Frozen edamame is quick and easy to steam in the microwave, making it perfect for a fast healthy snack, a last-minute appetizer, or a protein boost for a salad or grain bowl.
Edamame is seriously versatile and awesome, and since it’s packed with protein and fiber, it is as healthy as it is delicious! It makes a great snack that you can feel good about munching on, but you can also toss it into salads, grain bowls, stir-fries, or pasta salads for some extra protein and a nice texture.
What do you need?
Frozen edamame
You can microwave frozen edamame in pods or shelled. If you are cooking unshelled, you will need to add a tiny bit of water to the bowl, but shelled edamame can be microwaved without extra water.
Microwave-safe bowl with a lid
You will need a microwave-safe bowl or dish with a well-fitting lid. If you don’t have one with a lid, a well-fitting plate or plastic wrap with a few pierced holes will also work.
How to steam edamame in the microwave
1
Prepare.
Place the edamame in the microwave-safe bowl. If using edamame in their shells, add a splash of water (around a teaspoon is fine).
Place the lid on the bowl or cover it with plastic wrap (pierced a few times to allow steam to escape).
2
Microwave edamame.
Put the bowl in the center of the microwave, and microwave on HIGH for 2-3 minutes. Pause the microwave after the first minute and quickly stir the edamame, then resume cooking to ensure it heats through evenly.
How long to microwave edamame
As with all microwave recipes, the timings are affected by the wattage of your microwave. My microwave is 1000W, and the timings in the recipe card are based on my testing it at that wattage. However, you can use this table to estimate the cooking times for other microwave wattages.
| Wattage | 1 cup/ 80g | 2 cups/ 160g |
|---|---|---|
| 700W – 800W | 3 minutes | 4½ minutes |
| 900W – 1000W | 2½ minutes | 3½ minutes |
| 1100W – 1200W | 2 minutes | 3 minutes |
Serving ideas
- Classic salt: Sprinkle with coarse sea salt for a simple, traditional snack.
- Sesame oil: Tossed with a small amount of toasted sesame oil.
- Garlic salt: Dusted with garlic salt for a subtle flavor enhancement.
- Rice vinegar: Sprinkled with a bit of rice vinegar for a tangy twist.
- Soy sauce: Lightly drizzled with soy sauce for added umami.
Microwave Steamed Edamame (shelled or unshelled)
Ingredients
- 1 cup / 80 g frozen edamame shelled or unshelled
- 1 teaspoon / 5 ml water for unshelled edamame
- flaked sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Place edamame beans in a microwave-safe dish or bowl. If using unshelled edamame add a teaspoon of water per cup of edamame.
- Cover the bowl with a tight-fitting [Note 1], and place in the center of the microwave.
- Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes until hot [Note 2], stirring once halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Serve with a sprinkle of flaked sea salt.
Notes
- Or cover the bowl with plastic wrap, remembering to pierce a few holes to allow the steam to escape.
- 700W – 800W: 3 minutes
900W – 1000W: 2.5 minutes
1100W – 1200W: 2 minutes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.
Recommended equipment
- Microwave-safe bowl with a lid
