How Long to Cook Vegetables
It can be hard to know how long to cook vegetables with all the different types and methods of preparation to choose from. This guide will show you how long to cook each type of vegetable by your preferred method of cooking it.
Artichokes
Steam: 20-30 minutes
Microwave: 5-7 minutes
Asparagus
Boil: 6-8 minutes
Steam: 6-8 minutes
Roast: 10-12 minutes
Microwave: 4-6 minutes
Beets
Boil: 20-30 minutes
Steam: 45-50 minutes
Roast: 35-40 minutes
Microwave: 12-16 minutes
Bell Peppers
Steam: 4-6 minutes
Sauté: 3-5 minutes
Roast: 15-20 minutes
Microwave: 3-4 minutes
Broccoli
Boil: 4-6 minutes
Steam: 10-12 minutes
Microwave: 6-8 minutes
Brussels Sprouts
Boil: 8-12 minutes
Steam: 8-12 minutes
Roast: 12-15 minutes
Microwave: 5-6 minutes
Carrots
Boil: 7-10 minutes
Steam: 8-12 minutes
Roast: 25-30 minutes
Microwave: 5-9 minutes
Cauliflower
Boil: 8-12 minutes
Steam: 8-12 minutes
Roast: 15-20 minutes
Microwave: 8-10 minutes
Corn
Boil: 5-7 minutes
Steam: 5-7 minutes
Microwave: 2-3 minutes
Eggplant
Boil: 5-8 minutes
Steam: 5-7minutes
Sauté: 5-10 minutes
Microwave: 7-9 minutes
Fennel
Boil: 8-11 minutes
Steam: 12-15 minutes
Roast: 20-25 minutes
Microwave: 4-5 minutes
Fingerling Potatoes
Boil: 15-20 minutes
Steam: 18-22 minutes
Roast: 25-30 minutes
Microwave: 9-11 minutes
Greens (Chicory, Collards, Escarole, Kale, Spinach, Swiss Chard)
Steam: 5-8 minutes
Microwave: 6-8 minutes
Green Beans
Boil: 15-20 minutes
Steam: 10-12 minutes
Microwave: 8-10 minutes
Kohlrabi
Boil: 15-20 minutes
Steam: 10-12 minutes
Roast: 12-15 minutes
Microwave: 4-5 minutes
Leeks
Boil: 10-12 minutes
Steam: 10-12 minutes
Roast: 12-15 minutes
Microwave: 4-5 minutes
Lima Beans
Boil: 15-20 minutes
Microwave: 4-5 minutes
Mushrooms
Sauté: 4-6 minutes
Roast: 5-10 minutes
Microwave: 4-6 minutes
Okra
Boil: 8-10 minutes
Steam: 6-8 minutes
Microwave: 7-9 minutes
Onions
Boil: 7-10 minutes
Roast: 25-30 minutes
Steam: 15-20 minutes
Sauté: 8-10 minutes
Microwave: 7-9 minutes
Parsnips
Boil: 9-15 minutes
Steam: 9-15 minutes
Roast 25-30 minutes
Microwave: 5-6 minutes
Pea Pods
Boil: 2-3 minutes
Steam: 3-5 minutes
Microwave: 6-7 minutes
Red/White Potatoes
Boil: 15-20 minutes
Steam: 15-20 minutes
Roast: 40-45 minutes
Microwave: 4-6 minutes
Russet Potatoes
Boil: 12-20 minutes
Steam: 18-22 minutes
Roast: 30-40 minutes
Microwave: 4-6 minutes
Rutabagas
Boil: 20-25 minutes
Steam: 20-25 minutes
Roast: 40-45 minutes
Microwave: 13-15 minutes
Sugar Snap Peas
Boil: 5-10 minutes
Steam: 6-7 minutes
Microwave: 6-7 minutes
Summer Squash (Chayote, Crookneck, Zucchini, Pattypan, Straightneck)
Boil: 5-10 minutes
Steam: 5-7 minutes
Sauté: 5-10 minutes
Microwave: 4-6 minutes
Sweet Peas
Boil: 5-10 minutes
Steam: 15-20 minutes
Microwave: 4-6 minutes
Turnips
Boil: 20-25 minutes
Steam: 15-20 minutes
Roast: 30-35 minutes
Microwave: 6-8 minutes
Winter Squash (Acorn, Buttercup, Butternut, Pumpkin, Spaghetti)
Boil: 10-15 minutes
Steam: 10-15 minutes
Microwave: 5-8 minutes
Yukon Gold Potatoes
Boil: 15-20 minutes
Steam: 18-22 minutes
Roast: 25-30 minutes
Microwave: 4-6 minutes