Steam Pot Cooking: A Beginner's Guide To Deliciousness

Steaming is a popular cooking technique in Taiwan and other parts of Asia, and it's easy to see why. It's a healthy, low-oil cooking option that can be used to prepare a wide variety of foods, from vegetables to proteins, breads, dumplings, and even desserts. All you need to steam food is a pot with a lid, a heat-proof dish, and something to keep the food from touching the water, such as a metal steam rack or a clean metal can. Instant Pots and other pressure cookers are also great for steaming, as they can be used with or without a steamer basket and allow for more hands-off cooking.

Instant Pot steaming

• Pour 1 to 2 cups of water into the Instant Pot. Use less water for a smaller quantity of food, and more water if you are steaming a whole basket of vegetables or seafood.
• Place the trivet that came with your Instant Pot at the bottom of the pot. The trivet will hold the food up over the water. If the water level is too high, scoop some out so that it is below the top of the trivet.
• Layer the food in a steamer basket according to cooking time, with foods that take longer to cook at the bottom, and quicker-cooking foods at the top. Root vegetables generally take longer to steam than green vegetables, and seafood cooks quickly.
• Avoid overfilling your steamer basket. Leave a little space at the top so that the lid will fit securely.
• Place the steamer basket into the Instant Pot, ensuring that the top of the basket is below the top edge of the pot so that the lid will fit.
• Secure the lid on the Instant Pot by turning it clockwise until it clicks into place. Double-check that the lid is secure by ensuring that the arrows on the lid and the pot line up.
• Close the vent by shifting the vent switch on the top of the lid to the left or right. This traps the pressure and steam inside the Instant Pot.
• Press the "Steam" button on the Instant Pot control panel to turn on the steam function. A standard cook time will appear on the screen.
• Adjust the cooking time using the plus or minus keys on the control panel. Cooking times vary for each type of food, so refer to the Instant Pot cooking guide or your recipe for the recommended time. Generally, most vegetables steam in 1 to 5 minutes, but root vegetables take longer. Frozen vegetables will also need a longer steaming time than fresh ones. Seafood typically cooks in 1 to 5 minutes.
• Stay near your Instant Pot and listen for the beep that signals that the food is done cooking. As soon as you hear the beep, manually release the pressure to avoid overcooking your food.
• Cover your hand with an oven mitt or towel and push the steam release handle to the left or right to open the vent. This releases the pressure inside the Instant Pot and stops the cooking process. Be careful when doing this, as the steam is very hot and can burn your skin.
• Open the lid and remove the steamer basket. Twist the lid to unlock it, then lift it off the Instant Pot. Grip the handle of the steamer basket and lift it out, setting it on a plate or kitchen towel. Your food is now ready to serve!

You can also steam in an Instant Pot without a steamer basket. Here is how:

• Find a clear pot lid that fits your Instant Pot. This method uses the sauté function, so you don't need the regular Instant Pot lid.
• Press the sauté function button on the control panel. This will heat the water to create steam without pressure-cooking your food.
• Adjust the time if necessary using the plus or minus keys. Check the recommended steam time for the food you are cooking, and set the timer accordingly. You can set the time for up to 30 minutes while in the sauté function.
• Wait for the water to boil. Stay near the Instant Pot and monitor the water. You will know it is boiling when you see steam rising from the bottom of the pot.
• Toss in your desired food. Place your food on top of the Instant Pot rack, being careful not to burn yourself as the water and pot will be extremely hot.
• Place the clear pot lid on top of your Instant Pot to trap the steam inside. Wear an oven mitt or cover your hand with a kitchen towel to protect your skin from the steam when putting on the lid.
• Check your food periodically to see if it is done. After a couple of minutes, remove the lid and use a fork to check the texture of your food. If your food is not quite cooked, replace the lid and let it cook a little longer.
• Press "Cancel" when the timer goes off or your food is done. Cover your hand with an oven mitt or a kitchen towel, then carefully lift the steamer basket out of the Instant Pot.

Steamer set-up

To cook with a steamer, you will need a few basic items. The first is a deep vessel to cook in, such as a wok, pot, or deep pan. The size of the vessel depends on the size of the food and/or the cooking container. If you are steaming in a bowl or on a plate, it needs to fit completely inside the vessel.

Next, you will need a lid to trap the steam. When covered, the lid should not touch the food. It is helpful to have a dome lid, which provides more overhead room for steam to collect and prevents food from being squashed.

Finally, you will need something to keep the food from touching the water, otherwise, you will be boiling the food. You can use any heatproof item, like an inverted wide bowl that can act as a stand in the boiling water. A round cooking rack is also a good option, as they are reusable, sturdy, and just the right size, height, and shape for the job.

To set up your steamer, place the rack in the centre of the pot and add about an inch of water—it shouldn't touch the highest part of the rack. Cover the pot and turn the heat to medium. When you hear the water boiling or see steam coming out, you are ready to start. Add your food, re-cover the pot, and let it cook according to your recipe or personal preference.

Instant Pot Set-up

If you are using an Instant Pot, the set-up is slightly different. First, add 1 to 2 cups of water to the Instant Pot. Then, place a trivet and/or steam basket in the pot. If you are using a steam basket, layer the food according to cooking time, with the foods that take longer to cook at the bottom, and the quickest-cooking food on top. Make sure not to overfill your steam basket—leave a little space at the top so the lid will fit securely. If your basket seems overly full, cook your food in two or more batches.

Next, place the steam basket into the Instant Pot on top of the trivet. Make sure the top of the basket is below the top edge of the pot so the lid will fit. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and turn the little handle near the vent to seal it off. This traps the pressure and steam inside the pot.

Push the "Steam" button to turn on the Instant Pot's steam function and set the cooking time using the plus or minus keys. The Instant Pot will begin heating the water and producing steam while it builds up pressure, and the food will start steaming during this time.

Other Set-ups

If you don't have a steamer or an Instant Pot, there are a few other ways to set up a steamer. One option is to use a pot or wok with a lid and a heat-proof dish that can fit inside. You will also need something to prop up the dish above the water, such as a metal steam rack or a clean metal can. Simply fill the pot with 2 inches of water, put your steaming rack or empty can in the centre, and place your heatproof bowl, plate, or shallow dish of food on top. Cover the pot and turn the heat to medium or high to bring the water to a simmer.

Another option is to use a bamboo steamer. Place the bamboo steamer in a wok with enough water to come up the bottom rim of the steamer by about half an inch. You can either place shallow heatproof dishes inside the steamer racks or line the racks with cabbage leaves, cheesecloth, or paper steamer liners if you are steaming buns or dumplings. Bring the water to a simmer and cover the bamboo steamer with its lid.

DIY steamer

Steaming is a cooking technique that is very common in Asian cuisine. It is a healthy and simple way to cook, as it requires little to no oil and lets the true flavours of the food come through.

To make a simple DIY steamer, you will need three items: a deep vessel like a wok, pot, or deep pan; a lid to trap the steam; and something to keep the food from touching the water, like a round cooking rack or even aluminium foil.

First, place the rack in the centre of the pot and add about an inch of water—be sure that the water is not touching the rack. Cover the pot and turn the heat to medium. When you hear the water boiling or see steam coming out, add your food, re-cover the pot, and let it cook according to your recipe or preference.

If you are steaming on a plate, you can use the aluminium foil method. Take three sheets of aluminium foil and roll them into balls about the size of a golf ball or baseball. Place them on the bottom of your pot, then add about an inch of water. Rest a heat-proof plate on top of the foil balls and add your food to the plate. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and steam.

Another option is to use a disposable aluminium pie pan. Poke several holes into the bottom of the pan, place it upside down into a pot filled with an inch of water, and put your food on top of the inverted pan. The edges of the pan will keep the water from touching the food.

Steaming is a versatile technique that can be applied to almost any cuisine. You can steam vegetables, proteins, buns, breads, dumplings, and even desserts!

Steamer basket

There are three main types of steamer baskets: stainless steel, silicone, and bamboo. Stainless steel steamer baskets are the most common and versatile type, as they can expand to fit into wide skillets or fold upwards to fit more narrow pots. Silicone steamer baskets are naturally non-stick and easy to store, while bamboo steamer baskets come in various sizes and can be stacked on top of one another for more efficient cooking.

• Pick a steamer basket and a pan: Choose a basket that will allow you to cook as much food as possible in as few batches as necessary, and select a pan that is deep enough to fit one layer of food. Stock pots, saucepans, deep-sided skillets, or woks can all be used for steaming.
• Add liquid: Pour about one inch of liquid (water or stock) into the bottom of the pan. The liquid should just touch the bottom of the steamer basket without seeping through the perforations.
• Season the liquid: Just as you would when boiling pasta, season the liquid to add flavour to your ingredients as they cook.
• Bring the liquid to a simmer: Once the liquid is seasoned, bring it to a gentle simmer.
• Add the food and cover: Place the food in an even layer in the steamer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. Cover the pot and maintain a bare simmer while the food steams.
• Keep an eye on the heated water: Adjust the heat as needed to maintain an even simmer and ensure even cooking.

You can steam a variety of foods, including vegetables, seafood, dumplings, buns, and eggs. Steamer baskets are also useful for reheating pre-cooked or frozen food.

Bamboo steamer

Step 1: Gather Ingredients

Choose the ingredients you want to steam. This could be vegetables, rice, seafood, dumplings, buns, or any food that benefits from gentle, moist cooking.

Step 2: Line the Steamer (Optional)

You can line the steamer with parchment paper, cabbage leaves, or bamboo leaves to prevent food from sticking and make cleaning easier. This step is optional.

Step 3: Boil Water in a Pot or Wok

Use a pot or wok large enough to accommodate the bamboo steamer. Fill it with water, ensuring the water level is below the steamer's bottom tier. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 4: Arrange Food

Place the food in the steamer, allowing space for steam to circulate. Different ingredients may require different cooking times, so consider their individual needs when arranging them.

Step 5: Stack Tiers

If your bamboo steamer has multiple tiers, stack them securely on top of each other.

Step 6: Place the Steamer on the Pot or Wok

Place the bamboo steamer on the pot or wok, ensuring the water does not touch the steamer's bottom.

Step 7: Cover with the Lid

Place the lid on the steamer to trap the steam and ensure even cooking.

Step 8: Steam the Food

Allow the food to steam as per the recipe's instructions, checking periodically to avoid overcooking.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Once cooked, carefully remove the steamer from the pot or wok, being cautious of the hot steam. Transfer the food to a serving platter and enjoy!

Caring for Your Bamboo Steamer:

Always ensure your bamboo steamer is fully dried before storing it away to prevent mould or mildew. Wash with a sponge and mild soap, and rinse thoroughly. Leave it to air dry for at least two days before storing.

Frequently asked questions