Looking for ways to enjoy perfectly steamed broccoli so you can start eating more healthily? Then you’re in for a treat!

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to steam broccoli without having to buy an electric steamer.

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Prepare the broccoli by washing it under ample water then separating the stalk from the florets and slicing the latter into small enough pieces to your liking. If you want to use the stalk as well, just peel it, remove the tough end, then cut it into the size you prefer.

Pour water into the frying pan until it’s approximately a quarter of an inch full.

Turn on the heat to medium-high and let the water come to a boil.

Once the boiling starts, add the broccoli to the frying pan and cover it with the lid.

Let the broccoli steam until it’s crisp or as tender as you prefer. The process should take around 5 minutes, but it can vary depending on the size of the pieces you cut.

Once the broccoli becomes the texture you’re looking to achieve, take it out of the frying pan using a draining spoon.

Serve after sprinkling salt and pepper to taste.

The success of this method relies on adding a shallow layer of water in the frying pan so that the broccoli doesn’t get completely submerged. This prevents it from getting boiled, which isn’t recommended unless you’re after a softer texture.

Using such a small quantity of water results in faster boiling, which means that it’ll quickly turn into steam. So, you need to be as quick when it comes to covering the pan with the lid to trap as much steam as possible.

1. How to Steam Broccoli in a Frying Pan

In the pot, pour water until it’s about an inch full.

Once the boiling starts, add the broccoli to the steamer basket and place the lid over the pot.

Let the broccoli steam until it’s crisp or as tender as you prefer. The process should take around 5 to 8 minutes, but it can vary depending on the size of the pieces you cut.

Once the broccoli becomes the texture you’re looking to achieve, turn off the heat and carefully remove the steamer basket from the pot.

2. How to Steam Broccoli Using a Steamer Basket

Pour water until the bottom of the pot is about an inch full. Make sure the water doesn’t touch the colander.

Once the boiling starts, add the broccoli to the colander and place the lid over the pot.

Once the broccoli becomes the texture you’re looking to achieve, turn off the heat and carefully remove the colander from the pot.

In this method, the colander serves as a steamer basket, but you need to make sure that the pot and the lid are big enough to accommodate the size of the colander. Once the broccoli is done, you won’t have to drain it as the colander already does the job.

3. How to Steam Broccoli Using a Colander

A plate of the same size as the bowl, microwave-safe

In the bowl, pour water until it’s approximately an inch full.

Cover the bowl with a large enough plate.

Slide the bowl into the microwave and set it to cook for 1 minute on high.

Check a piece of broccoli for doneness. If it’s still not steamed to your preference, repeat cooking on high for 30 seconds.

Once done, take the bowl out and drain the broccoli from excess water using a draining spoon or a colander.

Due to the varying power of different microwaves, it’s best to test the doneness of the broccoli instead of only relying on the steaming time.

You may need to dry broccoli steamed using the microwave. This depends on the amount of water added and the strength of the appliance.

4. How to Steam Broccoli Using a Microwave

As you can tell by now, steaming broccoli doesn’t mean you have to own special equipment or a fancy electric steamer. The methods we explained above only require a pan or a pot, a lid, some water, and you’re good to go!

How To Steam Broccoli: 4 Simple Ways to Enjoy Perfectly Steamed Broccoli

1. How to Steam Broccoli in a Frying Pan

2. How to Steam Broccoli Using a Steamer Basket

3. How to Steam Broccoli Using a Colander

4. How to Steam Broccoli Using a Microwave

Conclusion

How To Steam Broccoli: 4 Simple Ways to Enjoy Perfectly Steamed Broccoli

1. How to Steam Broccoli in a Frying Pan

2. How to Steam Broccoli Using a Steamer Basket

3. How to Steam Broccoli Using a Colander

4. How to Steam Broccoli Using a Microwave

Conclusion

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