Among all vegetables, broccoli has the greatest range of uses. No matter how you cook it—frying, baking, roasting, searing, grilling—it always turns out delicious.

But if you want to quickly prepare perfectly tender broccoli without using a frying pan, think about steaming it in the microwave. Transfer the broccoli florets to a sizable bowl that can be used in the microwave, then add 3 tablespoons of water on top. This shortcut technique is quick and simple, making it the ideal way to make a healthy side dish on hectic weeknights. It only requires a few pieces of kitchenware — no oil necessary — meaning it’s easy to clean up, too. Once you learn how to microwave steam broccoli, you’ll use it frequently because it consistently results in tender broccoli. Here’s how to do it.

Ingredients

In terms of necessary tools, all you really need is a microwave oven and a dish that can be used in one. This recipe is a winner in terms of ingredients because you only need a small number of things to make microwave broccoli. Wonderfully tasty but simple!!

• Broccoli (yields about 3 ½ cups of florets plus 2 cups of stems) – Approximately 4 servings can be made from this amount.
• Water – The broccoli is so flavorful and light thanks to the steaming process.
• Butter (salted butter optional) – A pat of butter always gives something extra.
• Salt & Pepper – To taste. Liven it up or stick to the natural flavor of the veggie.

Also Read: How Does A Microwave Oven Work – Complete Guide to Use It in 2023

Steps to Microwave Broccolli

1. Make bite-sized broccoli florets by cutting the vegetable. In order to ensure that everything cooks evenly, if you plan to eat the stalks, make sure to cut them into pieces that are smaller than a human bite.
2. In a bowl that can be used in the microwave, add water and all the broccoli. We like to use a ceramic bowl. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to one pound of broccoli (or roughly one head).
3. Cover tightly. When microwaving, we use a ceramic or stoneware plate rather than plastic wrap.
4. 3–4 minutes on HIGH (regular power) in the microwave. This should give you tender but slightly crispy broccoli that is not mushy, depending on how powerful your microwave is. If it isn’t finished after 2 1/2 minutes, check, re-cover, and put it back in.
5. Remove lid carefully! Take the lid off so it stops steaming but be careful; the steam is hot and can burn you badly if you’re not careful.

Before steaming, we occasionally add a tiny bit of butter or soy sauce. After the broccoli has been cooked, we typically season with salt and pepper.

How to Use Steamed Broccoli

One of the most adaptable vegetables, broccoli, can be prepared effectively by steaming it. It’s the ideal vegetable for meal prepping in large batches because it makes a great base to have on hand for quick dinners. Steamed broccoli can be used for a ton of other things besides just being a filling and tasty weeknight side dish. Looking to serve a crisp, reviving salad at your upcoming backyard barbecue? With the addition of almonds and cranberries, you can easily transform this straightforward vegetable into a filling salad. Try a quiche with broccoli and red onions for a quick breakfast that will feed a large group. Finally, serve steamed broccoli with your preferred homemade hummus or cheese dip as a filling appetizer.

What to Serve With

Broccoli goes with just about anything, so enjoy it with your favorite main dishes. For a delicious meal, serve it as a side dish with my reverse-seared tomahawk steak, grilled chicken fettuccine alfredo, smoked beef roast, or cast-iron pork chops.

You can also top a baked potato with cheese, bacon bits, and broccoli, use it as a homemade pizza topping or toss it into pasta, soups, or salads. Enjoy!

How Long to Microwave Broccoli

The total length of time you will need to microwave the broccoli for depends on the power of your microwave.

If you have a microwave with a lower or higher wattage, you might need to adjust the times a little. The times in the recipe below are perfect for my 1000W microwave.

You can estimate times for cooking broccoli for different wattage microwaves using the chart below:

Wattage	Cook time	Steam time
400W	8min	2 min
500W	7min 30s	2 min
600W	7min	2 min
700W	6min 30s	2 min
800W	6min	2 min
900W	5min 30s	2 min
1000W	5min	2 min
1100W	4min 30s	2 min
1200W	4min	2 min

You may need to use a little trial and error to get it exactly right. To make it simpler the next time, I’d suggest printing off the recipe card below and noting how long your microwave took to complete the task.

Storing & Reheating

Any leftover steamed broccoli can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 or 5 days if it is kept in an airtight container. Make sure that your microwave steamed broccoli is fully cooled before storing it in the fridge.

Put them in the microwave on 50% power and gently reheat them. Alternately, eat them cold like antipasti. When I make a salad for lunch the following day, I occasionally add them cold.

Freezing Cooked Broccoli

In order to properly freeze cooked broccoli leftovers, the broccoli must have completely cooled. Then store it in an airtight freezer container or plastic freezer storage bag.

The frozen cooked broccoli lasts for up to a year with great results (however, it can last longer). I consistently discover that using the stored broccoli within the first 9 to 10 months produces the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions