Simple Steamed Cauliflower with Herbs

This post contains affiliate links. I originally shared this recipe on March 16th, 2018. I have updated some of the content to share it again with you today.

Why Make This Recipe

You’re going to want to save this steamed cauliflower recipe because you’ll return to it over and over again.

Steaming cauliflower is so simple and healthy and is a fast way to get perfectly tender cauliflower, without overcooking it, and without needing to heat up the oven. It takes mere minutes!

Plus we’ve seasoned it with a tried and true combination of extra-virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, salt and pepper! Trust us, this combination of tender cauliflower and fresh herbs is a great side dish for a wide variety of dinners.

You can also prepare this for meal prep or you can use this as a jumping-off point to come up with different seasoning combinations!

Equipment Notes

Steamer Basket

Steamer baskets are convenient because they are small enough to store easily and keep the veggies from touching the water. This is my preferred way to steam vegetables.

These collapsable metal baskets are available at most grocery stores and kitchen stores. I steam veggies a lot so I prefer a heavy-duty one like this Oxo one, because the blades on the really thin ones tend to fall apart after a year or two.

You can also use a two-step pot that has a steamer top like this one. I find them to be too large for storage but they are certainly more sturdy than a folding steamer basket.

Colander

If you are new to steaming and do not have a steamer basket yet, you can improvise one by using a colander set inside a large stock pot or soup pot. Set the legs into the water, but make sure the bottom of the colander bowl doesn’t dip down into the boiling water.

Microwave

You can also use a large microwave-safe bowl and steam your cauliflower in the microwave! I use parchment and plastic wrap to cover it, or you can cover it with a plate to trap the steam in the bowl. Read instructions for steaming cauliflower in a microwave here.

Key Ingredients

Cauliflower

You’ll need one medium head of cauliflower for this recipe. When purchasing, try to avoid heads of cauliflower that have signs of browning, mold or black spots. Cut off any dark spots.

Olive Oil

We opted for extra-virgin olive oil to season the steamed cauliflower. This helps the herbs and spices stick the steamed cauliflower. You can substitute melted butter instead or try a seasoned oil such as roasted garlic oil or basil-infused oil for something more decadent!

Herbs and Seasonings

Use a blend of herbs to your liking. Try 2 teaspoons chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon each dill and tarragon. Or 1 tablespoon chopped basil and 1 teaspoon chopped oregano.

You’ll also need salt and pepper for seasoning the cauliflower. If you are on a reduced-sodium diet, skip the added salt, and only add to taste at the table. The fresh herbs add so much flavor, you may not need any!

I have several other suggestions for how to season steamed cauliflower here.

Cauliflower Steam Time

Steaming cauliflower takes about 5 to 6 minutes but will depend on how crowded your steamer basket is and the size of the florets. If you prefer softer steamed cauliflower, cook up to 7 minutes.

To check if it is tender, try piercing the thickest part of the cauliflower stem with a fork or the tip of a pairing knife. (PHOTO 3) It should go in and out without a ton of resistance.

Keep in mind you do not want to go overboard and overcook the cauliflower. Overcooking it will make it sulfurous and watery.

How To Steam in a Microwave

To steam the cauliflower in the microwave place the cauliflower florets in a large microwave-safe bowl and add 1/2 cup tap water (PHOTO 1.) Cover with a layer of parchment and then plastic wrap to seal in the steam (PHOTO 2.) Alternatively, cover the bowl with a large microwave-safe plate or silicone cover.

Microwave on high power for 5 minutes. Let sit 1 minute, then carefully remove the plastic wrap. Caution, the steam is hot and can burn as you remove the plastic!

Check to make sure your cauliflower is fork-tender (PHOTO 3.) Depending on the size of your florets and the wattage of your microwave times may vary.

Yes you can steam cauliflower. Simply add the frozen cauliflower to the steamer basket, cover and steam for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the cauliflower is piping hot and fork-tender.

The key is using a higher ratio of tender herbs (those with stems such as dill, tarragon, chervil, cilantro and basil) to woody herbs (those with stick-like stems such as thyme and rosemary) as generally woody herbs are stronger in flavor. Sage and oregano When in doubt- cut whichever herb you use 50% with parsley.

Cauliflower comes from the mustard family of vegetables which have varying levels of sulfurous smell. When overcooked cauliflower can let off a stronger sulfur odor. To avoid that, do not cook the cauliflower too long, and remove it from the heat when it is fork tender.

The timing depends on the size of your florets, but generally, it takes 5 to 6 minutes for just crisp-tender steamed cauliflower and 7 to 8 minutes for soft cauliflower.

Cauliflower is a cruciferous veggie which means it goes well with roasted or grilled poultry and meats. Try it with our Roasted Crispy Chicken Thighs or Pork and Apple Skillet. The simple herb seasoning in this recipe also pairs well with meatless dishes. Try it as a side with this Vegetarian Lentil Shepherd’s Pie.

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