Name: Easy Steamed Zucchini
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds zucchini (about 4 medium), sliced 1/4 inch thick

Easy Steamed Zucchini

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How long does zucchini take to cook? This foolproof way to cook zucchini is also the easiest and fastest. Just steam it on the stovetop for a few minutes and you have a healthy vegetable side dish to add to dinner.

Carolyn Malcoun

Updated on September 19, 2023

Reviewed by Dietitian

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Tested by

Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

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How to Get Perfect Steamed Zucchini

Pick the Perfect Zucchini

The best zucchini are free of breaks, gashes and soft spots. They should feel heavy for their size and have glossy, unblemished skin. Smaller squash (under 8 inches) are sweeter and have fewer seeds.

How to Slice Zucchini

Hands using a knife to cut a zucchini on a wood cutting board — Joy Howard

1. Use a sharp knife to trim away the ends.

2. Slice the fruit crosswise into rounds.

Check out more ways to cut zucchini.

How Long Does Zucchini Take to Cook?

Steam zucchini in a steamer basket on the stove for 5 minutes. Opt for less time if you want to preserve more of their crispness.

If you don't have a steamer basket, there are other ways to steam zucchini. Check out our story on how to steam without a steamer.

How to Use Steamed Zucchini

Steamed zucchini is versatile. They can be their own side dish by simply tossing them in butter or olive oil, chopped fresh herbs or pesto. Salt and pepper enhance their flavor, as does a squeeze of lemon juice. You can cool and chop steamed zucchini and add them to a salad. Add steamed zucchini to casseroles, frittatas and pasta. Steaming zucchini is just one way to enjoy this vegetable. Check out more ways to cook zucchini here.

Additional reporting by Jan Valdez

Ingredients

2 pounds zucchini (about 4 medium), sliced 1/4 inch thick

Directions

Bring 1 inch of water to boil in a large saucepan fitted with a steamer basket.
Add zucchini. Cover and steam until very tender, about 5 minutes.

Equipment

Large saucepan, steamer basket

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, February 2018; updated October 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

37	Calories
1g	Fat
7g	Carbs
3g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 cup
Calories 37
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 7g	2%
Dietary Fiber 2g	7%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 3g	5%
Total Fat 1g	1%
Saturated Fat 0g	1%
Vitamin A 431IU	9%
Vitamin C 39mg	43%
Folate 52mcg	13%
Sodium 17mg	1%
Calcium 35mg	3%
Iron 1mg	4%
Magnesium 39mg	9%
Potassium 562mg	12%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.