If you prefer to boil your fresh beets, you’ll need to bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Then, trim and wash the beets and add them to the boiling water. Cook them for 30-minutes or until a paring knife slides in and out easily. Next, remove your beets from the water and place them in a bowl of ice water. Peel the skin, cut, and follow the steps above to pickle them.