Frozen edamame cooked in a microwave is the perfect protein-filled snack to lounge with on any given day. Eat standalone as a snack, serve as an appetizer, or side dish —it doesn’t matter.
Mastering Perfectly Cooked Edamame Beans in the Microwave
Edamame beans are having a moment These bright green soybeans in the pod are popping up on menus, featured in grain bowls, and stealing the show as a protein-packed appetizer Their popularity is well-deserved – edamame offers a tasty and satisfying snack that’s high in plant-based protein, fiber, antioxidants, and more.
But if you’ve spotted those bundles of emerald green in the freezer section and aren’t quite sure what to do with them, you’re not alone. While edamame beans are incredibly versatile, the easiest cooking method for perfectly tender edamame is right in your microwave.
This simple tutorial will walk you through precisely how long to microwave edamame beans, helpful tips and tricks, and flavor ideas to take this snack from boring to bold. In just minutes, you’ll be enjoying restaurant-worthy edamame pods packed with flavor.
Benefits of Cooking Edamame Beans in the Microwave
Before diving in, let’s review why the microwave is a smart choice for edamame:
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Speed – Microwaving cooked edamame beans in just 3-5 minutes. Perfect for quick snacks or sides.
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Convenience – With minimal prep, easy cleanup, and no need to monitor a stove, microwave edamame is fuss-free.
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Flavor – The edamame pods steam in their own moisture, concentrating the fresh, bright flavor.
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Nutrition – Microwaving is gentle, helping retain nutrients like protein, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
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Texture – Steaming makes pods perfectly crisp-tender, without becoming mushy or overdone.
Now that you know why the microwave rocks for edamame prep, let’s explore the easy process step-by-step.
How to Cook Edamame Beans in the Microwave
Microwaving to perfection takes just two ingredients – the edamame and water. Here’s what to do:
Ingredients:
- 1 bag (about 10 oz) frozen edamame beans in pods
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions:
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Place edamame pods in a microwave-safe dish or bowl. Glass and ceramic work well.
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Add water and stir to evenly distribute throughout edamame. The small amount of water creates steam to prevent drying out.
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Cover the dish partially with a lid or paper towel. Venting allows steam to escape.
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Microwave on high power for 3 to 5 minutes. Time varies based on microwave wattage.
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Check edamame at 3 minutes. Pods should be bright green and tender but still firm.
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Microwave in 30 second intervals if needed until pods reach desired tenderness.
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Remove from microwave. Sprinkle with salt and other seasonings if desired.
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Stir edamame gently before serving to evenly coat with seasonings. Enjoy!
Tips for Microwave Perfection
Follow these tips for flawless edamame every time:
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Don’t overcrowd dish – Allow room for steam circulation. Cook pods in batches if needed.
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Partially cover – Leaving an opening prevents sogginess from excess steam buildup.
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Add salt after – Sprinkling seasonings after cooking helps them adhere better.
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Test doneness early – Pods go from perfect to mushy quickly. Check at 3 minutes.
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Adjust time as needed – Your microwave power determines time. Get to know it.
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Avoid adding oil – The small amount of water creates enough steam. Oil makes pods greasy.
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Stir gently – Tossing too vigorously can cause pods to break and beans to fall out.
Amp Up Flavor
Plain old salt and pepper? Boring! After cooking, spice up your edamame with:
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Lemon or lime juice – Brightens flavor
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Garlic powder – Savory depth
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Chili flakes – Spicy kick
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Sesame oil – Nutty richness
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Soy sauce – Salty umami
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Ranch seasoning – Cool tang
Get creative with spice blends like cajun seasoning, everything bagel topping or a dash of hot sauce.
Serving Ideas for Microwaved Edamame Beans
Now that you know how to perfectly microwave edamame beans, what creative ways can you enjoy them?
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Appetizer – Sprinkle with flavors and serve pods warm right out of the microwave.
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Salad topper – Toss whole pods or shelled beans into leafy greens.
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Bowl addition – Add to grain bowls and Buddha bowls.
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Snack – Keep a stash in the fridge to grab for a quick protein kick.
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Stir fry ingredient – Throw pods or shelled beans into Asian noodle and rice dishes.
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Soup garnish – Ladle piping hot soup over chilled edamame pods for contrast.
The possibilities are endless once you master the easy microwave method!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Have leftover cooked edamame beans? Here’s how to store and reheat:
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Fridge – Place pods or shelled edamame in an airtight container. Use within 3-4 days.
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Freeze – Flash freeze spread-out pods on a baking sheet then transfer to a freezer bag. Use within 3 months.
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Reheat – Microwave leftover edamame with a splash of water in 30 second bursts until hot.
The simplicity of microwaving makes edamame an easy, anytime snack. In just minutes you can be crunching these nutrition-packed pods seasoned any way you like. Ditch the learning curve of stovetop cooking or steamers. For fast edamame gratification, the microwave is your friend. Master this easy method and say hello to a satisfying snack bursting with flavor.
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How To Cook Frozen Edamame In The Microwave
Are you a soy lover?
Then your mouth will drool over these edamame snacks. Who would have thought that these soybeans in a pod could taste so wonderful!.
You finally have a chance to cut back on meat if you’ve always wanted to but found it hard to do so. Edamame beans are loaded with protein. As a complete protein source, they’ll curb your meat cravings, while ensuring your body gets sufficient nutrients.
It can be a snack, an appetizer, or a side dish. Either way, the iron in it will give you a lot of energy.
There are a lot of different ways to cook edamame, but this is a quick and easy one that you can do in the microwave.
These frozen edamame beans taste just as good as the ones you buy at a restaurant, so don’t doubt that your microwave can make tasty, tender beans.
What You‘ll Need to Cook Frozen Edamame Beans
Simple meals are often underestimated. We often think we need to watch hours and hours of the craziest, most complicated meal videos on YouTube when something as healthy and simple as frozen beans would do.
Simple is always better, at least in my household.
When you don’t have to put in much effort to make tasty meals, you can focus on your loved ones or a hobby you want to pursue.
All the simple ingredients to recreate this nutritious snack can be found below:
- Frozen edamame beans
- Water
- Sea salt
Of course, this recipe is meant to teach you how to use a microwave to cook frozen edamame, so you’ll need own one. Otherwise, feel free to cook your edamame in an instant pot. They’re just as delicious. Don’t have an instant pot? Get one here.
Microwave Edamame | Japanese Beans
FAQ
How do you cook edamame in the microwave?
How do you cook frozen edamame beans?
Is it better to steam or boil edamame?