Can You Roast Vegetables in the Microwave?

If you’re cooking a complicated dinner and have dishes occupying both the oven and the range, you may be wondering if your trusty friend the microwave can be of service. Of course it can be!

Though you won’t be able to achieve as much color on your veggies as you would by oven-roasting them, you can roast vegetables in the microwave in just a few minutes. 

Which Vegetables Can I Roast in the Microwave?

All vegetables stand up well to roasting in the microwave, but some have a better success rate than others. Some vegetables that do well when cooked in the microwave include:

  • Carrots
  • Zucchini
  • Broccoli and cauliflower
  • Asparagus
  • Green beans
  • Snow peas
  • Spinach and other leafy greens 
  • Corn

Other vegetables, such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, can be cooked in the microwave as well but will require longer cooking times than the ones listed above. 

How to Roast Vegetables in the Microwave

  1. Thoroughly wash vegetables and peel if necessary. 
  2. Cut vegetables into pieces that are as close to the same size as you can manage. Having pieces of different sizes and thicknesses will lead to uneven cooking. 
  3. Arrange vegetables in a shallow microwave-safe dish. Make sure the dish is big enough that the vegetables can lay in a single layer without overlapping. 
  4. If you are cooking a variety of vegetables, place the smallest pieces toward the middle of the dish and the biggest around the outer edge of the dish. 
  5. Add two tablespoons of water to your vegetables.
  6. Cover your vegetables with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe lid and cook for 1 ½ to 3 ½ minutes, removing the plastic wrap and flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking. 
  7. Carefully remove vegetables from the microwave, drain any excess liquid, season to your liking, and enjoy!
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Also, read a similar post: Canning Green Beans Without a Pressure Cooker

Cooking vegetables in the microwave using the above method will achieve the same consistency as if you were to roast them. They will be tender, yet crisp. The appearance will be the biggest difference, as roasting vegetables in the oven typically adds some color, and roasting them in the microwave does not. 

Final Thoughts: 

It is possible to roast vegetables in the microwave, though some will take to this treatment better than others. Roasting vegetables in the microwave will cause you to sacrifice some color, but not flavor, and is a quick and easy way to add a healthy side dish to your next meal. 

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