You are a few mins away to make a healthy dish. You can prepare your side dish in no time using broccoli. You don’t need to lose its healthy nutrients. You can get all the nutrients by cooking broccoli through steaming and boiling methods. But, you have to maintain the steaming and boiling time to get the perfectly cooked broccoli.
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How Long to Steam Broccoli?
Broccoli is a healthy vegetable. Adding a bowl of broccoli to your daily meal plan can make you more healthy and active. You don’t need to make a whole recipe to add broccoli to your daily diet. You can also have it steamed. The steaming time of broccoli is different when steamed on a stove, in an instant pot, microwave, rice cooker, and steamer. Here, we are going to explain how long to steam broccoli in different cooking methods.
How Long to Steam Broccoli on Stove?
If you are steaming broccoli on the stove, you have to boil water in a large shallow saucepan. The amount you’ll take is about 1 1/2 cups of water which is enough to cover the bottom of the saucepan. Bring water to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Now, add your steamer basket or colander to the saucepan and add broccoli florets into it. Put a lid on and cook for about 5-7 mins until tender and crisp. You can also check the doneness by piercing a fork into it.
How Long to Steam Broccoli in Instant Pot?
Steaming broccoli in an instant pot is an easy task. You just have to ready the broccoli florets by cutting their heads from stems. Pour 1 cup of water into the instant pot and place the colander or steamer basket or trivet into it. Add broccoli florets to the steamer basket and close the lid. Set the instant pot for 0 min at high pressure. If you want slightly crunchy broccoli, set it for 0 min at low pressure.
Keep in mind by setting the instant pot for 0 min, will take 5-10 mins to reach pressure, so the cooking time will not be 0 min actually. When it’s done, quickly release the pressure. Open the lid once the pin drops and remove the broccoli quickly to prevent overcooking which may not result in crunchy broccoli.
Tips to Steam Broccoli in Instant Pot:
- You can also cook an entire head of broccoli and frozen broccoli, in the same way, using an instant pot.
- It’s important to quickly release the pressure to avoid overcooking.
- You can steam for 1 min on low pressure in case you don’t have the option to set 0 min.
- The cooking time remains the same even if you increase the quantity to double or triple.
How Long to Steam Broccoli in Microwave?
Steaming broccoli in the microwave is simple. You just have to add chopped broccoli floret in a microwave-safe bowl and pour want over the top. Cover with a plate or lid and microwave for about 2 1/2 to 4 mins, until broccoli is tender. Leave the broccoli in the bowl with the lid on so that it finishes steaming. Transfer broccoli to a serving dish and season to taste with salt and pepper and enjoy.
Tips to Steam Broccoli in Microwave:
- Chop broccoli into small pieces or about the same size for evenly cooking.
- Don’t overcook broccoli. You can check the doneness after 2 1/2 mins.
- Don’t forget to add enough seasoning to make it more flavorful.
How Long to Steam Broccoli in Rice Cooker?
Steaming broccoli in a rice cooker doesn’t take much time to cook perfectly. You just need to follow some steps like….you have to pour 1/3 cup of water into the rice cooker pot. Set the steaming rack or trivet and place broccoli floret on it and close the lid tight. Using the steam cook feature, steam broccoli for about 3-5 mins until tender.
When it’s done, remove the broccoli carefully and place it onto a plate, season well with your favorite seasoning and enjoy.
How Long to Steam Frozen Broccoli?
We don’t recommend steaming frozen broccoli. If you still want to steam frozen broccoli, you should cook it for additional 1-2 mins.
Best Toppings for Steamed Broccoli:
Having steamed broccoli on its own with salt and pepper is a nice choice. If you want to enhance the taste by adding some toppings. You can easily go with these:
- Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes
- Sautéed garlic in a little olive oil
- Olive oil and lemon juice
- Dijon Vinaigrette
How Long to Boil Broccoli?
If you are preparing a soupy recipe, then boiling is the best method to get all the nutrients through the broth. You can either boil your broccoli on the stove or in the microwave. The boiling time of the broccoli will not be the same because both are different cooking methods. So, it becomes important to know the boiling time of the broccoli for better use.
How Long to Boil Broccoli on Stove?
If you are boiling broccoli on the stove, you just have to boil the water first. Take a large shallow saucepan and add 6 cups of water and boil over high heat. When water is boiled add a pinch of salt along with broccoli florets and boil for about 3-4 mins until tender. When it’s done, you can drain the water using a colander and use the broth for multiple purposes.
How Long to Boil Broccoli in Microwave?
If you are boiling broccoli in the microwave, it will take about 6-8 mins. in total.
Is it Better to Boil or Steam Broccoli?
Steaming broccoli is a good choice when you want to make a side dish. Through Steaming, it retains its antioxidant properties as well as vitamins which you may lose in boiling. Whereas boiling is ideal for soups where you want its flavor and nutrients in the broth. If you are using the broth for a recipe, boiling is a good option for you. On the other hand, if you don’t want to use broth, you may lose some of its essential nutrients.
FAQ:
How long to store leftover cooked broccoli?
You can easily store leftover cooked broccoli in an airtight container for upto 4-5 days in the refrigerator/fridge. You can increase its time by storing in the freezer in a freezer-safe container for upto 3-6 months.
How to reheat cooked broccoli?
You can reheat cooked broccoli in the microwave easily. You just have to sprinkle a few drops of water and microwave them for about 30 sec to 1 min.
How do you know broccoli are boiled?
You can check the doneness of broccoli by piercing fork into it. If it goes in easily, your broccoli is tender and well cooked. The color will also turn to bright green.
How to make boiled broccoli taste better?
You can make it tastier by adding some butter along with other seasoning like italian seaosning or by adding garlic butter sauce.
Does boiled broccoli lose nutrients?
Yes, boiled broccoli lose nutrients. Not only broccoli but also other veggies lose nutrients when boiling.
