Trim the beet greens, leaving about 1 inch of stem
Scrub the beets clean
Place beets in a pot and cover with water
Add a pinch of salt if desired
Bring to a boil
Reduce to a simmer
Cook until tender when pierced with a fork, about 30 to 60 minutes depending on size
Drain the beets
Let them cool slightly
Rub off the skins with your hands or a paper towel
Slice, dice, or serve whole as desired