Edamame Cup
Bright green, tender edamame pods steamed to perfection and finished with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt. A warm, satisfying snack or appetizer that's ready in under 10 minutes and incredibly fun to eat — just squeeze the beans right out of the pods.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~3 min
Set up the steamer.
Pour 3 cups of water into a saucepan. Place a steamer basket inside, making sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the basket. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
- steam · ~5 min
Steam the edamame pods.
Add the frozen edamame pods to the steamer basket. Cover and steam for 5 minutes until bright green and tender. The beans inside should be soft but still have a slight bite.
TIPDon't overcook — edamame turns mushy and loses its vibrant color if steamed too long. - prep · ~1 min
Drain and transfer to a serving bowl.
Remove the steamer basket from the saucepan and shake off any excess water. Tip the hot edamame into a wide serving bowl.
- garnish
Season with salt and serve immediately.
Sprinkle flaky sea salt evenly over the hot edamame pods. Toss gently to distribute. Serve warm with an empty bowl on the side for discarding the pods.
TIPSalt sticks best while the pods are still steaming hot and slightly damp.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Do not thaw the edamame before steaming; cook them straight from frozen for the best texture.
- 2Shake the steamer basket halfway through cooking to ensure even steaming of all pods.
- 3Taste one bean after 4 minutes to gauge doneness — the ideal texture is tender with a slight snap.
- 4Use flaky sea salt like Maldon or fleur de sel; fine salt dissolves too quickly and doesn't provide the same pop.
- 5Serve the edamame in a wide, shallow bowl so the steam escapes quickly and the pods don't overcook in their residual heat.
- 6If you don't have a steamer basket, you can boil the pods in salted water for 4–5 minutes instead.
Adapt it for your goals.
Spicy Garlic Edamame
After steaming, toss the pods in a mixture of 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, and 1 minced garlic clove, then finish with salt and red pepper flakes.
Citrus Sesame EdamameCitrus Sesame Edamame
Swap the plain salt for a blend of 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds and 1/2 teaspoon yuzu kosho (or lemon zest mixed with a pinch of chili) for a bright, nutty twist.
Shichimi Togarashi EdamameShichimi Togarashi Edamame
Replace the flaky sea salt with shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven-spice blend) for a warm, slightly spicy, and aromatic finish.
Why this is on our healthy list.
High in Plant Protein
Edamame are whole soybeans, providing about 11 grams of protein per 100g serving, making this a satisfying snack that supports muscle repair.
Rich in Dietary Fiber
One serving of edamame pods delivers around 5 grams of fiber, aiding digestion and promoting a feeling of fullness.
Packed with Folate
Edamame is an excellent source of folate, a B-vitamin that supports cell growth and red blood cell formation.
Frequently asked questions
No, the pods are tough and fibrous. You squeeze the beans out of the pod with your teeth and discard the empty shell.
