Instant pot broccoli is the easiest, quickest steamed broccoli you will ever make. Steamed broccoli is perfect as a simple side dish, and a very traditional way to prepare this vegetable.
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Instant pot broccoli
I always steam broccoli in my instant pot, and it honestly could not be easier. Here's why this is my favorite way to prepare this side dish:
- The instant pot cook time is accurate - no risk of mushy broccoli.
- It feels easier to cook the broccoli in a pressure cooker than to mess around with boiling water in a pot.
- As we use a cook time of 0 minutes (Yes - zero!), it's incredibly fast.
- After the broccoli is steamed, you can leave it in the pot to keep warm until you're ready to eat. Traditionally steamed broccoli gets cold really fast.
Instructions
- Add the ingredients: Pour the water into the instant pot, and add a trivet or steamer basket on top. Cut the broccoli into bite sized florets, and place them in the basket.
- Cook the broccoli: Cover the instant pot with the lid, and turn the steam valve to sealing. Turn the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK setting on high pressure, and set the timer for 0 minutes. You can instead set it to 1 minute if you like very soft broccoli. 0 minutes is usually enough, because the broccoli will cook while the instant pot warms up.
- Release the pressure: When the timer is up, turn the valve to quickly release the steam from the instant pot. Then, remove the lid.
- Serve: The broccoli can be served immediately. If you want to, however, you can keep the broccoli in the instant pot with the lid partially covering it. This will keep it warm while you finish cooking the rest of the meal.
Top tips
- I highly recommend using a steamer basket or trivet for this recipe. If the broccoli is submerged in the water, it can quickly become mushy.
- If you are steaming several heads of broccoli at the same time, and have the instant pot stacked full, you might want to increase the cooking time to 1 minute. Otherwise, 0 minutes is enough!
- Looking to add some flavor to the broccoli? Feel free to add some olive oil, lemon juice, salt or pepper before steaming it.
Serving suggestions
Instant pot steamed broccoli is best served as a wholesome and healthy side dish for lunch or dinner. Here are some of my favorite dishes to pair it with:
- Herbed Lemon Butter Cod - This lean but flavorful fish entree makes for a fantastic weeknight dinner option.
- Air Fryer Pork Chops - These juicy pork chops pair well with steamed broccoli.
- Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes - Stem your broccoli, then cook chicken and potatoes in the same water in your instant pot. Simple and so tasty!
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs - Juicy, flavorful chicken thighs are so easy to make in the air fryer.
- Air Fryer Pork Roast - Steamed broccoli is an essential part of any roast dinner.
Frozen broccoli
You can use this method to steam frozen broccoli as well as fresh. Steamed frozen broccoli always tend to be a little softer, but I find that the results I get from the instant pot are way better than boiling the broccoli on the stove top.
Frozen broccoli is often very affordable, and I love being able to just cook a couple florets without having to buy a whole broccoli. The broccoli is picked and frozen when it's perfectly ripe, which means that it tends to have great quality as well.
To steam frozen broccoli in the instant pot, you can follow the same instructions, but you'll want to put the instant pot on the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK setting on high pressure for 1 minute, rather than 0 minutes.
Variations
Toppings: Top the broccoli with some Parmesan, lemon juice, or any sauce that you like such as sweet chili sauce or ranch. Added toppings can completely change the flavor of the broccoli, and it's a great way to change up your routine.
Broccoli and cauliflower: As cauliflower cooks similarly to broccoli, you can cook them together in the instant pot. Simply cut cauliflower into florets of the same size as your broccoli, and steam them together using these instructions.
Leftovers
Store leftover steamed broccoli in sealed containers in a refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat the broccoli in a microwave or air fryer for a few minutes, and serve warm.
You can also use the leftover broccoli in a variety of other dishes, such as salads, casseroles, soups and more. I love adding leftover veggies to whatever I'm cooking. It's a great way to prevent food waste, save money and benefit from a little extra veg.
Frequently asked questions
If you don't have a steamer basket, you can steam the broccoli using the trivet that came with your instant pot.
Yes, you can use aluminum foil in your instant pot. If you don't have a steamer basket or trivet, you can make a make shift basket by pricking holes into a piece of foil.
You might also like these recipes
- Instant Pot Carrots
- Instant Pot Basmati Rice
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
- Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
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Recipe
Instant Pot Broccoli
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 broccoli
Instructions
- Wash the broccoli, and cut into florets.
- Add the water to the instant pot. Place the steaming basket or trivet on top, and add the broccoli florets to the basket.
- Seal the instant pot with the lid, and turn the valve to sealing. Turn on the PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL setting on high pressure, and set the timer to 0 minutes.
- When the instant pot is finished, turn the valve to quickly release any pressure.
- Remove the lid. Serve the steamed broccoli immediately, or partially cover the pot with a lid and leave it there for a few minutes while you finish cooking the rest of the meal.
Video
Notes
- 0 minutes cooking time is usually enough, as the broccoli will steam while the instant pot builds up pressure. If you prefer really soft broccoli, increase the timer to 1 minute.
- Leftover steamed broccoli can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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