Low-Calorie Low-Calorie Side Dish Low-Calorie Vegetable Side Dish Low-Calorie Squash Easy Steamed Zucchini 5.0 (3) 1 Review This foolproof way to cook zucchini is also the easiest and fastest. Just steam it on the stovetop for a few minutes, and you have a healthy vegetable side dish to add to dinner. By Carolyn Malcoun Carolyn Malcoun As EatingWell's Associate Editorial Director, Carolyn Malcoun searches for cool farmers, chefs and other food stories to tell. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and a culinary arts degree from New England Culinary Institute. She started at EatingWell as an intern in the Test Kitchen in 2005 and joined the editorial team soon after. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 19, 2025 Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD Christa Brown is a registered dietitian and business owner with a practice focus on diabetes management and content development for brands and fitness influencers. She is a licensed dietitian with a Master of Science in Nutrition Education and a certification in gut health by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Close Prep Time: 5 mins Additional Time: 5 mins Total Time: 10 mins Servings: 4 Yield: 4 servings Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb Diabetes-Friendly Nut-Free Dairy-Free Low-Sodium Low-Fat Soy-Free Heart-Healthy Vegan Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free Low-Calorie Jump to Nutrition Facts Jump to recipe This Easy Steamed Zucchini is a simple, yet nutritious, vegetable that goes with just about any protein. Zucchini can quickly get mushy, but using a steamer basket is the secret to perfectly cooked zucchini every time. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to pick the perfect zucchini. Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! The best zucchini are free of breaks, gashes and soft spots. They should feel heavy for their size and have glossy, unblemished skin. Smaller squash (under 8 inches) are sweeter and have fewer seeds.Steam zucchini in a steamer basket on the stove for 5 minutes. Opt for less time if you want to preserve more of their crispness.To slice zucchini, use a sharp knife to trim away the ends and then slice crosswise into rounds. Nutrition Notes Zucchini may appear like a simple vegetable, but it's loaded with nutrition, including fiber, plant protein and vitamin C for a strong immune system. Zucchini is also loaded with antioxidants that protect your eyes and skin, and the zucchini's potassium helps support healthy blood pressure. Joy Howard Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 2 pounds zucchini (about 4 medium), sliced 1/4 inch thick Directions Bring 1 inch of water to boil in a large saucepan fitted with a steamer basket. Add zucchini. Cover and steam until very tender, about 5 minutes. Equipment Large saucepan, steamer basket Frequently Asked Questions How do you store leftover zucchini? Once the steamed zucchini is cool, put it in an airtight container or zip-top bag and store it in the refrigerator. It should be good for a couple of days. You can freeze cooked zucchini, and it will last about 3 months. Can I use this method of steaming with yellow squash? Absolutely. Yellow squash is similar to zucchini in flavor and texture, and steaming is an ideal way of cooking it. How should I use steamed zucchini? Steamed zucchini is versatile. It can be served as a side dish by simply tossing it in butter, olive oil, chopped fresh herbs or pesto. Salt and pepper enhance its flavor, as does a squeeze of lemon juice. You can cool and chop steamed zucchini and add it to a salad. You can also add steamed zucchini to casseroles, frittatas and pasta. EatingWell.com, February 2018 Save Rate Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 37 Calories 1g Fat 7g Carbs 3g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 4 Serving Size 1 cup Calories 37 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 7g 2% Dietary Fiber 2g 7% Total Sugars 5g Protein 3g 5% Total Fat 1g 1% Saturated Fat 0g 1% Vitamin A 431IU 9% Vitamin C 39mg 43% Folate 52mcg 13% Sodium 17mg 1% Calcium 35mg 3% Iron 1mg 4% Magnesium 39mg 9% Potassium 562mg 12% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs. Additional reporting by Jan Valdez Jan Valdez Jan Valdez has years of experience working in test kitchens, primarily in research and development and product development. Her experience in the Good Housekeeping test kitchen in New York City launched a career in professional test kitchens. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines and Linda Frahm Linda Frahm Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines