Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli
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Learn how to make this healthy and vibrant Instant Pot steamed broccoli recipe in under 20 minutes. This fresh and tender broccoli makes for a quick weeknight side dish that your whole family will enjoy!
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I started thinking about how to make broccoli in the Instant Pot after making my ultra-crispy air fryer broccoli recipe. If the air fryer could make broccoli taste so good, I couldn’t wait to see what the Instant Pot would do.
From steamed corn on the cob to honey-glazed carrots, I am constantly amazed at how this fabulous pressure cooker helps me turn simple vegetables into spectacular sides.
This fresh steamed broccoli recipe produces fork-tender florets time after time. Healthy, flavorful, and vibrant, this vegan side dish completes your weeknight dinners.
Reasons to love this recipe
- An easy side dish to complete your weeknight or holiday meal.
- Made with two ingredients.
- Cooks in no time in your Instant Pot. Seriously, set the timer to 0, wait for the pressure to build up, and vent immediately.
- Yields perfectly, bright green and tender broccoli every time!
- Hands-free recipe – Place the steamer basket in the Instant Pot and let the water do the work.
Benefits
Broccoli is a powerhouse vegetable. Loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, there are countless benefits associated with eating broccoli. Here are some of the top reasons you should add broccoli to your diet.
- Great source of fiber, which helps aid digestion and keeps you regular.
- Excellent source of Vitamin C and Vitamin K. One cup provides over 100% of your daily recommended amount.
- Low calorie and low carb make it a great addition to a healthy diet.
- Contains a host of other beneficial minerals, such as iron, potassium, folate, and manganese.
Read more about the amazing benefits of broccoli here: Broccoli 101: Nutrition and Facts.
Why should you steam broccoli?
It seems like steamed broccoli often gets a bad rap, and unfairly so. Aside from eating broccoli raw, steaming broccoli is the healthiest way to consume this vibrant veggie. Here are just a few of my top reasons to steam your broccoli.
- No oil is needed – broccoli cooks to perfection simply with water.
- Bright, vibrant florets. Steaming retains the beautiful color of broccoli.
- Crisp finish. Unlike boiled broccoli which often comes out soggy, steamed broccoli comes out crisp every time.
- No loss of nutrients – while boiled broccoli can lose up to 50% of nutrients, with steaming, you can avoid that.
Here’s what you need
Ingredient notes/swaps
- Broccoli– Fresh broccoli cut into bite-sized pieces. You can use either green or purple broccoli for this recipe.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to choose broccoli
The key to delicious broccoli starts with selecting the best head of broccoli available. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you are selecting broccoli at the supermarket or farmer’s market.
- Bright green heads – Choose bright green broccoli and avoid any bunches with yellowing.
- Tightly closed florets – Fresher heads of broccoli are compact, while older broccoli opens up.
- Firm, thin stalks – Avoid any stalks that look woody.
- Odorless – Smell the head of broccoli and check to make sure it is odorless.
TIPS
- Chop the broccoli florets the same size (1-1/2 inch) for even cooking.
- Don’t overcook – release the pressure immediately after the timer is up and transfer the broccoli to a plate.
Ways to season steamed broccoli
- Butter + salt – Slather with melted butter and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper for a classic seasoning everyone will enjoy.
- Lemon juice – Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the steamed broccoli for a bright, crisp flavor.
- Garlic + parmesan – Sauté it in a skillet with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and grated parmesan.
- Soy sauce + toasted sesame oil – for an Asian twist, saute with a tablespoon of soy sauce and finish with toasted sesame oil.
How does the Instant Pot cook the steamed broccoli in 0 minutes?
When you set the timer for 0 minutes during the pressure cooking cycle, the timer starts only after the Instant Pot is pressurized, which could take about 5-10 minutes. That’s enough time to cook the broccoli. Once the Instant Pot is pressurized, the cooking cycle completes since it was set for 0 minutes.
Want to steam veggies in your Instant Pot? I’ve got you covered with this detailed guide which will help you get perfect results every time.
How to prep ahead
There are two different ways to prep for this recipe.
- Chop the broccoli and refrigerate it 2-3 days ahead of time.
- Alternatively, you can buy pre-chopped broccoli and save yourself the time of chopping.
Storage tips
Refrigerator: Allow the steamed broccoli to cool to room temperature before storing it in a shallow, air-tight container. You can also use a large zip-lock bag. Steamed broccoli will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
Freezer: Let it completely cool and pat it dry with a towel to remove any moisture. Freeze them in an air-tight container or zip lock.
Serve it with
Steamed broccoli is one of those vegetables that truly pairs well with just about anything! Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it up!
Frequently Asked Questions
The easiest way to enhance the flavor of steamed broccoli is to flavor it with seasonings. A slather of butter and a sprinkle of salt are great first steps. Shredded parmesan cheese and some garlic also taste great with broccoli.
When stored in a shallow air-tight container or zip lock bag, steamed broccoli keeps for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
To steam broccoli without a steaming basket, put the broccoli on the trivet. Steam for 0 minutes in the Instant Pot. Make sure to release pressure immediately. Transfer the broccoli to a serving plate carefully.
You can either reheat the steamed broccoli in the microwave, checking after 30-second intervals for your desired level of heat.
Left-over steamed broccoli can be refrigerated or frozen for future use.
Other healthy vegetable recipes to try
- Asian Style Sautéed Green Beans
- Beans Poriyal (Green Beans with Coconut)
- Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Honey Glazed Instant Pot Carrots
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Instant Pot Broccoli
Ingredients
Steamed broccoli
- 1 lb broccoli head
- 1 cup water
Steamed broccoli with garlic and parmesan
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2-3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
Instructions
- Trim off the stalk and chop the broccoli into bite-sized florets.
- Rinse the broccoli under running water.
Steaming broccoli in Instant Pot
- Add a cup of water in the steel inner pot of the Instant Pot.
- Place a trivet in the inner pot followed by a steamer basket or steel bowl over it.
- Add the broccoli in the steamer basket/steel bowl.
- Pressure cook on high for 0 minutes.
- Release the pressure immediately by moving the steam valve to 'venting' as soon as the cooking cycle is complete.
- Serve with seasonings of your choice
To make steamed broccoli with garlic and parmesan
- Place a skillet over medium heat.
- Add oil (or butter, if using). Once the oil heats up, add steamed broccoli along with garlic powder, salt, pepper. Mix gently to combine the seasonings with the broccoli.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until the broccoli starts to brown on the edges.
- Serve immeditaly with grated parmesan cheese.
Disclaimer: Approximate nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and can vary depending on the exact ingredients/brands used. If you have health issues, please work with a registered dietician or nutritionist.
