Last Updated on June 3, 2022 by
How To Steam Broccoli Without A Steamer? Broccoli that is steamed rather than boiled keeps more nutrients and natural tastes. In addition, kids are more inclined to consume crisp-tender, vivid green steamed broccoli than soggy, dull green cooked broccoli! You can steam broccoli in the microwave or on the stovetop if you don’t have a steamer or steaming basket. Here is how to steam broccoli without a steamer.
Steam broccoli on the stovetop in a saucepan with approximately an inch or two of boiling water. The broccoli must be cooked in a saucepan with a cover to prevent the steam from escaping. If you’re using foil instead of a lid, use oven gloves to prevent a burn from the steam.
How To Steam Broccoli In The Microwave Without A Steamer
So you don’t have a steamer or a steamer basket, but you still want your broccoli to have that nice steamed appearance and texture? Perhaps you want a faster and easier way to prepare steamed veggies without using a steamer. We’ve got you covered with this easy-to-follow solution.
You may steam your broccoli in the microwave instead of utilizing those ways. They will seem plump and juicy when they come out of the microwave, properly steamed. Without a steamer basket, how do you steam vegetables?
If you want to steam broccoli, place it in a microwave-safe dish with little water. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and a tiny vent in one corner to let out the steam for optimal results—microwave for approximately three minutes after that. Your broccoli will be plump and soft, exactly as if you steamed them.
Certain veggies may need modest alterations, but the same general principles apply to them. Steaming them in the microwave is simple as long as you use a little water, but don’t overcrowd your broccoli and be sure you steam them on a microwave-safe plate.
How To Steam Broccoli Without A Steamer Or Microwave
We understand that some folks would instead not use the microwave. There are specific health problems associated with microwave use, and it’s reasonable that some health-conscious individuals would want to avoid microwave radiation. Microwaving food may also deplete nutrients, so it’s good to find another method to cook or steam your food instead of utilizing that kitchen gadget.
In light of this, we’d like to present a way for steaming veggies without using a steamer or a microwave. There is a technique to steam your food without using a steamer, steam basket, or microwave, and it’s surprisingly easy. Take a pot and half-fill it with water. Form three balls out of aluminum foil (about the size of a golf ball) and drop them into the water. That may seem strange but bear with us.
Then, set a dish and your meal on it on top of the water in the pot. Cover the saucepan and place it over high heat. Your food will begin to steam after the water is brought to a boil. This method transforms an ordinary pot into a steamer. We were delighted by how well it worked and how easy it was to execute. Your food will be precisely steamed without needing a steamer or a steamer basket, and you won’t have to use the microwave.
We understand that everyone has different culinary tastes. Therefore we wanted to provide some alternatives. There is a way to steam veggies without a steamer basket, no matter what tools you have in your kitchen or what cooking techniques you like.
How To Steam Broccoli With A Sieve
We have additional steaming ways for you to try, and we’ve combed the internet for the finest ones that are being discussed and utilized in kitchens all around the globe. When it comes to cooking ways, people can be rather inventive, and we’d like to offer one of the most inventive approaches we’ve come across.
You may wish to try another way to steam your broccoli without using a steamer. However, you’ll need the necessary kitchen gear to make this work.
A deep, fine-mesh sieve with a lip and a big saucepan with a lid is required for this procedure. Place your broccoli in a strainer and immerse them in boiling water. Then, cover the saucepan and steam until the veggies are soft, about 20 minutes. To make this steaming process work, the pot must be covered entirely. The steam will be trapped, and your veggies will be cooked appropriately.
How To Steam Frozen Vegetables
We want to share another steaming technique with you: how to steam frozen veggies without using a steamer. You may either put the broccoli in your saucepan or microwave while they are still frozen, or you can defrost them beforehand.
We propose the following basic thawing methods:
- Put frozen broccoli in a covered dish of water on the counter. Allow them to rest until the ice has melted and thawed fully.
- Microwave frozen broccoli to defrost.
- To defrost frozen broccoli, place them in the refrigerator.
The third way is our favorite since it preserves a lot of the flavor. Using water may cause the vegetables to taste watery, and using the microwave may destroy some nutrients and flavor. However, thawing frozen broccoli in the fridge takes some time, so you need to prepare ahead.
However, you may always steam frozen broccoli straight from the freezer. It may take a bit longer, but it is perfectly OK. Follow the same steps as before, but anticipate taking longer to steam thoroughly if they are frozen rather than thawed.
When cooking frozen veggies in the microwave or a covered saucepan, there’s a significant possibility they’ll end up mushy. This is why, rather than attempting to steam them when frozen, it is recommended to defrost them first or cook them in a skillet without water. You don’t need to defrost frozen broccoli before cooking them in most cases. When you thaw them, you risk losing part of their nutritious worth.
5 Reasons To steam Your Broccoli
1. It Cooks Faster
It takes at least half an hour to roast broccoli to soft, crispy perfection, and that doesn’t include the time it takes to preheat the oven. Depending on how quickly you can boil a few inches of water, steamed broccoli can be on the table in under 10 minutes. Are you looking for a fast veggie to serve with takeout or frozen pizza? In no time, steamed broccoli will be ready.
2. It Doesn’t Have To Be Overdone To Be Delicious
The fact is that steamed broccoli takes just approximately five minutes to prepare. Steam cooks more quickly than roasting because of the intensity of the heat it produces. You need to cook it for a few minutes until it’s soft. Make sure it has some texture and retains a brilliant green color.
3. You’re Serving It With The Wrong Things
Steamed broccoli doesn’t go well with a dry chicken breast or any other meal that’s too simple. Instead, pair it with saucy, savory dishes like tomato-based spaghetti or a spicy Thai curry soup. Steamed broccoli provides a lovely counterbalance to these bold tastes and something with which to mop up the sauce.
4. Make Sure It’s Seasoned Correctly
This little tip makes all the difference: liberally salt the water you’re bringing to a boil for steam. As a result, the broccoli acquires a little salt during cooking. Taste it once again and season with a pinch or two of salt. Because steaming doesn’t contribute fat or taste, you may need to add more salt.
5. It’s Better Than Roasting
Steaming doesn’t need any fat, so it’s healthier than roasting, which requires olive oil. But it’s not only because it’s oil-free that it’s healthy. Because steaming takes so little time, the nutrients in broccoli (and other vegetables) are preserved, while lengthier cooking techniques may cause nutrients to break down.
4 Ways To Store Broccoli
Keep your broccoli fresh to get the most taste and nutrients out of it by following these simple steps:
Make A Bouquet Of Broccoli
Put your broccoli in a tiny vase or cylindrical container filled with cold water to keep it fresh. Put the broccoli stems in a basin or container with a half-inch of water in the bottom. The broccoli stems should protrude from the container. Refrigerate the heads after wrapping them loosely in plastic wrap. The broccoli will stay in the fridge for a week if the water changes every day.
Wrap In A Moist Paper Towel
Before keeping the broccoli florets in the refrigerator, sprinkle them with water using a spray bottle. This is similar to the produce mister at the grocery store, which keeps producing crisp. Wrap the broccoli bunch loosely in a paper towel after spritzing.
Put Everything In A Plastic Bag
To keep raw broccoli fresh, wrap it loosely in a plastic bag and leave it out in the open. To keep the bag fresh, you may poke holes in it or leave it open. Broccoli may be stored in the crisper drawer for three to five days.
Freeze The Broccoli
Broccoli may be frozen for up to a year after blanching, but only after blanching. Prepare a big saucepan of boiling water and a large dish of ice water for blanching. Broccoli heads should be chopped into tiny pieces; cut florets may be used in side dishes and stir-fries, and stems can be used to make homemade vegetable broth—Cook the broccoli for three minutes in boiling water.
Place the blanched broccoli in a strainer and drain well before putting it in the ice bath. Allow three minutes for the florets to soak after stirring. Drain them, wipe them dry with a towel, and place them on a baking sheet to flash freeze. Then freeze in a big freezer bag or measure portions into smaller sealed freezer bags.
Conclusion on How To Steam Broccoli Without A Steamer?
Broccoli steamed offers numerous advantages. It is crisp, easy, and fast to prepare; it tastes bright and fresh when cooked correctly; if you don’t have a steamer, several additional options for steaming broccoli are available.
