How to steam cauliflower? It is super simple and so delicious. There are a few options to make steamed cauliflower, one on top of a stove in a steam basket, another in the microwave, or you can even go as far as steaming your veggies like cauliflower in an instant pot if you have one. I love them all; there is no best method because the cauliflower is so tasty in every recipe.
Different flavours and techniques to use:
There are many different options to flavour your steamed cauliflower, from lemon herb to oyster sauce to cheese sauce or just straight-up salt and pepper; the possibilities are endless. Cauliflower is such a versatile vegetable. Eat cauliflower raw, cooked. Roasted, baked into a pizza crust or substitute mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower. You can even prepare cauliflower in a way that you can replace it with regular rice. Most stores these days will have washed fresh or frozen cauliflower florets for convenience, so it’s super simple to drop in a steam pot when you are in a rush to get a veggie on the go.
The Nutrition Superstar
Cauliflower is high in vitamin c as well as a good source of folate. This wonder vegetable is fat-free and cholesterol-free with low sodium content. You can find in 1/6 of a medium head 25 calories. This portion contains only 5 grams of carbohydrate and 2 grams of fibre.
Cauliflower is a part of the cruciferous family. Vegetables like Brussel sprouts, broccoli, kale, cabbage, collard greens, turnips, kohlrabi, bok choy and rutabaga. These vegetables all have a potent compound with a distinct odour that may be unappealing. The health benefits highly outweigh the smell that the vegetables give off. These health benefits may reduce the risk of various types of cancer.
Did you know that you can find cauliflower in different colours such as purple, orange and green? So if you find your cauliflower boring to look at on your plate, try purchasing one with more colour to brighten it up.
How do I choose the best head of cauliflower?
The best cauliflower head is tight-fitting with creamy white curds and firmly attached bright green leaves. Try not to choose heads that have brown spots on them or some loose sections that seem to spread out. Cauliflower wrapped in cellophane can encourage rot within the bag due to moisture being trapped inside the cellophane. If you need to purchase this way, you can unwrap the cauliflower and put it into a bag with a paper towel inside of it to help absorb all of that moisture and then loosely seal the bag. A whole head of cauliflower can be kept in the fridge for 4 to seven days. Precut cauliflower florets should be thrown out after four days.
How long do I steam cauliflower?
So how long do you steam cauliflower? This depends on your method of cooking but typically anywhere from 4-7 minutes check out the recipes below for more information on how long do you steam cauliflower?
Steamed cauliflower florets or head of cauliflower
Depending on how you would like to steam cauliflower. It depends on the method you choose :
- Microwave: “Steamed Cauliflower”
- Stovetop: “Steamed Cauliflower”
- Steamer or instant pot: “Steamed Cauliflower“
- Barbeque: “Grilled Cauliflower”
- Oven: “Roasted Cauliflower”
How to Steam Cauliflower in a Microwave
Steamed Cauliflower in the microwave is a great option because Cooking without added water helps maintain water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and the B vitamins, that are otherwise leached into the cooking water. So try steamed cauliflower in your Microwave.
- Cut off green leaves and core cauliflower then cut into bite-sized florets for even cooking purposes.
- Pot the florets into a microwave-safe bowl
- Add enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl cover the bowl with a microwave-safe silicone cover or microwave-safe plastic wrap
- Microwave on high for 5 minutes stir and microwave for an additional 5 minutes until doneness to preferred texture.
- Remove the bowl from the microwave and uncover it. Be very careful because the steam will be escaping and this is very hot. You can store this in an airtight container in your fridge for 4 days.
Stovetop Steamed cauliflower recipe:
This is such an easy recipe for steamed cauliflower and it’s for the old-school cooks that still cook on the stovetop. Steamed cauliflower on the stove is simple you can also add other vegetables if you like steaming vegetables this keeps the nutrients all in one dish. 🙂 Below you will find a recipe for steamed cauliflower.
- Cut off green leaves and core cauliflower. Then place the entire cauliflower core side up into a steamer basket.
- Put water into a large saucepan or pot and place the steamer basket with the cauliflower head inside a large saucepan. Put stove on medium-high heat and bring water to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover and steam cauliflower for 4-7 minutes until tender.
- Season with salt, pepper and butter or drizzle with olive oil if you wish or top with garlic powder or even Italian seasoning. the options are endless! Make it your own creation.
- Place on serving dish and enjoy!
How to Steam Cauliflower in an Instant pot
Steamed cauliflower is so simple in the instant pot. A quick side or nice all by itself.
- Cut off green leaves and core cauliflower then cut into bite-sized florets for even cooking purposes.
- Put 1/2 cup of water into the instant pot and place cauliflower florets into a steamer basket or optional use trivet and place whole cauliflower trimmed with the core side up.
- Pressure cook on high for 2 min with a quick release for tender cauliflower
- To ensure that you do not overcook the cauliflower remove it immediately from the pot.
Steamed Cauliflower in the Barbeque?
Let’s say this is more grilled than steamed cauliflower.
So as easy as steamed cauliflower is grilling is one of the yummiest ways to cook cauliflower. This is a straightforward method of cooking—simple seasoning with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice.
- Preheat grill to about (400 F)
- Cut off green leaves and core cauliflower then cut into big-sized florets.
- Next place in a large bowl and toss with a drizzle of olive oil, salt and chilli powder
- Place cauliflower directly on the preheated grill and close the lid.
- After 15 minutes flip the cauliflower over with some tongs so that the cauliflower browns easily.
- Grill an additional 10-15 minutes, remove and transfer to the serving dish
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice and toss, garnish with the freshly chopped chives. Serve on its own or as a side dish.
Roasted Cauliflower
Steaming cauliflower can be fast but when cauliflower cooks in the oven the flavour and texture come out perfect!
- Preheat the oven to 425F and line a pan with parchment paper
- Cut off green leaves and core cauliflower then cut into big-sized florets. Cut them so they are flat cauliflower steaks.
- Sean with a drizzle of olive oil and some melted butter and toss to coat. Season the cauliflower with salt, pepper, garlic powder and a little paprika for some colour (a tiny bit goes a long way)
- Spread so that the cauliflower is in a single layer and then put in the oven and bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes. The bake time can vary depending on how big your pieces are.
- Next, take out of the oven and place in serving a dish to enjoy!