T
The Daily Insight

How to cook cauliflower in microwave

Author

Mia Horton

Published Feb 13, 2026

How long do I Steam cauliflower in the microwave?

Place cauliflower florets in a large microwave-safe bowl with enough water to just cover the bottom of the bowl. Cover bowl loosely with waxed paper or a paper towel and steam cauliflower in microwave on high until tender, 4 to 5 minutes; drain.

How do you steam a whole cauliflower in the microwave?

Microwave it whole:

Wash the cauliflower, dry it with paper towels and trim the outer leaves. Wrap in plastic wrap. Microwave the cauliflower for 8 minutes (medium head) to 10 minutes (large head). Allow to slightly cool until easier to handle, then gently separate into florets and transfer to a bowl.

How do you cook raw cauliflower?

Our personal favorite way to cook cauliflower is to roast it. Toss it with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings and spread it out on a baking sheet without overcrowding it! Bake it at 425° for about 35 minutes. The cauliflower will get crispy on the underside and almost caramelize.

How do I cook cauliflower without a steamer?

Place pieces in a microwave-safe bowl and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl, 2 to 3 tablespoons. Place a plate over the bowl and microwave for 3 to 4 minutes, depending on how much bite you like in your cauliflower and how powerful your microwave is.

How long does it take to Steam cauliflower?

Put the cauliflower florets in a steamer basket and season with salt. Set the steamer basket over the boiling water and cook until tender, 4 to 8 minutes depending on the size of the florets. Transfer the cauliflower to a plate, sprinkle with black pepper and serve.

How long does it take to steam frozen cauliflower?

Place a steam basket or colander into a large saucepan. Add cauliflower to the basket and add enough water to cover the bottom of the saucepan. Bring water to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook 5-6 minutes or until tender-crisp (or cook 7-9 minutes for soft cauliflower).

Is it better to steam or boil frozen vegetables?

Steaming frozen veggies = bad flavor and texture. Sautee or roast instead! However, there are certain vegetables that can actually lose their flavor and nutrients from steaming. While it is still true that steaming is better than boiling, preparing vegetables with steam is still not ideal.

How Long Does Frozen veg take to steam?

Cooking times will vary depending on the vegetables you are cooking, frozen vegetables such as zucchini or sweet peppers only need 2-4 minutes of steaming, whereas root vegetables such as sliced potatoes may need in excess of 12 minutes.

What is the best way to cook frozen vegetables?

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Step 2: line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the frozen vegetables on top in an even layer. Step 3: Toss your veggies with olive oil and spices until coated, then bake at 400 degrees for around 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so.