How to Cook Broccoli in Microwave – Quick and Easy Recipe

How to cook broccoli in microwave – you may wonder this when searching for an easy and time-saving way to cook broccoli. The traditional cooking methods such as using a stove or oven usually take a little while and if you’re in a rush, then these methods might not be the best option. In this article, Bourbon O will introduce to you a technique that requires zero effort: steaming broccoli in the microwave.

Microwave broccoli INGREDIENTS

This dish only takes a few basic ingredients that you can easily find in your kitchen pantry. Here are the precise measurements for each ingredient:

• Large broccoli florets (about 1 lb.): You can easily find pre-washed broccoli florets in a store or buy a head of broccoli then wash and divide it into smaller florets by yourself.
• Water (1/4 cup): Water helps to steam your broccoli, maintain the moisture and avoid burning while cooking.
• Kosher salt (1 tsp): Don’t add too much fine salt or else the dish will be too salty to eat.  
• Black pepper (1/4 tsp): You can buy pre-ground black pepper or use freshly ground pepper (recommended).
• Fresh lemon juice (2 tbsp): Bottled lemon juice is acceptable, however freshly squeezed lemon juice always gives off a better taste.
• Melted unsalted butter (2 tbsp): As we already add salt in the ingredient list, it’s important to use unsalted butter. Any type of butter you can find in a store works well with this recipe.

Detailed recipe on how to cook broccoli in microwave  

Full recipe

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cooking time: 5 minutes
• Course: Side dish
• Servings: 4
• Calories: 84 kcal

Step 1: Prepare a large microwaveable bowl and pour in the broccoli florets. Add water to the bowl. You can also choose a vegetable steamer but it’s not necessary.

Step 2: Use a microwavable plate and place on top of the bowl as a cover. Cook over high temperature for about 4 minutes or until the texture of the broccoli turns tender-crisp.

Step 3: Open the microwave door and wait for a few minutes so that hot steam can escape. Carefully take the plate off the bowl. Pour the broccoli in a colander to drain off the excess water.

Step 4: Season the steamed broccoli with fresh lemon juice, ground black pepper and kosher salt. Drizzle melted butter (can be replaced with olive oil) on top and serve while hot. When pairing with Asian meals, you can add sesame oil and soy sauce for a better flavor combination.

Tips on how to cook broccoli in microwave the best way

• Always use a microwavable bowl (preferable silicone, ceramic or glass)
• You can also use microwaveable plastic containers, however there is some evidence that shows that they may cause some health problems
• Never put plastic containers without a microwave-safe label in the microwave
• Aluminum foil, metal or styrofoam are not safe to use in the microwave
• You should cover the top of the container with a microwaveable plate instead of paper towels or parchment paper, as these don’t hold very long
• It’s always advisable to cook fresh broccoli, both the texture and flavor is superior to pre-washed bags of broccoli
• Divide the broccoli into even sized pieces to make sure that all of them are cooked through. Plus this will also reduce the cooking time
• For safety reasons, you should always consult your microwave manual first before cooking

You may also like: A Detailed Guide on How Much Power Does A Microwave Use

Microwave-steamed broccoli is one of the most versatile side dishes and it pairs really well with anything. It can be seafood or meat-based main dishes such as poultry, pork, beef… Steamed broccoli also serves as a perfect side dish to a wide variety of vegan or vegetarian dishes.

However, our top picks for microwave-steamed broccoli are: baked catfish, butter chicken, spicy shrimp and cheeseburger casserole.

As for the dressing, microwaved broccoli doesn’t require an elaborate dressing to pair with it. In the above recipe, we only use lemon juice, a touch of black pepper, kosher salt and a little olive oil or melted butter.

You can also make some slight changes to the dish by using cheese sauce to dress your broccolini. The thick and creamy texture of the sauce will definitely bring out the crispness of the steamed broccoli florets.

How long should you cook broccolini in the microwave

According to our recipe, broccoli florets should be cooked for around 4 minutes. However, the wattage on microwaves vary depending on each brand and model. That’s why you should begin to check the doneness of the broccoli after 4 minutes of steaming.

• Low wattage microwaves (600-800w): more time needed
• Average wattage microwaves (900-1100w): stick to the time specified in the recipe
• High wattage microwaves (1200-1300w): less time needed

In any case, undercooked broccoli is still better than dried out and overcooked broccoli. And you can always microwave the broccoli for 30 to 60 more seconds if it hasn’t reached the tenderness you desire. If done correctly, the broccolini will be crisp, fresh and super delicious with a beautiful light green color.

If you have some leftovers, keep them in a container with a tight lid. Steamed broccoli can be stored in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Nevertheless, don’t expect them to taste as fresh as when served hot. The broccoli will be a little soggy after being reheated.

To reheat the leftovers, place the steamed broccolini in a tightly covered microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about 2 – 3 minutes at only 50% of the temperature you set when cooking them from raw. Another options to make use of the remaining steamed broccoli is to add them to salads or soups.

Hopefully the recipe above is enough to help you learn how to cook broccoli in microwave. Steaming broccoli using the microwave is quite simple and the same steps can be applied to many other veggies. Once you’ve gotten used to microwaving broccoli, you’ll see that it does help you save a lot of time compared to the old methods. Don’t miss Bourbon O’s latest recipes by visiting our website daily!

How To Cook Broccoli in Microwave (Easy Recipe)

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How to cook broccoli in microwave – you may wonder this when searching for an easy and time-saving way to cook broccoli. The traditional cooking methods such as using a stove or oven usually take a little while and if you’re in a rush, then these methods might not be the best option. In this article, Bourbon O will introduce to you a technique that requires zero effort: steaming broccoli in the microwave.

• Author: Bourbon O
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 1
• Category: Side dish
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• Large broccoli florets (about 1 lb.)
• Water (1/4 cup)
• Kosher salt (1 tsp)
• Black pepper (1/4 tsp)
• Fresh lemon juice (2 tbsp)
• Melted unsalted butter (2 tbsp)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare a large microwaveable bowl and pour in the broccoli florets

Step 2: Use a microwavable plate and place on top of the bowl as a cover

Step 3: Open the microwave door and wait for a few minutes so that hot steam can escape

Step 4: Season the steamed broccoli with fresh lemon juice, ground black pepper and kosher salt

Notes

• Always use a microwavable bowl (preferable silicone, ceramic or glass)
• You can also use microwaveable plastic containers, however there is some evidence that shows that they may cause some health problems
• Never put plastic containers without a microwave-safe label in the microwave

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 84 kcal

Keywords: How To Cook Broccoli in Microwave, Microwave Broccoli Recipe