How to Cook Beetroot: Preparation Tips

Under the scientific name Beta vulgaris, beetroot belongs to the Chenopodiaceae family. Beetroot is an annual herbaceous vegetable, the edible part of which is a tuberous root.

It has an earthy-sweet flavor and a vibrant color making it the perfect ingredient to use in a variety of both sweet and tangy dishes. Beets are a terrific addition to any nutritional plan.
 
Starting for the benefits, we start with vitamins; being rich in vitamins A, B complex, and vitamin C, beetroot accumulates benefits such as:

●      Prevention of liver and lung problems
●      Prevention and combat of anemia
●      Prevention of premature aging
●      Protection of the nervous system
●      Regulates eye health
●      Cancer prevention
●      Cataract prevention

Some facts about beets:

●      Half-cooked beetroot has more food fibers than two tablespoons of rice.
●      A cooked beet has 3 times more magnesium than a boiled potato.
●      A baked beet has more potassium than a banana.

Beetroot can be eaten raw, cooked, pickles, or pickled. No matter the form, it is interesting to consume this tuber that is quite tasty and quite healthy.
 
In this article, we will show you how to cook beetroot and share some preparation tips.

How to Cook Beetroot

Raw

Grated, sliced, or cut into pieces. Beetroot can also be eaten raw in vegetable salads. Simply rinse and peel the skin before eating.

Roast

Simply wash the roots with complete skin. Then wrap them individually in foil and place them on a baking sheet. Roast beetroot at 200ºC until easily pierced with a fork, 45 minutes to an hour. Once cool, peel away the skin.

Boil

Then wash the roots with your skin intact. Bring water in a saucepan to boil. Once the water boils, add the beets. Boil for about 25-30 minutes until the skin can easily be removed. Remove beets from boiling water. Dry and peel away the skin.

Recipes with the Beetroot

The bright red, healthy, and delicious - beetroot is easy to prepare and, at the same time, amazed by its versatile use in the kitchen. Beets are suitable for many dishes. Discover refined recipes with beetroot on our website - whether in a salad, with fish and meat, or as a sweet dessert.

Most cooked beetroot recipes include Beetroot Kebab, Beetroot risotto, Beetroot dip, Beetroot Nicoise salad, Beetroot juice, Beetrot hummus.

Beetroot: Preparation tips

●      When is beetroot cooked? The cooking time of beetroot depends on both the size and the cooking method chosen. To see if the beets are cooked, you can pierce the beet with a knife or fork. If you can do this easily without much resistance, it is cooked.
●      How to peel beetroot? Beetroots can be peeled before or after cooking. When you cook peeled beetroot, the tubers lose more color and nutrients. If you cook beetroot with skin, you can then easily peel off the skin with your hands or a knife.
●      If you peel beetroot raw, it is better to wear gloves, as the red tubers are strongly colored.
●      Beetroot leaves are also suitable for consumption and are rich in nutrients. They can be cooked like fresh spinach and chard or can be used to garnish dishes.

FAQS

Is beetroot good for you?

Yes, it is. It is full of essential nutrients and is an excellent source of Vitamin C, fiber, folate, manganese, iron, and potassium. [Source: Healthline]

Can you eat raw beetroot?

Beetroot is absolutely fine and delicious to eat raw. You can juice it or grate it and use it in smoothies and nutritious salads.

Should you peel beetroot?

We would only recommend peeling beetroot if you'd like to use it raw. And even that is not always necessary as long as you give it a good scrub while washing.

If you intend to cook your beets, leave the skin on to protect it from color and nutrient loss; plus, beets are much easier to peel once cooked.