• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
730 Sage Street
  • Recipes
  • New Year
  • Kitchen
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • New Year
  • Kitchen
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • New Year
    • Kitchen
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Side Dish

    Easy Steamed Vegetables

    BY: Kimberly Grabinski PUBLISHED: 28 Nov, '21 UPDATED: 16 Jul, '21 20 Comments

    RecipePrintComments
    5 from 3 votes
    Delicious steamed Broccoli and Carrots with Garlic and Olive Oil - perfectly steamed broccoli and carrots with a touch of olive oil and garlic.

    Learn how to steam vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower with these 4 easy, foolproof steaming methods. In less than 15 minutes, you'll get tender, crispy steamed vegetables!

    Steamed vegetables are a versatile side dish that is light, healthy, and complements heavier dishes perfectly. Steamed broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower topped with a nice cheese pair perfectly with my bottom round roast recipe.

    Steamed Broccoli, Carrots, and Cauliflower

    As a side dish recipe, steamed vegetables pair perfectly with pork recipes, chicken recipes and help balance out a protein-heavy main course.

    Contents
    • Which vegetables can I steam?
    • How long does it take to steam veggies?
    • What you need
    • How to Steam Vegetables
    • Easy steamed carrots and broccoli
    • Serve this with
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Which vegetables can I steam?

    You can steam any vegetable from zucchini to asparagus, green beans to baby bok choy. The only difference is that some veggies hold up nicely when steamed while others break down too quickly.

    I almost always pick my main dish first and pair steamed veggies to balance out my meal. For example, steamed broccoli and carrots are lovely with my ranch pork chops with homemade ranch seasoning.

    How long does it take to steam veggies?

    The cooking time varies depending on the veggie. Soft vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli cook quickly, while denser ones like potatoes require a bit more time for that perfect crunch. You might find this list helpful:

    • Spinach: 3 minutes
    • Peas: 3 minutes
    • Green beans: 4-5 minutes
    • Broccoli, cauliflower florets: 5 minutes
    • Zucchini: 5-6 minutes
    • Asparagus: 5-6 minutes
    • Bell pepper, carrots, sliced celery: 6-8 minutes
    • Brussels sprouts: 8-10 minutes
    • Chopped kale and collards: 10 minutes
    • Artichoke: 20-30 minutes
    • Whole potatoes: 20-30 minutes

    What you need

    Steaming vegetables on a stovetop is a very simple technique. You only need a deep pan or pot with a lid, colander, or steamer basket. The steamer or colander should nicely fit inside the pot if you have an adjustable steamer basket, the better as it can fit any pot or pan.

    Steamer Basket with Asparagus
    Steamer baskets are inexpensive, typically under $20.

    How to Steam Vegetables

    Below, I'll break down three easy ways to steam vegetables, how to prepare each vegetable, and discuss recommended cooking times for each. By the end, you'll be able to steam vegetables like a professional.

    Preparing the Veggies

    Preparing vegetables is just as easy as steaming them. After washing your vegetables under running water, cut the large ones into bite-sized pieces. Leafy greens like spinach, collards, and kales don't require any chopping; you can steam them whole.

    It's best to cut root vegetables like carrots and turnips into even-sized chunks so they cook quickly and are done simultaneously.

    When it comes to broccoli and cauliflower, cut the heads into florets. You can further cut the larger cauliflower florets into smaller pieces.

    How to steam vegetables on the stovetop

    If you're steaming mixed vegetables, you should start with the harder ones first, then add the more tender ones after a few minutes.

    A quick example, check the time chart. You'll notice carrots take about 7 minutes, while broccoli takes about 5 minutes. Add your carrots first, and add your broccoli 2 minutes later. Easy!

    Step 1

    The steaming process is as easy as adding about 1 inch of water into the pan. The water level should, however, not go above the steamer basket bottom. Bring water to a boil, add your veg, then cover the pan.

    Step 2

    Set a timer on your stove, microwave, or phone. This is essential to avoid overcooking and requires less monitoring.

    How to steam vegetables in a microwave

    Steaming veg in the microwave is just as quick and easy as stovetop steaming.

    Also, the concept is the same. Place your vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl and add about 2-3 tablespoons of water. Cover with microwave-safe plastic wrap and poke a few holes so that steam can escape.

    Depending on the power of your microwave, expect a time range between 2 - 6 minutes on average.

    How to steam vegetables in a ricer cooker

    If you own a rice cooker, you likely noticed the white steamer basket. And you can cook rice AND steam vegetables at the same time.

    For the best results, follow the instruction manual included with your ricer cooker. If you lost it, or can't find it, try the following:

    Step 1

    Add 1.5 cups of water to the inner pot.

    Step 2

    Place the white steamer basket into the inner pot.

    Step 3

    Add uniformly cut vegetables to the steamer basket.

    Step 4

    Close the lid and select the steam function.

    Notes: Each steamer will vary. I recommend monitoring yours for your desired doneness. Once you know, you'll have perfectly tender, crispy, and amazingly delicious vegetables every time with minimal effort.

    How to steam vegetables in an Instant Pot

    Instant pots are here to stay, and for a good reason. And you guessed it. You can use your IP just as you would a steamer basket on the stove.

    Step 1

    Set the valve to sealing.

    Step 2

    Pressure cook on high/manual

    Step 3

    Set your timer to 0 minutes. Yes, ZERO!

    Step 4

    It will have steamed up considerably by the time you reach pressure. Make a fast release and season as needed.

    Steaming Tips

    Size matters: Keep in mind, bigger veggies take longer to cook.

    Uniform sizes: Make sure to keep the vegetables the same size, so they cook evenly.

    Root veggies: Combine and steam root vegetables together.

    Mixed vegetables: Start with harder vegetables that take longer first, then add the rest later.

    Avoid over steaming: Use a timer and never stop learning!

    Fresh or frozen: Use either. Just be mindful as frozen have more water.

    Seasoning Steamed Vegetables

    Besides incorporating garlic, salt, pepper, and oil sauce into your meal, there are other ways to add a punchy kick to steamed veg and make them a more enjoyable meal. Here are a few ideas;

    • Ginger - infusing the tangy freshness of ginger into your dish will make it irresistibly tasty.
    • Vinegar/wine -a splash of vinegar or wine adds complexity and depth to vegetables, especially sweet ones like carrots.
    • Soy sauce - adding soy sauce is a great way to add umami flavor to vegetable side dishes.
    • Sesame oil - this nutty condiment can add a punch of flavor to any vegetable recipe.
    • Herbs - sprinkling parsley, thyme, and other spices on top of steamed will make this side dish an ultimate taste treat.

    Easy steamed carrots and broccoli

    If you're looking to sneak in more veg into your meals, this is a perfect combo. We drizzled some garlic and olive oil to infuse a bit of flavor and flair to the mixed vegetables. Say goodbye to those bland and boring steamed veggies recipes. And the beauty of it? It requires almost no clean-up.

    This is one of my favorite side dish recipes for stir-fries, grilled steak, or chicken. The combo is not only packed with nutrition but also adds a nice tender-crisp texture to any meal. It creates a balanced and harmonious flavor that will have people going back for seconds and even thirds when appropriately steamed.

    Give this recipe a try if you need a simple, healthy side dish to serve with steak or any piece of meat. I'm pretty sure you'll love it as much as I do.

    How to steam broccoli and carrots

    Here's how to steam broccoli florets and carrots while keeping them nice, crisp, and flavorful. We'll be using the traditional stovetop method in this recipe.

    • Prep time: 10 minutes
    • Cook time: 10 minutes
    • Serving: 4

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup fresh broccoli, chopped
    • 1 cup baby carrots
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup olive oil

    If you want to experiment with flavors, try these options:

    • Flavored oils like Tuscan Herb, Basil, Mediterranean
    • Swap olive oil for butter

    Step-by-step instructions

    • Follow the above steps of adding water to the pan, bringing it to boil then adding the vegetables.
    • Steam your veg for about 6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender.
    • While the vegetables are steaming, add the oil, garlic, and salt to a saucepan.
    • Sauté for about 3-4 minutes or until garlic is fragrant over medium-high heat
    • Drizzle over the steamed vegetables once they're done. Sometimes I squeeze some lemon juice on top and give it a good stir for a refreshing finish
    • Serve and enjoy your flavorsome vegetables.
    Steamer Basket with Broccoli

    Looking for cheap and easy meals? Learn more about easy cheap dinner ideas in my 50 best budget-friendly recipes.

    Serve this with

    Pair steamed vegetables with these proven recipes for a perfect meal.

    • slicing the bottom round roast
      Ultimate Bottom Round Roast
    • featured creamy ranch pork chops
      Creamy Ranch Pork Chops
    • low and slow roast beef
      25 Leftover Roast Beef Recipes
    • eye of round roast 151
      Slow Roasted "Eye of Round Roast" with Chimichurri

    Subscribe Now

    Never miss a recipe!

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    .

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Try one of my quick, easy, and affordable side dish recipes for your next family meal! And if you have any questions, I'm here to help!

    Looking for more side dishes ideas? I got you covered with this collection of 21 best side dishes to pair with chicken piccata or any meal.

    📋 Recipe

    Steamed Broccoli, Carrots, and Cauliflower

    Steamed Vegetables Recipe

    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 142kcal
    Author: Kim Grabinski
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Save Saved! Share
    Learn how to make perfectly steamed vegetables every time. From steamed broccoli and carrots to steamed asparagus. Easy, healthy, and the perfect side dish for any meal.

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup chopped fresh broccoli
    • 1 cup baby carrots
    • 3 cloves minced garlic
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup olive oil

    Instructions

    • Put water in bottom of steamer pot and add veggies to the steamer basket. Add lid to steamer basket.
    • Bring water to a boil.
    • Steam veggies for about 10 minutes or until fork tender.
    • While veggies are steaming, add garlic, salt and olive oil to a small saute pan.
    • Saute until garlic is fragrant, 2-3 minutes.
    • Pour over steamed veggies.
    • Serve.


    Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4555IU | Vitamin C: 21.9mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Information shown is an estimate and is for information only. 730 Sage Street is not responsible for the factual accuracy of any nutrition information, calculations or claims.
    Tried this Recipe? Save it to your board today! PIN RECIPE
    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Kimberly Grabinski
    Kimberly Grabinski
    Kim brings experience and knowledge of recipe creation to 730 Sage Street. She is noted for developing iconic recipes by Huffpost, Buzzfeed, and Dr. Axe to name a few.
    Kimberly Grabinski
    Latest posts by Kimberly Grabinski
    • Cheesy Cajun Sausage Pasta - May 17, 2022
    • Chili Lime Mexican Shredded Beef - May 12, 2022
    • 35 Best Recipes using Beef Stew Meat - May 10, 2022

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Sara

      May 14, 2015 at 7:54 am

      They look delicious - anything with garlic and I am completely sold on it! I'll be trying these!

      Reply
    2. Tami

      May 14, 2015 at 6:27 am

      We use garlic salt on almost everything. I'm going to buy some minced garlic and give that a try.

      Reply
    3. Fi Ní Neachtáin

      May 13, 2015 at 3:24 am

      How delicious, I've begun eating a lot more steamed veg lately. The addition of the garlic and oil sauce is great.

      Reply
    4. Rebecca Swenor

      May 13, 2015 at 1:17 am

      5 stars
      This sounds amazing and I will be making this for sure. I so love broccoli and carrots. My whole family does. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    5. Myrabev

      May 12, 2015 at 11:32 pm

      When I was a kid this wouldn't pass my lips but now I love steamed veggies so much it is crazy and these ones look delicious

      Reply
    6. Jennifer

      May 12, 2015 at 10:45 pm

      These look fantastic. i have always loved steamed veggies, of all kind. It is one of my favorite side dishes.

      Reply
    7. Franc Ramon

      May 12, 2015 at 10:41 pm

      Steaming really brings out the juicy taste of broccoli and carrots. This is also really healthy and delicious.

      Reply
    8. Aisha Kristine Chong

      May 12, 2015 at 10:20 pm

      Ohh I like this. This seems really easy to do and very healthy to eat as well. Love it.

      Reply
    9. Christine

      May 12, 2015 at 9:12 pm

      Yum! Sounds delicious! We love broccoli and have been roasting them with a bit of olive oil and sea salt. They almost become candied! So yummy! Also, I love your pots! They look fab! xox Christine | Amidst the Chaos

      Reply
    10. Jennifer Stewart

      May 12, 2015 at 5:07 pm

      I love to make veggies! My kids will only eat broccoli and carrots that I have steamed! I tried making cauliflower but they didn't like that!

      Reply
    11. Lisa @bitesforbabies

      May 12, 2015 at 12:28 pm

      I can't get over how beautiful that pictures is...it doesn't even look like a pictures, it's so clear and crisp!

      Reply
    12. Christy Maurer

      May 12, 2015 at 10:50 am

      That looks delicious! The veggie slicer looks so cool. It would make it more fun for kids to eat veggies!

      Reply
    13. Brook Devis

      May 12, 2015 at 8:21 am

      i love broccoli 🙂 its very healthy.Lots of dietitions recommend broccoli in diet plans.I never tried to cook it this way but i will try.t seems to be really tasty.thanx for the recipie

      Reply
    14. AJ @ Roaming Family

      May 12, 2015 at 7:13 am

      This looks like it steams the carrots and broccoli perfectly. I LOVE steamed veggies like this!

      Reply
    15. Ashley

      May 12, 2015 at 6:40 am

      This looks delicious! We probably have broccoli at least three nights a week, and this would be a perfect dish to help mix it up a bit.

      Reply
    16. Amby Felix

      May 12, 2015 at 6:23 am

      This is something similar to what I regularly make! We lightly steam a lot of our veggie! ^_^

      Reply
    17. Joanne T Ferguson

      May 12, 2015 at 5:43 am

      This looks very healthy and delicious indeed! I like how simply steaming veggies are! They retain most of their nutrition which is healthy and good for me!

      Reply
    18. Robin Rue (@massholemommy)

      May 12, 2015 at 4:37 am

      That sounds like an awesome side dish. My family loves broccoli and carrots, so this would go over big.

      Reply
    19. Tanj from A Travelogue

      May 12, 2015 at 1:11 am

      I am always in a hunt for new recipes. I get tired of cooking the same thing over and over especially for sides. Would definitely try this soon. OH, and the steamer sounds awesome huh! I might buy one soon.

      Reply
    20. Jeanette

      May 11, 2015 at 11:25 am

      This looks awesome! My family loves these veggies so this one is going to happen in our house!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Kim @ 730 Sage Street

    Hi, I'm Kim!

    Creating easy recipes with everyday ingredients since 2008. I believe you can make quality homemade recipes even if you are short on time and budget-conscious. You just need to dive in and learn as you go!

    about →

    Feel free to share our recipes on your blog using a photo and link back to the original recipe.

    Trending Now

    • steamed Broccoli carrots and cauliflower
      Easy Steamed Vegetables
    • airfryer whole cauliflower wm
      Air Fryer Whole Roasted Cauliflower
    • pamper yourself 100 ways
      100 Ways To Pamper Yourself
    • 3
      Young Living vs doTERRA Essential Oils 2022

    Kitchen How-Tos

    • how to cut an onion step by step
      How to Cut An Onion
    • freshly cut watermelon
      How To Cut A Watermelon
    • 3 1
      How to Cut a Pomegranate
    • How to Clean Air Fryer
      How to Clean Air Fryer
    • can i put tin foil in an air fryer
      Can You Put Foil in an Air Fryer?
    • Blanched almonds
      Blanched almonds - How to Blanch Almonds
    • standing rib roast prime rib
      Best Cuts for Roast Beef
    • beef doneness internal temperature of beef
      Beef Internal Temperature: Degree of Doneness

    Air Fryer Recipes

    • Air fryer Cauliflower featured
      Air Fryer Cauliflower
    • airfryer whole cauliflower wm
      Air Fryer Whole Roasted Cauliflower
    • air fryer mushrooms 33
      Air Fryer Mushrooms
    • chicken tenders with ketchup
      Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    Feel free to share our recipes on your blog using a photo and link back to the original recipe.

    Trending Now

    • steamed Broccoli carrots and cauliflower
      Easy Steamed Vegetables
    • airfryer whole cauliflower wm
      Air Fryer Whole Roasted Cauliflower
    • pamper yourself 100 ways
      100 Ways To Pamper Yourself
    • 3
      Young Living vs doTERRA Essential Oils 2022

    Kitchen How-Tos

    • how to clean a cast iron skillet
      How To Clean A Cast Iron Skillet
    • how to tell if a pineapple is ripe
      How To Tell If A Pineapple Is Ripe
    • how does an air fryer work
      How Does An Air Fryer Work?
    • low and slow roast beef
      How to Cook Low and Slow
    • how to use a meat thermometer
      How to use a meat thermometer
    • buying cheap beef with yellow tags
      Cheap Beef Cuts: Save money on Beef!
    • clean stainless steel pans featured
      How to Clean Stainless Steel Pans
    • Which is better 3 Ply vs. 5 Ply Roasting Pans
      Which is better? 3-ply vs. 5-ply Roasting Pans

    Air Fryer Recipes

    • Air fryer Cauliflower featured
      Air Fryer Cauliflower
    • airfryer whole cauliflower wm
      Air Fryer Whole Roasted Cauliflower
    • air fryer mushrooms 33
      Air Fryer Mushrooms
    • chicken tenders with ketchup
      Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    Easy Casserole Recipes

    • Chicken Enchilada Casserole featured
      Chicken Enchilada Casserole
    • buffalo chicken casserole
      Buffalo Chicken Casserole
    • cauliflower casserole feauture
      Cauliflower Casserole
    • Ground Beef Enchiladas featured image
      Ground Beef Enchiladas "Ninja Style"

    Footer

    Subscribe Now

    Never miss a recipe!

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    .

    About

    • Contact
    • Cookies
    • Privacy
    • Accessibility

    Recipes

    • Dinners
    • Side Dishes
    • Appetizers
    • Snacks
    • Breakfasts
    • Desserts

    More

    • Kitchen Essentials
    • Christmas Ideas

    Favorites

    • Bottom Round Roast
    • Smoked Tri-tip
    • PG Movies on Netflix
    • Combine Gift Cards
    • Young living vs doTerra

    Copyright © 2022 730 Sage Street · All Rights Reserved · ↑ back to top
    730 Sage Street is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.