Steaming Frozen Broccoli: Quick, Easy, And Healthy

Frozen broccoli is a convenient and healthy option for a quick side dish. It can be steamed, sautéed, roasted, boiled, or stir-fried. Steaming frozen broccoli is a simple and healthy way to cook this vegetable without leaching vitamins and minerals, as can happen when boiling. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to steam frozen broccoli, with tips on cooking times and serving suggestions.

How to steam frozen broccoli in the microwave

Steaming frozen broccoli is a great way to cook this nutritious vegetable without losing its vitamins and minerals. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you steam frozen broccoli in the microwave.

What You Need:

• Frozen broccoli (look for small, individually frozen broccoli florets)
• Microwave-safe dish with a glass lid
• Water
• Salt (optional)
• Butter or any seasoning of your choice (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Place about 2 cups of frozen broccoli (a 10-12 oz bag) in a microwave-safe dish.
• Add approximately one inch of water to the bottom of the dish. The water should not touch the broccoli.
• Cover the dish with a glass lid.
• Microwave on high power for 8-10 minutes. The cooking time will depend on your desired texture and the wattage of your microwave. For crisp broccoli, cook for 7-8 minutes, and for more tender broccoli, cook for 10 minutes.
• Once cooked, remove the broccoli from the microwave and drain any excess water.
• Optional: Season with a dash of salt and a pat of butter, or any seasoning of your choice.
• Mix well and serve immediately.

Tips:

• If you prefer crisp broccoli, microwave for a shorter duration (7-8 minutes). For tender broccoli, cook for a longer duration (up to 10 minutes).
• You can also steam frozen broccoli using a steamer basket or a colander placed over a saucepan of boiling water.
• To enhance the flavour, try seasoning the broccoli with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, olive oil, rice vinegar, a squeeze of lemon, crumbled feta cheese, minced garlic, or soy sauce.
• Frozen broccoli is a convenient and healthy option, as it is affordable, easy to store, and can be cooked quickly.
• Remember, the key to perfectly steamed broccoli is to avoid overcooking it.

Enjoy your delicious and nutritious steamed broccoli as a side dish or add it to your favourite recipes!

How to steam frozen broccoli on the stove

Steaming is one of the best ways to cook frozen broccoli, as it preserves the vegetable's nutritional value and gives it an appealing texture and colour. Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming frozen broccoli on the stove:

What You Need:

• A steamer (a perforated double-layer steamer pot or a folding vegetable steamer basket) or a metal strainer, colander, or sieve
• A saucepan with a tight-fitting lid
• Frozen broccoli (look for small, individually frozen broccoli florets)
• Water
• Salt or your choice of seasoning

Instructions:

• Add about an inch of water to the saucepan. You want enough water to create steam, but not so much that the broccoli will be sitting in the water.
• Place the steamer or strainer/colander/sieve into the saucepan, making sure it is secure and there is a tight seal with the lid.
• Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Once the water is boiling, add the frozen broccoli to the steamer or strainer/colander/sieve. If using a steamer, arrange the broccoli in a single layer. If your broccoli florets are uneven in size, add the largest ones first.
• Cover the saucepan with the lid and lower the heat to a low simmer. You want to make sure the broccoli is steaming, not boiling.
• Steam the broccoli for 3-8 minutes. The cooking time will depend on your heat level and desired doneness. For perfectly steamed broccoli, it should be tender and warm but still a vibrant green colour.
• To check if the broccoli is done to your liking, pierce a floret with a fork.
• Once the broccoli is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the steamer or strainer/colander/sieve and place it in a bowl.
• Season the broccoli with salt or your choice of seasoning while it is still warm. You can simply add salt and pepper, or try other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, paprika, cayenne pepper, lemon pepper seasoning, or steak seasoning.
• For an extra flavour boost, add a dressing like lemon juice, harissa oil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil, sesame oil and maple syrup, or olive oil and preserved lemon puree.
• Serve the steamed broccoli as a side dish, or add it to your favourite recipes.

Note: If you are using a metal strainer, colander, or sieve, the cooking time may be longer due to steam escape, so adjust accordingly. It is also important to pay close attention to the broccoli as it cooks, as the difference between perfectly steamed and overcooked broccoli can be just a matter of seconds.

How long to steam frozen broccoli for

Steaming frozen broccoli is a great way to get a tasty, healthy, and affordable side dish on the table in just a few minutes. It's simple, quick, and you don't need any special tools or equipment. Plus, steaming helps preserve the nutritional value of the broccoli, giving you a vegetable that's appealing to eat and serve.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to steam frozen broccoli:

• Use a steamer: You can use a perforated double-layer steamer pot, a folding vegetable steamer basket, or even a metal strainer balanced over a pot of boiling water. If using a pot, make sure it has a tight-fitting lid to keep the steam contained.
• Add water: Put enough water in the pot or steamer to create steam, but not so much that the broccoli will be sitting in the water. About an inch or two of water is usually enough.
• Arrange the broccoli: Place the frozen broccoli in the steamer or pot. If using a pot, wait until the water reaches a rolling boil before adding the broccoli.
• Steam: Cover the pot or steamer and cook the broccoli on low heat. It's important not to overcook it, so aim for a cooking time of around 5 to 8 minutes. The broccoli should be a deep, rich green color when it's done.
• Test for doneness: To check if the broccoli is ready, pierce a floret with a fork. It should be tender and warm, but still vibrant green. If you prefer your broccoli with a little more crunch, aim for a cooking time of around 3 minutes.
• Season: Season the steamed broccoli with salt, pepper, or other seasonings like garlic powder or Parmesan cheese to enhance the flavor.

• If using a pot with a glass lid, you can monitor the cooking process closely without losing steam by lifting the lid.
• If using a metal strainer, you may need to adjust the cooking time as steam and heat can escape from the sides.
• Frozen broccoli has already been blanched, so avoid overcooking it, or it can become mushy.
• Steaming is a great way to cook frozen broccoli, but you can also sauté, oven-roast, or microwave it.

How to season steamed frozen broccoli

There are several ways to season steamed frozen broccoli. Here are some ideas:

Stovetop

Place a steamer basket or sieve at the bottom of a pot and fill it with a few inches of water. The water level should be below the steamer basket or sieve. Bring the water to a simmer. Add the frozen broccoli to the steamer basket or sieve, cover the pot, and steam for 3 to 4 minutes, or until tender. Remove the lid and set it aside. Take the steamer basket or sieve out of the pot and transfer the broccoli to a serving dish.

You can season steamed broccoli with salt, pepper, olive oil, and/or garlic salt.

Microwave

Place about half a pound of frozen broccoli in a microwave-safe dish. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water and cover the dish with a lid or microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, then remove the lid and stir. Microwave for another 2 minutes, or until heated through. If the broccoli is still cold, continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals.

Once cooked, strain the broccoli and season with salt, pepper, and/or butter.

Oven

Preheat your oven to 400˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or coat it with non-stick cooking spray. Place half a pound of frozen broccoli in a mixing bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and your choice of seasonings. Spread the broccoli onto the baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and use a spatula to flip the broccoli, redistributing the excess oil and seasonings. Return the pan to the oven and roast for another 10 minutes, or until the broccoli is browned to your liking.

Seasonings you can use include salt, pepper, garlic, and/or garlic salt.

General Seasoning Ideas

• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Parmesan cheese
• Lemon juice
• Butter
• Soy sauce
• Balsamic glaze
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame seeds
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Minced garlic

How to steam frozen broccoli without a steamer

Steaming frozen broccoli without a steamer is a simple and quick process. All you need is a pot with a lid, a colander, and some water. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Prepare the Broccoli

Cut the broccoli into equal-sized florets. You can also cut off the stems if you prefer, but it is not necessary. Rinse the broccoli florets under cold water to clean them thoroughly.

Step 2: Boil Water in a Pot

Fill a 3.5 to 5-quart stock pot with water, about 1 inch or enough to half-cover the broccoli. Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a boil over high heat.

Step 3: Add Broccoli to the Pot

Once the water is boiling vigorously, carefully add the broccoli florets to the pot. Make sure the stalks are facing down, and the florets are in a single layer for even cooking.

Step 4: Cover and Steam

Cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to medium. Steam the broccoli for 4 to 6 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the florets and your desired texture. For crisp broccoli, steam for a shorter time, and for more tender broccoli, steam for a little longer.

Step 5: Drain and Season

After steaming, drain the broccoli in a colander. Return the broccoli to the warm pot or serve it in a bowl. You can season it with salt and pepper to taste. You can also drizzle olive oil or add other seasonings like minced garlic, onion powder, balsamic vinegar, lemon, or cheese.

Alternative Method: Microwave Steaming

If you prefer, you can also steam frozen broccoli in the microwave. Place the broccoli florets in a microwave-safe dish with a glass lid. Add about 1 inch of water to the dish and cover it. Microwave on high for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on your desired texture. For crisp broccoli, cook for 8 minutes, and for tender broccoli, cook for 10 minutes.

Enjoy your perfectly steamed frozen broccoli!

Frequently asked questions