Instant pot steamed broccoli is a healthy and easy recipe that comes out perfect every time. In just a few minutes fresh broccoli is cooked to tender and crisp perfection. Just follow a few simple steps and enjoy this quick vegetable side dish in just 10 minutes!
This method works in any electric pressure cooker and results in fresh steamed broccoli that is not mushy or overdone. For a complete meal, serve this freshly cooked broccoli with INSTANT POT CREAMY CHICKEN SPAGHETTI.
Steaming broccoli is a great way to ensure cook it to ensure the nutrients are retained for healthy results. To learn more about the HEALTH BENEFITS OF BROCCOLI read this article. This recipe is for the florets, but you can do the same cooking methods with any part of broccoli.
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What to Love about this Recipe?
There are many reasons why you will make this your go-to way to cook broccoli. Here is why I think steaming broccoli in the Instant Pot is the best.
- Keeps broccoli crisp, green, & tender
- The healthiest way to cook broccoli
- Set it & forget it
- Done in under 10 minutes (including coming to pressure & cook)
Ingredients for Instant Pot Broccoli
Well, it is pretty simple, you need fresh broccoli & water for this easy recipe. With this method, I only advise using fresh broccoli. Steaming frozen broccoli in the instant pot will overcook it and result in mush.
Equipment-wise you will need your Instant Pot and a steamer insert or the trivet that came with the electric pressure cooker.
How to Steam Broccoli in the Instant Pot
To steam broccoli, I am using a steamer basket for this Instant Pot broccoli recipe. I recommend two kinds down below that are inexpensive and of great quality if you do not have one yet. Using these in the insert of your Instant Pot or electric cooker allows for the broccoli to cook above the water level and results in steaming and not boiling the broccoli.
Instant Pot Broccoli Cooking Time
For perfect Instant Pot broccoli, the cooking time to steam to perfection is zero minutes! The time the electric pressure cooker needs to come to pressure is all that is needed. In just minutes you have perfectly steamed fresh broccoli.
How Long to Steam Broccolini in the Instant Pot
So you will set your manual cook time to "0". This will result in soft broccoli florets but not too soft that they will fall apart or be mushy when you try to serve and eat them.
The time on the pressure cooker is technically 0. However, the time it takes to come to pressure will take 8 minutes. So that is how long it takes to steam fresh broccoli florets in the Instant Pot.
Cook Time for Crisper Broccoli
If you want broccoli that is crisper, you can still do this same cook time. The only change you need to make is to cut the broccoli pieces into much bigger pieces. When I want it crisper, I do not buy the prepacked broccoli florets. Instead, I buy several heads of broccoli and cut them into large chunks before placing them in my steamer insert.
Cooking Without a Steamer Basket
To cook Instant Pot steamed broccoli without a steamer basket, you can simply just cut a full head of broccoli into 4 very equal pieces. Use the same amount of water.
Then place those large broccoli chunks on top of the insert rack/trivet that comes with the Instant Pot. I would then set the pressure cooking time to 1 minute, instead of 0. This is because the pieces are much larger than cut florets. Or still, set it to 0 if you like a very crisp steamed broccoli.
When the Instant Pot beeps that it is ready, you will need to release the pressure with a quick release. You do not want to let it sit and do any natural releasing as the time ticks back up, that will overcook the steamed broccoli.
BE CAREFUL when you do your quick release and open the valve. The steam will be VERY HOT. I use a wooden spoon to click the valve over and put a folded dish towel over the escaping steam.
Once the valve pin drops and the lid of the Instant Pot are unlocked, you can CAREFULLY open the lid. NOTE all the steam that is coming out as seen in my photo above. That steam is still very hot too.
Spoon into a serving bowl & season. Serve & enjoy!
Storing Leftovers
If your Instant Pot is large, make a big batch. This stores well and is great as a leftover. Place in a container with a tight-fitting lid to store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave & enjoy.
What to Serve with Steamed Broccoli
Here are some of my favorite recipes that go well with steamed broccoli as a side dish. Try one and have a wonderful complete meal.
- KETO LOW CARB LASAGNA WITH CREPINI
- BEST KETO CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
- SLOW COOKER SALISBURY STEAK
- GRAIN-FREE FRIED CHICKEN NUGGETS
- ITALIAN CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS
The steamed broccoli is pictured below with another wonderful Instant Pot recipe that the whole family will love.
FAQ
To make steamed broccoli you think the steam button is what needs to be pushed. However, the steam function on the Instant Pot has a preset time amount, 10 minutes. That is WAY too long to cook broccoli under pressure.
Cutting the broccoli into small pieces will cause it to cook quickly. Make sure the floret sizes are pretty hardy and medium in size.
Other Instant Pot Recipes
This recipe works for steaming other vegetables in the Instant Pot too. If you have cut cauliflower the same size as this broccoli it will cook for the same time. For veggies, potatoes, or other veggies that are more firm/dense, steaming them in the Instant Pot will take longer than the 0 minutes suggested here.
Product Recommendations for this Recipe:
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Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli
Equipment
- Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
- Steamer Basket
Ingredients
- 1.5 pds fresh broccoli florets
- 1 C water
Instructions
- To the insert of your Instant Pot add 1 cup of water. Place the steamer insert or basket into the Instant Pot. (see notes above how to cook without a steamer basket)
- Add broccoli to the steamer basket/insert.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is closed and the lid is locked into place. Press the MANUAL button and set the clock to 0 (zero) minutes.
- Let the Instant Pot come to pressure - about 8 minutes. When it comes to pressure and beeps it will then be ready as there is no cook time for this steamed broccoli recipe.
- Immediately do a Quick Release - CAUTION AS STEAM WILL BE HOT! I use a wooden spoon to click the valve over and put a folded dish towel over the escaping steam. Once the valve pin drops and the lid of the Instant Pot is unlocked, you can CAREFULLY open the lid.
- With a spoon scoop out the broccoli to serve. Season with salt and pepper. You can add butter, parmesan cheese, or other ingredients for a simple side dish.
- Fresh steamed broccoli will store in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 58 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 0.6g | 1% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 56mg | 2% |
| Total Carbohydrate 11.3g | 4% |
| Dietary Fiber 4.4g | 16% |
| Total Sugars 2.9g | |
| Protein 4.8g | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 80mg | 6% |
| Iron 1mg | 7% |
| Potassium 538mg | 11% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
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Lisa Ramsay says
Hi - love this I have passed this over to my husband who is truly the cook in the house .... I can cook but he loves it more so I let him.
This recipe looks awesome! Lisa
Angela says
Thanks for passing this along and I hope your husband finds it as easy as I did to steam broccoli this method in the Instant Pot.
Beth says
I tried this with a pound of broccoli florets and peeled stems and it worked out great - I had no idea that you could set the Instant Pot to "0" but it really did the trick - we like the texture of this.
Angela says
Great, I am so happy that this Instant pot method worked out well and gave you broccoli steamed to perfection.
Cindy Moore says
I love using my instant pot to steam veggies! It's so fast and easy.
May says
Finally broccoli that is done right in the instant pot. I cut it in really big chunks since we hate it soggy and it worked.
Angela says
Thanks so much, glad you like this method to steam broccoli in the Instant Pot.