How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave, a quick step by step tutorial.
One of the earliest recipes I shared on this blog was my Butter and Garlic Green Beans recipe. At the time, it was my ultimate no-fail lazy-bones vegetable side recipe, and I still love it. It’s also one of the most popular recipes on the site, so clearly you guys love it too.
But since then, I’ve found an even EASIER, LAZIER vegetable side, one that requires me to turn on neither oven nor stove: Microwave-Steamed Broccoli.
Yup, did you know you can steam broccoli in the microwave? Because you can, and it’s GREAT. It’s great freshly steamed, with nothing on it or even better, tossed in a little butter and sprinkled with salt and pepper.
See Also: The BEST Crispy Oven-roasted Broccoli
On many a night, it has saved me from just eating a slab of meat with nothing else on my plate, because it’s basically zero effort and takes fewer than five minutes to make.
Here’s How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave:
Place chopped broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl and pour 3 tablespoons of water over the top.
Cover with a plate and microwave on high for 2 1/2 to 4 minutes, until broccoli is tender.
Be careful when you remove the broccoli from the microwave. The steam will be hot!
Transfer broccoli to a serving dish and serve plain or toss with butter and a little salt and pepper.
And enjoy!
How easy was that!?
For more vegetables in the microwave recipes, try Green Beans in the Microwave, Corn on the Cob in the Microwave, and Cauliflower in the Microwave.
How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 large head broccoli chopped
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon salted butter optional
- Salt and pepper to taste optional
Instructions
- Place chopped broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl and pour water over the top.
- Cover with a plate and microwave on high for 2 1/2 to 4 minutes, until broccoli is tender. Be careful when you remove the broccoli from the microwave. The steam will be hot!
- Transfer broccoli to a serving dish. If desired, top with butter, tossing to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Enjoy!
Heather Louise says
I adore Broccoli but I hate making it for just myself (No one else will eat it) This may be a game changer for me!
Tracy says
Hope it works out for you, Heather!
Tony Brown says
Thank you for posting this. It’s very helpful.
Tracy says
So happy to hear that!
Beverly Adams says
Cheese sauce Is Awesome on top of broccoli as well if you have a finicky kid just use a little bit of medium cheddar cheese if you like or whatever you want sharp or playing mix a tablespoon of mayo a teaspoon of brown mustard in about 3 tablespoons of milk put it together keep stirring over low to medium Heat. And you got some awesome cheese sauce. Just make sure the cheese is all melted. thank you for your broccoli recipe I’ve never made it in the microwave before. how you posted
Michelle says
Worked like a charm!! Thanks for sharing!
Tracy says
Yay! So happy to hear!
Chloe says
Loved it!! Worked amazing for my family of 5
Tracy says
Yay, Chloe!
Foster says
Sooo good!!!
Tracy says
Yay!
Jackie says
Went great as a late night dinner with beef hot links with both items prep/ cook time was less than 6 minutes. Just wonderful… Thanks for the tips was perfect
Tracy says
Mmmmm, hot links sound so good right now. 😉 So glad the broccoli worked out for you. Thanks for reporting back!
Carole says
What are beef hot links?
Sausage?
And I LOVE this way for broccoli. I have been doing it for a year or two.
Jenifer says
Super yummy!
Tracy says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Dianna says
I have been trying to find another vegetable besides green beans that my family will eat. I have been on a weight loss journey and have lost 70 lbs so far and this will help me add another vegetable into my eating plan. Kind of getting sick of green beans! LOL. This was great and easy. Thanks so much.
Tracy says
Congrats on your journey so far, Dianna! That is so awesome! And I’m so happy to hear this cooking method worked out for you. Thanks for taking the time to comment and let me know!
Elaine Masumoto says
I’m going to try this as I’m on a diet and am trying to find different ways to cook vegetables that doesn’t take up all of my time. Sounds like this one’s a keeper. Thanks.
Tay says
This worked great! I was too alzy to use a steamer lol. Thanks for the tip will definitely be using this another time.
Tracy says
Thanks, Tay! So glad it worked well for you!
Soraya says
Great recipe – so fast and such a fresh taste to the broccoli. Thanks!
Tracy says
Thanks, Soraya! So glad it worked out for you!
Päivi says
Loved it! 2:30 minutes left that slight (perfect!) crunch to the broccoli – Thank you! 🙂
Tracy says
Awesome! So glad it worked out for you!
Maria says
Thank you for this. We are in Europe, and the stove top is very small powerless piece of shit. So, cooked broccoli in the microwave and it was perfect! You saved my day!
Tracy says
Yay! So glad you found this technique useful!
Tim Barr says
Hello, I have not made this yet. 5 star is a rating, yet to be proved,
I believe I’m confident, it will be after trying!
I’m in LOVE with the author (LOL)
Anyone, who incorporates “lazy” into a recipe is the BEST!
Thank you, Thank you so very much. I need to add vegetables to my diet
Now I will!
Maddison says
Absolutely amazing! I made this dish tonight and the whole family LOVED IT! Definitely going to be having this again soon, thankyou 🙂
Tracy says
Thanks, Maddison! Thrilled to hear the family enjoyed it!
Chris says
This awesome little cooking hack just saved my Chicken Fettuccine and Broccoli Alfredo! Thought I had turned on the burner but hadn’t, and didnt realise til everything was done!! Thanks again!! -Chris
Tracy says
So glad this was able to help!!
Bet says
I don’t know why my brain can’t hold onto 3 Tablespoons and 3 minutes but I look this up every time! I make this close to once a week and I LOVE how easy it is in the microwave. I hate frozen broccoli but this is great and even faster I feel like!
Brian says
Does all the water evaporate?
Tracy says
Some will, but there’s usually a bit left at the bottom of the bowl that you just drain away.
Ricardo says
So simply can’t believe I had to google it.
Thanks Tracey