# Beetroot (beets) cooking times

How long to cook beetroot: **30–45 min boiled, 45 min to 1 h in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan), 20–25 min in an air fryer at 190°C and 30–40 min steamed**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/beetroot-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook beetroot

Times are for 4 medium beetroot (about 500 g).

Beetroot (beets): cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Whole) | 30–45 min | simmering, covered with water | Small beetroot take about 30 minutes, large ones up to an hour. |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (Whole) | 45 min to 1 h | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | Wrap each one in foil. |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (Wedges) | 35–45 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | Peel, cut into wedges and toss in oil. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) (Cubes) | 20–25 min | 190°C (375°F) | Peeled and cut into 2 cm cubes, tossed in oil. |
| [Steam](https://feastflow.co.uk/steaming-times) (Whole, small) | 30–40 min | over simmering water | Small whole beetroot, unpeeled. |
| [Microwave](https://feastflow.co.uk/microwave-cooking-times) (Whole, 4 medium) | 10–12 min | on full power, covered | In a bowl with 3 tablespoons of water; turn halfway. |
| [Pressure cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/pressure-cooker-cooking-times) (Whole) | 15–20 min | on high pressure | Whole, on a trivet with 250 ml water; natural release. |

## Before you start

Leave the skin and roots on for boiling and roasting whole, so they don’t bleed; the skin rubs off once cooked. Wear gloves, it stains.

## How to tell it’s done

A knife slides into the middle easily.

## Questions

### How long to boil beetroot?

Whole: 30–45 min simmering, covered with water. Small beetroot take about 30 minutes, large ones up to an hour.

### How long to cook beetroot in the oven?

Whole: 45 min to 1 h at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. Wrap each one in foil. Wedges: 35–45 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. Peel, cut into wedges and toss in oil.

### How long to cook beetroot in an air fryer?

Cubes: 20–25 min at 190°C (375°F). Peeled and cut into 2 cm cubes, tossed in oil.

### How long to steam beetroot?

Whole, small: 30–40 min over simmering water. Small whole beetroot, unpeeled.

### How long to microwave beetroot?

Whole, 4 medium: 10–12 min on full power, covered. In a bowl with 3 tablespoons of water; turn halfway.

### How long to cook beetroot in a pressure cooker?

Whole: 15–20 min on high pressure. Whole, on a trivet with 250 ml water; natural release.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/