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How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave

Submitted by Joyful Abode on June 7, 2009 – 4:00 amView Comments
How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave
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Honestly, I don’t understand when people say, “I don’t like vegetables.”

Like vegetables are a whole group of unappealing foods or something… and they’re all the same.

But in my opinion vegetables are some of the best things EVER. Especially when they come from your own garden or from a local farmer. They are so fresh and delicious, flavorful and crisp!

Oh wait… flavorful and crisp. Maybe THAT’s why people “don’t like vegetables.” They have only had improperly cooked veggies and/or canned ones — bland and mushy. If you can’t get fresh veggies, frozen is the next best thing. And if you overcook your vegetables, you may as well be eating wet sponges. Gross!

So the lesson here is cook your vegetables properly! Steamed broccoli, for example, should NOT be squishy. You should be able to bite it with your teeth and have it actually break, not rip and leave strings behind. My dad’s rule, which works quiet well, is that when you begin to be able to smell the vegetable it’s done cooking.

So here we go!

Step 1: Cut the florets off of the stem.  They don’t have to be the same size as each other, but they should be small enough to be a comfortable bite. No one wants to have to cut their broccoli once it’s on their plate.

steaming broccoli

Step 2: Rinse the broccoli, just in case there’s anything you don’t want to eat on it. Don’t worry about trying to get all of the water out; you need a bit of water for the broccoli to steam!

steaming broccoli

Step 3: Place broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl or casserole dish, and cover. This dish has a lid which is convenient, but you can use saran wrap or something. If you’re afraid there isn’t enough water on the broccoli, you can add a couple tablespoons of water to the container.

steaming broccoli

Step 4: Microwave UNTIL YOU CAN SMELL THE BROCCOLI. This usually takes about 6 minutes in modern microwaves. Since I got my microwave off Craigslist 2 years ago, and it’s probably about 8 years old, mine takes 8-10 minutes to cook.

See how it’s just a bit darker green and a bit less opaque? That’s perfect. It’s still structured, crispy, and flavorful.

steaming broccoli

One of my favorite toppings for hot steamed broccoli is lemon pepper. Of course, it’s fantastic on its own, too.

Are you a fan of vegetables in general? Which is your favorite, and what is your favorite way to cook it?

Steamed broccoli is high on the list for me, but blanched or roasted asparagus is up there too. I also love cauliflower, raw carrots, raw red/yellow/orange bell peppers, zucchini… man, I’m just a fan of vegetables in general.

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  • veggie_amateur
    we are all trying to eat more veggies at home but we just don't know how to cook them. ok, we're all lazy to cook! it's always been a medley of take-out pork, chicken, beef on a loop. please help introduce more veggies to us (the yummy and we are too lazy too cook) way, if possible! :)
  • My favourite way of cooking veggies (any greens really) comes from one of Jamie Oliver's cookbooks (I forget which one it was now). You steam the veggies (or just quickly panfry in a liiiiiiitle bit of water). When they're done (and still steaming hot), dress them with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt & pepper. You can add some chopped up herbs too if you like.

    I defy any person to not like veggies when done this way. I can eat entire platefuls of them like this! Especially zucchini/babymarrow cut into chunky slices - it's delicious!
  • Caroline
    Yesterday at the grocery store I got: two pints of grape tomatoes, three cucumbers, six roma tomatoes, three red bell peppers, a head of broccoli, and a giant bag of romaine lettuce. Today for lunch I had a sandwich, an entire bell pepper, and about half the broccoli. DELICIOUS. All my residents were like "Wow, that's a lot of groceries" but I have been VERY produce-starved.

    Also, David (my boyfriend) has said for a year and a half that he didn't like cooked broccoli - he only ate it raw with ranch. But I cooked it nicely as part of a broccoli cheese chicken soup and he admitted it "wasn't bad." I think by slowly adding more well-cooked veggies into our repertoire, he'll come around to just saying he doesn't like over-cooked vegetable mush.
  • I have such a hard time getting my broccoli to come out right in the microwave. I love crisp steam broccoli, but it always seems to come out wilty. I'll have to try this method (currently using the Zip Steam bags).
  • I like to steam mine in a steamer (thanks in laws!), and then toss it with a drop of olive oil and Nature's Seasoning. It's in the yellow and blue canister on the spice aisle. Or, I roast the broccoli in the oven instead, but still use the Nature's seasoning. Or Veggie Shakers, which comes in different flavors (steak shakers, chicken shakers, etc. Yumm.
  • I agree! I didn't like cooked vegetables for a long time and then I realized that it was because my mom always over cooked them. My MIL is the one who taught me how to do it right. Now the only vegetables I don't like are turnips and mushrooms.
  • Oh, I totally agree. My MIL boils the living daylights out of vegetables - blech! I love the bright green that broccoli goes.
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