2 Easy Steamer Basket Alternatives for Dumplings and Rice

Do you own a steamer basket for steaming food? Do you wish you owned one? If you have one, does owning one justify its space in your kitchen? For me, it’s a no, no, and no (though I don’t have one).

You really don’t need a steamer basket if you only steam once in a while.

Over the years, I have made several dishes that required a steamer. Just when I thought I needed to breakdown and buy one, I realized… “why”? After steaming rice, dumplings, and bread using what I already owned, there was no point. Here are 2 easy steamer basket alternatives using items you may already have in your kitchen. They both have worked just fine for me.

Check out my very short video on how to MacGyver your very own. You may need to be a little creative with what you have, but my suggestions will guide you in the right direction. The key is to use all things heat safe, like metal colanders/strainers and parchment paper.

1st Steamer Basket Alternative: Dutch Oven and Metal Colander

1. In a 6 qt Dutch oven, pour in 6-7 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Ensure the water level does NOT reach the colander; it should remain below the bottom of the colander, if not, remove some of the water.
2. Reduce heat to a simmer and insert a metal colander.
3. Add a sheet of parchment paper to prevent food particles from falling down into the water.
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5. Add dumplings, buns (like my Chinese Flower Rolls – Hua Juan), or rice. If steaming rice, be sure to soak the rice and drain it first. I soaked my white rice overnight and drained it just prior to adding it to the colander.
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7. Cover the colander with a lid (one that comes with the Dutch oven, a round cookie sheet, or foil sealed rather tightly). The lid/foil contains the steam needed to cook the contents.
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9. For dumplings and buns, set the timer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, they will be completely cooked and ready to eat. Enjoy!
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11. For rice, set the timer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, stir the rice around so the top grains move to the bottom. Replace the lid and cook for another 30 minutes. Check periodically that water continues to simmer in the pot, if not, add more water.
12. Rice should be ready after the full hour. If not, allow it to steam until done. Enjoy!

2nd Steamer Basket Alternative: Large Saucepan and Metal Strainer

1. In a large 3 qt saucepan, pour in 4 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Ensure the water level does NOT reach the bottom of the strainer, if so, remove some.
2. Reduce heat to a simmer and insert a metal strainer. No need for parchment paper here since the fine mesh weave will prevent food particles from dropping down into the water. However, you could use a sheet of parchment paper if you would like.
3. Add dumplings, buns (like my Chinese Flower Rolls – Hua Juan), or rice (like in the video). If steaming rice, be sure to soak the rice and drain it first. I soaked my white rice overnight and drained it just prior to adding it to the strainer.
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5. Cover the strainer with foil unless the strainer fits ALL the way into the saucepan. Just make sure the steam will stay contained within the strainer. For good measure, I added a lid, too.
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7. The foil/lid contains the steam that will cook the contents.
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9. For dumplings and buns, set the timer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, they will be completely cooked and ready to eat. Enjoy!
10. For rice, set the timer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, stir the rice around so the top grains move to the bottom. Replace the lid and cook for another 30 minutes. Check periodically that water continues to simmer in the pot, if not, add more water.
11. Rice should be ready after the full hour. If not, allow it to steam until done. Enjoy!
12. 

Final thoughts…

I have used both steamer basket alternatives to steam food depending on the amount of food I was making. For example, in steaming dumplings, buns, and bread, I typically go for the Dutch oven and colander because they are bigger and can accommodate food expansion. For a cup of rice, the smaller saucepan with strainer works perfectly. You could make any variation of these steamer alternatives depending on what you have available in your kitchen. Keep in mind that whatever you intend to use, make sure all is heat safe. With these tips, unless you steam food regularly, you can get by without additional cookware taking up valuable real estate in your kitchen.

Interested in other simple breads? Check out these recipes.

Irish Potato Farls (Bread or Pancakes)

Irish Soda Bread using buttermilk

Chinese Steamed Flower Rolls (Hua Juan)

Interested in some kitchen tips?

Buttermilk Substitutes (5+)

Milk Substitute or Alternative

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please share it. Check out my YouTube Channel as well to see videos of kitchen tips, blog bakes, and dishes. Until next time, go bake the world!