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!
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!
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🥘 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
- 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.
💭 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
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📖 Recipe Card
Microwave Cauliflower
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)
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.
MargareHart says
I really enjoyed using the microwave to cook the cauliflower.
Dennis Dean says
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.