Different vegetables don't all cook at the same rate. The density, the size and the type of vegetable will determine how long it needs to cook. Asparagus for example, only take about 2 to 4 minutes to cook in boiling water whereas red potatoes require 16 to 22 minutes in order to be done. Often, you can test your vegetables as you’re cooking them to make sure to boil or steam them for the right amount of time, however it is useful to have roundabout numbers to start with. So here are some of the most common vegetables and their equivalent times of required boiling and steaming. | Type of Vegetable | Boiling Time Required
| Steaming Time Required | | Asparagus | 2 - 4 minutes
| 4 - 6 minutes
| | Beets | 30 - 40 minutes
| 30 - 40 minutes | | Broccoli | 2 - 4 minutes | 4 - 6 minutes
| | Brussels Sprouts | 6 - 8 minutes
| 7 - 9 minutes
| | Carrots | 3 - 4 minutes
| 5 - 6 minutes
| | Cauliflower | 5 - 7 minutes
| 7 - 9 minutes
| Green Beans
| 3 - 5 minutes | 6 - 8 minutes
| Red Potatoes
| 18 - 24 minutes
| 18 - 24 minutes
| Snap Peas
| 3 - 4 minutes
| 5 - 7 minutes
| Snow Peas
| 2 - 3 minutes
| 4 - 6 minutes
| | Winter Squash (1-inch chunks) | 10 - 12 minutes
| 12 - 14 minutes
| | Sweet Potatoes (1-inch chunks) | 10 - 12 minutes
| 12 - 14 minutes |
|
