How To Steam Carrots In Microwave
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Steam Carrots In Microwave. Let me introduce you to the most delicious and fastest way to cook carrots using the microwave and a steamer basket.
You will love microwave carrots and will not want to boil another carrot ever again!

Microwave Carrots
Back in 2008, I remember staying on a friend’s sofa for a few nights. He didn’t have a cooker and all he had was a microwave.
He cooked pasta in the microwave, and it wasn’t a good experience and I really had to struggle to eat it.
Afterwards, it put me off cooking in the microwave and I didn’t use a microwave again for several years.
Fast forward to moving back to England in 2021 and I bought a microwave. I wanted to use it as a quick way for cooking, to make it more effortless to put dinner on the table.
After lots of fun with the microwave and lots of experimenting and eating way too many microwave sweet potatoes, I am finally happy with what I have cooked and wanted to dedicate this month to the best foods to cook in the microwave.
Today is day one of our microwave theme and today we are cooking microwave carrots. Or should I say my mini me Sofia will be showing you how to steam carrots in the microwave.
Can You Microwave Carrots?
Yes, you can. Microwave carrots is amazing and one of those microwave foods that you will want to do time and time again.
Plus, once you master how to cook carrots in microwave, you can rinse and repeat with a lot of other vegetables.
Why Cook Carrots In Microwave?
Until you try microwave carrots you won’t understand just how good they are. You will probably expect rubbery carrots that you force yourself to eat.
Well, it’s the total opposite and when you microwave carrots, they are like delicious, steamed carrots in a fraction of the usual cook time.
Plus, you can do sliced carrots or baby carrots or use the microwave to speed up the process of cooking your carrots.
Can You Microwave Carrots Before Roasting?
Yes, you can microwave carrots before roasting. You can treat the microwave as an alternative to par boiling your carrots on the stovetop.
I recommend doing so, because when you cook carrots in a microwave its similar to steaming, whilst par boiling can ruin the nutrients and make the carrots bland.
To microwave carrots before roasting, simply half the cook time and then toss in extra virgin olive oil before loading into the oven.
Can You Microwave Carrots To Soften Them?
Yes, you sure can. It’s a great way to speed up the cooking process of cooking carrots. You can simply do a quick microwave of the carrots, then load it into a stir fry so you don’t have crunchy carrots, or into a quiche, depending on what you are using your carrots for.
Does Microwaving Carrots Destroy Nutrients?
No, microwaving carrots doesn’t destroy the nutrients. This microwave carrots recipe is a type of steaming carrots.
What this does is keep the flavour of the carrots and makes sure you are still getting your nutrients.
I have steamed carrots now for a long time and hate the flavour now of boiled carrots.
What Happens When You Microwave Carrots?
When you microwave carrots, you are steaming them. In a similar way to instant pot steamed carrots, just without having to wait for the instant pot to go to pressure.
You load the carrots into a steamer basket with a little water and then the microwave steams the carrots for you.
Also, because your steamer basket has a lid, the steam stays in the steamer basket, which quickly cooks them for you.
You can then serve the carrots from the steamer basket on the dinner table or remove them and add them to a nice dinner plate.
Also, if you are not a confident cook, its one of the easiest ways for you to cook your carrots.
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Microwave Carrots Recipe Ingredients

Carrots – I recommend for your first time steaming carrots in the microwave that you do 3-4. Then you can get used to the process and then do more next time.
Water – To steam carrots in the microwave you will need a tablespoon of water into the bottom of your steamer basket.
Seasoning – Then for seasoning your carrots we used salt, pepper, garlic, oregano and paprika.
Then for the kitchen gadgets that we have used in this microwave carrots 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 Steam Carrots 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 carrots.
- Prep. Peel and slice your carrots and load into the steamer, with seasoning 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 carrots for 7 minutes. Though check from 5 minutes as your microwave might be more powerful than mine.
And I am sure you can see now how easy it is to cook carrots in the microwave and why it is a firm favourite of mine for a quick veggie side dish for dinner.
How To Steam Baby Carrots In Microwave?
If you want to steam baby carrots in the microwave, then the method is the exact same.
You just need to add two extra minutes to the cook time.
Then do a fork test to make sure they are soft enough, otherwise cook your baby carrots for an extra couple of minutes.
Microwave Glazed Carrots
If you want to make microwave carrots with honey, then you can do this too. But its important you don’t steam the honey in the microwave.
Many people have reported spilling hot honey on themselves as they remove the steam.
What you do instead is steam your carrots and then toss them in honey in a serving dish once cooked.
Or do this and then microwave (without the steamer) for a further minute.
How Long To Steam Carrots In Microwave?
The microwave carrots time is JUST 7 minutes. This is for perfect fork tender carrots. If you want them par boiled for roasting then I recommend 3 minutes instead.
More Microwave Vegetable Recipes
- How To Cook Swede In Microwave
- How To Steam Broccoli In Microwave
- How To Steam Cauliflower In Microwave
- How To Steam Cabbage In Microwave
- How To Steam Green Beans In Microwave
- Microwave Frozen Broccoli
Plus, we also have a fantastic FREE microwave cooking times chart, and you can receive it for FREE and download it in PDF when you subscribe to the Recipe This Newsletter.

Your microwave 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 Carrots In Microwave
Ingredients
Kitchen Gadgets
Instructions
- Place one tablespoon of water in the bottom of your steamer basket.
- Peel and dice your carrots into medium slices and add to the steamer basket.
- Add your garlic and seasonings and mix with your hands.
- Place the lid on the steamer and then place in the microwave.
- Microwave for 7 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!

I love learning new things through your website. This is easy and i love the steamer basket which folds after use. Thank you for the many tips you have given me.
I will be trying this recipe as soon as I can purchase a steamer basket that is compatible with a microwave. The recipe didn’t indicate which power setting I should use for the microwave. At high for 7 minutes seems like the carrots would overcook. Do you have a recommendation?
Hi Darlene,
Our microwave is an 800 watt on max power so if yours is higher then take a look at what wattage is given out for each setting and do the closest possible. We cooked on high so 800 w of power, hope this helps 🙂