How To Steam Broccoli
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Learn how to steam broccoli on the stove or in the microwave with these tested and perfected techniques. Steamed broccoli is a delicious snack, side dish or addition to bowls and salads. And it’s easy to make in just 10 minutes!
Table of contents
Around our house, we turn to steamed broccoli a lot to add a vegetable to our meals.
Three reasons to love steamed broccoli!
- It’s easy to cook in 10 minutes to add to any meal!
- It pairs with a variety of flavors, making it a great match for dozens of dinner ideas.
- It’s the healthiest way to cook broccoli, so that it retains the most nutrients.
In addition to showing you how to steam broccoli on the stove (with or without a steamer basket) and in the microwave, I’m sharing all of my favorite ways to add steamed broccoli to meals throughout the week. So be sure to read through the entire post for some broccoli inspiration!
How to steam broccoli in the microwave
Steaming broccoli in the microwave is the quickest and easiest method, and does not require any special equipment. It will give you tender broccoli florets in just 3 minutes!
- If using a head of broccoli, remove the florets and rinse them in a colander.
- Add anywhere from one to three cups of broccoli to a large microwave-safe bowl with 2-3 tablespoons of water.
- Cover the bowl of broccoli with a microwave-safe plate and place it in the microwave for 3 minutes.
- Use oven mitts to remove the bowl and plate from the microwave. It will be hot! Remove the plate and serve the steamed broccoli immediately.
This method was tested in a 900 watt microwave. If your microwave has a different wattage, you might have to adjust the time by 30-60 seconds.
If the broccoli florets are medium to large in size, I recommend starting with 3 minutes. Add time in 30 second intervals, if they’re not as tender as you’d like.
If the broccoli florets are small to medium in size, I recommend you start with 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Add 30 seconds more at a time, if needed.
How to steam broccoli on the stove
Using a steamer basket to steam broccoli on the stove is quick, easy and fool-proof using the method outlined below.
- Add 1 inch of water to a medium pot, then place it on the stove over high heat and bring the water to a boil.
- Fill a steamer basket full of broccoli florets. Depending on the size of your steamer basket, you should be able to fit 1-2 cups of broccoli in the basket. Place the steamer basket of broccoli in the pot of boiling water on the stove, making sure that the broccoli does not touch the water.
- Place a lid on the pot and steam the broccoli for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, turn the heat off on the stove. Use oven mitts to remove the lid from the pot and remove the steamer basket of broccoli. Serve the broccoli immediately.
I have tested this method dozens of times, using all different sizes of broccoli florets. I’ve never had to adjust from the 5 minute steam time. But you can adjust the time up or down, depending on how tender you want the broccoli to be after it’s steamed.
If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can still steam broccoli on the stove. Simply add 1/2 inch water to a large skillet on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the broccoli florets in an even layer to the skillet. Cover the skillet and steam the broccoli for 5 minutes.
Use tongs to remove the broccoli from the skillet after steaming them, and serve them immediately.
Tips and tricks
- When using a steamer basket, always make sure that the broccoli is not touching the water. This will allow the broccoli to steam, instead of boil in the water.
- If steaming the broccoli ahead of time to eat later, you’ll want to transfer the steamed broccoli to a bowl of ice water immediately after it’s steamed to stop the cooking process. After 1-2 minutes in the ice bath, remove the broccoli from the ice water. Dry it thoroughly, then transfer it to an airtight container, lined with paper towels for storage. The paper towels will soak up any excess water and prevent the broccoli from getting soggy. The steamed broccoli will stay good in the fridge for up to 5 days. This is a great option for meal prepping!
- The times for steaming the broccoli on the stove, or in the microwave, will be the same whether you’re steaming 1/2 cup of broccoli, or up to 4 cups of broccoli. The only thing that will change is that you’ll need a larger bowl for the microwave, or a larger steamer basket or skillet on the stove if you’re steaming more than 2 cups of broccoli at one time.
- Before steaming the broccoli, I recommend cutting any extra-large florets, into medium bite-sized florets. This way they’ll steam evenly, and are easy to eat in any dish.
- You’ll be able to tell when the broccoli is done steaming, when it’s bright green in color, and tender, but not mushy, in texture.
Tools to use
I have both a steamer basket and steamer pot that I use to make this steamed broccoli recipe at home. The steamer basket is perfect for 1-2 cups of broccoli. It’s also an affordable option, that you can pick up for around $10 online or at a big-box store.
The steamer pot is perfect for making a big batch of broccoli. I can fit 6-8 cups of broccoli in there, which is perfect for prepping extra steamed broccoli for the week.
I love these glass bowls for steaming the broccoli in the microwave. There are three different sizes, perfect for making different amounts of steamed broccoli.
What to serve it with
Steamed broccoli really is a Jack-of-all-trades! It can be paired with grilled meats, Chinese food, salads, bowls and so much more! Serve it with any of these recipes.
- Gluten Free Orange Chicken (pictured above)
- Cheese Fondue – steamed broccoli is so delicious dipped into this cheesy goodness!
- Marinated Grilled Sirloin Steak – sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top of the broccoli before serving it with this steak and a baked potato!
- Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken
- Thai Peanut Sweet Potato Buddha Bowls
- Bruschetta Grilled Chicken Zoodle Bowls
- Mini Meatloaves
- Mac and Cheese – stir a cup of steamed broccoli into this easy stovetop mac and cheese recipe for a pop of green veggies in the dish!
- Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta – stir steamed broccoli into this creamy pasta dish to add extra flavor and texture.
- Creamy Cavatappi – this fancy mac and cheese recipe is even more delicious with the addition of steamed broccoli!
- Miso Salmon
- Homemade Hamburger Helper – mix in steamed broccoli at the end to add a pop of veggies to the dish!
Ways to season it
When serving steamed broccoli as a side dish, you can simply top it with flaky sea salt, or you can use any of these delicious ideas to season the broccoli after cooking.
- Parmesan cheese and lemon zest
- Soy sauce
- Lemon juice
- A drizzle of hot sauce, like Tabasco, Sriracha or buffalo sauce
- Crunchy chili onion – I love this stuff from Trader Joe’s! It makes a great topping for steamed broccoli, when paired with Asian dishes.
- Lemon pepper
- Everything bagel seasoning
- A drizzle of flavored olive oil – we love this lemon olive oil on steamed broccoli!
You can also dip it in your favorite salad dressing or sauce, to serve as a snack or side dish. I love it with ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, hummus, Thai peanut sauce or spicy cashew dressing. Or pair it with this nacho cheese sauce for a great game-day snack!
More kitchen tutorials
Become a pro in the kitchen! Don’t miss these other quick and easy cooking how-to posts!
Steamed Broccoli
Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets
Instructions
How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave
- Add anywhere from one to three cups of broccoli to a large microwave-safe bowl with 2-3 tablespoons of water.
- Cover the bowl of broccoli with a microwave-safe plate and place it in the microwave for 3 minutes.
- Use oven mitts to remove the bowl and plate from the microwave. It will be hot! Remove the plate and serve the steamed broccoli immediately.
How To Steam Broccoli on the Stove with a Steamer Basket
- Add 1 inch of water to a medium pot, then place it on the stove over high heat and bring the water to a boil.
- Fill a steamer basket full of broccoli florets. Depending on the size of your steamer basket, you should be able to fit 1-2 cups of broccoli in the basket. Place the steamer basket of broccoli in the pot of boiling water on the stove, making sure that the broccoli does not touch the water.
- Place a lid on the pot and steam the broccoli for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, turn the heat off on the stove. Use oven mitts to remove the lid from the pot and remove the steamer basket of broccoli. Serve the broccoli immediately.
How To Steam Broccoli on the Stove without a Steamer Basket
- Add 1/2 inch water to a large skillet on the stove and bring the water to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, add the broccoli florets in an even layer to the skillet. Cover the skillet and steam the broccoli for 5 minutes.
- Use tongs to remove the broccoli florets from the skillet after steaming them, and serve them immediately.
Notes
- When using a steamer basket, always make sure that the broccoli is not touching the water. This will allow the broccoli to steam, instead of boil in the water.
- If steaming the broccoli ahead of time to eat later, you’ll want to transfer the steamed broccoli to a bowl of ice water immediately after it’s steamed to stop the cooking process. After 1-2 minutes in the ice bath, remove the broccoli from the ice water. Dry it thoroughly, then transfer it to an airtight container, lined with paper towels for storage. The paper towels will soak up any excess water and prevent the broccoli from getting soggy. The steamed broccoli will stay good in the fridge for up to 5 days. This is a great option for meal prepping!
- The times for steaming the broccoli on the stove, or in the microwave, will be the same whether you’re steaming 1/2 cup of broccoli, or up to 4 cups of broccoli. The only thing that will change is that you’ll need a larger bowl for the microwave, or a larger steamer basket or skillet on the stove if you’re steaming more than 2 cups of broccoli at one time.
- You’ll be able to tell when the broccoli is done steaming, when it’s bright green in color, and tender, but not mushy, in texture.
Nutrition Facts
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