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    Home » Instant Pot Recipe » Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

    Published: Dec 1, 2021 · Modified: Dec 1, 2021 by Bhawana ·

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    Instant pot steamed broccoli is delicious, perfectly crunchy, nutritious, and requires zero-minute cooking. Today I share how to cook broccoli in an instant pot (fresh or frozen). With step-by-step instructions, you can get perfectly cooked broccoli every single time.

    steamed broccoli served in white bowl and placed near instant pot.

    Please use the link above to jump to the recipe card at the end if you want to skip.

    Jump To Recipe
    • Why you will love this
    • Ingredients & notes
    • How to steam broccoli in instant pot
    • Instant Pot Broccoli Cooking Time
    • How to steam broccoli on stovetop
    • How to make steamed broccoli taste better
    • Tips & FAQ's
    • What to serve
    • How to store
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe

    Why you will love this

    • Easy to make- As compared to the stovetop, steaming in instant pot is hasslefree, and takes only 10 minutes from start to finish. Just dump, pressure cook, and quick release are all you need to do. I use a steamer basket to steam florets.
    • Healthy & nutritious- This instant pot steamed broccoli is low carb, gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free. It is a cruciferous veggie and high in protein as compared to other vegetables. Consuming it with the meals helps you completing daily fiber and full for longer.
    • Make ahead & meal planning- It is a beginner-friendly instant pot recipe. it not only helps in weekly meal planning but also makes a great snack anytime. If you have this steamed broccoli handy, add a little salt n pepper, a delicious salad is ready in a minute.

    Ingredients & notes

    Please check RECIPE CARD for detailed ingredients list with accurate measurement.

    broccoli head is shown on the sky blue wooden board.
    • Broccoli- You need a medium size head of broccoli or 4-6 cups of florets.
    • Water- 1 cup
    • Optional- garlic, fresh herbs, lemon juice, salt, and oil.

    Variations

    What other vegetables can go with broccoli while steaming? Broccoli requires 0 minutes of cooking time so vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, green beans, and corn can be steamed together with the broccoli.

    side view of instant pot broccoli

    How to steam broccoli in instant pot

    Prepare broccoli

    First of all, clean and wash the broccoli head in clean water. Cut into medium size florets. Small pieces may overcook or turn into a mushy texture.

    cutting broccoli in medium sized florets

    Preserve the stalks, you can make vegetable stock along with other vegetable scraps.

    Prepare instant pot

    Now add a cup of water into the inner pot. Place the steamer basket in the inner pot. Transfer the cut florets to the steamer basket.

    Add broccoli florets in steamer basket and place in inner pot

    Pressure cook

    Close the lid and set the valve in the SEALING position. Press PRESSURE COOKER and set the timer as '0' minute.

    set the time as 0 minute

    Quick-release the pressure

    As the timer beeps, switch off the instant pot and release the pressure manually (QR).

    steamed broccoli as soon as opened the lid

    Remove the steamed broccoli

    Open the lid and check the doneness of broccoli with the fork.

    check the doneness of broccoli florets

    Instant pot steamed broccoli is ready to serve. To make them taste better just add some garlic salt and lemon juice.

    steamed broccoli seasoned with garlic, butter & salt

    Instant Pot Broccoli Cooking Time

    Broccoli texture totally depends on how long you steam it.

    You can steam cook both, frozen and fresh broccoli in an instantpot. Check the infographic below to know how long to steam broccoli in the instant pot.

    instant pot broccoli cooking time displayed in an infographic
    Instant pot broccoli cooking time

    How to steam broccoli on stovetop

    • To steam on stovetop you need a pot where a steamer basket can be fit in. Add few inches of water to the pot and heat on medium.
    • Place a steamer basket inside the pot and then add all the clean broccoli florets inside the basket.
    • Cover and bring it to boil. This will allow steam to build up.
    • For perfectly crunchy and crisp broccoli, steam for about 5-7 minutes. Check after five minutes and cook as per desired texture. Steam further in one minute increment.
    • Switch off the heat, treansfer the florets on a plater, season it and serve.

    How to make steamed broccoli taste better

    There are a few ways to make instant pot steam broccoli taste so much better. It nearly becomes like a salad.

    • Protein- Adding roasted chicken, grilled anumal protein, tofu, paneer makes a great combination.
    • Cheese- Feta, goat cheese, halloumi are few cheese varieties to add with steamed florets. You can also broil florets by adding some mozzerella cheese and enjoy the perfect snack.
    • Extras- Red onion, and roasted vegetable like carrots, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, green beas, mushroom, and asparagus are other combination to add with broccoli to enhance the taste.

    Tips & FAQ's

    How to steam frozen broccoli in the instant pot

    The process to make instant pot frozen broccoli is the same as steaming fresh broccoli. Just keep in mind that frozen will take a bit more time to cook as compared to fresh. PRESSURE COOK for '1' minute. As the timer beeps QUICK RELEASE and transfers the florets in a bowl.

    How to steam broccoli in an instant pot without a steamer basket?

    Using a steamer basket has its own benefits. You can still steam cook vegetables if no basket. The easy way to steam broccoli in an instant pot is to use the trivet which comes with an instant pot accessory. Trivet separates the broccoli from touching the water at the bottom and helps in steaming further.

    Broccoli pieces may jump into the water as well. Just be careful while handling it. This process works for both, fresh and frozen broccoli florets.

    How much water is in an instant pot to steam broccoli?

    For a 6 qt instant pot, 1 cup of water is enough for steam cooking. If the liquid is less, then it dries out soon and you get the BURN sign. Sometimes this is the reason why pot shows the BURN sign while steaming broccoli in the instant pot?

    What to serve

    Instant pot steamed broccoli goes well with animal protein, grilled paneer, grilled tofu, and pasta to make a complete meal. It also makes a perfect snack that you can serve along with peach chutney or green chutney.

    It also pairs well with quinoa, teriyaki tofu, and steamed rice. Season it with oil, garlic, salt, lemon, and enjoy.

    You can season instant pot steamed broccoli with olive oil, garlic, salt, and peppers. Cheese like mozzarella, feta, and goat cheese also pairs with while serving as a salad.

    How to store

    • Refrigerate- Once cool down refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for 4-5 days. It works best for meal planning. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving. Sprinkle a few drops of water and microwave them for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
    • Freezer- You can freeze steamed broccoli in freezer as well. Once at room temperature, transfer them in freezer-friendly bags and freeze for upto 3-6 months. Keep in mind to freeze in portions, so that you thaw the quantity you need. Thaw and reheat. Remember, after thawing broccoli may not hold the same crunch.
    broccoli floret stuck in fork

    Related recipes

    You can check some more instant pot beginner-friendly recipes from the blog.

    • Instant Pot Beets
    • Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
    • 2 Ingredient Homemade Instant pot Yogurt
    • Homemade Ghee | Instant pot & Stovetop

    ★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below! For more quick & easy recipes, FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube & Pinterest.

    Recipe

    side view of instant pot broccoli

    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

    Instant pot steamed broccoli- Learn how to steam broccoli in instant pot perfectly with step by step directions & different cooking timings.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    8 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 56kcal
    Author: Bhawana

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot

    Ingredients

    • 1 broccoli head
    • 1 cup water

    Optional

    • 2 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
    • 1 tablespoon garlic finely chopped
    • salt as per taste
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Clean and wash the broccoli head and cut into medium size florets.
      1 broccoli head
    • Now add a cup of water into the inner pot. Place the steamer basket in the inner pot.
      1 broccoli head, 1 cup water
    • Transfer the cut broccoli florets in the steamer basket. 
    • Close the lid and set the valve in the SEALING position. Press PRESSURE COOKER and set the timer as ‘0’ minute.
    • As the timer beeps, switch off the instant pot and do QUICK RELEASE.
    • Open the lid and check the doneness of broccoli with the fork.
    • Serve straight away or season it with some garlic salt.

    Notes

    Tips
    1. If you do not have a steamer basket, use the trivet that comes along with the accessory.
    2. This recipe can easily be scaled up, make sure you do not overfill the instant pot and remain under the MAX line.
    3. Use the cooking time in order to get the desired texture.
    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli Cooking Time
     
    Check the post for infographics that shares the cooking time along with texture and color.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 54mg | Potassium: 496mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 948IU | Vitamin C: 139mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @Code2Cook2017 or tag #Code2Cook!
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    Comments

    1. Andrea Metlika

      September 21, 2020 at 12:35 am

      5 stars
      Zero minute broccoli is perfect for me. I always overcook it. The salad sounds delicious too!

      Reply
    2. Jessie

      September 20, 2020 at 8:48 pm

      5 stars
      I have some broccoli that I am needing to use so I am going to be getting out the instant pot tomorrow to use it up.

      Reply
      • Bhawana

        September 20, 2020 at 11:17 pm

        haha that's cool. do try n you will love it.

        Reply
    3. Anita

      September 20, 2020 at 8:06 pm

      5 stars
      I love using an IP to steam broccoli and vegetables in general. It feels like I have a better control than using a stove-top steamer.

      Reply
      • Bhawana

        September 20, 2020 at 11:17 pm

        very right. I loved cooking in instant pot.

        Reply
    4. Jill

      September 20, 2020 at 7:53 pm

      5 stars
      Seems like the ultimate guide for steaming broccoli in the Instant Pot. Thanks for all the helpful information!

      Reply

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