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A vegetable steamer may conjure childhood memories of bland broccoli or limp carrots, but there are so many ways to incorporate one into your meal prep routine without sacrificing taste. Plus, who said steamed food had to be boring? From dressed up carrots draped in hot honey butter and quick-and-easy steamed asparagus to fluffy Chinese baozi and juicy homemade dumplings, there's no lack of creative ways to put a vegetable steamer to good use. They're a way to make dishes healthier, too, since steamed dishes don't require as much calorie-laden oil as needed to roast, grill, pan or deep fry.
If you don't have one in your kitchen yet, look no further. We've searched the web to find the very best vegetable steamers on the market, so you don't have to.
Our Top Picks
How We Picked These Products
While a vegetable steamer may seem basic, there's actually a wide variety of styles from which to choose. Looking for an affordable basket steamer to plop into a pot? What about a large electric steamer with special features? Do you have a preference for steamers made of glass, plastic, or bamboo? No matter what you're looking for, there's a just-right steamer for you. While building this list, we also kept in mind factors such as construction, capacity, and size. We also looked at how easy each is to clean and any unique features, such as multiple tiers or digital controls. Now, let's get steaming!
Oster Stainless Steel Steamer, 3.0-Quart
Pros
Cons
- Hand washing recommended
The Oster Stainless Steel Steamer includes both a Dutch oven and steamer basket. "I've been using the bottom pot to cook quinoa while the top steams my veggies at the same time," said one reviewer, adding that it helps makes a "complete meal for one easily and quickly with minimal clean up." Talk about versatile. And, the Dutch oven can easily be used on its own without the steamer.
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Utensil slot for transporting with fork or tongs
Cons
The sturdy OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer has a handle that's both extendable and removable to accommodate large items, such as chicken and fish. It fits inside pots that have a minimum diameter of eight inches and also features tall, retractable feet to keep food elevated from water. "It fits all my pots and pans. I can steam small carrots to huge artichokes," said one reviewer. "It's easy to clean and I haven't had any rust problems at all."
Joseph Joseph Bloom Steamer Basket
Pros
- Affordable
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
Cons
- Must be cautious with water temperature
For those using nonstick pots and pans, the Joseph Joseph Bloom Steamer Basket will keep them scratch-free because it's constructed out of BPA-free polypropylene and silicone. It folds for compact and easy storage and is also adjustable to fit pots with a minimum diameter of seven inches. "I like this steamer a lot! It holds a fair amount of vegetables and it cools down quickly as opposed to metal ones," said one reviewer.
It should be noted that since this steamer isn't metal, you should be cautious of temperature to avoid melting. (Polypropylene is heat resistant up to 230°F.)
Mister Kitchenware 10 Inch-Handmade Bamboo Steamer
Pros
- Includes bonus set of chopsticks, 10 liners, and sauce dish
- Handmade of 100 percent natural bamboo
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
The Mister Kitchenware bamboo steamer is lightweight and easy to use. With two tiers, you can easily cook multiple items at once while keeping them separate, such as fish and veggies. "This steamer is made to last," said one reviewer. "So far, it is the sturdiest bamboo steamer our family has owned during the past two decades."
Hamilton Beach Digital Food Steamer
Pros
- Easy and versatile
Cons
- Large and bulky
The Hamilton Beach Digital Food Steamer makes it easy to cook a whole meal at once with its two tiers and digital touchpad. It has a 5.5-quart capacity and includes two steaming bowls and an additional bowl for cooking rice. When food is fully steamed, it will automatically switch settings to keep your meal warm. "It has a delay start timer that I can set for anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours away," said one reviewer, who uses the steamer several times per week.
Cuisinart Cook Fresh Digital Glass Steamer
Pros
- Glass pot is dishwasher safe
- Easy to use
Cons
- Large and bulky
If steaming foods is a regular occurrence in your kitchen, you may want to opt for a large digital steamer like the Cuisinart Cook Fresh Digital Glass Steamer. With a 5.5-quart capacity, it is big, but it's also sleeker than many other electric versions. It also boats a variety of settings—including ones for seafood, poultry, grains, vegetables—plus a manual option. "A nice, solid, high-end steamer," said one reviewer ,who also noted how fast it begins to steam. "So nice to see food clearly during the cooking process, and cleanup is easy with the glass container."
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