How to steam cook healthy and tasty meals with ease

Are you a fan of healthy, flavourful cooking and wondering how to steam food the right way? Here’s a simple and quick method to preserve the nutrients in your ingredients using a Pyrex® steam basket. This age-old cooking technique is especially suited to vegetables and fish, steaming them without direct contact with water or added fat — a real benefit for your health.

How to steam cook in your everyday routine

The principle of steam cooking

The method is simple: place the food in a steam basket or perforated container positioned above boiling water. The natural steam surrounds vegetables, meat or fish, cooking them evenly and quickly while preserving their texture, shape, nutrients and natural flavour. Steam cooking is particularly perfect for delicate vegetables (nothing beats steaming cauliflower) and for fish.

Why choose this cooking method?

If you want a natural, balanced way of cooking, steaming is the answer. It is one of the healthiest cooking methods and is perfectly suited to everyday recipes. Gentle steam cooking makes it easy to prepare nutritious meals without compromising on flavour.

► Discover our Pyrex® recipes for healthy, quick and balanced cooking.

Gentle steam cooking vs pressure cooking

It all comes down to the temperature of the steam. While a pressure cooker builds up pressure to reduce cooking time, it exposes food to higher temperatures, which can slightly diminish nutritional value and alter texture.

Gentle steaming in a steam basket, on the other hand, uses lower temperatures. This helps retain minerals and vitamins while preserving delicate flavours. It is therefore particularly suitable for vegetables, fish and delicate desserts.

Good to know: steam cooking preserves up to 90% of the vitamins in vegetables, compared to only 40–70% with boiling.

What are the benefits for your health and your recipes?

If you usually cook with a frying pan, saucepan or stewpot, why not give steaming a try? All you need is a Pyrex® steam basket placed over a saucepan of boiling water — and you’re ready to go.

Preserve the nutritional value of your food

Nutrients in our food are sensitive to heat. Steam cooking helps protect them. Vitamin C, antioxidants and certain minerals are far less affected than they would be at higher cooking temperatures.

Reduce the use of fats

Just as Pyrex® woks and our non-stick cookware reduce the need for added fats, a steam basket also minimises — or even eliminates — the need for oil, butter or margarine. This naturally lowers calorie intake and benefits those watching their weight or health (including cholesterol levels).

Enjoy authentic flavours

Steam cooking preserves the true taste of your ingredients. Food isn’t altered by high temperatures, added fat or heavy sauces. Vegetables retain their flavour and fish its delicacy. This technique also highlights the quality of local produce, especially when paired with fresh herbs — all without drying out or burning your dishes.

Which utensils should you choose for steam cooking?

Steam baskets: stainless steel, bamboo, silicone or glass?

From a practical point of view, steam baskets are the simplest and most accessible option. Stainless steel versions are durable, hygienic and dishwasher-safe. Bamboo baskets add an authentic touch and are perfect for Asian-style steamed dumplings or vegetables. Silicone baskets are flexible and lightweight, adapting to different saucepan sizes. Finally, borosilicate glass steam baskets, like those from Pyrex®, are hygienic, transparent and stylish. They can be placed directly on top of a saucepan of boiling water and stacked if needed.

Pressure cookers compatible with steaming

The pressure cooker — often called a “cocotte-minute” in France — revolutionised home cooking in the 1950s by saving time while preserving nutrients. Today’s pressure cookers come with a metal steaming basket. They are a quick and practical solution, though the higher steam temperatures (above 100°C) can alter some vitamins.

Electric steamers: pros and cons

An electric steamer has several compartments, allowing you to cook different foods at the same time without mixing flavours and without using an oven dish. With automatic programmes and unattended cooking, it is a convenient option. However, it is generally less durable than traditional utensils such as glass or stainless steel baskets and requires regular descaling.

Steam cooking with a Pyrex® glass steam basket and lid

A simple, hygienic and space-saving solution for your kitchen: the Pyrex® glass steam basket. Just place it over a saucepan of boiling water and cover it with its transparent glass lid — or not, depending on your preference.

Good to know: in addition to being fridge- and freezer-safe, Pyrex® borosilicate glass dishes are also suitable for steam cooking in the oven and microwave.

How to succeed with your Pyrex® steam basket

Prepare and cook your ingredients efficiently

For light and successful cooking with a Pyrex® steam basket, it’s important to cut meat and vegetables into evenly sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking. The glass material of Pyrex® steam baskets provides excellent heat distribution, helping to preserve the texture, flavour and nutritional value of your food.

Save time and simplify organisation

Thanks to their thermal resistance, Pyrex® steam baskets can go straight from the freezer to the oven or microwave. A single dish is all you need to prepare, cook and even serve at the table. They can be placed on a glass tray that collects cooking juices and protects the surface. Versatile and practical, the Pyrex® steam basket is of course dishwasher-safe.

Healthy and durable utensils

Made from BPA-free, recyclable borosilicate glass and manufactured in France, Pyrex® dishes are environmentally friendly and guarantee food safety (no odours and easy cleaning). They are available individually or as sets, in different diameters, with or without lids.

Frequently asked questions about steam baskets

Why is steam cooking recommended for a healthy diet?

Steam cooking preserves vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It reduces the need for added fats and maintains the natural flavour of food.

How can you steam cook without a steam basket?

 If you don’t own a steam basket, you have two alternatives: an electric multi-tier steamer or a pressure cooker with its built-in steaming basket.

Which Pyrex® utensil should you use for steam cooking?

Pyrex® borosilicate glass steam baskets are perfectly suited for steaming. Their lid helps retain steam, ensuring food remains tasty, tender and rich in nutrients.

Which foods can be steam cooked?

Vegetables, fish, meat and even certain desserts can be steamed. Gentle steam preserves both their nutrients and their natural flavours.