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. 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.

  2. 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?

    1. 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.

    1. 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………

  3. 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!

  4. 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

  5. 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!

  6. Spot on. I even blocked out the timer beeps (thanks, kids) and didn’t release until 1 minute passed. Still crunchy! Thank you!!!

    1. Hi Mamie – Glad to hear the broccoli steamed perfectly. Thank you for sharing back your review!