I’m bringing steaming back. And fresh, steamed cauliflower is definitely due for a comeback. With the proper time, technique, and, of course, seasonings, steaming cauliflower makes for a delectable, yet super simple, vegetable side dish. It’s also perfect for transforming cauliflower florets into an array of flavorful soups, mashes, and dips!
Jump to:
- Say Goodbye to Mushy, Bland Steamed Cauliflower
- How Long to Steam Cauliflower?
- How to Steam Cauliflower (on the stovetop)
- How to Steam Cauliflower (in the microwave)
- How to Steam Cauliflower (in the Instant Pot)
- Chef’s Tips!
- Seasoning Crisp, Tender Steamed Cauliflower
- Using Soft, Mashable Steamed Cauliflower
- Recipe
I’m convinced our distaste for certain foods is just generational trauma couched in our parents and grandparents own issues. I mean, my mother and grandmother are absolute rockstars in the kitchen, and yet…
How can the same women who developed flavor bombs like Buffalo sauce and Sunday sauce, or baked cakes and cookies so good they’ll make you weep, have served some of the literal worst steamed vegetable side dishes ever? Hmm?
Chew on that sadness for a minute. It’s a miracle we all weren’t turned off of veggies forever.
Steamed cauliflower was borderline torture for me as a kid, and well into my 30s. Thankfully, it didn’t stop me from falling in love with perfectly roasted cauliflower and going on to figure out all the other best ways to cook cauliflower. It didn’t even stop me from figuring out how to steam cauliflower in the Instant Pot in an attempt to placate picky children.
Look. I love my matriarchs, and while this is far from cause for going no contact, it’s definitely cause to rethink some of those “icks” that have been held over from childhood. So we’re gonna reclaim the steamed vegetable, starting with steaming cauliflower. For our generation and those that come after us.
Say Goodbye to Mushy, Bland Steamed Cauliflower
If you’re ready to jump ship, I beg you to stick around. I, too, tended to throw up in my mouth a little bit when presented with steamed cauliflower. But I have uncovered a very useful truth: three things are certain in life – death, taxes, and steamed cauliflower is actually really friggin tasty when you cook and season it properly.
So, dear reader, give it a chance. If only for my gracious family who had to eat so much cauliflower (so, so much) while I perfected these cook times.
Cravin’ more cauliflower? Start with the basics and learn how to cook cauliflower the right way! Then check out our collection of cauliflower recipes, or our eBook The Cauliflower Cookbook!
How Long to Steam Cauliflower?
It depends on the cooking method!
- On the stovetop: 5-6 minutes for crisp tender florets; 8-9 minutes for soft, mashable florets.
- In the microwave: 5 minutes for crisp tender florets; 6 minutes for soft, mashable florets.
- In the Instant Pot: 3 minutes on HIGH pressure for crisp tender florets; 4 minutes on HIGH pressure for soft, mashable florets. Note that it will take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to reach pressure.
How to Steam Cauliflower (on the stovetop)
Grab your steamer basket for classic stovetop Steamed Cauliflower. Fork-tender florets are ready for butter and seasoning in just about 5 minutes.
- Fill a dutch oven or other appropriate pot with 2″ water, then fit a steamer basket into the pot.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Add the cauliflower florets to the steamer basket, along with a pinch of salt.
- Reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer, then cover and steam 5-6 minutes for crisp tender florets, or 8-9 minutes for soft mashable florets.
How to Steam Cauliflower (in the microwave)
As if steaming cauliflower couldn’t get any simpler, tender steamed cauliflower is ready to serve in just 5 minutes from the microwave! Leave ’em in one minute more to transform ready-to-mash florets into low carb cauliflower mashed potatoes.
- Combine cauliflower florets and ¼ cup water in a microwave safe bowl.
- Cover with a plate and transfer to the microwave. Microwave 5 minutes for crisp tender florets, or 6 minutes for soft, mashable florets.
- Strain the cauliflower from the residual water.
- Season with olive oil or melted butter, salt, pepper, and other seasonings as desired, or follow the links below for additional uses.
How to Steam Cauliflower (in the Instant Pot)
When space is at a premium, cauliflower steams up perfectly in the Instant Pot for side dishes, soups and mashes. After a quick release, steamed florets are instantly ready for a quick serve with butter and herbs.
- Place a steamer basket into the inner pot of an Instant Pot along with ½ cup water.
- Arrange the cauliflower on the steamer basket, then sprinkle with salt.
- Cook on HIGH pressure for 3 minutes for crisp tender florets, or 4 minutes for soft, mashable florets.
- Release the pressure manually, then remove the steamer basket.
- Season with olive oil or melted butter, salt, pepper, and other seasonings as desired, or follow the links below for additional uses.
Chef’s Tips!
- Use fresh cauliflower. We used very fresh heads of cauliflower to test each steaming method. For cauliflower that’s a bit past its prime (but still free of mold) reduce the cooking times by 1 minute. Learn more about picking fresh cauliflower.
- Use evenly sized florets. Whether you’re dividing a whole head of cauliflower into florets or purchasing pre-cut cauliflower, make sure you’re using florets that are evenly sized. You can divide larger florets into smaller ones. This will ensure that every piece steams to perfection in the same timeframe. Learn how to cut cauliflower!
- Season AFTER steaming. Aside from a pinch of salt, wait to season steamed cauliflower until it’s cooked.
- Crisp tender florets are wonderful as a side dish. Soft mashable florets are better suited for soups and puree – keep scrolling for suggested recipes!
Seasoning Crisp, Tender Steamed Cauliflower
While we know some preparations are preferable to others, steamed cauliflower is a complementary companion for most any main dish when it’s cooked and seasoned properly. Change up the seasonings to match the other elements of your meal:
- Basic: toss with melted butter or extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Extra virgin olive oil (as opposed to “regular” olive oil) has a pronounced, more buttery flavor. We don’t use it for cooking, but we love it for garnishing.
- Mediterranean: toss with extra virgin olive oil, the zest and juice of one lemon, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped herbs (basil, thyme, parsley) – and finely grated parmesan cheese to taste.
- Italian: tossed with toasted bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. See our recipe for Italian green beans, and simply substitute steamed cauliflower for the green beans!
- Make Cauliflower au Gratin: gratin cauliflower takes a second trip through the oven, so steam those florets to crisp, tender perfection so they don’t fall apart during the roasted period.
Using Soft, Mashable Steamed Cauliflower
Mix it, mash it, puree it. Cauliflower is one of the most adaptable vegetables out there and is well past the fad stage of acting as a stand-in for its starchier counterparts.
- Make Cauliflower Hummus. Everyone and their mother is making hummus out of everything these days… so why not cauliflower? It’s super healthy and compliant for pretty much every diet; the mild, sweet flavor pairs great with the tangy, slight bitter flavor of tahini, and won’t overpower fresh veggies; oh, and it only takes 25 minutes to make – including steam time!
- Make Soup. Cauliflower soup is silky smooth and delicious on its own. Mix in classic toppings like bacon, chives, and cheese for a much lighter loaded baked potato soup dupe with less calories and carbs.
- Make “Faux”tatoes. Whether you’re counting carbs or trying to add more vegetables into rotation Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes are an absolute win. Serve as a simple side with butter and chives, or use it to enhance other dishes like Shepherd’s Pie or even meatballs!
What’s your favorite way to enjoy steamed cauliflower? Tell us all about it! Leave a comment and a rating below.
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Recipe
10-Minute Steamed Cauliflower (Crisp Tender)
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower, divided into florets (about 6 cups)
- 1 tsp kosher salt, divided
- water
- 2 tbsp melted butter, or extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, half a lemon
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp ground pepper, to taste
- fresh thyme, to taste, optional
Instructions
Stovetop
- Fill a pot large enough to accommodate a steamer basket with 1.5-2” water. Position the steamer basket in the pot, then bring the water to a simmer over high heat.
- Place the florets into the steamer basket, then sprinkle with ½ tsp kosher salt. Reduce the heat to medium low to maintain a steady simmer, then cover.
- Steam 5-6 minutes for crisp tender florets or 8-9 minutes for soft, mashable florets.
- Remove the steamer basket from the pot. Serve crisp tender florets immediately. Transfer to a bowl and toss with the melted butter or olive oil, lemon juice, remaining salt, Italian seasoning, ground pepper, and fresh thyme. Serve right away.
Microwave
- Place the florets into a microwave safe bowl, then sprinkle with ½ tsp salt. Add ¼ cup water, then cover the bowl with a plate.
- Microwave 5 minutes for crisp tender or 6 minutes for soft, mashable florets.
- Strain the cauliflower from the steaming water. Serve crisp tender florets immediately. Transfer to a bowl and toss with the melted butter or olive oil, lemon juice, remaining salt, Italian seasoning, ground pepper, and fresh thyme. Serve right away.
Instant Pot
- Pour ½ cup water into the inner pot. Position a trivet or all metal steamer basket in the pot. Place the florets into the steamer basket, then sprinkle with ½ tsp kosher salt.
- Secure the lid and ensure the pressure valve is set to Sealing. Program to HIGH pressure 3 minutes for crisp tender florets, or HIGH pressure 4 minutes for soft, mashable florets. It will take approximately 10 minutes for the pot to come to pressure.
- Once the timer goes off, press the Cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot. Then perform a manual pressure release by turning the venting knob from Sealing to Venting. Once the float valve has dropped, open the lid away from your body to allow the steam to escape. Carefully remove the steamer basket with oven mitts, or remove the florets with a slotted spoon.
- Serve crisp tender florets immediately. Transfer to a bowl and toss with the melted butter or olive oil, lemon juice, remaining salt, Italian seasoning, ground pepper, and fresh thyme. Serve right away.
Notes
- Mediterranean: Toss with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, the zest and juice of one lemon, 1 tsp italian seasoning or 1 tbsp fresh chopped herbs (basil, thyme, parsley), and finely grated parmesan cheese to taste.
- Italian: tossed with toasted bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. See our recipe for Italian green beans, and simply substitute steamed cauliflower for the green beans.
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