Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli (Fresh or Frozen)
Instant Pot steamed broccoli is convenient and fast! Learn how to steam perfectly cooked broccoli - both fresh and frozen broccoli - in your pressure cooker with these helpful tips.
- Prep Time: 7
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 2 to 4 servings 1x
- Category: vegetables
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 12 to 16-ounce bag broccoli florets (fresh or frozen) or one large head of broccoli cut into florets
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Pour ½ cup water in the Instant Pot.
- Using a steamer basket or the metal trivet that comes with the Instant Pot, add the broccoli. The broccoli should be in a steamer basket or on the trivet so that it sits just above the water.
- Close and secure the lid, making sure the steam release valve is in the “sealed” position.
- Program the Instant Pot to cook on either high or low pressure for “0” minutes. *UPDATE* some newer Instant Pot models or other brands of electric pressure cookers don't allow setting the cooking time for "0" minutes. If this is the case, you will have to set the cooking time for "1" minute.
- High Pressure: Cooking fresh broccoli on high pressure will yield slightly softer broccoli that is easily pierced with a fork. Always cook frozen broccoli on high pressure.
Low Pressure: Cooking fresh broccoli on low pressure will yield broccoli that is tender but still has little crispness to it.
- High Pressure: Cooking fresh broccoli on high pressure will yield slightly softer broccoli that is easily pierced with a fork. Always cook frozen broccoli on high pressure.
- After you set the cooking time and pressure level, the Instant Pot will take 7-10 minutes to reach pressure. It will then immediately beep that it is done cooking, because the cooking time is set at zero. Or, it will cook for 1 minute and then beep when the cooking time is done.
- Either way, immediately turn the steam release valve to “venting” to release the steam after the cooking time is done.
- Remove the lid and your broccoli is done!
How to Program the Cooking Time & Pressure Level
To set the cooking time to "0" minutes and adjust the pressure setting, press the Manual button then press the minus “ - ” button to move the cooking time down to zero. If you want to switch to LOW pressure, then immediately press the "Pressure" button to change the red light under high pressure to low pressure.
Notes
If you don’t have a steamer basket or metal trivet, you can put the broccoli directly in the Instant Pot with the water, however, the broccoli will turn out slightly watery and softer. I don't recommend cooking the broccoli this way, but it's okay in a pinch.
If the broccoli is too crisp after the cooking time has finished, you can set the lid loosely back on the pot and let the broccoli sit for a few minute to cook in the residual heat.
Amount of Broccoli: This recipe cooks one 12 or 16-ounce bag of broccoli florets or one large head of broccoli (which usually weighs between 12 to 16 ounces). Cooking significantly less broccoli than this recipe calls for (half the amount or less) means that the Instant Pot will take slightly less time to reach pressure. With a cooking time of "0" minutes the broccoli might remain quite crunchy. If you prefer broccoli that is fork tender, you'll need to increase the cooking time to "1" minute if you're cooking a smaller amount than 12 ounces.
Find it online: https://www.kitchenskip.com/instant-pot-steamed-broccoli/
