Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

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.  This recipe is for the florets, but you can do the same cooking methods with any part of broccoli.  

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. This is the best way to steam fresh and frozen 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 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. So the steam 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. 

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 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. 

 

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!

 

 

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. 

 

 

PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

 

 

 

Product Recommendations for this Recipe:

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