How to Microwave Broccoli

3 reviews
5.0 3
//cookanyday.com/cdn/shop/products/ANYDAY_Q1_20239308_360x.jpg?v=1672861881 How to Microwave Broccoli
PT1M PT1M

Prep Time

1 min

Cook Time

1-2 mins

Free 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.

Anyday Basics, Broccoli, Anyday Basics, Vegetables, group__ Anyday Basics, how to microwave, All Recipe Videos Anyday Basics, Vegetables

What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

The Small Dish

$40

This dish’s superpower is evenly heating leftovers and cooking small portions.

The Anyhand Mitts

$25
Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!

Please select a product

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

1 cup

Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

Microwave oven by power - 700w
700w

Recommended 

Dish

The Small Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (50g) broccoli florets

Preparation

  1. Cut broccoli into florets and rinse with cold water.
  2. Place in an Anyday dish and cover with the lid (knob lifted).
  3. Cook in the microwave for 1-2 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.

Broccoli: 4 Ways

Customize your microwaved broccoli with these recipe ideas.

Cacio e Pepe

Black Pepper + Parmesan

Tangy Chili

Chili Crisp + Soy Sauce + Rice Vinegar

Lemon Butter

Lemon Zest and Juice + Butter

Sesame-Soy

Soy Sauce + Sesame Seeds

More vegetable recipes

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
*Includes preheat time

Step-by-Step: Microwaving Broccoli

Cut broccoli into florets.

Cover with the lid (knob lifted).

Cook in the microwave.

Broccoli is ready when bright green & tender.

Everything You Need to Know About Microwaving Broccoli

How long does broccoli take to cook in the microwave?

Ingredient Cook Time
1 cup broccoli florets 2-3 mins
2 cups broccoli florets 4-5 mins
4 cups broccoli florets 6-7 mins
6 cups broccoli florets 7-8 mins
Cook time calculated for 700w microwave

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 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 the frozen florets to a freezer-proof storage bag or portion the broccoli out in an Anytime Freezer Tray. Frozen broccoli should be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Shop our bestsellers

4-Piece Starter Set

$90
$85
Buy the set and save $5

8-Piece College Dorm Set

$110
$100
Buy the set and save $10