Microwave and oven in kitchen

How to make microwave steamed carrots in 4 steps

Whether you’re preparing your family's favorite baked chicken recipe or your signature roast beef, steamed carrots are a versatile side for a variety of dishes. On evenings when you want to meal prep quickly and get dinner on the table promptly, steaming your carrots in a microwave is a simple way to go. Read through this guide to learn how to make microwave steamed carrots and explore other steaming tips.

How do you steam carrots without a steamer?

A microwave is a great tool to steam carrots and other veggies when you don’t have a steamer or if your stovetop is already fully occupied. By steaming ingredients in the microwave, you can meal prep faster and have dinner ready to go in no time. 

Select Whirlpool® Microwaves have features like Steam Cooking, which allows you to steam a variety of foods in a short amount of time. Steam Cooking monitors the moisture levels of different foods, helping to ensure that food is correctly steamed.

Easy microwaved carrots

Steamed carrots are a nutritious side dish that can help complement any main entree, and adding a variety of spices and herbs can create a twist your family is sure to enjoy. Use the microwave steamed carrots recipe below to help guide you through the process.

Yields
  • 4 servings
Ingredients
  • Carrots, peeled and cut into even pieces

  • Water

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Optional: honey, butter, cinnamon, parmesan or other spices and seasonings of your choice

 

Tools
Prep time
  • 5 minutes
Cook time
  • 5 minutes
Total time
  • 10 minutes
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Step 1: Wash and cut carrots

Wash and cut the carrots into even and round pieces. The carrots should all be roughly the same size to help ensure an even cook.

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Step 2: Put carrots in a bowl and add water

Once the carrots have been prepped, put the carrots in a microwave-safe bowl with a few tablespoons of water. Place a lid on the dish, making sure to leave room for steam to escape.

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Step 3: Cook the carrots

Microwave the carrots for 3–5 minutes. Cooking times will be different based on the size of the carrots and wattage of your microwave. Refer to your microwave user manual for information about the power of your microwave and any further instructions.

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Step 4: Season your carrots

Carefully take the dish out of the Microwave—it may be hot from the steam—and season the carrots with salt, pepper and any other seasonings of your choice. Mix the carrots around to evenly distribute the seasoning, and let the dish sit for a few minutes to allow it to cool, before serving.

 

If you are using a Whirlpool® microwave with the Steam Cooking feature, use a microwave-safe container with a loose lid and put 2-4 tablespoons of water into the container. Once the water starts to boil, then begin the steam countdown (3-6 minutes).

Shop Whirlpool® Microwaves for making steamed carrots

Tip: Try using an air fry range for crispier carrots

Using a Whirlpool® Range with Air Fry Mode can help you cook vegetables that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside—even your pickiest eater can enjoy them. The Air Fry Mode circulates hot air around the air fry basket to crisp up roasted vegetables or fried favorites with less oil than traditional frying.

How long does it take to steam carrots in the Microwave?

Steaming carrots typically takes 3–5 minutes in the microwave. The cook time depends on serving sizes and the wattage of your microwave. Higher power settings and smaller carrot pieces may shorten cook times.

Is it better to steam or boil carrots?

Whether you should boil or steam carrots depends on your preference and the recipe you’re following. Boiling may yield a softer result, but steaming can help retain the nutrients of your carrots while also maintaining the taste and texture of the vegetable.

Explore Whirlpool® Microwaves

Whether you’re steaming fresh vegetables or reheating leftovers, Whirlpool® Microwaves make it easy to craft delicious meals for you and your loved ones. Select models offer features like Steam Cooking, which helps you clear up counter space by steaming rice, fish and vegetables right in the microwave, or Sensor Cooking, which tracks your cooking progress and automatically adjusts the cook time as needed.

Learn more about microwave cooking possibilities with Whirlpool brand

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