I’m a huge fan of cooking veggies in the microwave– it’s fast, easy, and nuking them actually helps retain more vitamins than boiling. However, I realize that this cooking method often gets a bad rap because sometimes the veggies come out tasting all rubbery and weird. The key to firm and flavorful microwavable veggies is not to drown them in water or cook them for too long. Simply washing your veggies and not drying them afterward is usually just enough water for microwave cooking.
How I Nuke My Veggies:
- Wash veggies; do not dry.
- Place the veggies in a microwaveable-safe dish with the lid slightly ajar– this will steam the veggies, but allow enough hot hair to escape to keep from exploding.
- As for cooking times, a good starting point is one minute for every cup of soft/tender produce, like fresh spinach. For heartier veggies like broccoli or brussels sprouts, nuke for about 2-3 minutes for every cup, and even longer for more dense vegetables, like potatoes. After the initial time, cook for another 30 seconds or so until the veggies are the way that you like them. I like mine veggies al dante, so 1-2 minutes is usually a good estimate for me.
Time Estimates:- Broccoli: 2 minutes; until the color intensifies
- Brussels sprouts: 2-3 minutes
- Cauliflower: 4-5 minutes
- Carrots (sliced): 3-4 minutes
- Kale, chard, spinach: 1 minute
- Asparagus: 2-3 minutes
- Potato: 5-6 minutes; cut the potato in half first
Estimates based on 1 cup raw veggies
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
For some bizarre reason, I’ve never thought to microwave fresh veggies (other than a potato). Haha! Thanks for the tutorial
I love the microwave.
Thanks for this Tina! I need this for quick meals, expecially lunch when I get home from school super hungry. I’ve been eating my veggies raw and while they’re good, it’s not too great in winter.
This is so helpful! Thanks!
SWEET POTATO!!
You don’t have to cut the potato. I nuke sweet potatoes after washing/scrubbing clean, poking all over with a fork, and nuke about 6 minutes.
this is so helpful! I always feel like such a cheater when I microwave veggies…thanks!
I just got home and I received my chocolate pumpkin loaf! Thanks so much! I just HAD to have a piece as soon as I opened it and it’s soooo yummy! I love the chocolate chunks! Chocolate and pumpkin are two of my favorite things! I may need to make my own loaf once this one is gone (which probably wont’ take long!).
Just wondering how you stored it? I put it in the refrigerator hoping it’ll stay fresh-tasting til I finish it…but like I said, that probably won’t be long!
Thanks again!
I love microwaving. I often don’t have time for anything else, so thanks for the info!
Love the tips! And I thought I was the brillant one who came up with the “wash, don’t dry” micro method.
Great post – especially for those of us who 1) are overworked and have such little time and 2) don’t own a steamer.
I nuke all my veggies too – thanks for sharing!
Very informative! Thank you! I find myself not eating enough veggies at school because they are such a pain to make so I am definitely going to try this method now
We don’t have a microwave. I steam our veggies in a metal colander… make sure that the boiling, or just under boiling water in the pot comes up to just under the bottom of the colander and put the lid on. Broccoli will take maybe 6 minutes, or so… Not quite as fast, but just thought I’d share incase others are microwave-less like us!
Totally agree on the water issue. I put my broccoli in w/out and it is perfect. With the water it gets mushy musherton.
This is a very timely post for me because I can’t find my steamer basket anywhere! I was at a loss as to what to do with my cauliflower yesterday so I ended up roasting it. I’ll have to try these microwave techniques before I invest in another basket. Thanks!
Awesome sweet potato pic
And thank you for the helpful tips…I often don’t know exactly how long to microwave veggies!
Great tips Tina! I microwave my veggies all the time to save time and use them for packed lunches!
Thanks for the tips!
i love microsteaming broccoli! it’s so fast and easy.
Very informative post Tina – Good job!
zesty
thanks – this is great! i nuke things like broccoli from time to time and am always pleasantly surprised how well they turn out… i need to do it more often and your post is perfect for tips!
thanks for the tips … you always make me wish i had a microwave!
Great post!
lol – I never thought to steam my veggies this way. SO simple though!
Thanks for posting this!
great suggestions and thanks for the tips! It reduces the time a ton!
I’ve seen nuked potatoes before but how good do they really taste? Great info though, I never get enough veggies in and I suppose microwaving is much better than nothing!
love to steam veggies in the microwave! but i have to say that there’s nothing like an oven baked sweet potato. it’s worth the hour-long wait!
Great post!!! I recently discovered how easy it is, especially for potatoes. Nothing wrong with the good ole’ microwave
Although it’s not the healthiest method to cook food, I always resort to the microwave because it’s so easy. I love to use it for sweet potatoes, veggies, and sometimes grains. But grains can be very tricky.