To steam broccoli perfectly, follow these steps:

1. Prepare the broccoli: Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets. You can also peel and dice the stalk if desired.
2. Set up steaming: Add about 1 inch of water to a pot and bring it to a boil. Place a steamer basket inside the pot, making sure the water does not touch the broccoli.
3. Steam the broccoli: Put the broccoli florets into the steamer basket, cover the pot with a lid, and reduce the heat to medium or low to maintain a simmer. Steam the broccoli for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until it is crisp-tender and bright green.
4. Check doneness: The broccoli should be tender but still vibrant green; overcooking can turn it dull and mushy.
5. Serve: Remove the broccoli promptly to stop the cooking process. Season with salt, pepper, olive oil, or a squeeze of lemon juice as desired.

If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can steam broccoli by adding it directly to a small amount of water in a covered skillet and cooking for 6 to 8 minutes until tender

. Microwave steaming is also an option: place broccoli in a microwave-safe dish with a few tablespoons of water, cover, and microwave for 2 to 4 minutes until tender

. This method yields a healthy, flavorful side dish in under 10 minutes