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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Last Updated: Dec 31, 2022 by Angela Latimer · 2 Comments

Microwave Cauliflower

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Pin image with text showing cauliflower in a glass bowl.

Perfect, tasty, and tender microwave cauliflower is the best way to steam your fresh cauliflower any night of the week! This no-fuss method takes just minutes to serve up delightfully tender-crisp cauliflower as a side to any family meal!

Square image showing cauliflower in a glass bowl.
Perfectly steamed microwave cauliflower is just minutes away and completely hands-free!

Wonderfully tender-crisp cauliflower is easy to make in your microwave!

I love cauliflower! It can be served after being steamed with this simple microwave method and it's just as tasty as can be!

Since cauliflower is a super versatile veggie, it's a great side dish to serve with practically any main dish or protein. Pair that versatility with this great no-fail steamed cauliflower and you can serve a satisfying family dinner in a flash!

Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
  • 🥦 More Easy Vegetable Dishes
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

🥘 Ingredients

Grab a head of fresh cauliflower and a microwave-safe bowl to get this easy side dish cooking! You don't need much for this perfectly simple side!

  • 1 large head of Cauliflower (washed and trimmed, about 1 pound of cauliflower after trimming)
  • 3 tablespoon Water
  • 1 tablespoon Butter (optional)
  • Salt & Pepper (to taste)

🔪 Instructions

  1. Wash and trim the cauliflower then cut into florets.
  2. Place the chopped cauliflower florets into a microwave-safe dish and add the water. Cover with a fitted lid, a plate that will seal the dish, or cling film (that does not touch the cauliflower).
  3. Cook on high for 8-10 minutes and check your cauliflower florets. Use a fork to see how tender the cauliflower is. Heat in additional 1 minute increments until the cauliflower is your desired level of tenderness. Be very careful of steam when removing the cauliflower from the microwave, or opening your dish!
  4. Let the steamed cauliflower sit for about one minute before draining off any excess water.
  5. Toss with butter, season with salt and pepper, and serve.

💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes

  • Your steamed cauliflower can also be tossed with olive oil, or a bit of olive oil and some lemon juice. My favorite combo is butter and a sprinkle of garlic salt.
  • It's much easier to add cooking time than to fix over-cooked cauliflower. Start with less time and test your cauliflower as cooking times can vary between microwaves.

🥦 More Easy Vegetable Dishes


  • Easy Steamed Broccoli
  • Vegetable Medley
  • Milk Boiled Corn
  • Air Fryer Zucchini
  • Baked Sweet Potatoes
Tall image showing cauliflower in a glass bowl.

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📖 Recipe Card

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5 from 7 reviews

Microwave Cauliflower

Perfect, tasty, and tender microwave cauliflower is the best way to steam your fresh cauliflower any night of the week! This no-fuss method takes just minutes to serve up delightfully tender-crisp cauliflower as a side to any family meal!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 155kcal
Prep 5 minutes minutes
Cooking 8 minutes minutes
Total Time 13 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 large cauliflower (washed and trimmed, about 1 pound of cauliflower after trimming)
  • 3 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • each, salt & pepper (to taste)

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • Wash and trim the cauliflower then cut into florets.
  • Place the chopped cauliflower florets into a microwave-safe dish and add the water. Cover with a fitted lid, a plate that will seal the dish, or cling film (that does not touch the cauliflower).
  • Cook on high for 8-10 minutes and check your cauliflower florets. Use a fork to see how tender the cauliflower is. Heat in additional 1 minute increments until the cauliflower is your desired level of tenderness.
    Be very careful of steam when removing the cauliflower from the microwave, or opening your dish!
  • Let the steamed cauliflower sit for about one minute before draining off any excess water. Toss with butter, season with salt and pepper, and serve.

Notes

  • Your steamed cauliflower can also be tossed with olive oil, or a bit of olive oil and some lemon juice. My favorite combo is butter and a sprinkle of garlic salt.
  • It's much easier to add cooking time than to fix over-cooked cauliflower. Start with less time and test your cauliflower as cooking times can vary between microwaves.

Nutrition

Calories: 155kcal (8%) | Carbohydrates: 21g (7%) | Protein: 8g (16%) | Fat: 7g (11%) | Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg (5%) | Sodium: 177mg (8%) | Potassium: 1257mg (36%) | Fiber: 8g (33%) | Sugar: 8g (9%) | Vitamin A: 175IU (4%) | Vitamin C: 202mg (245%) | Calcium: 95mg (10%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Side Dish, vegetable side dish
Cuisine American
« Lemon Extract Substitute
Leftover Ham Recipes To Make After The Holidays »

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Comments

    5 from 7 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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  1. MargareHart says

    December 24, 2024 at 11:38 pm

    5 stars
    I really enjoyed using the microwave to cook the cauliflower.

    Reply
  2. Dennis Dean says

    January 30, 2023 at 8:14 pm

    I am eating alone ,so I only steam microwaved 1/4 of the cauliflower,and shortened the cooking time,is was perfect,just a bit of crispness and the butter,garlic ,and a touch of Spanish paprika for color.
    I have used nutmeg on broccoli and cauliflower and find it to match well,you should try it. I imagine it would be good on brussel sprouts as well.

    Reply

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Author bio photo with cake.

Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

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