Steam Broccoli In Microwave. Let me introduce you to the most delicious and fastest way to cook broccoli using the microwave and a steamer basket.
You will love microwave broccoli and will not want to boil another broccoli floret ever again!
Table of Contents
Microwave Broccoli
The award for most eaten vegetable in the Milner house would go to broccoli. I have been buying it as part of our weekly grocery shop for as long as I can remember.
Back when we first moved in together, I bought broccoli because it was the cheapest and secondly because I was addicted to broccoli in a cheese sauce.
22 years later, I still buy masses of broccoli. But the way I cook my broccoli has changed.
Back then I would boil the broccoli. Not knowing it would remove all the good flavour and all the good nutrients.
Since 2013 and getting my first vegetable steamer, my broccoli has gone up a level.
It is now steamed, keeps its flavour, and has me wanting to eat it every day.
Today I wanted to show you the quickest way to steam broccoli using the microwave.
If you are looking for more simple microwave recipes beyond microwave broccoli then do try: microwave turkey bacon, microwave cauliflower rice, microwave fudge, defrost chicken in microwave, defrost mince in the microwave, and lets not forget about reheating steak in the microwave.
Can You Microwave Broccoli?
Yes, you can. Microwave broccoli is amazing and one of those microwave foods that you will want to do time and time again.
There are so many different ways that you can cook broccoli in the microwave. Plus you can use the microwave to reheat your broccoli too.
Can You Steam Broccoli In The Microwave?
Yes, you can. As well as just microwaving broccoli on a spare plate, you can use the microwave as a steamer and steam broccoli in the microwave.
I do this a LOT using a silicone steamer basket that I bought from Lakeland.
Can You Microwave Fresh Broccoli?
Yes, you can microwave fresh broccoli. When I cook fresh broccoli in the microwave, I will trim the broccoli into florets and then add them to the steamer basket.
Having done both microwave fresh broccoli and microwave frozen broccoli, I have found fresh much faster.
Best Way To Steam Broccoli
We have owned food steamers. We have made instant pot broccoli and instant pot frozen broccoli and have always found that the best method is cooking broccoli in the microwave. Its very easy to prep, it cooks fast using the microwave and tastes delicious too.
Is Microwave Broccoli Healthy?
Yes, it is. When you cook broccoli in the microwave you are cooking broccoli in a similar way to boiling, but instead you are steaming.
This means that when you cook your broccoli you are not using any fat whatsoever and just seasoning your broccoli to how you like it.
How To Season Microwave Broccoli?
The best way to season microwave broccoli is to season it before you steam it in the microwave.
Add your broccoli to your steamer basket, season and mix your seasoning into the broccoli with your hands and then load it into the microwave.
If you would like microwave broccoli with cheese, then I recommend after microwaving and removing the lid, that you add some cheese and then put it back into the microwave without the lid for an extra minute.
How Do You Steam Broccoli In The Microwave?
Many people can not get their head around the idea of microwave fresh broccoli. They use their microwave for reheating leftovers and don’t think of it as something for fresh food.
Well, the microwave works wonderfully for steaming broccoli.
All you need is a steamer basket that is microwave safe, then you load your food into the steamer with a little water, then place it in the microwave.
You are then steaming broccoli in the microwave without the need for an expensive steamer.
How To Steam Broccoli Without A Steamer In The Microwave?
If you cook broccoli in the microwave the chances are (like we are explaining today) you are using a broccoli microwave steamer.
But to steam broccoli in the microwave, all you are really doing is containing the broccoli and cooking it with a small amount of water.
Similar can be achieved following our corn on the cob in the microwave recipe, where we use a zip loc bag instead of a steamer basket. We recommend you follow the same idea as the corn, but with microwaving broccoli instead.
Further Reading: Ziploc Bags In Microwave
Steam Broccoli Microwave Tupperware
I am the obsessed Tupperware lady and can’t stop using it for storing all the great things I make with my kitchen gadgets.
But did you know that Tupperware is microwave friendly and you could use your favourite Tupperware with a little water (like we recommend above with Ziploc bags) to microwave broccoli if you don’t have a steamer basket.
How To Blanch Broccoli In Microwave?
You can also blanch broccoli in the microwave too and I much prefer to blanch broccoli in the microwave compared to in a pan of boiling water. That is because when you use a pan of water you lose the flavours and nutrients.
To blanch microwave broccoli its just like broccoli cooked in microwave, the only main difference is we are reducing the microwave broccoli time by half. Then you can freeze the broccoli or use it to roast in the air fryer, or however you like it.
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Microwave Broccoli Recipe Ingredients
Broccoli – When you microwave broccoli, I recommend one head of broccoli cut into similar sized broccoli florets. Medium florets work best and keeping them equal size allows for an equal cook.
Water – To steam fresh in the microwave you will need a tablespoon of water into the bottom of your steamer basket.
Seasoning – Then for seasoning your broccoli in the microwave we are keeping it simple with salt and pepper.
Then for the kitchen gadgets that we have used in this microwave broccoli recipe it has just been our Panasonic Microwave Oven. We have this one and its wonderful for many types of microwave recipes.
As well as your microwave you will need a good steamer basket that will fit in your microwave. We recommend this one.
How To Cook Broccoli In Microwave?
- Liquid. Start by adding a tablespoon of water to the bottom of your steamer basket. This is so that you can perfectly steam your broccoli.
- Prep. Trim your broccoli into medium sized florets and load into the steamer, season with salt and pepper and then mix with your hands.
- Microwave. Then place the lid on your steamer and then load your steamer basket into the microwave. Microwave your fresh broccoli for 5 minutes. Though check from 4 minutes as your microwave might be more powerful than mine.
And I am sure you can see now how easy it is to cook fresh broccoli in the microwave and why it is a firm favourite of mine for a quick veggie side dish for dinner.
Blanch Broccoli In Microwave
If you are cooking fresh broccoli in microwave to then load into the freezer for later, then you will be pleased to know you can blanch broccoli in the microwave.
Simply follow the same method that I am sharing with you today for microwave broccoli and then reduce the cook time to 2 minutes.
Can You Reheat Broccoli In The Microwave?
Yes, you sure can. I love to place my broccoli in a serving dish such as a pyrex and then load it up with grated cheese.
Then load it into the microwave and cook for 2 minutes.
It will reheat your broccoli in the microwave and create a lovely melted cheese topping.
How Long To Steam Broccoli In Microwave?
The microwave broccoli time is JUST 5 minutes. This is for perfect fork tender broccoli that you can serve straight away for dinner. If you want them par boiled for roasting, then I recommend 3 minutes instead.
Listen To Steam Broccoli In Microwave
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Best Microwave Veggies To Try Next!
- Microwave Beets
- Microwave Carrots
- Microwave Green Beans
- Microwave Asparagus
- Microwave Sprouts
- Microwave Spinach
- Microwave Swede
- Microwave Spaghetti Squash
- Microwave Sweet Potato Cubes
- Plus follow our microwave veggies steaming guide
More Microwave Favourites To Try
- Microwave Turkey Bacon
- Microwave Paxo Stuffing
- Microwave Roasted Garlic
- Microwave Baby Potatoes
- Microwave Poached Eggs
- Microwave Soft Boiled Eggs
- Microwave Hard Boiled Eggs
- Check out all our Microwave Beginner Recipes!
This steam broccoli in microwave recipe is an updated post and was originally shared on Recipe This in 2022.
Your microwave broccoli recipe is below, note you can print it out with or without photos, adjust servings, or click between metric and imperial depending on where you are in the world.
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How To Steam Broccoli In Microwave
Ingredients
- 500 g Medium Broccoli
- Salt & Pepper
Kitchen Gadgets
Instructions
- Place one tablespoon of water in the bottom of your steamer basket.
- Cut your broccoli into medium sized florets and add to the steamer basket. Add your salt and pepper and mix with your hands.
- Place the lid on the steamer and then place in the microwave.
- Microwave for 5 minutes.
- Then check they are done by doing a fork test. If not soft enough add a couple of extra minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Can’t make it now? Then save it for later!
You cannot beat some healthy veg, never tried to do it in the microwave before and my hubby bought me one of the steamer thingies from a pound shop, so i followed your recipe and they turned out just cooked and delicious who knew?