Steaming broccoli in the Instant Pot is quick, easy, and delicious. We show you how to make them soft or crisp tender. They're a Whole Lotta Yum!
Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli is so good!
We've also done the testing for you and have perfected how to get the broccoli just right whether you're looking for soft broccoli florets or soft with a bit of crispness.
- Perfectly steam broccoli in your instant pot in just 0 minutes!
- With 2 options to choose from, you can opt for soft, well-done broccoli florets or get a more al dente finish.
- Super healthy and nutritious!
- Perfect for a variety of uses whether you're using them as a side dish or adding them to a casserole like chicken divan or chicken bacon Ranch casserole.
Broccoli is not only healthy and a favorite vegetable of many, but it's extra tasty when served with a simple homemade cheese sauce.
Cooking veggies in a pressure cooker is a game changer since it's a hands off method and it frees up your stove. Here's the vegetables we pressure cook the most: sweet potato cubes, cubed potatoes, corn on the cob, and spaghetti squash.
What you need
- head of fresh broccoli - ours were 18-20 oz
- water
- optional - cheese sauce
Variations
- Water - You can substitute something like chicken broth instead of water if you prefer.
- Broccoli - You can also use the same cooking method to steam fresh cauliflower or a broccoli cauliflower blend.
Kitchen tools
A Pressure Cooker - This is the Instant Pot model that we used.
How to Steam Broccoli in Instant Pot
- Chop the broccoli into medium-sized pieces that are about the same size.
- Pour 1 cup of water into the pot and insert a steamer basket.
- Add the broccoli to the steamer basket. Place the cover on your pressure cooker, and set the valve to sealing.
- For crisper broccoli, set the pressure cooker to 0 minutes, Manual Low. For softer broccoli, set the pressure cooker to 0 minutes, Manual High.
- Do a Quick Release and instantly remove the broccoli so it doesn't keep cooking. Enjoy as a side, topped with our cheddar cheese sauce, or used in another recipe. Enjoy!
The pressure cooker will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure and by the time it does that, your broccoli is already perfectly sealed and done! So technically you don't even need to "cook" it!
Storing and reheating
Stored in a covered container in the fridge, leftover florets will last for 4-5 days.
Microwave reheat: Place the steamed broccoli in a microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle a little water over the top to create some steam during cooking. Cover the dish loosely with a microwave-safe lid or a microwave-safe plastic wrap. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking after each minute to see if it's heated to your liking.
Helpful tips
- Steamer Basket Options. You can use a regular round steamer basket or this instant pot specific steamer. While you can use the rack or trivet that came with your instant pot in a pinch, it's harder to remove the steamed veggies.
- Soft vs Crunchy Broccoli? This truly is a matter of personal preference. If you are planning on serving steamed broccoli as a side dish, cook on high or low pressure to get the consistency you most prefer. If you're using it in something like a casserole recipe, we recommend making crunchier broccoli so it will hold up during cooking.
More healthy broccoli recipes
- Broccoli Fritters
- Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Roasted Broccoli
- Homemade Cheese Sauce
- How to Make Riced Broccoli
- Cold Broccoli Salad with Bacon
- Chicken Casserole with Broccoli
- Broccoli cheese soup with frozen broccoli
- How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave
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Recipe
How to Steam Broccoli (Instant Pot Recipe)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head of broccoli 18-20 oz, cut into medium sized pieces
- 1 cup of water
Instructions
- Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pressure cooker. Insert a steamer basket and add the broccoli.
- Set the pressure cooker to a Manual cook time of 0 minutes (some models call this (Pressure Cook). Cook the broccoli on Low for soft-crisp broccoli and cook it on High for soft broccoli. Do a Quick Release of the remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the broccoli and steamer basket. Tastes great with homemade cheddar cheese sauce!
Rita says
Nice article, but I have discovered a discrepancy. In the article you suggest cooking the broccoli for 0 minutes and you add a link to the pressure cooker that you are using....the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus.
Sadly, the Duo Evo Plus does not have a "0" minute setting on the timer. It starts with 1 minute. Am I missing something?
Mel says
Hi Rita! You're correct! We actually used an Instant Pot Ultra when making this recipe, which does have a 0 setting. We linked to the Duo because that is what most readers seem to have. Thank you for catching that discrepancy, the Duo does not have a 0 setting, so the setting can be adjusted to 1 minute Low.