After dealing with jam-packed schedules, it can sometimes be hard to cobble together healthy, balanced weeknight meals. But you don't have to resign yourself to a life of fast food or TV dinners. Upgrade your weeknight meal plan and eat more cleanly with the versatile kitchen tool that can do it all: the vegetable steamer.
Unlike boiling, which actually completely submerges food in hot water (losing some of those valuable nutrients along the way), steaming involves cooking food in the vapor rising from boiling water. It's science! Vegetable steamers use this steam created by hot water to gently cook broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or virtually any protein you love most, from shrimp to tofu to chicken. By cutting out oil, you'll also cut down on fat and calories, and the gentle steam retains many more vitamins and nutrients during the cooking process. It's quick, easy, and one of the most basic ways to cook good-for-you greens or proteins if you're cleaning up your diet.
How We Chose
There are plenty of different styles of vegetable steamers out there, from three-tiered basket-style bamboo steamers that sit atop boiling water (traditionally used by Asian cultures to steam fish, bread, dim sum, and more) to microwaveable plastic steamers you can nuke in a pinch to digital steamers complete with foolproof temperature and timer settings. In our research, we scoured consumer reviews along with expert picks from sites like Business Insider and Bustle. We've also tested a handful of these steamers along the way.
Whether you're cooking juicy chicken, sumptuous seafood, or delicious veggies, these are our favorite food steamers to help you make healthier meals throughout the week instead of turning to takeout.
This sturdy stainless steel steamer from OXO Good Grips is an Amazon number-one best-seller for its versatility, durability, and simplicity. The steamer body can be adjusted to accommodate any pot that's 8 inches in diameter and up, and the convenient extendable handle keeps hands away from hot steam.
Plus, when not in use, this slick steamer can be retracted to lay completely flat for compact storage. We've had this steamer in our kitchen arsenal for years and consider it our go-to for quick, healthy weeknight meals in a pinch. Shrimp and broccoli, anyone?
Another Amazon best-seller, this Vegetable Steamer Basket Set comes with two baskets that fit a wide range of pot sizes, from 5.3 to 10.5 inches in diameter.
Users especially love the larger-sized basket, which can be used for steaming everything from large servings of fresh broccoli to seafood like salmon fillets or crab legs.
Need a larger dish with wide handles and lids that don't get too hot for you to handle them? This Oster steamer should check all the boxes you're looking for. It has plenty of space for whatever you might want to steam, which makes it great for larger quantities of veggies or dinner for a whole family.
Plus, this sturdy 3-quart casserole dish is cast from stainless steel, so you can use it over and over again.
If you have a cluttered kitchen, sometimes the last thing you want to do is add another large tool to your arsenal. That's where this folding steamer basket comes in.
It unfolds to a 6.25 diameter for when you're ready to steam veggies and other foods, and then folds back up to an easy-to-store size that you can put away anywhere you've got some extra space. We can attest to this pick's sleek, compact foldable footprint. It's great for smaller kitchens or tight storage spaces.
5
Most Versatile
Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Stack ‘n’ Steam Sauce Pot and Steamer
If you're pressed for meal-prep time but still want to maintain a healthy diet, this simple and time-saving Sistema Microwave Steamer will be a life-saver. Simply place rinsed veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts into the BPA-free plastic basket, add water into the base, snap the vented lid into place, and toss into the microwave.
With its stackable two-tier design and easy-to-use touchpad timer, this Digital Food Steamer is an absolute essential for quick weeknight meal prep.
Place larger proteins like chicken or seafood in the lower basket, smaller quantities with shorter cook times like fresh veggies in the top basket, fill the base with water, and — voila — your wholesome steamed meal is ready in a matter of minutes.
This double-tired bamboo steamer by Norpro is excellent for steaming vegetables, seafood, dumplings, or meat, as the bamboo actually helps retain essential nutrients and flavors. Reviewers love this steamer's traditional and natural feel.
9
Best Digital Steamer
Cuisinart STM-1000 CookFresh Digital Glass Steamer
This digital glass steamer from Cuisinart has preprogrammed food settings to ensure the perfect cook time for more time-sensitive or delicate foods like shellfish or fresh corn on the cob.
With its powerful top-down steam system and crystal-clear LCD control panel, you'll want to invest in this glass steamer for healthy weeknight cooking.
If you find yourself cooking plenty of asparagus or similarly lengthy veggies, this wire-mesh basket-style steamer is just what the doctor ordered. This deep-sized basket doubles as a colander to rinse fruit, veggies, or even your favorite pasta.
Danielle St. PierreSenior Food & Drink EditorDanielle is the former food & drink editor for BestProducts.com, where she put her knowledge as a cocktail consultant and connoisseur to use; her work can also be spotted on Thrillist, Food & Wine, and Delish.
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