Broccoli is one of those vegetables that is packed full of nutrients, and it is no surprise to see many people picking it over a bar of candy as a choice of snack. These vegetable cooks quickly on the stovetop, but what happens when you are cooking lots of meals and there is no room for our nutritious broccoli? Well, you can steam broccoli in your microwave, and this process is also time friendly.
Cooking broccoli in the microwave is not something we do every day, so many people may be unfamiliar with the process, luckily, I have made a complete guideline to assist those who are cooking broccoli in the microwave for the first time.
How to cook broccoli in the microwave
Cooking broccoli in the microwave is as straightforward as it can be, here is everything you need to know before getting started.
Always get frozen broccoli – there are so many reasons why you should be picking frozen veggies over fresh, and it is not just the reduced price tag, but you would also be getting fresher and juicer veggies after they have been thawed. Another good thing about frozen broccoli is the convenient packaging, you can throw the whole bag in the microwave when you need to make large meals because it is microwave safe.
Cut broccoli into bite-sized portions – broccoli has a unique shape that resembles that of a tree, florets merge to create this peculiar structure. Since you would be consuming this vegetable, it is only reasonable to cut it into smaller bite-sized pieces. Be careful not to chop the florets thinly as they would still shrink after they are steamed. After cutting the broccoli into smaller florets, you would be left with the stalk, you can
Rinse broccoli – just like other veggies, you should also follow sanitary measures when dealing with broccoli. Some unwanted particles may find their way into the broccoli, to ensure your vegetable is safe for consumption, you should always wash them.
Use a microwave-safe bowl – after chopping the broccoli into bite-size pieces, place them in a microwave-safe bowl or container and place them inside the microwave. Make sure you do not overcrowd the bowl, take the size of the bowl into consideration when filling it up with broccoli florets. If your recipe involves adding cheese to the broccoli, then you pack the bottom of the bowl tightly with broccoli, not leaving room at the bottom.
Add water – just before you throw your microwave-safe bowl into the microwave, add about 2 tablespoons of water. Do not add so much water, as you are only trying to steam the vegetable and not to cook it.
Ventilation is important – to prevent your broccoli from overcooking and becoming mushy after the whole steaming process, you should always leave room for the steam to escape. If you are using a microwave-safe bowl, you should cover the top with a saucer, but if you are using a plastic bag, do not seal the bag completely, or simply poke a few holes in the plastic bag
Seasoning is key – no meal is ever complete without some sort of seasoning, and when cooking broccoli, seasoning is just as important as the broccoli itself. You can choose to season your broccoli before or during the cooking process, but to get the best out of your vegetable, you should consider seasoning it after it has been steamed in the microwave.
Use a mitten – you would be cooking the broccoli in the microwave on high heat, so you should be careful when taking the bowl out of the microwave. The bowl would be very hot at this point, so it is advisable to use some kitchen mitts, or some towel or table cloth to aid removal.
Cooking time for broccoli in microwave
The table below illustrates the cooking time for various sizes of broccoli in the microwave ;
| Cooking Method | Cooking Time |
| Steaming broccoli in a microwave | 3 to 5 minutes |
| Stir-frying broccoli in a skillet | 5 to 7 minutes |
Quick broccoli and cheese
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
Description
This microwave broccoli is an easy side dish you can have on the table in about 10 minutes. A little butter, Parmesan, garlic, and lemon turn simple steamed broccoli into something with plenty of flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the broccoli. Place the broccoli florets in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of water.
- Microwave the broccoli. Cover the bowl loosely with a microwave-safe lid or plate, leaving a small opening for steam to escape. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Carefully stir the broccoli, then microwave for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until it’s bright green and crisp-tender.
- Drain the broccoli. Carefully remove the cover, keeping your hands and face away from the hot steam. Drain off any water remaining in the bowl.
- Season the broccoli. Add the melted butter, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Toss until the broccoli is evenly coated.
- Add the Parmesan. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the hot broccoli and toss again. Let it sit for about 1 minute so the cheese softens and clings to the florets. Serve immediately.
Notes
Microwave power varies, so start checking the broccoli early. It’s better to leave it slightly crisp than to overcook it—the broccoli will continue to soften a little from the residual heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 118
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 297 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Protein: 5.8 g
- Cholesterol: 20.1 mg
