How to Microwave Beets

//cookanyday.com/cdn/shop/files/Anyday_Photos_Basics_Beets_Hero_1_ec04a668-f707-48d5-8529-2bdd18f8056e_360x.webp?v=1722354927 Beets cooked and served in the glass Anyday dish, featuring tender and perfectly cooked beets, ideal for salads, side dishes, or as a healthy snack.
PT5M PT14M

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

14 mins

Free Time

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These colorful root vegetables steam in the microwave in a fraction of the time they take to roast in an oven — and keep all their healthy nutrients and antioxidants, too! Add them to salads or enjoy them on their own with a splash of olive oil and vinegar.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

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What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

The Medium Deep Dish

The best dish for 1-2 portions of grains, veggies, mac and cheese, ramen, and more.

The Medium Shallow Dish

Look no further for making poached eggs, desserts, dips, and small portions of meat or fish.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
Try Anyday

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

2 cups (250g) 1” diced beets

Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

Microwave oven by power - 700w
700w

Recommended 

Dish

The Medium Deep Dish

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (250g) 1” diced beets, about 1 large beet
  • 3 tablespoons water

Preparation

  1. Add the peeled and diced beets and water in the Anyday and cover with the lid (knob lifted).
  2. Cook in the microwave at Power Level 8tooltip for 14 minutes, or until the beets are fork-tender.
  3. Season to taste.

Serving suggestions & tips

  • Honey lime: Mix with honey, grated ginger, and lime juice.
  • Balsamic goat cheese: Mix with goat cheese (or blue cheese or feta cheese), toasted nuts, and balsamic vinegar
  • Garlic lemon: Mix with room temperature butter, garlic powder, chopped parsley, and lemon juice. Add crispy shallots for some extra crunch
  • Pink goddess dressing: Blend with greek yogurt, red wine or apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, olive oil, and a splash of water. Top with a sprinkle of chopped chives.

Recipe notes

  • Use gloves to prevent your skin from turning pink!
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Microwave Match Up: Beets

See for yourself— microwaving beets are simply faster, start to finish. *Includes preheat time

Appliance Cook Times
Microwave in an Anyday dish 14 mins
Stovetop* 45-50 mins
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* 20-30 mins
*Includes preheat time

All You Need to Know About Microwaving Beets

How long does take to cook beets in the microwave?

Ingredient Water Power Level Cook Time
2 cups (250g) 1” diced beets, about 1 large beet 3 tablespoons water 8 14 mins
4 cups (500g) 1” diced beets, about 2 large beets 4 tablespoons water 8 16-18 mins
6 cups (750g) 1” diced beets, about 3 large beets 5 tablespoons water 8 20-24mins
Cook time calculated for 700w microwave

It typically takes around 7-8 minutes per beet to cook in the microwave. To determine when beets are cooked through, look for tenderness and a rich color. You can also test them by piercing a beet with a fork; it should be tender but not mushy.

What is the healthiest way to cook beets?

Microwaving or steaming beets are both healthy cooking methods that retain beets’ nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Unlike boiling, these methods use minimal water and preserve the natural flavor and nutritional value of beets. They also require little to no added fats, making them a low-calorie and heart-healthy option. This allows you to enjoy the benefits of beets while minimizing nutrient loss and added calories.

Can I cook whole beets in the microwave?

Cooking whole beets is a straightforward process: Simply pierce the beet's surface with a fork, then place it in the Anyday dish with 2 tablespoons of water per beet. Start with the recommended cooking times provided above and make adjustments as needed.

Do I need to peel beets before cooking?

We suggest using a brush to thoroughly clean the beet's skin, ensuring all dirt is removed. While you don’t have to peel the beets, you may find that the texture is better without the skin.

How to freeze microwaved beets?

To freeze microwaved beets, begin by microwaving the whole beets, then allow them to cool before removing the skin. Once cooled, slice or dice the beets as desired and place them in 1/2 cup Anytime Freezer Trays. Freeze for convenient future use.

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