How to Steam Broccoli In the Microwave

A quick and simple way to steam broccoli in the microwave in less than five minutes, add extra flavor, and you don’t need plastic wrap!

May was a crazier month than expected.  When life gets crazy, I go back to the basics.  I might serve Costco Real Good Chicken Tenders, steamed broccoli, and fruit more often than I care to admit.   But life is like that sometimes.  And as long as I’m keeping the drive-thru to a minimum, I think it’s a win.  

I love the convenience of steam in a bag broccoli, but, I hesitate since we know that heating plastic is the number one way it leeches chemicals into our food.  I’m not saying I never buy steam-in-the-bag broccoli anymore, but since my mom showed me how insanely simple it is to steam broccoli with a bowl and a plate, I haven’t needed to.  This method takes about 30 more seconds than steam in the bag, but it comes with zero additional chemicals.  

As a functional medicine dietitian, my approach is a cumulative one when it comes to “toxins.”  I don’t get excited about any one particular additive, preservative, artificial sweetener, fragrance, pesticide, insecticide, household cleaner, or beauty care ingredient, but I instead try to remember that the goal is to lower the total environmental toxin burden.  Our liver can handle A LOT. That’s what it’s there for. (Although plastics are particularly associated with hormonal disruption.)   But there is a breaking point where cellular repair can’t keep up, read DNA damage and hormone imbalance. That may be different depending on the lifestyle, health levels, epigenetics, etc of each individual.  But the average person is exposed to 100-400 chemicals A DAY.  That’s a lot of crap to filter out.  So where I can, I try to lower the exposure, especially for my children who don’t have as big of a liver capacity, so the cumulative effect may be greater.  

So today, I’m sharing how I steam my broccoli (or really any veggie) so it’s flavorful and almost as quick as steaming in the bag!  

How to Steam Broccoli In the Microwave

* This is a visual how-to section with some additional tips and tricks.  For printable recipe cards and videos, scroll to the end of the post!

First, you’ll want to add your broccoli to a glass bowl.  I used a medium size Pyrex bowl.  You can really use any bowl, but you’ll want to match it to the plates you have.  Make sure the bowl is small enough that the plate you will use will cover the entire top of the bowl.  Make sure you do not overfill the broccoli.  You’ll want to be able to lay the plate flat on top so that steam rises and cooks the broccoli, versus all escaping. 

My MIL taught me to salt my broccoli BEFORE I steam it, and OMG, it makes all the difference.  Sprinkle some salt on top of your broccoli, and it will mix with the steam and be absorbed INTO the broccoli as it cooks.  It’s delicious!  (You’ll wait for any other seasonings until after you cook it.)  Next, add about an inch or so of water.  This doesn’t need to be perfect.  If your plate is loser fitting, I would add more than less.  

Place the lid on top, put the bowl in the microwave, and microwave on high for 3-5 minutes.  Time will vary by microwave, so you will need to get to know your microwave and find your sweet spot. If you like your broccoli a little bit more al dente, go for 3 minutes and remove the plate immediately.  If you don’t remove the plate, the broccoli will continue to steam past the cooking time! If you like it a bit softer, than you can do closer to five minutes and not rush to remove the plate.  

Now drain the water (I love this drainer that attaches to the side of the bowl – game changer!) and add the desired seasoning.  We keep it simple with lemon pepper and butter! 

How to Store and Freeze

To store steamed broccoli:  store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.  Reheat in the microwave for 1 minute, uncovered.  

To freeze steamed broccoli:  eek, I wouldn’t freeze cooked broccoli unless I had too. If you plan to freeze, I recommend barely steaming it and letting it cool completely before freezing to minimize the texture changes after the freezer.  Reheat in the microwave until defrosted and hot.  

You May Also Like:

• Easy Roasted Broccoli 

Use this steamer method in these delicious recipes: 

• Cauliflower Rice and Broccoli Quiche
•  Broccoli Cheddar Oatmeal Bake
• Healthy Beef and Broccoli 
• Healthy 5 Ingredient Egg Muffins 

Or pair this steamed broccoli with these really easy main dishes:

• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
• Slow Cooker Chicken Adobo 
• Garlic Dill Baked Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter

Tag me if you make these! I love to see what you guys make! You can tag me on Insta @hungryhobbyRD and Facebook @hungryhobby!