How to Use a Steamer Basket
Author: Hamlet Fort | December 11, 2025 | Time to read: 7 min
Steaming is one of those kitchen techniques that feels almost too simple — a pot, a little water, a lid — and yet it quietly delivers some of the most tender vegetables, soft dumplings, and delicate fish you can make at home. It’s gentle, low-effort, and doesn’t require oil, which makes it as wellness-aligned as it is weeknight-friendly.
So, how do you use a steamer basket? In short: Add a small amount of water to a pot, place the basket above the waterline, bring it to a simmer, add your food, and cover until tender. Below, we’ll walk through each step, break down the different types of steamer baskets, and share tips most home cooks don’t learn until years in.
What a Steamer Basket Does (and Why It Works)
A steamer basket keeps food lifted above simmering water so it cooks in the hot vapor — not directly in boiling liquid. That moist heat circulates around ingredients at roughly 212°F, gently cooking them while preserving texture, color, and nutrients.
There are a few common types you’ll see in home kitchens:
Stainless steel steamer baskets, which typically collapse or expand to fit different pots
Silicone steamer baskets, flexible and easy to clean
Bamboo steamers, a hallmark of many Asian cooking traditions, great for buns and dumplings
Regardless of the material, the concept is the same: food stays lifted, water stays below, and the lid traps steam so everything cooks evenly. If you’re steaming inside ceramic nonstick cookware, keep the heat at a low to medium simmer for safe, long-lasting performance.
How to Use a Steamer Basket (Step-by-Step)
Add water to the pot.
About an inch is enough — you want the water below the basket so the food steams instead of boils.Place the steamer basket inside.
Make sure it sits above the waterline, not touching the liquid.Bring the water to a gentle simmer.
A strong boil can warp delicate foods and may be too harsh for ceramic-coated cookware.Arrange your food in a single layer.
Crowding traps moisture unevenly and leads to inconsistent results.Cover with a tight-fitting lid.
This traps steam and keeps the temperature steady.Steam until tender.
Cooking times vary depending on the ingredient (more on that below).-
Check the water level halfway through.
Add a splash if needed — you don’t want the pot to boil dry.
You can use any pot that comfortably fits your basket: a stockpot, a deep saucepan like our Always Pan, which comes with its own stainless steel steamer basket.
How to Use Different Types of Steamer Baskets
Stainless Steel Steamer Basket
Stainless steel baskets are adjustable and sturdy, which makes them ideal for everyday vegetables. Let the water reach a steady simmer before adding your produce, and keep an eye on the flame so it stays just below the base of ceramic nonstick cookware.
Silicone Steamer Basket
Silicone baskets are flexible and great for oddly shaped foods. They’re naturally nonstick, so they work well for items that tend to cling, like sweet potatoes or delicate fish. Just avoid direct high heat — silicone is heat-safe, but not meant to sit on the bottom of a pan.
Bamboo Steamer Basket
Bamboo steamers shine for dumplings, buns, greens, and layered cooking. Line the baskets with parchment or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking, and stack layers to cook multiple foods at once.
Bamboo steamers come in many sizes, and options like our Single Spruce Steamers are designed to nest neatly over a pot or pan.
💡Pro Tip
No matter what kind of nonstick pan you use, avoid preheating an empty pan. Low to medium heat is best for nonstick surfaces and helps prevent overheating — one of the main contributors to coating breakdown.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Adding too much water — this turns steaming into boiling.
Letting the pot run dry — check once mid-cook.
Overcrowding — steam needs room to circulate.
Lifting the lid repeatedly — every peek drops the temperature.
Using high heat with ceramic nonstick pans — keep it at a low to medium simmer for safety and longevity.
What to Steam (and Approximate Cooking Times)
Steaming works for far more than veggies. Try these go-to ingredients:
Leafy greens: 2–3 minutes
Broccoli or cauliflower florets: 5–6 minutes
Carrots or potatoes: 10–15 minutes
Fish fillets: 6–8 minutes
Dumplings or buns: 8–12 minutes
(Recipes like steamed rose buns show how beautifully soft and fluffy steamed dough can get.)
Once you understand how quickly different foods cook, you can mix and match — steaming broccoli while warming dumplings, for example.
Conclusion
Steaming is one of the simplest techniques you can add to your weeknight rotation: minimal prep, no splatter, gentle heat, and tender results. Whether you reach for a metal insert, a silicone basket, or a bamboo steamer, the method stays the same and the results are reliably good.
If you’re ready to try it at home, you can explore bamboo-style options like our spruce steamers or dig into more how-tos in our kitchen techniques library.
FAQs About Teflon
How much water should I use in a steamer basket?
About one inch — just enough to sit below the basket without touching the food.
Can I steam in a nonstick pan?
Yes, as long as you keep the heat at a gentle simmer and avoid letting the pan boil dry.
Do I need to preheat the steamer basket?
No — add the basket before simmering. The basket warms quickly once covered.
Can I stack foods when steaming?
In bamboo steamers, yes. For stainless steel or silicone baskets, stick to one layer for even cooking.
What’s the difference between bamboo and stainless steel steamer baskets?
Stainless steel and silicone are adjustable and great for everyday vegetables; bamboo steamers are ideal for buns, dumplings, and layered cooking thanks to their breathable design.
