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    Home » Air Fryer, Instant Pot, & Crock-Pot

    Published: Feb 11, 2021 · Modified: Nov 29, 2021 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

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    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 and ready to enjoy with your favorite meals.    This method works in any electric pressure cooker and results in fresh steamed broccoli that is not mushy.   Just follow a few simple steps and enjoy this quick vegetable side dish any time.

    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. Steaming broccoli is a great way to ensure it is a healthy side dish. To learn more about the HEALTH BENEFITS OF BROCCOLI read this article.

    Jump to Recipe

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli in a bowl ready to eat with a napkin and spoon

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli ready to eat

     

    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.

     

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli ingredients

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli ingredients

     

    How to Cook 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. This is the best way to steam vegetables in an Instant Pot.

    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. You can 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, since the pieces are much larger than cut florets. Or still, set it for 0 if you like a very crisp steamed broccoli.

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli steamer and broccoli in the insert

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli steamer and broccoli in the insert

     

     

    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. 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.

    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 in large chunks before placing them in my steamer insert.

    Cooking Frozen Broccoli

    This Instant Pot recipe also works for cooking frozen broccoli.  I recommend fresh when possible but frozen broccoli is a great option as well.  Note that frozen broccoli will not turn out crispy but is still a great side dish or a way to cook it to add to casseroles or other recipes. Set the Instant Pot pressure cooker to zero minutes also when steaming frozen broccoli, cauliflower, or other vegetables with or without a steamer basket. 

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli steam billowing out of the opened lid

    CAUTION - steam billowing out of the opened lid is HOT

     

    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 is 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 out and enjoy!

     

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli spooning out broccoli from the insert

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli spooning out broccoli from the insert

     

    What to Serve with Steamed Broccoli

    Here are some of my favorite recipes that go well with steamed broccoli as the 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.  Serve broccoli with INSTANT POT CREAMY CHICKEN SPAGHETTI. 

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli plated wtih cheesy chicken spaghetti

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli plated and ready to enjoy with cheesy chicken spaghetti

     

     

    PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

     

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli PIN

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli PIN

     

     

    Product Recommendations for this Recipe:

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you! 

    Steamed Broccoli featured in instant pot overhead shot

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

    Angela
    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 and ready to enjoy.  This method works in any electric pressure cooker with or without a steamer basket and results in fresh steamed broccoli that is not mushy. 
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 mins
    Pressure Cooker Time 8 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4

    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.
    Keyword easy, gluten-free, grain-free, instant pot, keto, paleo, pressure cooker, quick, vegan, vegetable, vegetarian

     

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lisa Ramsay says

      February 17, 2021 at 12:32 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Angela says

        February 17, 2021 at 1:47 pm

        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.

        Reply
    2. Beth says

      February 18, 2021 at 10:00 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        February 18, 2021 at 10:20 am

        Great, I am so happy that this Instant pot method worked out well and gave you broccoli steamed to perfection.

        Reply
    3. Cindy Moore says

      February 28, 2021 at 1:55 pm

      5 stars
      I love using my instant pot to steam veggies! It's so fast and easy.

      Reply
    4. May says

      May 30, 2021 at 12:33 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        May 30, 2021 at 3:27 pm

        Thanks so much, glad you like this method to steam broccoli in the Instant Pot.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat and explore all things food. I have been cooking since I could pull up a stool to finally reach the counter. I still rely on my trusty stool every day. I am a former personal chef turned blogger that enjoys cooking with and for my family, traveling to try new cuisine, and constantly learning about food, drink, & how it touches all our lives.

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