How Do You Steam Vegetables Properly?

Vegetables can be stewed in different ways: in a closed pot, in a pan with a lid or in the oven with a tray and a cover. However, what you always need for steaming is a little fat, sometimes also a little water or other liquids. Steaming without adding liquid, i.e. vegetables that give off a juice when heated, is called steaming in its own juice.

The moisture created by the evaporation of the liquid in the pot ensures that the vegetables cook. Since the process is comparatively quick, most of the vitamins and minerals are retained in the vegetables with this type of preparation – unlike some cooking. Steamed vegetables , in addition to blanched vegetables, are therefore considered to be particularly healthy and nutritious. In our step-by-step instructions, we show you how to steam vegetables in a pot.

How long do you steam vegetables?

You can stew any type of vegetable, but be aware of the different cooking times for each type. Hard varieties such as carrots, pumpkin or kohlrabi require between eight and twelve minutes, depending on the power of the stove. Leafy greens such as spinach or savoy cabbage, on the other hand, only take about two to four minutes. Cauliflower, peppers, broccoli or leeks are cooked after about eight to ten minutes. You can also prepare frozen vegetables in this way. Do not thaw it beforehand, but put it into the pot frozen. Otherwise valuable ingredients will be lost.

And how to stew vegetables for baby porridge? Very simple: If you would like to steam carrots, parsnips or pumpkin pieces, for example, it is best to use rapeseed oil or sunflower oil. Also, avoid seasoning. That would tend to overwhelm the baby’s sensitive taste buds – and could possibly lead to the food being accepted less well.

How to steam vegetables properly

1. Wash and clean the vegetables and cut into cubes or strips of the same size or pluck florets so that all pieces have about the same cooking time.
2. Place the vegetables in a saucepan and add 2-3 tablespoons of oil. Important: The vegetables must not be completely covered by liquid, otherwise they will be cooked and not steamed. If there is not enough liquid, it will fry instead of steaming.
3. Now place the pot on the stove with the lid tightly closed and cook over low to medium heat. Stir once or twice while stewing.
4. When the vegetables are as soft as you like, they’re done.