How to Steam Broccoli
This is how to steam broccoli on the stovetop, preserving its gorgeous green color, texture, and nutritional value. It's easy to make using a steamer basket.
- 10 min
- Serves 4
- 4 ingredients
Steps
- Gather all ingredients.
- Fill a large saucepan with 1-inch of water.
- Add a steamer basket to the saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat.
- Place broccoli florets in steamer basket; reduce heat to medium-low and cover.
- Steam until broccoli is crisp tender, 5 to 6 minutes, or desired doneness.
- Season with olive oil, salt, and pepper, to taste, as desired.
Frequently asked questions
How do I steam broccoli without a steamer basket?
Sit a metal colander or sieve in the pan so it stays clear of the inch of water, and cover it. A heatproof plate resting on a couple of balls of foil works too. The only requirement is that the broccoli sits above the water rather than in it.
How do I know when steamed broccoli is done?
It should be crisp tender at 5 to 6 minutes, meaning a knife tip goes into a stem with slight resistance and the florets still hold their shape. If it bends limply when lifted it has gone too far.
How do I keep broccoli bright green?
Take it out on time and get the lid off. Broccoli dulls to olive within a minute or two of overcooking, and leaving it covered in a hot pan keeps it cooking after the heat is off. Tip it straight into a serving bowl.
Can I steam frozen broccoli the same way?
Yes, and there is no need to thaw it first. It is blanched before freezing so it needs less than the 5 to 6 minutes fresh florets take, and it will never be as firm, so start checking early.
Can I steam broccoli in the microwave instead?
Yes. Put the florets in a bowl with a splash of water, cover, and microwave in short bursts, checking after a couple of minutes. It is faster than the stovetop method but harder to judge, so err on the side of under.
Can I steam the broccoli stems too?
Yes, and it saves throwing away half the vegetable. Peel the tough outer layer and cut the stem into coins about the same size as the florets, then put them in the basket a minute before the florets since they take slightly longer.