Easy, fresh & tasty Steamed Broccoli made in the Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker). Enjoy this low carb healthy vegetable made in less than 15 minutes. Try this foolproof method gets you the perfect texture for broccoli every time.
I call this amazing as my daughter who did not eat sauteed broccoli, started eating it after I steamed it in the Instant Pot. This is a great side to eat with some rice or protein.
I try to add veggies to our diet where ever possible. This steamed broccoli is a great and quick way to cook up broccoli. Steaming is also the recommended cooking method for broccoli as it helps with better retention of nutrients and does not overcook the broccoli. You want to steam broccoli such that it does not lose it's color or flavor, and does not get too soft and mushy!
Check out other Instant Pot Basics recipes - Steamed Carrots, Cooking Chickpeas, Cooking Beets, Boiling Potatoes and Homemade Yogurt.
Why Broccoli and Why Steamed Broccoli?
Firstly, it is tasty. I love broccoli as a side along with my meal. Other than that, broccoli has great nutritional benefits.
Broccoli, part of the Brassica family, is considered a cruciferous vegetable. Broccoli is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-detoxification capabilities, which have disease fighting capabilities. Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Broccoli is also low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.
A 1/2-cup portion of steamed broccoli contains 31 calories, 6 g of carbohydrates, 3 g of protein and no fat. Because it has such little fat, carbohydrates and calories, broccoli is often considered a free food, which means you can consume an unlimited amount of it and not feel guilty. Isn't that great?
Broccoli is most nutritious when eaten raw, however I am not a big fan of eating raw broccoli. If you cook it, the cooking method will determine how much of the broccoli's nutrient content is maintained. The next best is quick-steaming broccoli, so that is what we are going to do here.
How to cook Steamed Broccoli in Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker?
The best way to steam broccoli in the Pressure Cooker is by using a Steamer Basket. I just found a steamer basket in my kitchen which fit perfectly in the instant pot, so I did not purchase one. However if you are looking to purchase a steamer rack, here is a recommended one on Amazon.
Start with cutting the broccoli head into medium size florets. Add a cup of water to the instant pot insert and place the steamer basket in the insert.
Spread the broccoli florets on the basket and pressure cook for 0 minutes. Yes, 0 minutes is a thing with the instant pot 🙂 The broccoli is cooking in the time the pressure cooker takes to come to pressure and then we will release the pressure manually (QR), so it does not get overcooked. Basically the time to cook broccoli is the time it takes to come to pressure, which is less than 10 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper, and serve as a side with rice or protein. I send this as a side in my daughter's lunch box and she loves it.
I would love to hear how you like this steamed broccoli. And if you love broccoli, don't forget to try this Cream of Broccoli Soup made in the Instant Pot.
You can find the recipe for the brown rice shown in the above picture here.
If you are looking for other steamed vegetables recipes, check out this Guide to Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables.
Amazing Steamed Broccoli - Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 Broccoli head
- 1 cup Water
- Salt to taste (optional)
- Black Pepper to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Wash the broccoli and cut it into equal large size florets.
- Add water to the instant pot insert. Place the steamer basket in the instant pot insert. Spread the broccoli florets on the steamer basket.
- Start the instant pot and set it on manual or pressure cook mode for 0 minutes on high pressure with vent in sealing position. (Update: Many readers enjoy crunchier broccoli, for which 0 minutes at low pressure works great)
- When the instant pot beeps, quick release the pressure manually. Remove the steamer basket carefully as it is hot.
- You can place this basket under cold water for a minute to stop the cooking (optional) or just eat the broccoli right away.
- Season with salt, pepper and enjoy.
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
Have you tried this with frozen broccoli? And if so, do you add time?
Hi Curt - I have not tried, but some readers did and it worked well. I would suggest low pressure for frozen broccoli.
This was great! To everyone concerned about the cooking time - I did the commonly recommended 0 minutes/high pressure/quick release for broccoli/cauliflower and it turned out perfect. Still slightly crunchy, but not soggy. I have the Crock Pot pressure cooker, so it doesn’t have a manual option. In order to achieve 0 minutes I let it get to pressure, and as soon as it set I turned off the pressure cooker and did a quick release. Very good!
Funny story - I meant to leave this comment on a different recipe - using your instructions!! Haha. YOUR recipe turned out wonderful!
The directions in step 3 above say to cook for "0 minutes"? Is that a typo? Thanks!
Hi Heidi - That is not a typo. The instant pot allows to cook for 0 minutes. This means we just want to cook for the time it takes for the pot to come to pressure. Hope you enjoy the steamed broccoli.
What do you do if you don’t have a steam basket
Hi Janie - I would try to use the trivet in case I don't have a steamer basket. It is best to not have the broccoli in the water when steaming, else it can overcook.