Summer beets cook for 20 to 30 minutes, winter beets for 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Cook beets whole and with the skin on to reduce bleeding; peel them afterward.
- Wear gloves, or your hands will stay red for days.
- The skin comes off easily after cooking when rinsed under cold water.
Cooking beets mainly requires patience, as winter beets need quite a bit of time. The preparation itself is simple, as long as you protect your hands from the strong color.
How long should you cook beets?
It depends greatly on the type and size. Young summer beets are done in 20 to 30 minutes, while firm winter beets need 1.5 to 2 hours. Use a fork to check if they are soft.
| Type | Cooking time |
|---|---|
| Summer beets (young) | 20 to 30 min |
| Winter beets (large) | 1.5 to 2 hours |
How do you prevent red hands and bleeding?
Cook beets whole and with the skin on, and only cut them after cooking. This way, they bleed much less and retain their color and flavor. Wear gloves when cleaning and peeling, or your hands will stay red for days.
How do you easily peel cooked beets?
Let the cooked beets cool briefly and rinse them under cold water. The skin then comes off easily: you can rub it off with your hands or a piece of kitchen paper. Afterward, you can slice or dice them.
Because of the long cooking time, use a large pot for winter beets so they are fully submerged in water. Want to cook carrots at the same time? See our guide on cooking carrots.
