Learn how much water to use and how long to cook broccoli in the microwave

Broccoli is a super nutritious vegetable that is especially delicious when steamed. The best part is that you can easily steam it in just a few minutes using your microwave. In this article, we’ll give you step-by-step instructions on how to steam your broccoli and get it nice and tender. Read on to get cooking!

Things You Should Know

  • Chop broccoli into bite-sized pieces and place them in a microwave-safe bowl.
  • Add 2 tablespoons (29 mL) of water to the bowl and cover it with a microwave-safe lid.
  • Microwave the broccoli for 2 minutes, checking if it’s tender with a fork.
  • Microwave the broccoli for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, checking its tenderness every 30 seconds until it’s done to your liking.
5

Microwave the broccoli for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.

  1. Steam the broccoli in 30-second increments until it’s tender and the desired texture has been reached. Continue to check the broccoli’s tenderness with a fork after each 30-second increment until it feels done.[6]
    • Microwaves with lower wattages between 600 to 800 likely need more time to cook the broccoli, while microwaves with wattages above 900 typically steam broccoli within 2 minutes.[7]
    • If your broccoli still needs more time, microwave it in 15-second increments until it’s tender.
    • Microwaving broccoli with paper towels typically takes longer than with a lid, so an extra 1 to 2 minutes might be necessary.
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6

Season the broccoli once it's steamed.

  1. Remove the broccoli from the microwave and sprinkle it with salt. Use a pair of oven mitts to lift the broccoli out of the microwave. The broccoli will be steaming, so be careful when taking off the lid. Then, season the broccoli to taste with a dash of salt.[8]
    • To further season the broccoli, add a dab of butter or a drizzle of olive oil. Then, squeeze a bit of lemon on top or add a dash of garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or parmesan cheese.
    • Steamed broccoli is great on its own or as a healthy side dish to chicken, pork chops, or fish. It’s also perfect in a pasta, salad, and quiche.
8

Freeze leftover broccoli for up to 6 to 8 months.

  1. Freezing broccoli is a great option if you can’t eat it right away. Lay your cooled broccoli on a parchment lined baking sheet in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours. Once the broccoli is frozen solid, transfer it into a freezer bag or a plastic or glass storage container. Most frozen broccoli stays good and fresh for about 6 to 8 months.[10]
    • When you’re ready to eat your frozen broccoli, thaw it out in the refrigerator overnight. Then, microwave it on high for 1 to 2 minutes.
    • If you don’t want to wait overnight, place the frozen pieces in a microwave-safe bowl with ¼ cup (59 mL) of water. Put a lid on the bowl and microwave the broccoli for about 4 minutes. If the broccoli isn’t hot enough, microwave it for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.

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About This Article

Marrow Private Chefs
Co-authored by:
Private Chefs
This article was co-authored by Marrow Private Chefs and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collaborative comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. This article has been viewed 11,980 times.
5 votes - 84%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: March 1, 2023
Views: 11,980
Categories: Steaming Food
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