Fast & Easy Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli comes out perfectly tender every time. Steam fresh broccoli in your pressure cooker in less than 5 minutes!
Need a quick and healthy side dish without much effort? Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli is your answer!
Steaming broccoli in a pressure cooker is an ingenious way to ensure your broccoli comes out tender, yet crunchy every time. This method cooks it perfectly and is totally hands-off making. Its a super easy way to get a healthy side on your table in no time. Or add it to another dish, like this delicious peanut butter broccoli dish.
In This Post
Why This Recipe Works
- Fast & Simple. When you want a fast side, you can’t beat this instant pot steamed broccoli. When made in the instant pot you only have to set the pressure cooker to “0” minutes (yes - 0!) then do a quick release once it reaches full pressure.
- Hands Off. No need to watch the stove or oven. Just set your instant pot and you’re good to go.
- Customizable. Want a basic steamed broccoli side? This serves as a great base! But you can also add in tons of flavor with some of my suggestions below. Plus, this recipe goes so well with other dishes, like this Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf Recipe or these Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops!
- Healthy. We all know that broccoli is healthy, and it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But research has actually shown that steamed broccoli is the best way to prepare this superfood because it helps the broccoli retain the most health benefits.
- Perfectly steamed broccoli every time. This instant pot method takes all the guesswork out of steaming broccoli and produces tender, yet crunchy broccoli. Using a pressure cooker ensures that you’ll get perfectly steamed broccoli each and every time. (Broccoli isn't the only veggie you can make in the instant pot! Give these instant pot green peas a try too!)
Key Ingredients
The ingredients for this are incredibly simple. You’ll need:
- ¾ cup water
- 1 pound broccoli (florets or a full head of broccoli will both work here)
- Salt to taste
You’ll also of course need an instant pot for this method.
How To Steam Broccoli In The Instant Pot
Steaming broccoli in a pressure cooker could not be easier. Here’s how to do it:
- Add the water. Add your water to the inner pot of your instant pot.
- Add the broccoli. If using a basket attachment, place the broccoli in the basket. If you don’t have a basket, don’t worry! You can still steam broccoli in the instant pot without a basket by using the trivet that comes with it. Simply place the trivet in the instant pot, then place the broccoli on top.
- Set the pressure cooker. Set the instant pot to cook on high pressure fo “0” minutes. Yes, you read that correctly! The broccoli will be perfectly steamed just in the time it takes for the pressure cooker to come to full pressure.
- Quick-Release. Once the instant pot reaches full pressure, press the quick-release valve immediately.
- Remove the broccoli immediately. Once the pressure has been released, remove the broccoli from the instant pot right away. This is important to ensure the broccoli does not overcook and become mushy!
Important Tip: You’ll want to press the quick-release valve immediately after the instant pot reaches full pressure, and take the broccoli out after the pressure has been released. If you leave the broccoli sitting for too long (even after you’ve released the pressure) it will continue cooking and will become mushy.
Variations & Seasonings
This recipe uses water and salt to make a basic steamed broccoli side dish, but you can also add tons of flavor by making a few adjustments or add-ons at the end!
- Broth. Use vegetable or chicken broth instead of water to add some flavor.
- Seasonings. Add different seasonings, such as garlic, lemon or olive oil to your broccoli before placing the florets into the pressure cooker.
- Toppings. Once your broccoli is finished cooking, add some toppings:
- Cheddar cheese
- Crumbled Bacon
- Tahini
- Lemon
- Butter or browned butter
- Curry sauce
- Walnuts (or any other nut)
- Soy sauce
Frequently Asked Questions
No! While a basket makes it easier to remove the broccoli, you can also use the trivet that came with your Instant Pot if you don’t have a basket attachment. Simply pour the water into the instant pot, place the trivet inside, and set the broccoli florets on top. Then pressure cook as instructed.
You’ll need about ¾ cup of water for a pound of broccoli.
While you’ll set your cooking time to “0”, the steaming time is actually just the time it takes for the instant pot to come to full pressure (about 5-10 minutes). After that, you’ll just use your quick release to release the pressure and remove the broccoli.
If you don’t have a “0” minute option on your pressure cooker, simply set the time to steam from 1 minute on low pressure.
Yes! In addition to broccoli, you can steam carrots, cauliflower, zucchini, mushrooms, and loads of other veggies in the instant pot with great results!
If you don't have an instant pot, you can steam the broccoli in a steamer basket over boiling water for 3-5 minutes.
Mushy broccoli is always a result of overcooking it. You’ll want to make sure that you release the pressure from the instant pot as soon as it reaches full pressure, and remove the broccoli from the instant pot immediately to stop the cooking process. This will ensure that your broccoli turns out perfectly tender, yet still crunchy every time.
Yes! Broccoli is a superfood, containing vitamin C, folate, potassium, Iron, lots of fiber, and many other nutrients. Broccoli is thought to benefit eye health, and heart health, and even can help ward off diseases. And, steaming broccoli is one of the best ways to prepare it since steaming it helps the vegetable retain the most health benefits!
Yes! You can cook frozen broccoli in the instant pot with the exact same method you would use when steaming fresh broccoli. Be sure to always use high pressure when steaming broccoli from frozen.
If you try this easy Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli, please let me know what you think in the comments below! And don't forget to tag me @frontrangefed on Instagram so I can see your masterpiece!
More Easy Sides
- Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole
- Quick & Easy Homemade Yukon Gold Potato Chips
- Creamy Orzo With Rosemary Brown Butter
- Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
- Hot Honey Roasted Carrots
- Quick Cooking Polenta From Cornmeal
- Green Beans With Almonds And Garlic
Recipe
Fast And Easy Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli
Ingredients
- ¾ cup water
- 1 lb broccoli (fresh florets or a full head of broccoli, or frozen broccoli)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the broccoli florets to the inner pot of your instant pot. (You can place the broccoli into a basket attachment for the instant pot, or just on top of the trivet that your instant pot came with.)
- Add the ¾ cup water.
- Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 0 minutes. (See note.)
- Press the quick-release button immediately to release the remaining pressure.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you want a crunchier, yet still tender texture for your steamed broccoli, try setting the instant pot to low pressure vs. high pressure. (Note, this is for fresh broccoli only - always steam your frozen broccoli on high pressure.)
- To avoid mushy, over-cooked broccoli, be sure to press the quick-release button immediately after the instant pot has come to full pressure, and remove the broccoli as soon as the valve has been released.
weslinn griffith says
Absolutely fantastic brilliant
Sarah Jenkins says
Thank you Weslinn!
FH says
What is 0 minutes..wtf is that?
Sarah Jenkins says
As mentioned in the copy of the post, you only need enough time for the pressure cooker to come to full pressure for the broccoli to steam perfectly. Thus, setting to 0 minutes allows it to do that without over cooking.
Deb Ognian says
Worked perfect! I love my insta pot and use it several times a week. This method is super easy clean up too!
Sarah Jenkins says
Yay! The IP is such a lifesaver isn't it?
Sharon Law says
I was excited to use my instapot for steaming broccoli. I needed more than 1 lb so my pot was pretty full. By the time it took to do a quick release 4 more minutes had passed and I had mush nasty mushed broccoli. Maybe only can steam a lb at a time? Disappointed but I’ll try again.
Sarah Jenkins says
Yes - I would try again and not fill it so full. Even letting the broccoli sit for too long after the quick release can result in mushy broccoli. It needs to be taken out immediately.
Brittany G says
Perfect turnout and simple directions!
Sarah Jenkins says
Thanks Brittany! Glad it worked for you!
Jess says
Cook to zero mins. Interesting...
Sarah Jenkins says
Yes, its true, and not a typo! bringing the Instant Pot to full pressure is all the cook time you need. Cooking for anything past that will result in mushy broccoli (I speak from experience!).
Janet says
No idea how you all like your broccoli, but I cooked it at 1 minute instead of 0, and it still was too crunchy for my taste! I like my broccoli soft, but still with a little snap. I cooked for 2 more minutes...perfect, not mushy at all. It's all very subjective, based on how individuals like their broccoli. Thanks for tips though.
Johnna says
Surprisingly the right texture and not soggy. Easy.