How to Steam Broccoli
Never over or under cook your broccoli again you when learn the best methods of How to Steam Broccoli! You can either use the microwave or stove top to steam your broccoli to perfection. It’s perfectly tender every time without being too soft, and the fresh lemon slices add just the right amount of zesty, fresh flavor.
I love broccoli, it’s the easiest side dish to make that my family will definitely eat. Steaming it is my favorite way to cook it quickly while infusing a little brightness in the way of lemon juice. These easy steps on how to steam broccoli will turn even your most stubborn veggie hater into a broccoli lover. And it goes with everything from Oven Roasted Chicken Breasts to Perfect Pan Seared Salmon.
But first, stop putting that plastic bag of broccoli in the microwave. Stop it! Now that I hopefully have your attention, allow me to explain my call to action. When you microwave that plastic steam-friendly bag of fresh broccoli in the microwave, one of two things will inevitably happen.
Either the broccoli will go limp and lifeless, or it won’t cook all the way through. In all of my attempts to try and steam those bags, I don’t know if I’ve ever nailed it once.
So, I eventually gave up on trying to work with microwaveable plastic, and stuck with what I knew – the best methods to steam broccoli! And don’t worry, if you’re still attached to your microwave, I have step by step instructions on how to use it to steam broccoli (without a plastic bag).
When you follow my hassle-free instructions, you’ll see that your end results are always perfect. You’ll get tender, yet still slightly crunchy broccoli every time.
What I really love about steaming my broccoli is the addition of fresh lemons, which you can’t stuff inside the plastic bags! When you steam broccoli with several fresh lemon slices, the natural juices from the lemons are absorbed through the steam into the broccoli, essentially infusing them with that fresh flavor. Since we’re just about in the heat of the summertime, I’ll be trying to eat up all the freshness I can!
How to Steam Broccoli
On the stove top
- Add the ingredients to a skillet. Add the broccoli to a skillet and pour in the water. Top with the lemon slices.
- Cover and boil. Cover and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
- Cook. Continue cooking for 4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and crisp tender.
- Enjoy! Remove the broccoli from the heat, serve, and enjoy.
In the microwave
- Add the ingredients to a bowl and cover. Pour the water in a microwave safe bowl. Add the broccoli to the bowl and stir briefly. Top with the lemon slices and cover with a lid or plastic wrap.
- Microwave it. Microwave the broccoli for 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is crisp tender (or cooked to your liking).
- Enjoy! Serve immediately, and enjoy.
What to Serve With Broccoli
Honestly, steamed broccoli plates well with just about everything. Here are some of my favorite entrees to serve steamed broccoli with, both health-conscious and more indulgent!
- Lasagna Bolognese
- Parmesan Crusted Chicken Cutlet
- Pan Fried Tilapia with Lemon Butter
- Lemon Ricotta Pasta
- Easy Oven Roast Chicken
Health Benefits of Broccoli
The beautiful thing about broccoli is that you don’t need to eat it raw for it to benefit your health! A lot of the minerals in broccoli hold up well while being steamed. If you happen to overcook it, then chances are you’ll lose the majority of the health benefits of steamed broccoli. The biggest culprits of overcooking are not paying attention to how long your broccoli has been cooking, and trusting those plastic bags!
Keep your broccoli full of all the vitamins and minerals your body needs by steaming it for just the right amount of time. Feel free to squeeze some more lemon juice on top just before serving to get an extra kick of vitamin C, too!
More Easy Broccoli Recipes
- Broccoli Cheddar Quiche
- Broccoli Cheese Casserole
- Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
- Easy Broccoli Salad with Bacon
- Broccoli Slaw with Cranberries
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Get the Recipe: How To Steam Broccoli Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound broccoli, cut into florets
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 lemon, sliced
Equipment
- saucepan
Instructions
- Add the broccoli to a skillet and pour in the water.
- Top with the lemon slices.
- Cover and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
- Continue cooking for 4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and crisp tender.
- Remove from the heat and serve.
To steam in the microwave:
- Pour the water in a microwave safe bowl.
- Add the broccoli to the bowl and stir briefly.
- Top with the lemon slices and cover with a lid or plastic wrap.
- Microwave the broccoli for 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is crisp tender (or cooked to your liking.)
- Serve immediately.