Ready in under 15 minutes, this is a foolproof method to make perfectly steamed Instant Pot Broccoli. Serve this broccoli as an easy side dish at your next weeknight meal.
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Steamed broccoli is a staple in most kitchens. Broccoli is one of those vegetables that goes from a perfectly crisp floret to mushy broccoli mess in a matter of seconds.
You don't have to worry about that when you use the Instant Pot, though! It's perfectly cooked every single time! This is an easy way to make a healthy side dish. Let the instant pot do the hard work for you while you focus on the protein or the main dish for dinner.
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Why This Recipe is Great!
- No fat is added! Therefore, this recipe is very low calorie and great as part of a keto or low carb diet.
- Steaming keeps in a lot of the nutrients. When you boil broccoli, you are often boiling away the nutrients. Steaming gives you the best chance to enjoy all the health benefits of broccoli. It also keeps the broccoli that bright green color we all love!
- It's versatile! This is just the base recipe for steamed broccoli. You can jazz it up anyway you would like after it's cooked!
Ingredients for Instant Pot Broccoli
All you need for this recipe is broccoli and water. No special ingredients needed!
Equipment for Instant Pot Broccoli
Step By Step Instructions
Wash the broccoli head and cut it into similar sized broccoli florets.
Place one cup of water at the bottom of the pot and add the trivet insert or steamer basket to the Instant Pot.
Place the broccoli in the insert. Close the lid and set the Instant pot to high pressure and the cooking time to 0 minutes. That's right, zero minute cook time!
The pressure and heat from the Instant Pot coming up to pressure is enough to cook the broccoli to perfection. You might think your Instant Pot doesn't get to zero minutes, but it does! Just remove all the cooking time and let it hit 0.
Once it comes up to pressure and beeps, quick release the pressure to release the built-up pressure. Once the pressure has been released, remove the lid and serve!
Tips and Tricks
- It usually takes 5-10 minutes (depending on the size of your Instant Pot) for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure.
- Do not let the broccoli sit in the water. That would cause the broccoli to boil instead of steam.
- Do not overfill the Instant Pot. I found for my 6-quart size Instant Pot I was able to fit 2 medium heads into the steamer basket. At the grocery store, you can often find precut broccoli florets. 4 cups would be the maximum amount of broccoli to add to the Instant Pot.
- Since we are steaming the tender broccoli, you don't have to worry about using chicken broth or vegetable broth in the Instant Pot. The broccoli is not going to touch the liquid, so stick with cold water. You can season the broccoli when it's cooked.
How To Serve Instant Pot Broccoli
- Sprinkled with lemon pepper as a healthy side dish.
- With a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- This steamed broccoli is a perfect addition to a crudité platter because this broccoli holds its crispness.
- With a sprinkle of salt, black pepper, and a little olive oil. Serve with your favorite meat or fish main course.
- Add ½ cup of parmesan cheese to a bowl and add the steamed broccoli. Mix well and serve as a side dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can use frozen broccoli instead of fresh broccoli. The time and pressure would be the same. Make sure to use a steamer basket as you don't want any of the broccoli falling through into the Instant Pot. Frozen broccoli tends to be cut into smaller pieces.
This broccoli recipe is great for meal prep! Make a big batch and separate it into airtight containers. To reheat, place in the microwave for a minute or two. You can even eat this broccoli cold or at room temperature.
Yes! You can use this method to make green beans, cauliflower, and even zucchini! It's a great way to hold the crispness of the veggies while retaining many of the nutrients.
Other Recipes To Try!
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More Instant Pot Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Perfectly Steamed Instant Pot Broccoli
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Heads Broccoli
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
- Wash the broccoli head and cut it into similar sized broccoli florets.
- Place one cup of water at the bottom of the pot and add the trivet insert or steamer basket to the Instant Pot.
- Place the broccoli in the insert. Close the lid and set the Instant pot to high pressure and the cooking time to 0 minutes. The pressure and heat from the Instant Pot coming up to pressure is enough to cook the broccoli to perfection. You might think your Instant Pot doesn't get to zero minutes, but it does! Just remove all the cooking time and let it hit 0.
- Once it comes up to pressure and beeps, quick release the pressure to release the built-up pressure. Once the pressure has been released, remove the lid and serve!
Notes
- It usually takes 5-10 minutes (depending on the size of your Instant Pot) for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure.
- Do not let the broccoli sit in the water. That would cause the broccoli to boil instead of steam.
- Do not overfill the Instant Pot. I found for my 6-quart size Instant Pot I was able to fit 2 medium heads into the steamer basket. At the grocery store, you can often find precut broccoli florets. 4 cups would be the maximum amount of broccoli to add to the Instant Pot.
Glenda
Well, that couldn't have been any easier! Thanks for the great Instant Pot instructions. I would never have thought of cooking a plain vegetable in there. Absolute perfection!
Sarah
So easy and came out perfectly! Thank you so much for sharing!
Allyssa
Super loved this! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
Jennifer
I can't make broccoli - but then I tried your IP method and it worked out perfectly! So easy AND the kids ate it!
Shelby
I always overfill- that's a great tip to remember!