How to Cook Beets in the Slow Cooker

Updated Jun 09, 2026

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Want an easy way to make beets? Try my guide on how to cook fresh beets in the slow cooker. The slow cooker cooks them similar to roasting them without any effort!

9 cooked and peeled beets in a slow cooker

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Discovering this recipe has been life changing! Beets used to seem like such a fuss to prepare, but with this recipe it’s SO easy!!!
- Shirley

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It's that time of year when the garden is ready to be completely harvested and brought in. Why not cook up some of those beets you have? The beets turn out very tender and have great flavor!

This method of slow cooking the beets is much better than boiling, you don't want to boil out the flavor. I use a bit of water to keep the slow cooker moist but not too much. No foil is needed to make these fresh beets!

How to make Beets in the Slow Cooker

Start with fresh and firm beets. Prepare the raw beets by rinsing the debris off.
Remove any greens from the beetroot, but don't cut into the beets themselves or they will bleed when cooking. Discard the greens or make a salad with them!
Place the beets into a large slow cooker. Add 2 cups of water and a half teaspoon of salt. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high or for 4 hours.

Do I peel the beets before cooking?

Don't peel the beets until AFTER cooking.
Keeping them intact will keep them moist while cooking and prevent them from bleeding out.

Why are my beets so dark?

Below is what the beets look like after cooking. Slow cooking will make them look like this. don't fret! Keep scrolling. They are just fine, not burnt, they are tender and ready to peel.

dark colored cooked beets with skins still on, in a slow cooker.

How do I remove the skin from beets?

Let the beets cool down enough to handle. Take a paper towel and rub the skins off the beets.
Try to resist the urge to rinse the beets, this will wash some flavor off the beets.

Cooked and peeled beets in the slow cooker.

Great beet recipes to use up extra beets

Pickled beets
Beet Grilled Cheese
Use beets on your homemade green salad and also add some slow cooker chickpeas!

Can I freeze cooked beets?

Yes! Follow my guide for freezing beets:

Cut the beets into slices or cubes. Spread them out on a sheet pan and freeze for a few hours.
After they are frozen solid, place them in ziplock bags. Freezing them this way keeps the beets from freezing together and you can take out smaller amounts out of the bags if needed.
Freeze the beets for up to 6 months.
Thaw in the fridge before serving.

sliced beets on a plate with basil on the side.

I hope you aren't afraid to use the slow cooker for cooking your beets now! It's easy as can be and no fuss at all! Leave a comment below on how your beets turned out and what you made with them.