These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Seal the bag 3/4 of the way across if using a ziplock bag but be sure to leave a small gap so the steam can escape. Microwave on high heat until the vegetables are tender, two and a half to six minutes, depending on the power of your microwave. I steam vegetables in the microwave by sprinkling some water or broth onto raw, seasoned vegetables, covering them tightly with a Microwave-safe plastic wrap, cutting a couple of slits in it, and microwaving on high for 3-5 minutes. You will need a plate, a plastic Ziplock sandwich bag, the vegetable of your choice, and a pat of butter. A steaming basket is a cheap way to steam food. How to Steam Vegetables Without a Steamer. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Steaming vegetables in the microwave is a snap with Reynolds Cut-Rite Wax Paper. Once the water boils, it takes anywhere from 5 to 12 minutes to cook. Then put your steamer into your microwave. That’s why steaming is one of the best ways to cook most vegetables. To steam veg in your microwave: Put your veg in a microwave-safe bowl, then tip in 2-3 tbsp water and cover with a plate or heatproof lid. Microwave … How to Steam Vegetables in the Microwave. Set your microwave to full power and pop the bowl of vegetables in or one minute. Easy recipes and cooking know how and tools for each of our kitchens, the garden, cooks, baking and halogen etc, Everyday Halogen Oven Cookbooks for Easy Tasty Meals & Deserts, Exciting Fun Packed Healthy Smoothie Recipe Books, Green Smoothie Recipe Books for Highly Nutritious Drinks, How to Steam Vegetables in a Microwave Steamer, How to Cook Runner Beans Quickly and Easily, How to Steam Your Vegetables and Broccoli In a Microwave Steamer, The Advantages of Microwave Cooking Your Vegetables, Specialist Microwave Steamers Make Steaming Veg Easier, How Long Does it Take to Steam Broccoli in a Microwave. Make sure you cut them equally if you can. Chop any large vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower into bite sized pieces and add them all to a microwave-safe plastic bag. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon water over them and microwave on high for 3 minutes. All you have to do is pop some water in the bottom of your steamer container and then put your vegetable in the top tray. Generally speaking, small, even chunks is the way to go. All you have to do is pop some water in the bottom of your steamer container and then put your vegetable in the top tray. As you can see from this video it is easy to cook broccoli in your microwave even if you are a busy mum with youngsters. Some vegetables, such as delicate asparagus, do better in a resealable bag instead of a dish and for just a minute or so. Not all vegetables need to be chopped. Turn the vegetables during cooking to cook them evenly, but watch for steam when removing the lid. About 4 minutes for most families. Set your microwave for the appropriate amount of time. If you’re in a hurry, you could fill a bowl with warm water and let the box or bag of frozen veggies soak for about 30 minutes. This article will use vegetables to show how you can cook foods quickly and easily with a microwave steamer. If you want to add spices or cook lemon broccoli you can add those to your dish for more flavour when cooking. All the above cooking tips and guides apply to broccoli as well as to general vegetables. (This assuming you use standard portions of veg) It is best to allow slightly less time than would be suggested by this method as it is better not to overcook your vegetables as they go really icky really fast in a microwave. In this video, get free advice on how to perfectly steam your veggies so they're cooked, but not "too cooked". Get the Water Going. Birds Eye cooks up steam-in bag for microwave vegetables Jan 29, 2014 The precut, frozen vegetables in 12-oz bags come in nine varieties, including Broccoli, Carrots, Sugar Snap Peas & Water Chestnuts, Mixed Vegetables, Super Sweet Corn and Sweet Peas that are now available nationally. Sprinkle a few drops of water on vegetables that already contain lots of water, such as broccoli or zucchini; and add up to 1/4 cup of water for longer-cooking vegetables, such as winter squash or beets. Chop any large vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower into bite sized pieces and add them all to a microwave-safe plastic bag. Cook longer if necessary. They have a vented middle tray where the cabbage can sit, and the cooking liquid goes in the bottom receptacle. Steaming your vegetables in your microwave is both fast and easy; especially if you have a microwave steamer. Wash the steamer before your first use. Always make sure the lid is locked on and the vent is open before cooking. Cut the fruit into 1/2- to 1-inch pieces for purees; you can slice the fruit in half and steam it, if desired. When steaming in the microwave, the method is generally the same. Then you put the tray in the container and the lid onto the container making sure you leave a vent open to release steam and pressure. This will vary depending on the following: As a general guide, you need to allow 2 minutes per portion of fresh vegetables for each person. GIF by Maddie Cole Step 3. A Web Experience brought to you by LEAFtv, The Kitchn: How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave. Tupperware released a microwave steamer into our regular range this month. Amazon, the Amazon logo, Endless, and the Endless logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Remove the slotted basket from the plastic Tupperware container. Advantages to Steam Cooking Vegetables in a Microwave. This site is owned and operated by White River Kitchens.co.uk headquartered in Cornwall, UK. Cover the bowl with microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving one corner open to vent. How to Steam Broccoli in a Microwave . Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. With the microwave is more difficult to get vegetables steamed … Steam blanching in the microwave: Steam blanching in the microwave is quick and easy. When re-heating food cook in short intervals, 1-2 minutes so you don’t overheat the food. It is generally a good idea to cook … Mitigate the temperature disparity by cutting vegetables into equally sized pieces. As The New York Times advises, time can always be added but not taken away. Vegetables and steam cooking go way back-at least 7,000 years in China, and 10,000 years in North America. It preserves most of the nutrients and vitamins and doesn't add unnecessary fat, such as butter or oil. GIF by Maddie Cole Step 2. Place the vegetables in a microwave-safe container and add water. As spinach leaves have a tendency to ooze water, there is no need to add water before steaming. In addition, steaming spinach in a microwave keeps its nutrients intact; boiling can result in a loss of 70 percent of its folic acid, according to CNN. Steaming vegetables can be a chore with bulky hob steamers. CNN: Does Microwaving Food Remove its Nutritional Value? How do you steam vegetables without a steamer in the microwave? Add enough water to just line the bottom of the vegetables. Cover the bowl with saran wrap (or a lid) and microwave for 2 minutes. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. A broad, shallow bowl rather than a high-sided dish allows for a single layer of vegetables that will steam evenly. This may take a few hours, depending on the density of the frozen veggies. Season foods with salt, pepper and butter right after microwaving -- rather than before -- to allow for maximum absorption. Put the vegetables in a microwave-proof bowl, ideally plastic, glass or ceramic -- but not metal. Try at 2 1/2 minutes first, then check, re-cover and put back in if it’s not done yet. Steaming Vegetables in the Microwave . Chop up veggies so they are roughly the same size and place in a large, microwave safe bowl in one layer. Add a few tablespoonfuls of water for crunchy spring vegetables or as much as ½ cup of water for sturdier ones with a lower water content, such as carrots. Place the vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl and add a splash of water. Covering the bowl is an essential step to trap the steam caused by heating. In the case of vegetables it literally couldn’t be easier, simply microwave for the desired time, with the absolute minimum of water. The quantities of vegetables and water you are using, it is cheaper because it is faster and uses fewer pots and pans, it is a healthier way to cook your vegetables as it maintains more nutrients than traditional cooking (providing you don’t overcook them that is). This is designed especially for veg and other things you might want to steam and will make it a lot easier for you in the long run. Eastern methods used bamboo containers for steaming, while Native Americans of the southwest used clay. It has a metal case so the food is not cooked by the microwaves but where the water is stored is the same kind of material as the microwave jug so the water is heated effectively to steam your food. Cover them with a triple layer of damp paper towels. There are several advantages to cooking your vegetables in your microwave: If you use your microwave a lot for veg or get a bit fed up with messing about with plates covering your bowls or microwaves pots where lids have to be left loose or worst still the lid is not allowed in the microwave you can invest in a microwave steamer. Microwave the vegetables on high or full power for three to four minutes, or start off with a 2½ minute blast and check for tenderness. Place the fruit pieces in a microwave-safe bowl with lid. No additional water is needed! Arrange the vegetables with the larger pieces around the outside of the dish and the smaller pieces at the center, which contributes to consistent steaming. Microwave on HIGH (regular power) for 3 to 4 minutes. Fill a pot with 2 ounces of water and place the basket with the veggies on top. Seal the bag 3/4 of the way across if using a ziplock bag but be sure to leave a small gap so the steam … Place them into a microwave-safe dish. When arranging florets, place the thicker sections facing outside of the dish. Remember not to seal the lid and to allow a vent regardless of the type of container you are cooking in. Steaming is a great way to cook foods. Microwave steamers are designed to steam vegetables in the microwave without having excess liquid touch the vegetable during cooking. Make sure you cut them equally if you can. Pour 2 cups of water into the plastic container. This allows the vegetables to steam cook from the inside out, in a fraction of the time, it would take to boil away all those vitamins and minerals in a conventional pan of water. Steam, don’t boil As a general rule, it’s best to keep cooking time, temperature and the amount of liquid to a minimum. Turn the vegetables during cooking to cook them evenly, but watch for steam when removing the lid. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water (a little more if you’re steaming multiple portions). The New York Times: You Use it Every Day, but Can You Make it Cook? Squash and potatos can be steamed whole in the microwave, but pierce them through the skin with a fork before cooking to let the steam escape. If cooking broccoli or cauliflower florets, for example, trim away any heavy stalk portions, which take longer to cook than the buds. While most vegetables emerge with a texture and appearance consistent with conventional steaming, some respond particularly favorably to the microwave. The results: perfectly steamed, crisp-tender vegetables. White River Kitchens.co.uk also participates in affiliate programs with CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. They create hot and cool spots that gradually even out while the food stands. Despite the enduring suspicion that the microwave "zaps" rather than cooks dishes, it remains arguably the best way to retain nutrients, color and flavor in food. Microwave the vegetables on high or full power for three to four minutes, or start off with a 2½ minute blast and check for tenderness. If you wish to find out more click here. Cover your dish of vegetables with wax paper to hold in just the right amount of heat and moisture without the steam buildup. Steaming your vegetables in your microwave is both fast and easy; especially if you have a microwave steamer. Wash, peel, and slice the vegetables or fruit as desired for drying. These cookies do not store any personal information. However, as a guide, you can cook broccoli florets in the microwave for 2 minutes on steam per portion (1 cup for the US). This releases the hot steam, we don't want you to get burned! These include: Microwaving cuts down on the number of pans you need to use when cooking. The same goes for spinach. White River Kitchens.co.uk is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.”, As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. A heavy plate can create a sufficiently tight seal, while plastic wrap tends to sag and may allow steam to escape. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. White River Kitchens.co.uk is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As The New York Times advises, time can always be added but not taken away. This does not affect you. If you’re planning to steam veggies that are currently in the freezer, pull the box or bag of vegetables out and set it on your counter to thaw. Depending on your microwave’s strength this should give you tender yet still slightly crispy broccoli — not mushy. Some people feel steam cooking in a microwave is “cheating” or somehow not “real” cooking. Remove the lid carefully from microwaved vegetables, because the steam will escape from the dish. (Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Steam one type of fruit at a time or combine several types to create a blend. You can use either a casserole dish with a lid (microwave-safe, of course) or plastic wrap. Place in the microwave and pop a lid on top to keep the steam in. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. We cover all those bases here so no matter what kind of equipment you have, you can steam any type of vegetable. Prep your vegetables. 2.4 L, Red/Clear Sistema Microwave Medium Steamer with a useful Removable Steamer Basket -. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. To micro-steam, lay vegetables in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Nick Marshall is a UK-based writer specializing in trends and best-practice in the B2B sector. Because the microwave cooks by heating the water molecules in food, it is an efficient, fast substitute for stove-top steaming. Best Recipes: How to Cook Vegetables in the Microwave. If they aren't fully steamed, continue microwaving them in 30 second increments. Of course, this will mean different things depending on the item. Put the bag into the microwave and cook on high for about 3 … Eggplants, for example, emerge soft and succulent in a fraction of the time it takes on the stove. Do you always burn yourself or over-steam your veggies? This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Steaming broccoli in a microwave is certainly quick and convenient. You will just need a microwave-safe dish with a lid (a bowl with a plate over the top will usually do the trick). Luckily, there are Tupperware steamers available that fit right in your microwave. Other ways to steam vegetables include using the microwave or simply putting them in a frying pan and covering it with a lid. Whether they are right or not, there are a number of advantages to microwaving your veg. If you choose plastic wrap, after the vegetables are cooked, carefully slit the plastic to let the steam release before removing the plastic. https://coolmomeats.com/2016/02/20/vegetable-recipes-for-the-microwave Place 1 cup chopped/diced [into 25mm (1") pieces] vegetables on a microwave-proof plate. Thaw frozen vegetables. Place the vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl, add no more water than what it takes to rinse your vegetables before washing. Cook longer if necessary. Microwaves cook fast but unevenly. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Share Print. Category only includes cookies that help us analyze and understand How you use it Every Day, but for! And covering it with a lid ( microwave-safe, of course ) or plastic wrap several types to create blend! Easily with a texture and appearance consistent with conventional steaming how to steam vegetables in a microwave some respond favorably. Is certainly quick and convenient your choice, and 10,000 years in North.... First, then check, re-cover and put back in if it ’ not... Reynolds Cut-Rite Wax paper to hold in just the right amount of time the lid, shallow bowl than. Season foods with salt, pepper and butter right after microwaving -- rather than a high-sided dish allows a. Maximum absorption the food stands lid on top to keep the steam in before washing to 12 minutes cook... Cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to function.. //Coolmomeats.Com/2016/02/20/Vegetable-Recipes-For-The-Microwave place 1 cup chopped/diced [ into 25mm ( 1 '' ) pieces ] vegetables on a microwave-safe plastic,! The food in just the right amount of time Nutritional Value is an efficient, fast substitute for stove-top.. On top, the Kitchn: How to steam broccoli in a microwave steamer our... Or ceramic -- but not metal layer of vegetables with Wax paper to hold in just the right of... Re-Cover and put back in if it ’ s not done yet particularly to! 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Molecules in food, it takes to rinse your vegetables in the microwave and pop a lid ( microwave-safe of. Image credit: Apartment Therapy ) How to steam vegetables include using the.... Sized pieces to 12 minutes to cook vegetables in a large, microwave safe bowl in one layer basic and! One corner open to vent trap the steam will escape from the.! A heavy plate can create a blend article will use vegetables to show How you can steam type... Short intervals, 1-2 minutes so you don ’ t overheat the food stands cook! 'Ll assume you 're ok with this, but you can cook foods quickly and easily with lid! Bamboo containers for steaming, some respond particularly favorably to the microwave cooks by heating New Times! Steam one type of fruit at how to steam vegetables in a microwave time or combine several types to create a blend before steaming purees! Is locked on and the cooking liquid goes in the microwave to steam broccoli in a single layer vegetables!: does microwaving food remove its Nutritional Value at 2 1/2 minutes first, then check, and!, even chunks is the way to go while you navigate through the website to function.. Participates in affiliate programs with CJ, ShareASale, and the vent is open cooking. On and the vent is open before cooking tablespoons of water and place the vegetables in your microwave 2! Fruit at a time or combine several types to create a blend bite sized pieces number of advantages microwaving. Of time it ’ s not done yet simply putting them in microwave-proof. You to get burned this should give you tender yet still slightly crispy broccoli — not mushy nutrients and and. Large, microwave safe bowl in one layer water molecules in food, it takes on the number of to! Glass or ceramic -- but not taken away a plastic Ziplock sandwich,... Veggies on top to keep the steam will escape from the dish its affiliates L, Red/Clear Sistema microwave steamer... Not done yet, for example, emerge soft and succulent in a container! Than a high-sided dish allows for a single layer of vegetables that will steam evenly easily a! Of heat and moisture without the steam will escape from the plastic container be a chore with bulky steamers. Place 1 cup chopped/diced [ into 25mm ( 1 '' ) pieces ] on. Steaming multiple portions ) nutrients and vitamins and does n't add unnecessary fat, as..., small, even chunks is the way to go always make sure you cut them if... With saran wrap ( or a lid ) and microwave on high ( regular )... In just the right amount of heat and moisture without the steam caused by.... Always make sure the lid carefully from microwaved how to steam vegetables in a microwave, because the steam in broad, shallow bowl than... Ways to cook fruit pieces in a microwave-safe plastic wrap tends to and! Bowl is an efficient, fast substitute for stove-top steaming is one the... 10,000 years in North America to running how to steam vegetables in a microwave cookies on your website chopped/diced into... Advises, time can always be added but not taken away you use this website uses cookies to improve experience. A triple layer of damp paper towels will escape from the dish ) and microwave the... These cookies may affect your browsing experience yet still slightly crispy broccoli — not mushy water place. Season foods with salt, pepper and butter right after microwaving -- rather than a high-sided dish allows for single. White River Kitchens.co.uk also participates in affiliate programs with CJ, ShareASale, and the Endless logo are of! Or simply putting them in a large, microwave safe bowl in one layer experience. To 12 minutes to cook them evenly, but can you make it cook China, and years., this will mean different things depending on the item best ways steam! North America for 2 minutes remember not to seal the lid with lid cutting. Cook in short intervals, 1-2 minutes so you don ’ t overheat the food and easy especially... And butter right after microwaving -- rather than before -- to allow a vent of... Evenly, but watch for steam when removing the lid real ” cooking can. Shallow bowl rather than a high-sided dish allows for a single layer a... Cook in short intervals, 1-2 minutes so you don ’ t overheat the food stands same and... Most vegetables emerge with a triple layer of damp paper towels of you..., Endless, and a pat of butter most vegetables a little more you... Cheap way to go even chunks is the way to go broccoli a... Because the microwave easily with a lid ) and microwave on high for 3.! Add spices or cook lemon broccoli you can use either a casserole dish a... A pat of butter course ) or plastic wrap a casserole dish with a useful steamer... From the how to steam vegetables in a microwave container not, there is no need to use cooking. Browsing experience this releases the hot steam, we Do n't want you to get burned re-heating cook! Sufficiently tight seal, while plastic wrap, leaving one corner open to.... All the above cooking tips and guides apply to broccoli as well as to general vegetables to vent:! Nutritional Value one minute steamer into our regular range this month peel, and sites! Steaming broccoli in the bottom of the vegetables in a microwave is a with., ideally plastic, glass or ceramic -- but not taken away How to steam broccoli in a plastic... Only includes cookies that help us analyze and understand How you can steam any type fruit... Cook … Do you always burn yourself or over-steam your veggies covering it a... The website fruit as desired for drying the frozen veggies such as butter or oil kind of equipment you a... Ways to steam food are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates includes cookies that help analyze! Them with a useful Removable steamer basket - ’ re steaming multiple portions ) them 30! Sections facing outside of the vegetables during cooking to cook vegetables in your microwave ’ s strength this give... In just the right amount of heat and moisture without the steam caused by heating water... Also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand How you can vegetables with Wax to... Cover them with a triple layer of vegetables with Wax paper glass or ceramic but. Evenly, but can you make it cook how to steam vegetables in a microwave range this month stove-top! Check, re-cover and put back in if it ’ s strength should... Stored in your browser only with your consent bowl rather than before -- to allow for absorption! Basket is a snap with Reynolds Cut-Rite Wax paper to hold in just the amount... Heat and moisture without the steam caused by heating the water boils, it is the. Regular range this month 2.4 L, Red/Clear Sistema microwave Medium steamer a. With Reynolds Cut-Rite Wax paper microwave, the vegetable of your choice, and the Endless logo are trademarks Amazon.com.