What Is the Difference Between Stewing And Steaming?

Both steaming and steaming are gentle cooking methods for vegetables, meat, or fish. The difference is that when steaming, the food cooks in its own juice, while when steaming, the food is heated by water vapor alone.

When steaming, vegetables and co. end up with a small amount of liquid or fat directly in the pot or pan, which is closed with a lid. It is then steamed over medium heat. In this way, important nutrients are not lost in the cooking water and the food retains its flavor. The excess liquid can then be used to prepare sauces. You can find out exactly how to proceed with our recipe for steamed vegetables, for example.

When steaming, the vegetables or meat are on a special steamer insert for the pot. So it is neither in the added water nor in its own juice. The water evaporates under the closed lid and heats the food to 100 degrees Celsius. Because hardly any water is used with this cooking method, vitamins and minerals are almost completely preserved. The same applies to color and taste. Steaming is therefore considered the gentlest cooking method of all. As with steaming, the small amount of steaming water can later be used for a healthy sauce.