Steaming Veggies In A Rice Cooker: A Quick Guide

Rice cookers are not just for cooking rice. They can also be used to steam vegetables and meat. This can be done by itself or simultaneously while cooking rice. To steam vegetables in a rice cooker, add the recommended amount of water (usually 2-3 cups) to the cooker. If you have a steamer basket, fill it with your chosen veggies and place it inside the cooker. If not, you can make your own steamer basket using aluminium foil. Close the lid and press the start button. The cooking time depends on the type of vegetable and how big the pieces are.

Preparing the rice cooker with water and steamer basket

Preparing the rice cooker with water and a steamer basket is the first step in steaming vegetables. The process is simple and can be done in just a few steps. First, add water to the rice cooker. The amount of water recommended is usually 2 to 3 cups, or you can fill it to the appropriate line indicated in your rice cooker. This will ensure that there is enough water to generate steam.

The next step is to prepare the steamer basket. Most rice cookers come with a small steamer basket that fits perfectly inside the cooking pot. If your rice cooker did not come with one, you can use a small trivet that fits inside, or create a makeshift steamer basket using aluminium foil. To make a foil basket, tear off a piece of foil that is almost twice the width of your rice cooker, and fold it in half and then in half again. Use a fork to poke 10 to 15 holes through the layers of foil. Unfold the foil and place it inside your cooker, pushing it down until it sits about half an inch from the bottom. Cut off any excess foil to ensure the lid closes easily.

Once the water and steamer basket are in place, you can add your chosen vegetables to the basket. It is recommended to cut the vegetables into large bite-sized pieces. Place denser and larger vegetables, such as potatoes and carrots, at the bottom of the basket, and top them with quicker-cooking vegetables like mushrooms and green beans.

Choosing and preparing vegetables

When choosing vegetables to steam in a rice cooker, it's important to consider the cooking time and texture you want to achieve. Different vegetables have varying steaming times, with most taking around 5 to 15 minutes. For example, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini are recommended to be steamed for 20 minutes, while green beans need only 15 minutes, and corn on the cob requires 30 minutes.

To prepare the vegetables, start by cleaning them thoroughly. Cut the vegetables into uniform sizes, especially if you want them to cook evenly. For thicker vegetables like broccoli, cut them into smaller pieces to ensure they cook through. If you're using vegetables with stiff skin, such as squash or pumpkin, place them flesh-down in the steamer basket.

You can also experiment with different combinations of vegetables to create a colourful and flavourful dish. For instance, you can pair broccoli with cauliflower, making the cauliflower florets smaller to account for their different cooking times. Additionally, slicing or shredding dense vegetables like carrots will help them cook at a similar rate as their faster-cooking counterparts.

If you're looking for a one-pot meal, you can choose vegetables that complement the rice. For example, cauliflower and white rice cook at similar rates, while brown rice takes twice as long, so denser veggies like carrots would be a better pairing.

Cooking times and settings

The cooking time for your steamed vegetables will depend on the type of rice cooker you have and the type of vegetables you are cooking.

If you have a one-button rice cooker, simply press the button and check the vegetables periodically for doneness. If your rice cooker has a steaming function, you can set it for certain increments of time, usually in 1-minute intervals. The timer will count from when the unit comes to a boil, so the actual cooking time will be longer than the time you set.

Rice cookers with a steaming function may start automatically once you have set the time, or you may need to press the start button. After you have steamed vegetables a couple of times, you will have a better idea of how long they will take to cook.

If you are cooking vegetables in a steamer basket while also cooking rice, place the basket on top of the inner pot about halfway through the cycle. Check if the vegetables are fork-tender, and if so, remove the basket and replace the lid to let the rice finish cooking. If the vegetables need more time, close the lid and check on them later in the cycle.

The exact steaming time depends on the type and size of the vegetable. Chop thicker vegetables, such as broccoli, into small pieces. Here are some suggested steaming times for fresh vegetables:

• Asparagus: 20 minutes
• Broccoli: 20 minutes
• Cauliflower: 20 minutes
• Corn on the cob: 30 minutes
• Green beans: 15 minutes
• Zucchini: 20 minutes

Steaming without a steamer basket

If you don't have a steamer basket, don't worry, there are still plenty of ways to steam vegetables in a rice cooker.

Firstly, it's important to wash and chop your vegetables. If you're steaming vegetables with a stiff skin, like pumpkin or squash, peel the skin so that it cooks faster.

One way to steam vegetables without a steamer basket is to use a small trivet that fits inside your cooker. Place the vegetables in a small bowl or on a plate or a sheet of foil, and steam them on the trivet. Alternatively, you can roll foil into balls, set a plate on top, and steam the vegetables on that.

You can also place a bowl or colander inside the rice cooker, along with the water, and steam the vegetables in that. Or, you could put a small wire-mesh strainer over the pot with the vegetables inside, then cover with the lid. You'll need to drape the top of the rice cooker with a clean kitchen towel, as the strainer will prop the lid open.

Finally, if you're cooking rice anyway, greens and other delicate vegetables can be placed on top of the rice once it's cooked. Put the lid back on and let the steam from the rice cook the vegetables.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve steamed vegetables. You can serve them as a side dish, or as part of a main course. For example, you could serve steamed vegetables with a side of brown rice or over pasta, with a drizzle of olive oil and soy sauce. You could also serve them with chicken or fish.

If you're looking for a more creative option, you could try serving a whole steamed artichoke with aioli as an appetizer. Alternatively, serve steamed green beans with a squeeze of lemon.

You can also steam vegetables and rice at the same time for a complete meal with minimal mess. Simply add the vegetables to a steamer basket placed on top of your inner pot, and select the appropriate cycle based on the type of rice you are cooking. Check on your vegetables halfway through the cycle, and remove them if they are fork-tender.

If you don't have a steamer basket, you can make your own using aluminum foil. Here's how:

• Tear off a piece of aluminum foil that's almost twice the width of your rice cooker.
• Fold the foil in half, and then in half again.
• Use a fork to poke 10-15 holes through the layers of foil.
• Unfold the foil and place it over your rice cooker.
• Gently fold and push it into your cooker until it sits about ½ inch down.
• Cut off any excess foil, making sure the lid closes easily.

Once your vegetables are cooked, you can also experiment with different dressings or sauces to add extra flavour.

Frequently asked questions