I BoughtA Vegetable Steamer Just To Steam My Veggies But They Come Out Really Soft...How Should I Cook Them?

Question

So I purchased a Black & Decker Food Steamer to make sure when I steam my veggies all the nutrients don't get sucked out. Yesterday I steamed some broccoli and spinach and used the timer according to the guide that was included in the packaging. I steamed them for about 15 minutes and they came out really soft and gooey! I was so disappointed.

What can I do to ensure that my veggies don't come out so soft? I think next time I will try steaming them for a shorter time (probably around 8 minutes) to see what will happen.

Another thing that I noticed was that the water was green and I read before that whenever you steam veggies and the water is green that is a sign of all the nutrients being sucked out the veggies, thus producing the green colored water. Is that true? I don't want to purchase veggies and steam them to not get the necessary nutrients I need. So is the green colored water just normal or is it showing that I have just sucked out all the nutrients from my veggies?Thanks!

Answer 1

15 minutes is way to long to steam broccoli or spinach unless you want mush. I've never used a Black & Decker Food Steamer, but I'd try 5, or 6 minutes.

Your supposed to drink the green water or use it for soup stock.

Answer 2

I wouldn't use steam bags.  Plastic, yecch...

Just steam them for shorter amount of time, maybe five minutes.  If the water is green, don't worry about it, it happens.  Still tons of nutrients.

Answer 3

set it for less time to steam....like 5-7 minutes

Answer 4

there was a trial and error period when i got my steamer too. i started taking notes on different cook times and different foods.  you'll get it down eventually. oh and my steamer doubles as a rice cooker, i dont know if yours does too, but if it does and you cook rice simultaneously it will absorb some of the lost nutrients.

on a less related note, go to an asian market and get some of those steamed buns they have. yum.

Answer 5

i just bought zip locks steam veggie bags and they are amazing...3 minutes in microwave for most veggies

baked potatoes take longer but come out so much better then the oven method

go but the bags they are cheap and a time saver

Answer 6

It is really best to steam most things for no longer than 5-10 minutes, otherwise you are going to get that soft gooey thing going on.

If the Black and Decker doesn't work for you, get a bamboo steamer. It is super easy to use, and you can check on your food as it steams.

Best of luck darling!