Steaming broccoli in the microwave is a great way to make a versatile side dish that you can add to a variety of meals. You can pair it with protein, like chicken, steak or fish, top it on a salad or grain bowl, or add it to a baked potato or pasta. Using your microwave to steam broccoli can be a quick and easy cooking method to get more vegetables on your table. Follow this guide to learn how to steam broccoli in your microwave, along with other helpful tips.
You can cook broccoli in your microwave —it’s convenient when you want to add a healthy side dish to your meal. To steam broccoli, simply cut it into pieces, put the florets in a microwave-safe container with water and set your microwave to the correct power level or setting .
Steamed broccoli can be ready in a matter of minutes when using your microwave. Read on to learn how to steam this nutritious vegetable.
1–4 cups fresh or frozen broccoli
Microwave, like the Maytag ® Over-the-Range Microwave
Microwave-safe bowl or Maytag ® Microwave Steaming Container
Oven mitts or pot holders
Spatula or cooking spoon
Remove broccoli from your fridge or freezer and rinse with warm water. Chop the broccoli into 1-inch florets, if it’s not pre-cut.
Place your broccoli florets in a microwave-safe bowl and add 2–4 tablespoons of water, depending on the amount of vegetables you’re steaming. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid.
If you’re using a Maytag ® Microwave Steaming Container, add ½ cup of water to the base, place your broccoli in the insert and cover the container with the lid.
Put the broccoli in your microwave and cook on high for 3–4 minutes, depending on the wattage . Select Maytag ® microwave models have a Steam Cooking function that allows you to choose the setting and program it for the type of food you’re cooking.
Always use oven mitts or pot holders when removing broccoli from your microwave as the container will be hot. Place the container on your counter and use caution when taking the lid off because hot steam will be released. Stir your broccoli and let it rest for 3 minutes after heating. Avoid removing the lid in the microwave as the rush of steam can disrupt the sensor settings.
You can steam both fresh and frozen broccoli in the microwave. There’s no need to thaw frozen broccoli—it can be steamed in a microwave, but may need to cook longer than when it’s fresh. Simply check that it’s steamed to your desired tenderness.
Yes, you should cover your microwave-safe bowl when steaming vegetables to contain some of the moisture while it cooks. You can use a loose-fitting lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap with punctured holes for ventilation. Do not use aluminum foil or plastic wrap that’s not microwave-safe.
Besides using your microwave, you can steam broccoli in the following ways:
In a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water on your stovetop
In a skillet on your stovetop with about ½ inch of water
In an electric pressure cooker with a steamer basket
The best way is whatever method is most convenient for you.
Look forward to leftovers and quick cooking with Maytag ® countertop and over-the-range microwaves . Select models have Sensor Cooking that detects cooking progress and adjusts time and power settings accordingly. Explore the entire line of Maytag brand microwaves to discover convenient features that will help you get dinner on the table.
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