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Learn how to steam broccoli in microwave. This easy and healthy side dish takes only 3 minutes!

Steamed broccoli in a microwave safe dish with a large fork behind it.
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How to steam broccoli in microwave

My friend Kasey taught me this easy trick on how to steam broccoli in the microwave. The best part… it took only 3 minutes to make!

Now, I know most of you know that I am all about easy. From 20 minutes meals and 4 ingredient cookies, I love everything in the kitchen to be easy.

I’ve always steamed by broccoli on the stove, but not anymore. Steaming broccoli in the microwave is EASIER and takes half the time for perfectly steamed broccoli.

We love serving this with Pineapple Chicken Recipe.

A piece of Broccoli on a fork

How to microwave broccoli:

Wash and chop your fresh broccoli to bite size pieces.

I actually do this right when we get home from the grocery store. Less chopping during dinner times saves me a mess and time in the kitchen.

Add the broccoli to a microwave save dish and cover the bowl with a lid. I try to avoid plastic wrap in the microwave so make sure to use a microwave safe lid.

Fresh broccoli in a glass bowl with a plate on top

I used my trusty corningware that has lasted for years. For our family I used a 1 ½ quart dish and it worked great. If you are cooking just a single serving then use a smaller container.

Note: Some recipes call for 1 inch of water to be in the bowl. The microwave brings the water to a boil to steam the broccoli. However, I have tested it and found it isn’t needed.

A pile of steamed broccoli in a large microwave safe dish

How long to steam broccoli in microwave:

Place the lid on and microwave on high for 3 minutes until the broccoli is tender. This worked perfectly for our 1.5 quart dish that was pretty much full.

If you are cooking less adjust your time. If you are cooking one serving (about a cup of chopped) then it should just take just 1 to 2 minutes to cook.

Remove from microwave and season accordingly. We love just salt and pepper. You can also add olive oil or cheese sauce if you prefer.

Now you know how to cook broccoli in microwave!

Grab some chopped broccoli florets and enjoy steamed broccoli in minutes. Cooking broccoli is so easy.

No need for a steamer basket. Just grab a microwave safe bowl.

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It is really that easy!

Now whether you want an easy side dish with lunch or an easy side dish with a crock pot recipe you are set to have a delicious vegetable on your table in under 3 minutes…. no excuses!

This is the easiest way to cook broccoli and it’s bright green and crisp tender every time.

What goes with steamed broccoli? 

The ideas are endless with this delicious side dish. It is so easy and we like to keep everything else simple as well.

Some of our favorites include:

A piece of broccoli being removed from a large bowl of freshly steamed broccoli


Buy broccoli fresh, not frozen and you will save more money. We eat it the most when it is in season so it is cheaper. Broccoli tends to be cheaper in the winter months.
 

A large dish of freshly steamed, bright green broccoli

How to Store the Leftovers:

Refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for up to 3-4 days. The broccolis does get a little softer when it’s store so I prefer fresh.

Reheat it in the microwave in 20 second intervals until heated through.

Can you use frozen broccoli?

Yes, you can use frozen broccoli in this recipe. You may need to adjust the cook time based on the size of the broccoli florets.

I still do not add water when using frozen broccoli for this recipe.

Try and it and let us know what you think!

Let us know how this turns out for you. I really think you will love how easy this is and how the broccoli turns out.

This is such an easy way to cook broccoli.

A large container of freshly steamed broccoli

Print this easy broccoli recipe:

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How to Microwave Broccoli

5 from 18 votes
Learn How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave in under 3 minutes. It just takes 3 minutes with no water to make the perfectly steamed broccoli.
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 2
Cuisine American
Course Side Dish
Calories 104

Ingredients

  • 1 Large Bed of Broccoli chopped
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper

Instructions

  • Place the chopped broccoli in a microwave safe bowl with a lid. If you don’t have a container, you can use a microwave safe bowl and cover it with a plate. That’s what I did and it worked great!
  • Cook in the microwave for 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is the tenderness that you desire.
  • Remove the broccoli from the microwave, season with the salt and pepper and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 104kcal, Carbohydrates 20g, Protein 9g, Fat 1g, Saturated Fat 1g, Sodium 391mg, Potassium 961mg, Fiber 8g, Sugar 5g, Vitamin A 1894IU, Vitamin C 271mg, Calcium 143mg, Iron 2mg

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Learn how to steam broccoli in microwave without a steamer. This easy and healthy side dish takes only 3 minutes! Enjoy tender broccoli in minutes. #eatingonadime #broccolirecipes #sidedishrecipes

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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Comments

  1. Do you put any water in it? I didn’t see any mention of water on the recipe, but I’ve only seen steaming recipes with water.

  2. This worked great!! The broccoli was nice and tender but not mushy at all. I doubted the no water but I was wrong. I just cut the broccoli into florets and put it my Pampered Chef microwave cooker that has a vented lid and it worked perfectly!

  3. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! You are helping me so much! My daughter, her partner, and my 2 Grands are moving in with us in October. I’m used to cooking for 2 people but soon it will be for 6. I’m downloading all of your crock pot recipes and I really appreciate the 10 freezer meals that you sent. (Never tried pre -frozen meals before.) I’ll let you know how it all turns out! (3 of them are picky eaters)!

  4. I have been cooking my broccoli in the microwave for years. Try adding a little garlic salt and fresh lemon!

  5. 5 stars
    This was delicious. I cooked it in my old Pampered Chef steamer for 4 minutes. It was perfect. Thanks for this quick and easy recipe. My husband commented on how good it was.

  6. Hi. I am trying this tonight but I wondered how you came up with 20 grams of carbohydrates? My calculator says 1 serving is 4 g.
    Thanks.

  7. Our program does that automatically so I’m not sure, because broccoli doesn’t have that many carbs in it. I will contact the developer for it to get fixed.