How to Microwave Broccoli
Prep Time
2 minsCook Time
4-5 minsFree Time
to eat more veggies
Say hello to a fast, easy, and healthy side dish! Steaming broccoli in the microwave preserves its brilliant green color — and its nutrients!. The stalks turn tender, but not mushy, with the right amount of bite. Who thought eating more veggies could be this easy and delicious?
Why Use An Anyday? The best way to cook broccoli is steaming it in the microwave with Anyday (we may be biased, but it’s true!). Anyday's silicone-lined lid creates an air-tight seal, which steams the florets to crisp, tender perfection — no boiling or draining required.
What You’ll Need
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- 2 cups (100g) broccoli florets
Preparation
- Cut broccoli into florets and rinse.
- Place in an Anyday dish and cover with the lid (knob lifted).
- Cook in the microwave for 4-5 minutes, or until broccoli is vibrant green and tender, but not mushy.
Serving suggestions & tips
- A little spice: Mix with chili crunch and sesame seeds.
- Cacio e Pepe: Mix with parmesan cheese, black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil.
- Garlic butter: Top with a mixture of room temperature butter, garlic powder, and chopped parsley.
- Sweet umami: Mix with fish sauce, chili flakes, and maple syrup.
Recipe notes
- After rinsing the broccoli, don’t dry it before microwaving! The leftover moisture helps the broccoli steam.
- For the most even cooking, stir halfway through the cook time.
- For frozen broccoli, add 1 teaspoon water per cup of broccoli to quickly boost the steam. You shouldn’t need to change your cook time.
- Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.
Microwave Match Up: Broccoli
See for yourself— microwaving broccoli is simply faster, start to finish.
| Appliance | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Microwave in an Anyday dish | 3-4 mins |
| Oven* | 20 mins |
| Stovetop* | 15 mins |
| Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* | 20 mins |
Step-by-Step: Microwaving Broccoli
Everything you need to know about microwaving broccoli
How long does broccoli take to cook in the microwave?
| Ingredient | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| 2 cups (100g) broccoli florets | 3-4 mins |
| 4 cups (200g) broccoli florets | 5-6 mins |
| 6 cups (300g) broccoli florets | 6-7 mins |
Not long at all! Fresh broccoli florets take about 3-4 minutes to steam in the microwave. After the broccoli cooks, make sure to remove the lid from the dish. If you keep the lid on the dish, the broccoli will continue cooking and can result in mushy, overcooked florets. Not what we want!
How to cook frozen broccoli in the microwave?
Frozen broccoli florets take about 3-4 minutes to steam in the microwave. This is about the same time it takes to cook fresh florets. When cooked in the microwave, add 1 teaspoon of water to the the frozen broccoli to quickly boost the steam.
How to tell when broccoli is cooked through?
Properly cooked broccoli florets are bright green and tender, with a crisp (not mushy) stem. To check if the broccoli is done to your liking, pierce the stem of a broccoli floret with a fork. If the broccoli is resistant, it may need an extra 1-2 minutes in the microwave. For softer, more tender broccoli that is safe for babies and people with trouble swallowing, microwave the broccoli for a minute or two longer.
How to freeze microwaved broccoli?
Like most vegetables, broccoli must be par-cooked before freezing. This will keep the integrity of the vegetable when you’re ready to use it later. First, cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Steam florets for 1-2 minutes in the Anyday, and then lay the cooked florets on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool completely, about 5-10 minutes. Pat dry any excess moisture (nobody wants ice-clad broccoli florets!). Freeze the broccoli on the baking sheet for at least 4 hours, and then transfer frozen florets to a freezer-proof storage bag or portion the broccoli out in an Anytime Freezer Tray. Frozen broccoli should keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
