The Best Steamer Baskets

Consevisen Stainless Steel Vegetable Steamer

Quality Cooking

Any cooking enthusiast can appreciate the useful details of this collapsible steamer basket.

Best Overall

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Kicking off our list is this high-quality stainless steel basket by Consevisen. It comes in three different sizes, has a removable center post to help you insert the basket into deeper pots, and boasts collapsable, silicone-covered legs to protect both your pot and your table from scratches. Plus, the 18 petal-like panels can be adjusted to fit your pot’s size and fold completely up for compact storage. This steamer is an excellent addition to any kitchen cabinet for those who want to lighten up their everyday cooking.

Pros:

• High-quality food-grade material
• Dishwasher-safe
• Can be used as a strainer or fruit container

Cons:

• The handle in the middle can only be removed by unscrewing the screws, which can be inconvenient

OXO Stainless Steel Steamer

When You Need More

This roomy, adjustable steamer will do wonders for those cooking bigger meals.

Best for Large Pots

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If you own larger pots and need to cook enough steamed veggies for the whole family, this one’s for you. Fitting pots 8″ in diameter and larger, this sturdy steamer works just as great for pressure cookers and instant pots. The panels themselves are much bigger than other baskets we’ve seen, and we love that the handle can be easily removed to make room for larger items like fish. We’d recommend this steamer basket for those who need more room to work with.

Pros:

• Stainless steel material
• Lockable, telescopic handle
• Adjustable legs

Cons:

• It can be challenging to clean in between the panels

Instant Pot Mesh Steamer Basket

Two's Better Than One

Enjoy healthy and nutritious meals with this set of baskets.

Best for Instant Pots

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Searching for a steamer specifically for an Instant Pot? Look no further than this mesh steamer basket straight from the source. You’ll receive a set of two mesh steamer baskets that differ in size to accommodate most pots and pans. They offer an easy-lift handle so you can safely remove the basket from your Instant Pot, and they conveniently double as strainers. Plus, the mesh design and lack of silicone parts make cleanup a breeze. So if you need a simple yet durable basket for your favorite Instant Pot, these are sure to do the trick.

Pros:

• Rust-resistant stainless steel
• Compatible with 6 qt. and 8 qt. cookers
• Comes in two different sizes

Cons:

• We wish the legs were just a bit taller

BlauKe Bamboo Steamer Basket

Sustainable Steaming

This eco-friendly bamboo steamer basket is a sustainable standout.

Best Bamboo

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This steamer by BlauKe is crafted from highly durable and renewable bamboo to have you cooking dumplings, bao, veggies, and meat to perfection in no time. This basket sits on top of your rather than inside, and it comes with a pair of bamboo tongs, two pairs of bamboo chopsticks, and 50 paper liners. Our favorite feature is its two-tiered design that allows you to cook different foods simultaneously and reduce your time in the kitchen. This large bamboo steamer is a wonderful option if natural materials are a priority for your family.

Pros:

• Recyclable and non-toxic
• Two-tiered design
• Great value for the price

Cons:

• This bamboo basket is not dishwasher-safe and has specific cleaning requirements

Instant Pot Silicone Steamer Basket

Flexible & Versatile

This high-quality silicone basket forms perfectly to most pots for a seamless steaming experience.

Best Silicone

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Silicone has become extremely popular in the kitchen lately due to its flexibility, versatility, and non-stick quality. This steamer from Instant Pot offers a pleated silicone body that can form to the size of most pots and has large, interlocking handles. It also boasts fairly tall legs allowing the basket to sit safely above the hot water. These baskets are usually more suited for pressure cookers, but they do just as well in your average pot or pan. This flexible steamer basket delivers solid performance while saving your cookware from scrapes and scratches.

Pros:

• Fits most pots
• Dishwasher-safe
• Made from BPA-free silicone

Cons:

• We wish this basket was a little firmer

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of steaming my food?
There are plenty of benefits to using a steamer. Steaming uses very gentle heat to cook your food, prevents burning, and keeps your food from drying out. Steam also retains a lot of the flavor, texture, and color instead of frying or nuking your meals. The most talked-about benefit is the degree to which vitamins and nutrients are maintained when steaming your food since dry-heat cooking burns up a lot of those benefits. Cooking times are usually much lower when using steam, too.

How do I use a steamer basket to cook my food?
It’s very easy to use a steamer basket. You’ll first want to prepare whichever food you are going to steam. You can steam almost anything, whether it’s fish, steak, vegetables, or eggs. Veggies and meat will steam much more quickly when chopped up, but you can always place whole foods in the steamer, as well. After your food items have been prepared, add water to your pot. Place your basket into the water and make sure it’s not touching the water. Then add your foods to the basket and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce to medium heat, cover the pot with a lid, and let the steam do its thing. How long you leave your food in the pot will depend on what you’re making.