How to Cook Beetroot in Microwave

How to Cook Beetroot in MicrowaveBeetroots are always part of my healthy diet. Experts believe they are packed with nutrients like fiber, potassium, and manganese that play vital roles in the human body.

Cooking beets is often not fun, especially when boiling them on a stove. It could take hours to be ready.

However, a microwave makes things easier and faster; the entire process will be done in minutes. Beetroots can be cooked whole or sliced. Suppose you want to cook them wholly.

Below is how to cook beetroot in microwave.

Trim stems and leaves and wash medium-sized fresh beetroots. Arrange them on a single layer in a microwavable bowl. Pierce holes through the skin and add water to the bowl.

Cover the bowl and microwave the beetroot for 10 to 12 minutes. Flip the beetroots and microwave again for 10 to 12 minutes. Check the softness and doneness, and allow them to cool for at least 5 minutes before peeling off their skin.

This article explains how to cook beetroots in the microwave. The article also contains related topics like Helpful Tips when Cooking Beetroots in a Microwave, How to Store Microwaved Beets, The Best Way to Cook Beetroots, and Should Beetroots be Eaten Raw or Cooked?

Step-to-step Procedure of Cooking Beetroot in a Microwave

As discussed earlier, you could either slice your beetroots or cook them whole. Below are two procedures and requirements I often use when using either of the mentioned methods.

Cooking the Whole Beetroot in the Microwave

Requirements

Procedure

1. Prepare the beetroots for cooking

The first step of preparing a beetroot is to ensure the stems and leaves are trimmed off. Then wash the beetroots under tap water as you scrub off any debris using a vegetable brush.

2. Place the beets in a microwavable bowl

Once the beets have been thoroughly washed, arrange them in a microwavable bowl. Do not place them too close to each other. Add some water to the bowl; however, the water shouldn’t submerge the beets. Use a fork and pierce the skin so that steam will have space to escape while cooking. Without the pierced holes, the steam may cause the beets to explode.

3. Microwave the beetroots

Use a fitting lid to cover the bowl and place it in the microwaving. At high power, cook the beetroots for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the bowl from the microwave, flip the beetroots and return them to the microwave. Heat them for another 10 to 12 more minutes.

4. Check the doneness

Use a fork to pork through the cooked beets to check their softness. Depending on how big the beetroots might have been, they may be ready or need a few more minutes to microwave. Suppose they need more cooking, microwave them at an interval of 1 minute for 5 minutes as you check the doneness after every minute.

5. Remove the beetroot from the microwave

Place the microwaved beetroot on the kitchen counter at room temperature and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes. Use paper towels to rub the skin off and prevent stained hands in the end. They can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Suppose the skin does not come off quickly; consider microwaving the beetroot for a few more minutes.

Cooking Sliced Beets Roots in The Microwave

How to Cook Beetroot in MicrowaveThe preparation processing for when you are cooking sliced beetroots slightly differs from the one you are cooking whole beetroots. The difference is that the skin of the beetroot is peeled off and then chopped into reasonable pieces.

You will place the sliced beetroots on a microwavable bowl, sprinkle at least two tablespoons of water on them, cover the bowl loosely, and microwave for at least 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the size of the chopped pieces. Flip the beetroots over and microwave again for 2 to 5 minutes.

Check the doneness of the beetroots by poking them with a fork. If they are soft for the fork to pierce through easily, then the beets are cooked; however, if they are not, you may consider cooking them for five more minutes. Stop the microwave every minute to check. You wouldn’t want to overcook them.

Helpful Tips when Cooking Beetroots in a Microwave

You do not need to peel the beetroot’s skin off; you can slice it into smaller pieces. It is better to choose beetroots of equal size when cooking wholly, use a microwavable bowl, and do not overcrowd the beetroots in the microwave.

Below are the reasons why the tips mentioned above could be of help.

  • You do not need to peel the beetroot’s skin off

There is a high chance you will stain your hands and clothes when peeling off the skin of beetroots. This is usually the biggest turn-off to most people who attempt cooking beetroots. However, this does not always have to be the case. You can trim the unwanted parts and scrub them under tap water with a vegetable scrubber. After microwaving, you can still use paper towels to peel off their skins to avoid staining your hands.

  • It is better to choose beetroots of equal size

Suppose you want to microwave your beetroots wholly. It is better to go for those almost or equal in size. That way, they can all cook evenly. One beetroot will not be cooked way ahead of the rest.

  • overcrowd the beetroots in the microwave

Overcrowded beetroots do not cook equally. Not each piece has an equal chance of being cooked by the microwave heat. Ensure you arrange the beetroots on a single layer, if possible, with a bit of space in between. Therefore, use a large microwavable bowl to hold the number of beetroots you intend to microwave.

How to Store Microwaved Beets

The best way to store microwaved beetroots is in an air-tight container rather than in the fridge or freezer.

Microwaved beetroots should not stay at room temperature for longer than two hours after cooking. Suppose you do not intend to eat them immediately; you should place them in an air-tight container or wrap them in aluminium foil, plastic wrap, or a freezer bag. Then place the bag in the fridge. Once placed in the refrigerator, the beetroots will survive for 3 to 5 days.

Suppose you want the beetroots to serve for longer; you must store them in the freezer. Use the same wrapping method to ensure that air does not get in contact with the beetroots. The beetroots stored in the freezer can survive for months.

The Best Way to Cook Beetroots

Microwaving is the best way to cook beetroots. It is easier and fast compared to other cooking methods.

While microwaving, ensure to use a microwavable bowl. You can cook beetroots in the microwave whole or chop them into sizeable pieces. Perfect microwavable materials are made of glass or ceramic.

Suppose you are microwaving the beetroot whole; ensure to make some holes through their skin. The holes should ensure that they do not burst in the microwave. Using a lid is also essential as it traps steam in the bowl to enhance the cooking.

Secondly, add some water to the bowl so the beetroots will have enough moisture to cook without drying up. Stop the microwave and flip them over so that they cook on both sides. The cooking time depends on the quantity of the beetroots, their size, and the type of microwave you use.

Should Beetroots be Eaten Raw or Cooked

How to Cook Beetroot in MicrowaveBeetroots can be eaten either when they are raw or cooked. However, they are believed to be more nutritious when raw.

There are cooking methods that may interfere with the nutritional value of beetroots. Especially if the beetroots are cooked using a method that takes longer, like boiling

Microwaving may be a perfect method to cook beetroots since it takes the shortest cooking time. During this time, the beetroots will not have lost most of their nutrients through leaching.

Beetroots can be eaten raw in slabs, salad relishes, juices, or a light vinaigrette. Beetroots are believed to go well with spices and herbs like cumin, cinnamon, pepper, paprika, caraway thyme, tarragon, dill, parsley, mint, basil, or coriander.

You can as well serve your raw beetroots with other vegetables like carrot, onion, radishes, arugula, cabbage, celery, scallions, cucumber, fennel, endive, spinach, and avocado. Finally, you could serve them with yogurt, sour cream, crème fraiche, or a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.

Final thoughts

Microwaving is the fastest and most reliable way to cook beetroots. It is a perfect method for when you are in a hurry. The beetroots will still contain their natural nutritional value since they will not have stayed under heat for too long.

You could either microwave beetroots whole or chop them into pieces. Either way, you must use a microwavable bowl, add some water, cover the bowl while cooking, flip them over to cook on both sides, and monitor the entire process.

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