Learn the basics of cooking beets including how to season, boil, refresh and peel the beets.

Wash the beets with a soft brush. Place them in a pot and cover them with cold water. Do not add salt! Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cook beets the size of tennis balls for about 50 minutes. Check with a knife to see if they are cooked. The point of the knife should go through the beets without resistance. Refresh under cold running water for 10 minutes, then strain.

Cut the ends off with a paring knife and peel off all of the skin. Serve hot or cold in a salad, depending on your recipe.

When selecting beets at the market, try to buy ones that are all roughly the same size.

What is a beet?
The red, succulent root of a biennial plant. For dining purposes, beets are often dressed with vinegar and served cold and sliced, but can also be served hot. Beets are the basis of one of the most well-known types of borscht.