10 Surprising Foods You Didn't Know You Could Cook in the Microwave
Your microwave isn’t just for reheating—it might be the most underrated tool in your kitchen.
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One of my first experiences with cooking started in a countertop microwave. As a kid, I whipped up creations like American cheese melted over tortilla chips for nachos and improvised ramen noodle concoctions. That phase came to an abrupt end in my teens, though, when my parents got rid of our microwave because they thought the way it heated food was unsafe. Years later, I started testing microwaves for the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab and learning more about them. Not only are they efficient with many built-in safety features, but they're extremely versatile.
Here are some surprising things I love making in my microwave. I primarily use Anyday's microwave cookware, which include glass bowls with vented lids, but you can use any microwave-safe container or dinnerware plus vented lid or damp paper towel (to help with faster and more even cooking.)
Below, I’ve noted the ideal microwave power level for each dish and whether it should be covered. While not everything needs covering, doing so when recommended helps prevent splatters and retain moisture.
Marinated olives
You don’t need to turn on your stovetop or oven to enjoy warm, flavor-packed olives like you would at your favorite restaurant.
Add your favorite olives, some herbs, and/or citrus zest, along with your favorite olive oil, to a covered microwave-safe container. Heat them in the microwave for a few minutes at medium power until they’re warmed, and you’ll have quick-marinated olives.
Toasted nuts
Here’s another reason to skip the oven: Toast your nuts in the microwave. I’ve done this with pine nuts, almonds, walnuts, and pistachios myself, and they’ve all toasted nicely. Spread them in an even layer on a microwave-safe plate and heat in one-minute intervals at full power, tossing between each round, until lightly toasted.
This method is faster than using the oven, and you can monitor them more closely—no more burnt batches.
Baking/cooking shortcuts
With a microwave, you can brown butter, make a fast salted caramel, or even a quick roux to thicken your favorite mac and cheese recipe. These shortcuts can be done in the microwave very similarly to how you would make them on the stovetop.
For browned butter, I like to add one or two sticks of butter to a lidded microwave-safe container (to prevent splatter) and heat it for two minutes for full power, or until it’s browned.
Onion and garlic
I don’t know about you, but standing over the stove, waiting for onions to caramelize or shallots to fry to perfection, can be time-consuming and tedious. The good news? You can fry shallots or garlic chips, roast garlic, and even caramelize onions right in your microwave.
To fry shallots, evenly coat the slices with oil, then spread them in a single layer in a microwave-safe container. Microwave at full power in 30-second intervals, checking each time, until they turn golden brown. This same technique can be done with garlic chips as well.
Rice and some grains
I started cooking rice in my microwave after the team at Anyday explained how easy it was. You can also cook other grains, such as couscous or quinoa.
I rinse the rice, place it in a microwave-safe container with the recommended amount of water, and cook for 15 to 25 minutes, until the water is absorbed. Start on high to bring it to a boil, then reduce to medium, keeping it covered the entire time.
All the veg
For a quick veggie side dish, the microwave is the answer. You can steam broccoli or cauliflower, cook whole corn on the cob, simmer vegetables like bok choy or squash in a flavorful broth, or parboil or fully cook potatoes.
If you’re craving home fries, but don’t want to wait for the oven, here’s a shortcut: Peel and chop the potatoes, then coat them in olive oil and season them, and microwave, covered at full power until tender. Depending on the size of the potatoes, they can take eight to 12 minutes to cook. Once cooked, spread them in a thin layer on a sheet pan and finish under the broiler for five minutes or less, until crispy and golden.
Personal desserts
One of my favorite microwave treats is a mug cake—it’s my go-to for a last-minute sweet craving. I’ve made brownies, cakes, fruit crisps, and even single-serve pancake bowls, all in a microwave-safe mug or small bowl.
Over the years, I’ve tried all kinds of mug recipes. You can even use a small scoop of boxed cake, brownie, or pancake mix—just stir in a little liquid (and sometimes oil or an egg) and microwave for about a minute at full power, until puffed and set. However, if you want a more molten consistency you can cook at medium power until set.
RELATED: Red Velvet Mug Cake Recipe
Bacon!
Bacon can be quite messy when it's fried up on the stovetop. While some people resort to the oven to cook bacon, my colleague, Recipe Editor Susan Choung, recommends cooking it in the microwave.
“I arrange a single layer of bacon on a triple-layer of paper towels, long enough to wrap around the bacon. Then put it on a plate and microwave it for a minute at full power per slice, and check it to see if it needs more crisping. By far, the cleanest way to cook bacon,” says Choung.
Eggs
The microwave isn’t just for reheating your favorite egg bite; you can also make fluffy scrambled eggs, omelets, and more!
If you haven’t tried Chef José Andrés's microwave omelet yet, I highly recommend it. He combines eggs, mayo, and butter in a ramekin, microwaves it for just a minute at full power, and you get a custardy, tender omelet that really impressed me. However, for other egg dishes I recommend cooking at a lower power so that the eggs don’t get overcooked. If you cover the eggs it will also ensure that they stay moist and don’t dry out.
Poached fish
Yes, you can absolutely cook fish in the microwave—it poaches white flaky fish like tilapia or halibut beautifully. While microwaving fish has a reputation for leaving your kitchen smelling less than pleasant, it’s actually a gentle method that produces tender, delicately cooked fish to serve over rice or alongside vegetables.
Just add your portion of fish to a microwave-safe dish, add your seasonings and some broth, and cover. Cook for about three to five minutes at medium to low power until your fish is fully cooked.
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