Steam-Free Edamame: Simple Cooking Techniques For Perfect Pods

Edamame is a delicious and healthy snack that can be cooked in a variety of ways without the need for a steamer. Whether you buy soybeans fresh or frozen, they are quick and easy to prepare as a tasty appetizer or side dish. The beans are packed with plant-based protein and can be boiled, microwaved, pan-fried, or pan-seared. All cooking methods take a similar amount of time, and the difference lies in the equipment used.

Boil edamame in salted water for 4-5 minutes

Cooking edamame in salted water is a simple and quick process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Water

Begin by bringing a pot of water to a boil. The amount of water can vary depending on the quantity of edamame you plan to cook, but ensure it is sufficient to cover the edamame. Add salt to the water, adjusting the quantity to your taste preferences. It is recommended to make the water taste as salty as seawater. You can always add more salt later if needed.

Step 2: Add the Edamame

Once the water is boiling, carefully add the edamame to the pot. You can use fresh or frozen edamame for this step. There is no need to defrost frozen edamame before adding it to the boiling water.

Step 3: Boil the Edamame

Continue boiling the edamame for 4-5 minutes. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of the beans and your desired level of doneness. The beans are ready when they are tender, and the pods can be easily released from the shell. You can check by breaking apart a bean pod—if the beans inside are tender, they are ready.

Step 4: Drain and Rinse

After the edamame has boiled for the desired time, carefully drain the water. You can use a strainer or colander for this step. Rinse the edamame with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down.

Step 5: Season and Serve

Transfer the cooked edamame to a serving bowl. At this point, you can season the edamame with additional salt to taste. You can also get creative with other seasonings like red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, lemon pepper, or spicy garlic sauce. Enjoy your delicious and healthy snack!

Pan-sear edamame in a cast-iron skillet

Pan-searing edamame is a tasty way to cook these soybeans, and a cast-iron skillet is the ideal pan for the job. Here is a step-by-step guide to pan-searing edamame in a cast-iron skillet:

Step 1: Prepare the edamame

If you are using fresh edamame, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the edamame and boil for 2 minutes. Drain and let them cool. If you are using frozen edamame, you can skip this step.

Step 2: Heat the cast-iron skillet

Place your cast-iron skillet on the stovetop and turn the heat up high. You want the skillet to get nice and hot so that the edamame gets a good sear.

Step 3: Test the heat

When you think the skillet is hot enough, wet your fingertips and flick a few drops of water onto the surface. If the skillet is hot enough, the droplets should "dance" and sizzle immediately. If they don't, keep heating the skillet until they do.

Step 4: Add the edamame

Once the skillet is hot enough, add the edamame. If you are using frozen edamame, you can add them straight from the freezer. Add the edamame slowly so that the oil doesn't splash out and burn you.

Step 5: Sear the edamame

Let the edamame sear and blacken on one side before turning them over. Don't move them around too much, as you want a crust to develop. After a couple of minutes, turn the pods over and cook the other side, shaking the pan a little for even cooking. Continue until both sides are charred and the beans inside are tender.

Step 6: Season and serve

Remove the edamame from the heat and season with salt to taste. Serve immediately. You can eat the beans straight from the pod, or squeeze them out if you prefer.

Microwave edamame for 3 minutes

Cooking edamame in the microwave is a great option if you don't have a stove or steamer available. It's also a faster method, and you can cook frozen edamame directly in the microwave without thawing them first.

To microwave edamame for 3 minutes, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Edamame

Start by gathering your ingredients and materials. You will need:

• Microwave-safe bowl or dish with a lid
• Microwave mitts or oven gloves
• 1 cup (80g) of frozen edamame pods
• Water
• Salt to taste (optional)

Place the edamame pods in the microwave-safe bowl. If you are using edamame in their shells, add a small amount of water to the bowl (around a teaspoon per cup of edamame). You can also add a splash of oil instead of water for extra flavour.

Step 2: Microwave the Edamame

Cover the bowl with a lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap. If using plastic wrap, pierce a few holes in it to allow steam to escape. Place the bowl in the centre of the microwave to ensure even cooking.

Set the microwave to high power and cook the edamame for 3 minutes. If your microwave doesn't have variable power settings, cook at full power. You may want to pause the microwave and stir the edamame halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Season and Serve

After 3 minutes, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave using microwave mitts or oven gloves, as it will be hot. Let the edamame cool until it is safe to handle, then season to taste. You can sprinkle sea salt or flaky sea salt for a simple, traditional snack.

For extra flavour, try tossing the edamame with a splash of soy sauce, a small amount of toasted sesame oil, garlic salt, rice vinegar, or Japanese togarashi spice blend. You can also squeeze fresh lime juice over the edamame for a refreshing burst of flavour.

Serve the edamame as a healthy snack, a last-minute appetizer, or add it to a salad or grain bowl for a protein boost. Enjoy!

Steam edamame in a steamer pot for 5 minutes

Cooking edamame in a steamer pot is an easy and quick process. To begin, fill your steamer pot halfway with water and place it on your stove. Turn the heat to high and let the water come to a boil.

Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and place 1 cup (or 135 grams) of edamame in the steamer rack. You can use either fresh or frozen edamame. Rinse the edamame under cold water to clean them, and shake off any excess water from the rack.

Next, carefully place the steamer rack inside the pot, ensuring that the lip of the rack rests securely on the edge of the pot. Immediately cover the pot to keep the steam inside, and let the edamame cook for at least 5 minutes, or until the bean pods are tender. If the pods are not fully cooked after 5 minutes, keep them in the steamer for an additional 2 minutes before checking again.

Finally, remove the steamer rack from the pot using oven mitts, and dip the rack into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Take the rack out of the ice water immediately so the beans don't get too cold, and your edamame is ready to be served!

Pan-fry edamame with soy sauce, garlic and red pepper flakes

Pan-fried edamame with soy sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 3 cloves of minced garlic
• 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• 1 pound of edamame pods (fresh or frozen)

Method:

• Combine the soy sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl. Grate a knob of ginger into the sauce for added flavor. Adjust the amount of spice to your preference.
• Place a skillet over high heat and add the sesame oil. Turn on your kitchen exhaust fan so it doesn't get smoky. Heat the oil until it's steaming and bubbling.
• Add the edamame to the hot pan and let them blister for 1-2 minutes. Once added, do not move the edamame around. Let them sear and blacken on one side to add a charred flavor.
• Add the edamame slowly so the oil doesn't splash out and burn you. You can use fresh or frozen edamame.
• Mix in the soy sauce mixture with the edamame for 2-3 minutes. Slowly pour the soy sauce into the same skillet as the edamame. Let the edamame simmer in the sauce so they can absorb the flavor.
• Use a mixing spoon to coat all of the edamame pods. If the skillet starts bubbling too much, you can turn down the heat.
• Transfer the edamame to a serving bowl and eat while they're warm. For a hint of fresh flavor, squeeze a wedge of lime over the edamame.

Frequently asked questions