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 to get 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.
Table of Contents
Watch How to Make Amazing Steamed Broccoli
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.
Why steam broccoli in instant pot?
- It cooks in just 10 minutes
- Steaming broccoli in the instant pot is hands off and does not require any active monitoring
- It is perfectly – tender crisp and retains it’s bright green color
How to cook Steamed Broccoli in Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker?
Steaming broccoli is one of the easiest things you can make in your instant pot.
Step 1: Prep the broccoli
Wash the broccoli under running water. Then using a chefs knife, cut the broccoli head into medium size florets (about 1.5 inches). Try to cut the florets into equal size, so they cook properly in about the same time.
Step 2: Pressure Cook in a steamer basket
Add a cup of water to the instant pot insert. This is required to steam any vegetables in the instant pot, and helps the instant pot to come to pressure.
The best way to steam broccoli in the Pressure Cooker is by using a Steamer Basket. The advantage of using a steamer basket is that the broccoli does not immerse in water, and cooks evenly.
Place the steamer basket in the instant pot steel insert.
Transfer the broccoli florets to the basket.
Pressure cook for 0 minutes. Yes, 0 minutes is a thing with the Instant Pot 🙂 Use low pressure if your Instant Pot has that option. The broccoli is cooking in the time the pressure cooker takes to come to pressure, and then we will release the pressure manually (Quick Release), 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.
Step 3: Season and Serve
Broccoli cooked with this method in the Instant Pot is perfectly steamed, tender-crisp, and retains its bright green color.
Season the broccoli, and serve it as a side with rice or protein.
We love to serve this steamed broccoli with instant pot penne in tomato cream sauce. I also send this as a side in my daughter’s lunch box, and she loves it.
Seasoning Ideas:
- Just the basics: Drizzle some olive oil, and sprinkle salt and pepper
- Add some cheese: My daughters love to grate Parmesan on veggies. Or add some feta or goat cheese to the broccoli.
- Add a sprinkle of lemon juice on the broccoli, along with the parmesan.
- Drizzle my lemon tahini sauce on top.
- Add this broccoli to your salad.
Pro-Tips
Broccoli: You can also cook an entire head of broccoli or frozen broccoli the same way in the Instant Pot.
Remember to Quick Release: It is important to quick-release the pressure and take the broccoli out of the instant pot, so it does not overcook.
Double the quantity: Even if you double or triple the quantity of broccoli, the cooking time will remain the same.
No “0” minute option: If your electric pressure cooker does not have a zero-minute option, steam for 1 minute on low pressure.
Frozen Broccoli in Instant Pot
Yes, you can steam frozen broccoli in your Instant Pot. Steam for the same cooking time of “0” minutes as in the recipe. Use low pressure if your Instant Pot has that option.
I would love to hear how you like this steamed broccoli. And if you love broccoli, don’t forget to try my Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli, or this Cream of Broccoli Soup and Broccoli Cheddar Soup made in the Instant Pot.
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
Video
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 with the vent in sealing position. (Update: Many readers enjoy crunchier broccoli, for which 0 minutes at low pressure is the best option)
- When the instant pot beeps, quick release the pressure manually. Remove the steamer basket carefully, as it is hot. (Note: It is important to do this step as soon as the Instant Pot beeps)
- 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.
If you are serving a crowd and what to do 2 heads do you need more time at pressure or still zero time and QR?
Hey Sam – The same cooking time will work even if you increase the quantity. The instant pot will just take longer to come to pressure.
Perfect! Low pressure for zero minutes. A delicate crunch and my 82 year husband with dentures was quite pleased!
Hey Carol – So happy to hear you and your husband enjoyed the steamed broccoli. Thank you for sharing back your review!
I just wanted to thank you!! your blog has some basic Instapot tips also which helps a tonn!!! <3 thank you once again!! I would be trying this soon!!
Hey Sakshi – Glad to hear that you are finding the blog helpful. I would love to hear if you try any recipes and have any feedback. Thanks!
Just tried this and the broccoli came out perfect! Thank you for sharing!
Hey Angela – So glad to hear the broccoli was perfectly cooked. Thanks for sharing back your review!
Followed the instructions and now I have cream of broccoli! I don’t think you are supposed to pressure cook broccoli.
Sorry to hear, Dilip. I wonder if you cut the broccoli florets to medium large size and if the pressure was released immediately? Many readers have had good experience with this 0 mins of cooking time for broccoli. You can also try low pressure for 0 minutes if you think that would help.
Am new to instant pot. Mine is mini so only have solid insert with no basket. Now am unsure how to cook this broccoli recipe w/o putting broccoli directly in water. Help?
Hey – The instant pot typically does not come with the steamer basket. You can buy one from Amazon or any store that fits in the pot. You could also try with using any steel utensil to keep the broccoli. Hope that helps!
In my Instant Pot at high pressure, the broccoli loses its color and is too mushy for my taste. However, the low pressure setting is just about right. There is literally no preparation involved. Thanks for the tip.
Hey Bob – Low pressure works great for broccoli. Glad you enjoyed it!
Perfectly steamed broccoli.
Glad to hear. Thanks for sharing back your review, Preethi!
This is great info. I would like to add carrots. How long do ypu steam carrots?
I ended up with overcooked broccoli. 🙁
I’m brand new to my Instant Pot, and had no idea about the zero cooking time, so thank you for that.
I followed your instructions so wondering if a.) it is my elevation (in the mountains at 7400′ above sea level, but my pot has an elevation setting so it knows where I am) or b.) if I messed up the quick release. The Ultra 10-in-1 has a button to press to release the pressure, but it still releases very slowly. If I press and hold, it is much quicker. Am I supposed to press and hold?
I love al dente broccoli and do want to give this another go.
Hey Barb – I am sorry to hear that the broccoli did not turn out well. I know the elevation affects pressure cooking, however I read (google search) that the pressure cooking time would increase at higher elevation, so that might not have been the reason. Were you cooking fresh or frozen broccoli? As you have an Ultra instant pot, you could try doing low pressure for 0 minutes. If you think that the pressure releases quicker if you hold, then do try that once to see if it makes a difference. I hope you can enjoy steamed broccoli made in the instant pot 🙂
I love to season my broccoli with salt and lemon pepper.
Lemon pepper sounds good. I will have to try that. We sprinkle some lemon juice at times, however this ready spice sounds great!
Would the steps/time be the same for frozen broccoli?
Hey Edye – I have not tried with frozen broccoli, however I would suggest the same cooking time. Do share how it turns out, it will be helpful for other readers. Thank you!
We just did it with frozen and it worked great! Used the same time frame too! But I like mine a bit softer then most people do!
Thank you for sharing back your experience. It is always very helpful for me and other readers to hear experiences.
Tried this today and it worked beautifully! Thanks so much, no more wasted broccoli!
Glad to hear, Michele! Thank you for sharing your review 🙂
This is the same way I make my broccoli. I love the 0 setting for broccoli, califlower, and several other veggies!!!
Absolutely, the 0 minutes work like a charm for steaming veggies. I have liked the low pressure setting for veggie stir fry’s too!
Thank you for a great dish of fresh broccoli…I made this tonight and the recipe is now my go to for steamed broccoli. Question would the setting, time and water be the same to double the heads. Thank you again.
Hello Deb – So happy to hear that you enjoyed the steamed broccoli. The time will remain the same even if you double the quantity. The instant pot will just take longer to come to pressure.
Hi Meeta,
Do you put your steel steamer basket on top of the steaming rack (that comes with the instant pot) so the bottom of the basket does not touch the water below? Or does your steaming basket have some legs for some height above the water in the inner pot?
Thanks – looking forward to trying this.
Hello Dhanya – That is a great question. Mu steamer basket does have legs, so I could use it directly. However if your basket does not have legs, do use a trivet/rack to place the basket. Hope you enjoy it!
So helpful! Turned out great. I would recommend that you say total cooking time be about 4 minutes longer due to the time it takes for the IP to heat up/get pressurized, and then change the pressure cooking time from 0 to 8 in step 3. The cook time was in the chart at the top, so I went for 8 minutes. Thanks so much! I too will be cooking more broccoli!
So I got to thinking about this 0 minutes, and I made another head of broccoli w 0 minutes, and it turned out much better! I gotcha now. ????
That’s great to hear. Yes, less time of 0 minutes works perfectly for broccoli. Thank you for sharing your review 🙂
Hey Jennifer – Sorry it was a bit confusing. For the cooking time on the top of the recipe, I typically add the time it takes to come to pressure, so people know how much time it will take to do the whole recipe. And in the steps, I mention the pressure cooking time. I hope your broccoli came out well.
This is awesome! I am beyond excited about discovering this method for cooking broccoli perfectly. It sounds corny to say, but this may dramatically change my eating for the better, as I will be motivated to eat more veggies given how easy this is. I also had no idea about the zero minutes setting on the Instant Pot. Thank you so much for posting this! Deceptively simple yet turns out perfectly.
Hey Tamara – So glad that this recipe will help you eat more veggies. We have certainly enjoyed cooking more veggies such as broccoli, beets, pumpkins in the instant pot as well.
Perfect brocolli! My husband is not a big fan of brocolli said wow great brocolli! I also did not know you could use zero on the Instapot. Thanks fir sharing.
We love brocalli and usually steam or roast it in the oven. For the 2nd day in a row we have used your recipe for steamed in the I.P.
We can not believe how it is absolute perfection. Just the right amount of “al dente”.
Thank you so much for sharing. I have a dozen of your recipes I want to try now. I was afraid of my I.P. initially but am becoming more comfortable with it.
Hey Rochelle – I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the broccoli steamed in the instant pot. I know there is an initial learning curve with this, but it is such a versatile gadget. I am sure you will enjoy the convenience and love the delicious food made in it 🙂