This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

If you’re wondering how to cook beets in the Instant Pot, I have two methods for you – pick whichever sounds easiest!

close-up of easy Instant Pot beets with parsley garnish

There’s pros and cons to each method, but both will yield tasty beets that can be used in salads, as a side dish, or anything else you need cooked beets for. 

These beets were delish when I served them with a simple drizzle of good olive oil and some salt and freshly chopped parsley. Yes, I generally feel like beets taste like dirt, but they’re kinda growing on me. In any case, since they’re super nutritious, I’ll down a few for that healthy glow, ya know? 😛

a bunch of several raw beets with stems

Another thing you can use cooked beets for is to blend them into hummus. This is a total shortcut for making my beet hummus recipe more easily!

You may also like to know how to cook corn in the Instant Pot and how to make the best Instant Pot carrots.

an Instant Pot filled with sliced raw beets

How to make beets in the Instant Pot

Here’s an overview of the two methods (scroll for the recipe below):

Method #1

This one involves peeling the beets beforehand and cutting them into quarters.

  • Pros: The prep is done ahead of time, so you can eat the beets right after taking them out of the Instant Pot. Cooking time is faster than method 2. Also, the beet juice leftover from cooking can be cooled and drank as-is or used for other things (e.g. in a soup or smoothie), which I consider a bonus.
  • Cons: Peeling raw beets can be time-consuming.

Method #2

This method involves cooking the beets whole and peeling them after they’re cooked.

  • Pros: You just have to scrub the beets prior to cooking them, so prep time is minimal. It’s also nice to be able to just slide the skins off once they’re done vs. having to peel them raw. 
  • Cons: Cooking time is longer. I also don’t recommend keeping the leftover beet juice because you didn’t peel the beets ahead of time, and there may still be some dirt present.

If you’re wondering how to remove beet stains from your hands, either wear gloves to avoid this issue in the first place, or rub your stained fingers with some lemon juice or baking soda. Don’t worry… it’ll come off naturally in a day or two anyway. 🙂 

an Instant Pot filled with whole beets

Have you ever made beets in your Instant Pot?

Questions? Ask me in the comments below.

These Instant Pot beets are easy, healthy, and delicious! It's so easy to make beets in the electric pressure cooker. Let me show you how!
4.80 from 5 votes

Instant Pot Beets (2 Ways!)

If you're wondering how to cook beets in the Instant Pot, I have two methods for you - pick whichever sounds easiest!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Inactive time: 10 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 6 small-to-medium (about 2" diameter) beets
  • 1 cup water

Instructions 

Method 1:

  • Cut the ends off the beets, and then peel them using a potato peeler. 
  • Cut the beets into quarters.
  • Add the trivet and water to the Instant Pot and place the beets on top. 
  • Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, and then do a quick pressure release. The beet juice left in the Instant Pot can be cooled and drank or saved to add to soups etc.

Method 2:

  • Scrub the beets and trim the tails. 
  • Add the trivet and water to the Instant Pot and place the beets on top.
  • Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, then do a quick release once the countdown has finished. 
  • The skins should come off easily by rubbing the beets with a piece of paper towel. 

Notes

  • Both methods for cooking beets work best if they're all around the same size. 
  • The cooking time suggestions are for beets that are around 2" in diameter. My beets were fairly soft at the time indicated. If you want tender-crisp, reduce cooking time. Larger beets will need approx. 25-30 minutes, and smaller ones 10-15 minutes.
  • Cooked beets will keep in the fridge for about a week or so.
  • Inactive time in the recipe represents the time it'll take the Instant Pot to build pressure.
  • I use this 6-quart Instant Pot.

© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.

Leave a star rating and comment below!

Hi! I’m Natasha.

Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!

The Salt & Lavender cookbook is here! Order Now

4.80 from 5 votes

Leave a comment

Please leave a recipe rating!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

9 Comments

  1. Cheryl Jewell says:

    4 stars
    I only cooked my unpeeled 2 1/2 inch beets for 8 minutes & let them sit for 10 minutes. Perfect.

  2. Laura says:

    5 stars
    I used the first method because I had already peeled and cut the beets before I saw this easy Instant Pot fix! Very easy and my beets came out great in four minutes. (I cut them into slices, so I reduced the cooking time) They were just right for pickling! Thank you!

    1. Natasha says:

      I’m so glad it worked for you, Laura! 🙂

  3. Barbara L says:

    5 stars
    Excellent! I’d never made beets before, but I certainly will again! I have a Cook’s Essentials pressure cooker from QVC that’s served me well for 3 (?) years. I don’t have the trivet insert, so I just put 3 beets (unpeeled method) in the bottom with 1 cup of water, (just like how I do perfect hard-boiled eggs), cooked at pressure for 20 minutes, and they came out perfect! You’re right…the skins just come off easily with a paper towel. Now I look forward to having them cold in a salad.

    1. Natasha says:

      Awesome!! I am so glad you were able to adapt this for a different electric pressure cooker, Barbara! Thanks for leaving me a comment!

  4. Natasha's Sister says:

    5 stars
    I really don’t care which method you use. Just bring me some beets right now.

    1. Natasha says:

      No.

  5. kellie@foodtoglow says:

    5 stars
    Great idea, Natasha. I plump for method 2! Pinning this recipe so others know that cooking beets doesn’t have to be scary 🙂

    1. Natasha says:

      Thanks so much, Kellie! 🙂