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!
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
How to make Beets in the Slow Cooker?
- Start with fresh and firm beets. Wash any debris from the beets.
- Remove any greens from the beets 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.
- Below is what the beets look like after cooking, don’t fret! Keep scrolling. They are just fine, tender and ready to peel.
How do I remove the skin from beets?
- Let the beets cool down enough that they can be handled. 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.
Great beet recipes to use up extra beets:
- Pickled beets
- Beet Grilled Cheese
- Use on your homemade green salad!
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.
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.
You may also like these other how to recipes on The Magical Slow Cooker:
- How to Cook Acorn Squash in the Slow Cooker
- How to Make Turkey Stock in the Slow Cooker
- How to Make Bone Broth in the Slow Cooker
- How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Slow Cooker
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How to Cook Beets in the Slow Cooker
Equipment Needed:
- Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger
Instructions:
- Remove greens from beets and try not to cut into the beet itself, the beets will bleed while cooking if so. Use the greens in another recipe or discard. DO NOT PEEL THE BEETS YET. Wash and add to the slow cooker.
- Pour over the water and sprinkle over the salt.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Take the insert off the heat and let the beets cool down enough to handle.
- To peel the beets, use a paper towel and rub off the skins. Avoid washing the beets for this may rinse off some of the flavor.
Great results! Worked like a charm. Wearing disposable gloves prevented beet stains on the skin! After cooling, I sliced into cubes and froze in ziploc-type bags (lay flat). Not sure why the salt though…was it for seasoning or something else?
To season them 🙂
This was very easy. When we had a garden I frequently cooked beets. Today I had medium size beets that easy fit in my hand. 4 hours was too long long for that size, they were a little too soft. Next time I’ll do 3 hr. As soon as I turned them off, I moved the crockpot beside the sink, used a large slotted spoon, to fish out the beets in to cold water, I’d scrubbed out my sink in preparation.. When I could handle the beets (5 min or so) I slipped the skins off into a waiting plastic bag to dispose of. I couldn’t wait for a bite. Yummmmm!
This is my GO TO recipe for cooking beets! So easy. Thank you
tasted ok, had difficulty peeling them. was fun though–black and then…beets! 🙂
I want to put beets in slow cooker and add vindgar say 1 c. can i do this
Hard to say without testing first. I’m unsure if that would be too much.
What you’re wanting to do is make pickled beets. After you clean the skins off, sliced beets into wedges or slices. You will need a pan large enough to hold your beets and syrup to cover. The syrup is equal parts sugar, cider vinegar, and water eg 1-1-1). Stir well, and gently add your beets. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 min. If you were canning them those steps would happen now; however, for a small batch, let cool and keep in a container with a tight lid, and enjoy in salads, or as a side dish.
Thank you ,l put my beets in slow cooker as hadn’t got a pan big enough , so much easier than cooking in oven or saucepan .
Great recipe!
First time ever cooking beets! Placed them in slow cooker on low and was finished in 4 hours. Now on to canning some.
If you use fewer beets, one or two, do you reduce the amount of water?
I think you may want to keep the water and time the same. They take quite a while to cook and you don’t want them to dry out.
I will have to try cooking beets this way.
The greens are the healthiest part so please don’t ever recommend discarding them. I usually braise or steam the greens, add a little garlic and balsamic vinegar.