Ninja Foodi & Instant Pot Beet Greens: Quick, Healthy & Delicious Pressure Cooker Recipe

Discover how incredibly simple it is to transform fresh beet greens and their stems into a nutrient-packed, flavorful side dish using your electric pressure cooker, like the Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot. Often discarded, these vibrant greens and their tender stems are not only edible but are bursting with health benefits and can be cooked in mere minutes. This recipe will guide you through preparing and pressure cooking them to perfection, ensuring a delicious and healthy addition to any meal.

In our previous discussions, we explored how to cook the fresh beets themselves in your Ninja Foodi. Now, we turn our attention to the often-overlooked yet equally delicious parts of the beet plant: the greens and stems. We absolutely love beets in our household, and making use of the entire plant ensures nothing goes to waste while maximizing the nutritional value of your meal.

Beet greens offer a wonderful, slightly earthy flavor and a tender texture that makes them an excellent substitute for other popular leafy greens. Think of them as a versatile alternative to spinach, Swiss chard, collard greens, or even bok choy. Their versatility means you can incorporate them into various dishes, from a simple side to a robust addition to stir-fries or soups. The best part? This recipe is incredibly simple and remarkably quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when you need a speedy, healthy side.

Unlocking the Health Benefits of Beet Greens and Stems

Beyond their delightful taste, beet greens are a nutritional powerhouse, making them a fantastic addition to a healthy diet. They are celebrated for their rich concentration of vitamins, minerals, and potent antioxidants. Incorporating these greens into your meals contributes significantly to overall well-being.

• Antioxidant Rich: Beet greens are loaded with antioxidants, which combat free radicals in the body, reducing oxidative stress and supporting cellular health. These compounds play a vital role in protecting against chronic diseases.
• High in Vitamin K: This essential vitamin is crucial for blood clotting and bone health. A significant intake of Vitamin K through foods like beet greens can support strong bones and proper physiological functions.
• Abundant in Vitamins A & C: Vitamin A is vital for vision, immune function, and skin health, while Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant known for boosting the immune system and aiding in collagen production.
• Packed with B Vitamins: Particularly high in Vitamin B6, beet greens support brain health, metabolism, and nerve function, helping convert food into energy.
• Essential Minerals: They provide a wealth of vital minerals including magnesium, which is important for muscle and nerve function, blood sugar control, and blood pressure regulation; potassium, crucial for maintaining fluid balance and healthy blood pressure; copper, necessary for energy production and iron absorption; iron, essential for red blood cell formation and oxygen transport; and manganese, a key component of antioxidant enzymes.

By consuming beet greens and stems, you’re not just enjoying a tasty dish; you’re fueling your body with a broad spectrum of nutrients that contribute to optimal health.

Pressure Cooker Fresh Beet Greens: Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot

Using an electric pressure cooker like the Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot is a game-changer for cooking greens. It significantly reduces cooking time while helping to preserve more of the delicate nutrients and vibrant color of the beet greens. The high-pressure environment tenderizes the greens and stems quickly, delivering a consistently delicious result every time. This method ensures your greens are never mushy but perfectly cooked with just the right bite.

Preparing Your Beet Greens for Pressure Cooking

Proper preparation is key to enjoying the best of your beet greens. While the cooking process is quick, a little attention during prep will make all the difference.

First, carefully trim the leaves and any tender stems from the beet roots. You’ll want to separate them from the beets themselves. Once separated, gather the greens and stems and cut them into manageable 1.5 to 2-inch pieces. This size allows for even cooking and makes them easier to eat.

The most crucial step in preparing beet greens is thorough washing. Beet greens can often hold a surprising amount of grit and sand, even if they look clean. It’s essential to remove all traces of soil to ensure a pleasant eating experience. Here’s a detailed method for washing them effectively:

We recommend using a salad spinner for this task. Place the cut beet greens and stems into the basket of your salad spinner. Fill the spinner bowl with cold water, submerging the greens completely. Swish them around gently with your hands to dislodge any dirt. Allow them to sit for a few minutes, letting the grit settle to the bottom of the bowl. Then, carefully lift the spinner basket out of the water, leaving the dirty water behind. Discard the murky water, rinse the bowl, and repeat this process several times until the water remains completely clear after the greens have been agitated and allowed to sit. This diligent washing ensures your greens are pristine and ready for cooking.

How to Pressure Cook Beet Greens in Your Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot

Once your beet greens are clean and chopped, the cooking process is incredibly straightforward and quick:

1. Add Liquid: Pour 1/2 cup of water into the inner pot of your Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot. This liquid is essential for creating the steam needed for pressure cooking.
2. Season the Greens: Place the thoroughly washed and chopped beet greens and stems into the pot. Season them generously with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, and 1 to 2 minced garlic cloves. The garlic adds a wonderful aromatic depth that complements the earthy flavor of the greens.
3. Combine Ingredients: Give everything a good stir to ensure the garlic, salt, and pepper are evenly distributed among the greens. This ensures every bite is flavorful.
4. Pressure Cook: Secure the pressure cooker lid in place and lock it. Set your appliance to high pressure and cook for just 3 minutes. The quick cooking time is perfect for tenderizing the greens without overcooking them.
5. Quick Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure. Carefully turn the pressure release control to the “venting” position. Stand clear of the steam vent as hot steam will escape rapidly.

In under 20 minutes from start to finish, you’ll have a delightful, nutrient-loaded side dish ready to serve. These pressure-cooked beet greens are naturally gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, Whole30 compliant, keto-friendly, and low carb, making them suitable for a wide range of dietary preferences. You truly can’t go wrong with such a healthy and versatile option!

Serving Suggestions and Flavor Variations

These pressure-cooked beet greens are delicious on their own, but they can also be enhanced with a few simple additions or integrated into larger meals:

• Simple Side: Serve them as a vibrant, healthy side alongside roasted chicken, grilled fish, or a hearty vegetarian main course. A drizzle of good quality olive oil or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving can brighten their flavor.
• Garlic & Chili Flakes: For an extra kick, sauté a pinch of red pepper flakes with the minced garlic before adding the greens to the pressure cooker.
• With Bacon or Pancetta: For a non-vegan option, sauté some diced bacon or pancetta until crispy before adding the greens. The rendered fat adds incredible flavor, and the crispy bits provide a delightful texture contrast.
• In Grain Bowls: Add these cooked greens to your favorite grain bowls with quinoa, farro, roasted vegetables, and a protein source for a complete and balanced meal.
• Eggs & Toast: Serve them alongside scrambled eggs or poached eggs on toast for a nutritious breakfast or brunch.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Pressure Cooked Beet Greens

We’re always learning new ways to get the most out of our ingredients. Here’s a clever tip, inspired by my aunt, and some general advice:

• Cooking Greens with Beets: My aunt shared a smart trick: she places the whole beets on a rack in the pressure cooker and then layers the trimmed beet greens directly on top of the beets. She then cooks them all together. While I was initially hesitant, concerned the greens might overcook due to the longer cooking time required for the roots, she assured me they turned out perfectly tender and flavorful, not overdone at all. This is an excellent way to cook the entire vegetable simultaneously and efficiently. If trying this, you might need to adjust the cooking time slightly based on the size of your beets and how well done you like your greens, but generally, the greens steam beautifully above the liquid without direct immersion.
• Preventing Overcooking: The 3-minute high-pressure cooking time with a quick release is crucial. Overcooking can lead to mushy, unappetizing greens. Always use a quick release to stop the cooking process promptly.
• Freshness Matters: For the best results, use the freshest beet greens you can find. Younger, more tender greens will have a milder flavor and better texture.
• Storage: Leftover cooked beet greens can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They reheat well in the microwave or a small saucepan.

Looking for more delicious pressure cooker recipes? Check out our Ninja Foodi Mexican Pinto Beans (Charro Beans) recipe!

And for a sweet treat, you might enjoy our Peanut Butter Balls!

Ninja Foodi Fresh Beet Greens Recipe

Embrace the full potential of your fresh beets by utilizing their nutritious greens and stems. This pressure cooker recipe offers a speedy, delicious, and incredibly healthy way to enjoy this often-underestimated part of the plant. With minimal effort, you can create a vibrant side dish that’s rich in flavor and packed with essential nutrients. Give it a try, and you might just find your new favorite way to eat your greens!