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. 

perfectly steamed broccoli made in the instant pot served in a bowl with lemon wedges
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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!

Steamed instant pot broccoli in a bowl with lemon wedges

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 head of broccoli along with some chopped florets

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.

Broccoli florets on a cutting board

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.

Add water to instant pot steel insert

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.

Place steamer basket in instant pot to steam vegetables

Transfer the broccoli florets to the basket.

Broccoli in a steamer basket to be cooked in instant pot

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 (Quick Release), so it does not get overcooked.  

instant pot Steamed Broccoli

Basically the time to cook broccoli is the time it takes to come to pressure, which is less than 10 minutes.

closeup of steamed broccoli in front of the instant pot

Step 3: Season and Serve

Broccoli cooked with this method in the instant pot is perfectly steamed, is tender crisp and retains its bright green color.

Season the broccoli, and serve 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 basic: 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.
steamed broccoli in a bowl served with lemon wedges and tahini dip

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.

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.

Steamed Broccoli Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot Broccoli (the original recipe pic from 2017)

If you are looking for other steamed vegetables recipes, check out this Guide to Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables.

4.91 from 177 votes

Amazing Steamed Broccoli – Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Easy, fresh & tasty Steamed Broccoli made in the Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker). Enjoy this low carb healthy vegetable steamed in less than 15 minutes. Try this foolproof method to get the perfect texture for broccoli every time. 
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 9 minutes
Servings: 2

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.

Video

Notes

Broccoli: You can also cook an entire head of broccoli or frozen broccoli the same way in the instant pot.
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. 

Nutrition

Calories: 103kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 8gFat: 1gSodium: 106mgPotassium: 960mgFiber: 7gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1895IUVitamin C: 271.2mgCalcium: 143mgIron: 2.2mg

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten-free, Low Carb, Paleo, Vegan
Tried this recipe?Mention @pipingpotcurry or tag #pipingpotcurry!

About Meeta

I strongly believe that each one of us has a chef inside us, we just need to explore the ingredients and create great food. My passion is to share easy, healthy, and wholesome recipes made using Instant Pot & Air Fryer, that are well tested, so you can cook with confidence.

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112 Comments

    1. Lemon pepper sounds good. I will have to try that. We sprinkle some lemon juice at times, however this ready spice sounds great!

    1. 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!

    2. 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!

      1. Thank you for sharing back your experience. It is always very helpful for me and other readers to hear experiences.

  1. This is the same way I make my broccoli. I love the 0 setting for broccoli, califlower, and several other veggies!!!

    1. Absolutely, the 0 minutes work like a charm for steaming veggies. I have liked the low pressure setting for veggie stir fry’s too!

  2. 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.

    1. 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.

  3. 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.

    1. 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!

  4. 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!

    1. 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. ????

      1. That’s great to hear. Yes, less time of 0 minutes works perfectly for broccoli. Thank you for sharing your review 🙂

    2. 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.

  5. 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.

    1. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

    1. 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 🙂