Microwave cooking times
Microwave times for vegetables, potatoes, fish, eggs and more. They’re for an 800–900 W microwave on full power. Cook in a covered microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water unless it says otherwise.
Vegetables
| Food | Time | Temperature | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | 2–4 min | on full power, covered | With 2 tablespoons of water. |
| Aubergine (eggplant) Whole | 5–8 min | on full power | Prick all over first. Good for a dip like baba ganoush. |
| Beetroot (beets) Whole, 4 medium | 10–12 min | on full power, covered | In a bowl with 3 tablespoons of water; turn halfway. |
| Broad beans (fava beans) | 3–4 min | on full power, covered | With 2 tablespoons of water. |
| Broccoli | 3–4 min | on full power, covered | With 2 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| Tenderstem broccoli (broccolini) | 2–3 min | on full power, covered | With 2 tablespoons of water. |
| Brussels sprouts Halved | 4–6 min | on full power, covered | Halved, with 3 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| Butternut squash Cubes | 8–10 min | on full power, covered | With 3 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| Pumpkin | 8–10 min | on full power, covered | With 3 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| Cabbage (green and savoy) Shredded | 4–5 min | on full power, covered | With 2 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| Red cabbage | 10–12 min | on full power, covered | Shredded with the apple, vinegar and 3 tablespoons of water; stir twice. |
| Carrots Sliced | 4–6 min | on full power, covered | With 2 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| Cauliflower Florets | 4–6 min | on full power, covered | With 3 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| Corn on the cob | 3–4 min | on full power | Per cob, in its husk or wrapped in damp kitchen paper. Add 2 minutes for each extra cob. |
| Courgettes (zucchini) Slices | 3–4 min | on full power, covered | Slices, with no added water. |
| Green beans | 3–5 min | on full power, covered | With 2 tablespoons of water. |
| Runner beans | 4–5 min | on full power, covered | With 2 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| Kale and cavolo nero | 2–3 min | on full power, covered | With 2 tablespoons of water. |
| Leeks Sliced | 4–5 min | on full power, covered | With a knob of butter and a splash of water. |
| Mangetout and sugar snap peas | 2–3 min | on full power, covered | With a tablespoon of water. |
| Onions Softened | 4–5 min | on full power | Sliced, with a knob of butter, to soften quickly before frying. |
| Parsnips Chunks | 6–8 min | on full power, covered | Chunks, with 3 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| Peas | 3–4 min | on full power, covered | Frozen, with 2 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| Peppers (bell peppers) Strips | 3–4 min | on full power, covered | Strips, with a tablespoon of water. |
| Sweet potatoes Whole | 6–8 min | on full power | One medium, pricked; turn halfway. Add 3–4 minutes for each extra one. |
| Spinach | 1–2 min | on full power, covered | With no added water; stir halfway. Frozen spinach takes 4–5 minutes. |
| Swede (rutabaga) | 10–12 min | on full power, covered | With 3 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| Pak choi (bok choy) | 2–3 min | on full power, covered | With a tablespoon of water. |
| Globe artichokes | 8–10 min | on full power, covered | One artichoke, upside down in a bowl with 3 tablespoons of water. |
| Edamame beans | 3–4 min | on full power, covered | With 2 tablespoons of water. |
| Frozen mixed vegetables and sweetcorn | 4–5 min | on full power, covered | With 2 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
Potatoes
| Food | Time | Temperature | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacket potatoes (baked potatoes) | 8–10 min | on full power | One potato; turn halfway. Add 4–5 minutes for each extra potato. Finish in a hot oven or air fryer for 10 minutes for a crisp skin. |
| Boiled and mashed potatoes | 8–10 min | on full power, covered | Chunks, with 4 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| New potatoes | 6–8 min | on full power, covered | Halved, with 3 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
Pork, bacon and sausages
| Food | Time | Temperature | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacon | 3–4 min | on full power | 4 rashers between sheets of kitchen paper on a plate. |
Fish and seafood
| Food | Time | Temperature | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon fillets | 3–4 min | on full power, covered | Two fillets, with a splash of water; let stand for a minute. |
| Cod and white fish fillets | 3–4 min | on full power, covered | Two fillets, with a splash of milk or water; stand for a minute. |
| Smoked haddock | 3–4 min | on full power, covered | In a dish with a splash of milk. |
Eggs, cheese and tofu
| Food | Time | Temperature | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs Scrambled | 1–2 min | on full power | Scrambled: beat with milk, cook in 30-second bursts, stirring between. Never microwave an egg in its shell. |
Rice, pasta and grains
| Food | Time | Temperature | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice White | 10–12 min | on full power, covered loosely | White rice with twice its volume of boiling water in a large bowl, then stand 5 minutes covered. Ready-cooked pouches: 2 minutes. |
| Pasta Dried | 10–12 min | on full power | Dried pasta covered with boiling water in a large bowl, stirring halfway. |
Tips
- For a 700 W microwave, add about 20%. For 1000 W or more, take off about 15%.
- Stir or turn the food halfway through, as microwaves heat unevenly.
- Let food stand for a minute or two after cooking: it keeps cooking.
- Use a vented lid or pierce the film, and lift it away from you: the steam is very hot.
- Pierce potatoes, sweet potatoes and whole vegetables with skins so they don’t burst. Never microwave an egg in its shell.
Questions
How long to microwave salmon?
3–4 min on full power, covered. Two fillets, with a splash of water; let stand for a minute.
How long to microwave jacket potatoes?
8–10 min on full power. One potato; turn halfway. Add 4–5 minutes for each extra potato. Finish in a hot oven or air fryer for 10 minutes for a crisp skin.
How long to microwave broccoli?
3–4 min on full power, covered. With 2 tablespoons of water; stir halfway.
How long to microwave eggs?
Scrambled: 1–2 min on full power. Scrambled: beat with milk, cook in 30-second bursts, stirring between. Never microwave an egg in its shell.
How long to microwave carrots?
Sliced: 4–6 min on full power, covered. With 2 tablespoons of water; stir halfway.
How long to microwave rice?
White: 10–12 min on full power, covered loosely. White rice with twice its volume of boiling water in a large bowl, then stand 5 minutes covered. Ready-cooked pouches: 2 minutes.
Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and the size of what you’re cooking all vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer before serving. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance, last checked 11 November 2026.