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 ½-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.
Thanks! Put my broccoli in a steamer basket and set for a minute.. perfect!
I did not have much and it was a mushy mess unfortunately. Not sure if it matters that it wasn’t a full head of broccoli.
Hi Melissa - I am surprised that it was so mushy. Did you quick release the pressure?
I've got an 8qt. New to this. I've found that even at zero minutes, brocolli and even carrots end up mushy. Has anyone tried vegetables at low pressure with maybe a few minutes?
Hi DJ - Yes, low pressure is a great option for veggies. I use it for veggies stir fry's in the instant pot frequently. I would do the same time as 0-2 minutes at low pressure. Also try to cut the veggies in large size chunks, so they do not over cook.
Hi DJ - you can try 0 minutes on low pressure.
Thank you Meeta ! Perfectly steamed broccoli every time ! So simple and yummy !
I had too much broccoli and knew I'd have to freeze it or lose it. Did some jow-to googling for fresh veggies and Instant pot, and thanks be to God, your wonderful page popped up - that was all after I tried accomplishing the job just =hitting the "Steam" button which I had set at 2 min because I read somewhere else to blanch or steam the broc for 2 min.
That doesn't work with the IP -- I will now make broccoli soup with the results.
But thanks to your perfect instructions, the remainder of my broccoli awaits its future in my freezer. THANK YOU SO MUCH.........
Yum. Thanks. I have tried this at the same time setting for FROZEN BROCCOLI... but MEH ended up soggy mushy. But with fresh works like a charm!
Good to know. Thank you for sharing as this will be helpful for other readers.
You deserve a big appreciation for this perfect recipe.i have been avoiding broccoli because every time I cook it turns out bitter and leaves a unpleasant after taste. Today I was determined to find how to fix this issue and across your website. Tried the recipe and it was a wheel moment. So glad i followed your recipe. Thank u so much
Hi Gayathri - So glad to hear the broccoli turned out well.
Wow! That was quick and easy. I'm all for anything healthy and green and I'll definitely try this one. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Spot on. I even blocked out the timer beeps (thanks, kids) and didn't release until 1 minute passed. Still crunchy! Thank you!!!
Hi Mamie - Glad to hear the broccoli steamed perfectly. Thank you for sharing back your review!
It turned out too soft even with low pressure.
Can we steam frozen broccoli? What changes should be made?
Hey Caley - I have not tried, but I believe the same cooking time will work for frozen broccoli too.
Set as same as fresh.
I made it! Exactly like you said and it was perfect!! Would not change a thing! Thank you!!
Hey April - So glad to hear it worked perfectly. Thank you for sharing back your review!