Making beets at home doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn’t have to take forever. Microwaving fresh beets will save you time and it keeps in a lot of the nutrients that other cooking methods don’t. Beets are filled with folate, potassium, antioxidants and magnesium. They are so beneficial for you that Dr. Oz features them on his Ultimate Checklist as a Super Antioxidant food. So, not only are they delicious, but they’re good for you too! Follow these simple steps and you’ll be enjoying freshly prepared beets in no time.
Clean The Beets
Once you’ve chosen medium sized beets that are roughly the same shape (this will ensure that they cook evenly and at the same time), scrub them under cold water to remove all of the dirt. Cut the long, green leaves completely off the top and trim any roots that may still be there. Feel free to cut off any undesirable looking parts as well. Dry the beets with a paper towel.
Prepare The Beets
Once the beets are clean and trimmed, use a fork to lightly puncture the skin all the way around. Place them in a microwave safe dish (a deep baking dish works best), and drizzle them with about a tablespoon of olive oil. Make sure to choose a dish that is big enough so the beets don’t get too crowded. Turn the beets around in the oil until they are completely coated and then cover the dish tightly with microwave safe plastic wrap.
Cook The Beets
Now that you have your clean, oiled beets ready to go, place the dish in the microwave and cook on high for ten minutes. Once they are done, carefully open a corner of the plastic wrap and test the beets with a knife. The knife should easily slide into the beet all the way to the center without you feeling resistance. If you have to push the knife in or if you can pick up the knife without the beet sliding off, they are not done. Re-cover the dish and place it back in the microwave, testing every three minutes until the beets are perfectly tender. Remember: the larger the beet, the longer it will take to cook.
Skin The Beets
Remove the plastic wrap and let the cooked beets sit until they are cool enough to handle. Remove the skins by rubbing them off with a paper towel or use a knife to peel them. Be careful, as the flesh underneath the skin will still be warm. If you wait until the beets are too cool, the skin will not come off as easily. Slice the beets or leave them whole and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Baked beets are sweet and earthy, with a flavor that is truly distinct and addicting. You can use this easy microwave shortcut for any recipe that calls for time consuming, oven roasted beets, like this Rosemary Balsamic Chicken. Take these short, simple steps to bake beets in the microwave and you will find that you crave them time and time again.
For a very similar method for cooking beets in the microwave, check out this step by step video from JumpStart Cooking:
