Skip the stovetop, now you can steam carrots in the microwave. Yes really, you can microwave carrots for a fast veggie side dish when you are short on time. They make a quick and tasty side dish with minimal fuss – weeknight side dishes don’t get easier!
Why you’ll love this recipe
Steaming carrots in the microwave is hassle-free, it’s fast, and a great option if you are extra short on time (like if you forgot to cook a side dish and dinner is almost ready 🤫).
Scroll down for the printable recipe card for microwaving carrots, or read on for all the details.
What do you need?
Carrots or baby carrots
You can use baby carrots, or regular carrots cut into ~2-inch sticks, or rounds.
Water
You need just enough water to fill the interior of the bowl with steam once it gets hot enough (i.e. boiled), but you don’t want to boil the carrots along with the water, so a depth of around ½ inch / 1cm should be sufficient.
Microwave safe dish
You will need a microwave safe container with a well-fitting lid.
You could also use plastic wrap or a plate on top, but make sure it is close-fitting so the steam doesn’t escape too quickly during cooking. Note: plastic wrap should be pierced a few times to allow excess steam to escape.
Optional microwave steamer or microwave-safe trivet
Use a microwave-safe trivet if you have one. This lifts the carrots up out of the water so they cook evenly. It is fine to steam them without a trivet, but the carrots in the water at the bottom of the bowl may end up a little overcooked.
This is the one I use: Joie silicone vegetable steamer*.
How to steam carrots in the microwave
1
Prepare.
Prepare the carrot pieces. Wash and scrub the raw carrots (or peel if preferred). Chop the tops and ends off, and cut into 1-2 inch pieces.
2
Place carrots in microwave bowl.
Add fresh water to the bowl (~½ inch/ 1cm depth), add trivet (if using), and place the sliced carrots into the bowl/trivet.
3
Microwave carrots.
Microwave the carrots on high for 3-6 minutes (refer to table below, as the time needed depends on the power of your microwave). They will be bright orange and tender when they are cooked.
4
Allow to steam.
When the microwave time is up, leave the bowl with the lid on in the microwave for an additional two minutes to allow the carrots to steam.
How long to steam carrots in the microwave
You will need to microwave the bowl of carrot slices until the water is boiling and the bowl has filled with steam. It needs to boil continuously for around a minute, and then should be left for at least 2 minutes with the lid on to allow the carrots to finish cooking in the steam.
However, the total length of time you will need to microwave the carrots depends on the power of your microwave. The cook times in the recipe card below are perfect for my 1000W microwave, so if you have a different wattage you may need to increase or decrease the times a little.
You can estimate cooking time for different wattage microwave ovens using the chart below:
| Wattage | Cook time | Steam time |
|---|---|---|
| 400W | 6 min | 2 min |
| 500W | 5 min 40s | 2 min |
| 600W | 5 min 20s | 2 min |
| 700W | 5 min | 2 min |
| 800W | 4 min 40s | 2 min |
| 900W | 4 min 20s | 2 min |
| 1000W | 4 min | 2 min |
| 1100W | 3 min 40s | 2 min |
| 1200W | 3 min 20s | 2 min |
You may need to use a little trial and error to get perfectly cooked carrots, but don’t give up! I like to steam baby carrots for a slightly shorter time to retain more of the crunch. If you like softer carrots you might like to steam them for longer.
I would recommend printing off the recipe card below and making a note of how long worked for your microwave to make it easier next time!
Serving ideas
Serve these steamed carrots topped with melted butter, or dress them up with one of these fun ideas:
- Make a maple syrup or honey glaze and drizzle over the cooked carrots
- Top with garlic or herb butter
- A simple sprinkle of sea salt or kosher salt and pepper
- Dress them with a mix of balsamic vinegar and olive oil
- Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon
Storing and reheating
If you have any leftovers, simply place them in an airtight container and pop them in the refrigerator. They’ll keep for up to five days.
To reheat your steamed carrots, place them in a microwave-safe dish with a few tablespoons of water. Cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap, making sure to create a small vent for steam to escape. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, then stir the carrots and continue to heat in 30-second intervals until they reach your desired temperature.
How to steam carrots in the microwave
Instructions
- Scrub or peel carrots.
- If using full sized carrots, cut into 2 inch long sticks or rounds. Baby carrots do not need to be cut.
- Place steamer basket or trivet into a microwave safe bowl. Add the water. Add the carrot pieces.
- Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap (pierced with a fork), and place in the microwave.
- Microwave carrots on high for 3-6 minutes [Note 1], then leave to steam for a further 2 minutes until they are tender. Check carrots for doneness with a fork.
- If they require additional cooking, microwave for further 1 minute intervals until they are tender enough for your liking.
- Take care when removing carrots from the microwave, the bowl and the steam will be very hot. Carefully remove the cooked carrots from the bowl using tongs or a fork.
- Serve microwave steamed carrots topped with butter and seasoned with salt.
Notes
- Refer to table in recipe post for estimated times for wattage-specific cook times.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.
Recommended equipment
FAQs & Tips
Yes you can. However, the cook times will likely be a little longer than if you are cooking fresh carrots. Try adding one minute to the cook times initially and simply cook for another minute or two if needed.
Blanching carrots means quickly heating and then cooling to destroy enzymes. It is often done before freezing. You can blanch carrot pieces in the microwave by following this recipe, but plunging them into iced water once the cooking time has finished (do not leave them to steam). Leave them in the iced water for 5 minutes, then dry and freeze.
