How to Use a Steamer Basket to Cook Everything From Broccoli to Shrimp

Steaming is one of the most straightforward cooking methods you can use. Not to mention, it’s a healthy way to cook foods such as vegetables, starches, and delicate seafood without adding any extra fat. And a steamer basket is the best way to steam food.

Essentially, a steamer basket is a perforated barrier that separates the food from the direct heat of the pot. Whatever you’re cooking sits atop the steamer basket while the hot steam circulates and cooks the food. The purpose is to gently cook the ingredients instead of using a technique like roasting or boiling.

This old-school kitchen tool is a must-have if you ever steam food. It makes the whole technique easier, quicker, and much more efficient. Ahead, learn about the proper methods for using a steamer basket, what kind of foods it works well for, and how to clean it when you're done.

Types of Steamer Baskets

The three most common types of steamer baskets are stainless steel, silicone, and bamboo. 

• Stainless steel: These are the most recognizable type of steamer. When closed, they look like metal domes, and when expanded, they look like they have been fanned out. We love this type of steamer basket because of its versatility. They can expand to fit into wide skillets or fold upwards to fit more narrow pots (and everything in between). They usually have an adjustable handle as well, which can be raised or lowered to fit into both deep and shallow pans. This type is our number one pick. 
• Silicone: Silicone steamer baskets are a little less sturdy than stainless steel, but they get the job done. They are naturally nonstick, so you don’t have to worry about the bottoms of dumplings or the skin of fish sticking to the surface of the basket. They’re also foldable and easy to store if you don’t have much room in your kitchen. 
• Bamboo: These steamer baskets come in many different sizes, so you can steam dumplings for a crowd or just for yourself. The baskets can also be stacked on top of one another and used in a tall pot for even more efficient cooking. Bamboo has naturally occurring antimicrobial properties, so these baskets are easy to clean. Unfortunately, since they are made of plants, they deteriorate and warp more quickly than the other types of steamer baskets.

How to Use a Steamer Basket

No matter what you’re steaming, you’ll follow the same steps every time. 

1. Pick a steamer basket: This is the first step. And the good news is there is no wrong choice. Choose a basket that will allow you to cook the food in as few batches as possible and will fit well into your pan of choice. 
2. Pick a pan: You can steam in pretty much any type of pan—stock pots, saucepans, deep-sided skillets, or woks. Either way, you want to keep everything in even layers when you steam, so choose a pan that is deep enough to fit one layer. And be sure you have a corresponding, tight-fitting lid. 
3. Add liquid: Add about one inch of liquid (such as water or stock) to the bottom of the pan. As a rule of thumb, you want the liquid to just come up to touch the bottom of the steamer basket but not seep up through the perforations. 
4. Season the liquid: Just as you would when boiling pasta, season the liquid (especially water). As the moisture works its way around the pan, the salted liquid will permeate the ingredients as they cook. 
5. Bring the liquid to a simmer: Once the liquid is seasoned, bring it to a gentle simmer. 
6. Add the food and cover: Arrange the food in an even layer in the steamer basket. Be sure not to overcrowd the basket—you can work in batches if needed. Cover the pot and maintain a bare simmer while the food steams.

What Kind of Food Can I Steam?

• Vegetables: Any vegetable, from delicate to hearty, can be steamed. Hearty vegetables like winter squash, beets, broccoli, and potatoes will take longer to steam than tender vegetables like peas, green beans, summer squash, and leafy greens. 
• Seafood: No matter the thickness, steaming is a great way to cook delicate seafood and keep it moist. Shrimp, clams, and mussels cook quickly. Thicker fish fillets like salmon, cod, and halibut take a bit longer and can be steamed with or without the skin. 
• Dumplings and buns: A variety of bao buns and dumplings, from meat-filled to vegetable-packed, can be steamed in any type of steamer basket. If desired, sear the dumplings in a hot skillet with some oil to develop a crunchy crust after they have steamed. 
  
• Eggs: You can make perfect hard-cooked eggs in a steamer basket instead of boiling them.
  

Cleaning a Steamer Basket

As long as you clean and dry your steamer basket after each use, it will last a long time.

• Most steamer baskets, such as those made of stainless steel or silicone, are dishwasher-safe.
• Bamboo steamer baskets have to be cleaned by hand. Simply use some warm soapy water to scrub the basket, then let it air dry completely before storing.