What Can You Make in a Steamer?

If you think a steamer is only for vegetables, you may be surprised by just how much it can do. A modern kitchen steamer can help you prepare breakfasts, lunches, dinners, sides and desserts with just one appliance. No juggling multiple pots and pans. From fluffy rice to tender fish and homemade dumplings, a quality stainless steel steamer can quickly become one of the most versatile appliances in the home.

Steam cooking has become increasingly popular thanks to its simplicity, convenience and ability to create flavourful, healthy meals with minimal effort. Whether you are looking for a healthier way to cook, searching for a rice cooker alternative, or simply wanting faster weeknight dinners, a multifunction food steamer can completely change the way you cook at home.

The Magimix Multifunction Steamer is designed to do just this and make steaming simple, with two generous stainless steel baskets, a dedicated rice bowl and precision cooking programmes that help you prepare a wide range of meals all at once.

So, what can you actually make in a steamer?

Rice and grains

Few things feel more comforting than perfectly fluffy rice served alongside a fresh homemade meal. While many people buy a separate rice cooker purely for rice, a multifunction steamer can offer the same convenience without having to buy separate appliances for one meal.

With the dedicated rice bowl in the Magimix Multifunction Steamer, you can prepare everything from fragrant jasmine rice and basmati to hearty brown rice with minimal effort. Because rice cooks gently while steam circulates around it, the grains stay light and tender without sticking to the bottom of a pot.

One of the biggest advantages of steam cooking is convenience. While rice cooks below, vegetables, fish or protein can steam above, allowing a complete meal to come together at the same time with very little washing up afterwards.

Beyond rice, the steamer is also ideal for quinoa, couscous and other grains that can be used in salads, nourish bowls or quick lunches throughout the week.

Try this: Wash rice three times before cooking, then steam jasmine rice while salmon and greens cook above for an effortless midweek dinner.

Vegetables

A vegetable steamer is one of the easiest ways to make vegetables taste fresher, more vibrant and more enjoyable to eat. Instead of becoming soft or waterlogged, vegetables retain their natural colour, texture and flavour through gentle steam cooking.

Broccoli stays bright green with a pleasant bite, carrots remain naturally sweet, and green beans keep their freshness. Pumpkin and sweet potato become tender and fluffy, while delicate vegetables such as asparagus or bok choy cook beautifully without falling apart.

Many people find themselves eating more vegetables once they start steaming regularly. It is quick, simple and requires very little attention, making healthy cooking feel far less like a chore.

The generous baskets in the Magimix Multifunction Steamer make it easy to prepare vegetables for family dinners, entertaining or meal prep across the week. 

Steamed vegetables can also become the base for countless meals afterwards, from salads and grain bowls to soups and pasta dishes.

Try this: Pour 1L of water into the steamer's reservoir, place your vegetables in the steamers baskets, and cook for 30 minutes.

STEAMED VEGETABLES RECIPE

Fish and Seafood

For many people, fish can feel intimidating to cook at home. It can dry out quickly in a pan, stick to the grill or overcook within minutes. Steaming solves many of these problems by surrounding seafood with gentle, even heat.

Salmon, barramundi, snapper and white fish all steam beautifully, staying moist, delicate and full of flavour. Prawns, scallops and mussels are equally well suited to steam cooking, making a kitchen steamer perfect for lighter meals that still feel satisfying and impressive.

The gentle steam helps protect delicate seafood from drying out, making it a surprisingly foolproof way to cook fish at home. There is also far less mess involved compared to frying or grilling.

Adding lemon slices, fresh herbs, ginger or garlic before steaming allows the flavours to infuse naturally while the fish cooks.

For busy weeknights, steaming fish while rice and vegetables cook at the same time can be one of the quickest ways to prepare a balanced dinner. Plus, with the automatic programmes on the Magimix Multifunction Steamer, you can just set and forget without having to worry about checking if your meal is cooked every few minutes.

Try this: Place 4 salmon fillets into the steamer baskets and steam for 8-10 minutes. Then serve with rice, sauce and vegetables.

JAPANESE STICKY SALMON RECIPE

Proteins

Steaming is also an underrated way to prepare everyday proteins. A stainless steel steamer can be used for chicken breast, turkey fillets, tofu, tempeh and even meatballs, all while keeping them tender and juicy.

Because steam cooking uses gentle heat, proteins stay moist without needing large amounts of oil or constant attention. Chicken breast remains succulent rather than dry, while tofu absorbs marinades and flavour beautifully.

The Magimix Multifunction Steamer is particularly useful for meal prep, allowing you to prepare proteins for wraps, salads, noodle bowls or grain bowls throughout the week.

It is a simple cooking method that feels lighter and fresher, especially during busy weeks when quick and healthy meals are needed.

Try this: Steam a whole chicken with herbs, spices, and serve with your choice of vegetables.

STEAMED CHICKEN WITH HERBS RECIPE

Dumplings and bao

Few foods feel more comforting than opening a steamer basket filled with hot dumplings or fluffy bao buns. Steam cooking gives dumplings their signature soft wrapper while keeping fillings juicy and tender.

Whether you make dumplings from scratch or keep frozen packs in the freezer for easy dinners, a steamer transforms them into a quick and satisfying meal within minutes.

Bao buns, gyoza, siu mai and other favourites are equally at home in the Magimix Multifunction Steamer. Thanks to its two-tier stainless steel baskets, there is enough room to steam generous batches for family dinners or entertaining guests.

Steamers also make entertaining feel easier. A basket of dumplings placed in the centre of the table instantly creates a relaxed, share-style meal everyone enjoys.

Try this: Looking for something different? Our dumpling lasagne recipe is a fun twist on dumplings and takes only 20 minutes to steam.

DUMPLING LASAGNE RECIPE

Eggs

A steamer is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to cook eggs. Once you learn your preferred timing, soft boiled, jammy or hard boiled eggs become incredibly simple to prepare.

Steamed eggs are ideal for breakfast spreads, lunchboxes, ramen bowls or adding to salads throughout the week. Many people also find steaming easier and more consistent than boiling eggs on the stove.

The Magimix Multifunction Steamer includes six egg indents in the lower basket, helping keep eggs secure while steaming. It is one of those small details that makes everyday cooking feel more convenient. 

Try this: Steam Asparagus & Soft Boiled Eggs in just 6 minutes for the perfect breakfast.

ASPARAGUS AND BOILED EGGS RECIPE

Desserts

Dessert is often the last thing people expect to make in a kitchen steamer, but steam creates the perfect environment for soft, comforting desserts.

The gentle moist heat is ideal for steamed puddings, sponge cakes, custards and poached fruit, helping create textures that are difficult to achieve with dry heat cooking.

Think warm chocolate puddings with soft centres, delicate sponge cakes or sticky date puddings served with cream on a cold evening. These desserts feel rich and indulgent while remaining surprisingly simple to prepare.

Using ramekins or small bowls also makes steamed desserts perfect for entertaining, allowing individual portions to be served straight from the steamer.

Try this: Steam sticky date puddings in ramekins for 20 minutes and serve warm with cream.

STICKY DATE PUDDING RECIPE

Yoghurt

Homemade yoghurt may sound complicated, but a multifunction steamer makes the process surprisingly simple. Some steamers, including the Magimix Multifunction Steamer, include lower temperature settings specifically designed for yoghurt making.

Leave yoghurt to culture overnight and wake up to thick, creamy yoghurt ready for breakfast bowls, smoothies or fruit. Fresh homemade yoghurt can be topped with berries, granola, honey or poached fruit, making it a simple way to prepare breakfasts ahead of time. It's another example of how versatile a multifunction steamer can be beyond traditional steam cooking.

Try this: Make yoghurt overnight, then top with blueberries for breakfast.

BLUEBERRY YOGHURT

Complete Meals Made Easy

One of the best things about using a multifunction kitchen steamer is the ability to cook an entire meal at the same time.

With the Magimix Multifunction Steamer, rice can steam in the dedicated bowl while vegetables and protein cook in the baskets above. This layered cooking approach helps save time while reducing the number of pots and pans needed.
Some easy steaming combinations include:

  • Salmon, jasmine rice and bok choy
  • Chicken breast, sweet potato and broccoli
  • Dumplings with steamed greens
  • Barramundi with ginger rice and Asian vegetables

For busy households, this convenience is one of the reasons steam cooking becomes part of everyday life rather than something used occasionally.

Frequently Asked Questions About Steam Cooking

Can a steamer replace a rice cooker?

Yes. Many multifunction steamers, including the Magimix Multifunction Steamer, include a dedicated rice bowl that allows you to cook white rice, brown rice and grains with ease.

What foods can you cook in a steamer?

A food steamer can be used for vegetables, rice, fish, seafood, chicken, dumplings, eggs, desserts and even yoghurt.

Is steam cooking healthy?

Steam cooking uses little to no added oil and helps ingredients retain their natural texture and flavour, making it a popular option for lighter meals.

Are stainless steel steamers better?

A stainless steel steamer is durable, easy to clean and ideal for regular everyday use.