Steamed broccoli cooked in the Instant Pot is perfectly tender, full of nutrients, and so easy! Using this simple method, you can make healthy broccoli in just a few minutes with almost no effort. Enjoy it as a side, snack, or in salads, curries or soups.
Broccoli may be high on the list of "nay" vegetables for kids, but fresh, steamed broccoli (especially with a light dressing) takes this veggie to the "yay" list. Even better, steaming it in the Instant Pot is so quick, easy, and nearly effortless!
Broccoli is loaded with nutrients and is low in calories and fat, so it's a perfect addition to recipes and as a side, especially when you're counting macros. It's delicious on its own, with simple seasonings, or loaded with cheese.
Did you know that broccoli was bred from wild cabbage in the sixth century BCE in the Mediterranean and Asia? It was then cultivated in ancient Rome and made its way to England and the Americas in the 1700s.
Fun Fact: Raw broccoli was consumed by ancient Romans prior to feasts so that their stomachs would more easily absorb the large amounts of alcohol they would consume.
Health Benefits of Broccoli
Broccoli is packed with vitamins and other nutrients. Here are just a few of the many health benefits associated with eating broccoli:
- Lowers cholesterol: Broccoli has been shown to help lower bad cholesterol, thus reducing risk of heart disease and cancer.
- Good for eye health: Beta carotene in broccoli can boost eyesight, especially in people with low vitamin A intake. It also contains other nutrients that can help reduce the risk of age-related eye problems.
- Good source of fiber: One cup of broccoli contains about 10% of the daily value of fiber, which is great for gut health and can help with weight loss.
Steamed Broccoli Nutrition Facts
Your nutrition facts may vary slightly from those listed, but this chart is a good rule of thumb if you are counting calories or carbs:
| Amount | Calories | Carbs / Net Carbs |
| 1 cup | 30 | 6 grams / 4 grams |
| 3 cups | 90 | 17.5 grams / 11 grams |
| 1 pound | 154 | 30 grams / 17 grams |
Why Steam Broccoli in the Instant Pot
After I started using the Instant Pot to steam my broccoli, it quickly became my favorite method. I love it because:
- Steaming your broccoli in the pressure cooker is so easy! It only takes a few steps for perfect broccoli.
- This method is unbelievably fast, not to mention is almost entirely hands-off.
- With an Instant Pot, you get the perfect texture for your steamed broccoli every time. Whether you like your broccoli very soft or with a little crunch, it's easy to make your broccoli exactly how you like it.
How long to steam broccoli?
Read the step by step instructions for the full recipe. These cook times are for 2-3 cups broccoli.
- For soft broccoli: 0 minutes on High Pressure
- For a slight crunch: 0 minutes on Low Pressure
How to Cut Broccoli?
Use these easy steps to cut your broccoli the right way:
- Rinse the broccoli well under cool water, or dip the head upside down in a large bowl of water. Shake off the water. Using a sharp chef's knife, slice off the large stem that connects to the broccoli head. Cut the head in half across the middle (pic 1).
- Now cut it in quarters (pic 2).
- Lay the flat side down on the cutting board and slice off the stem that connects all the florets at a 45 degrees angle to expose the florets (pic 3).
- Using your hands, separate the florets from each other. If you have large florets, cut them in half or in quarters (Pic 4).
Step by Step Instructions
- Prep the broccoli: Follow the instructions above to cut the broccoli into equal size florets. (pic 1)
- Add the water and steamer basket: Pour the water into the Instant Pot, then add the plastic steamer basket filled with broccoli on top. (pic 2)
- Set cooking time: Close the lid, set the vent to sealing position. For soft broccoli, set the Instant Pot for 0 minutes, High Pressure. For slightly crunchy broccoli, set it to 0 minutes on Low pressure. Be aware that the Instant Pot will take 5-10 minutes to reach pressure, so your cook time will not actually be 0 minutes. (pic 3)
- Release pressure manually (QR): Follow the quick release instructions of your cooker. Open the lid once the pin drops and remove broccoli immediately to prevent overcooking. (pic 4)
What Does '0' Minute Cook Time Mean?
What this zero minutes cook time does is essentially steam the vegetables (or anything), in the time it takes to build pressure. This works great for steaming vegetables, or cooking thin filets of fish, without over-cooking them.
What accessories do I need for Instant Pot Carrots?
You will need a silicone steamer basket (or a metal steamer). If you have neither, check out the section below:
How do you steam broccoli in an Instant Pot without a steamer basket?
If you don't have a steamer basket, you can steam your broccoli by using the trivet that comes with most electric pressure cookers. Add the trivet to the Instant Pot and pour water inside.
Place the broccoli on top of the trivet, keeping it above the water as much as possible, then follow the rest of the instructions.
I do now recommend steaming the broccoli directly in water as it will turn to mush.
How to Store Cooked Broccoli:
- Refrigerator: Keep your broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge 3-5 days.
- Freezer: Cooked broccoli can be stored in the freezer up to 12 months. Keep in mind though that thawed broccoli looses its crunch. It's probably best for adding to soups, sauces and pasta dishes, such as this Broccoli Cheddar Pasta.
How to Steam Broccoli in Microwave
- Add ingredients to a microwave-safe bowl: Add 2 cups broccoli and ⅛ - ¼ cup water to a heat-safe bowl or container.
- Microwave: Heat for 3 minutes. Check broccoli, and if it's not soft enough, heat for 1 to 2 more minute.
Cooking Tips & Notes
- Broccoli is not soft enough - Place the broccoli back in the Instant Pot and seal the lid, but don't cook it. The heat from the inside of the Instant Pot will help soften it.
- Salt - Add salt and seasonings after cooking to ensure the broccoli becomes tender.
- Meal Prep: This recipe can easily be doubled with the same cooking time and instructions.
- Quick Pressure Release: To prevent the broccoli from overcooking, after the cook time is up, manually release the pressure by following your cooker's quick release instructions.
- Microwave: To steam broccoli in microwave, add broccoli and ⅛ - ¼ cup water to a heat-safe bowl or container.Heat for 3 minutes. Check broccoli, and if it's not soft enough, heat for 1 to 2 more minute.
Common Questions for Steamed Broccoli
Adding melted cheese to steamed broccoli is a classic way to add flavor. You can also toss it with your favorite salad dressing, or saute it with minced garlic, salt and pepper and olive oil.
Yes! Broccoli has many health benefits, and research shows that steaming your broccoli may be the best way to get all those nutrients.
Yes! Broccoli is rich in antioxidants, folate, fiber, and other nutrients that can help ease inflammation.
More Instant Pot Basics Recipes From My Kitchen
- Steamed Carrots in Instant Pot: Cooking carrots in the Instant Pot is so quick, easy, and delicious! Made in only a few minutes, they are great for an easy veggie side.
- Instant Pot Pasta: Informative how-to guide explaining the pasta cooking time formula, pasta-to-liquid ratio and pressure release technique.
- Cooking Beans in Instant Pot: Most tender beans using an Instant Pot, with or without soaking.
- How to Cook Lentils: Perfectly cooked lentils every time with these tips and tricks.
- Instant Pot Quinoa: A foolproof method for making Instant Pot Quinoa that is virtually hands-off.
- Basmati & Jasmine Rice: A fail-proof recipe to make fluffy Basmati rice and Jasmine rice two ways.
- Hard Boiled Eggs (5-5-5 method): Easy to peel hard boiled eggs in minutes.
- Steel Cut Oats • 8 Flavors: Dump & start recipe for soft and creamy steel-cut oats.
- Instant Pot Boiled Potatoes: Russet, red, gold, baby or diced, this simple technique will produce consistent, fork-tender potatoes every time!
- Pumpkin Puree Recipe: Moist and creamy homemade pumpkin puree using sugar pumpkins.
- More Instant Pot Basics Recipes from the blog
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Instant Pot Broccoli (Steamed)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound broccoli florets
- ½-1 cup water
Instructions
- Using a sharp chef's knife, cut the floret stems where they meet the large base stem. Discard the base. If you have large florets, cut them in half or in quarters.
- Pour the water into the Instant Pot, then add the plastic steamer basket filled with broccoli on top.
- Close the lid on sealing position. For soft broccoli, set the Instant Pot for 0 minutes High Pressure. For slightly crunchy broccoli, set it to 0 minutes on Low pressure. (Be aware that the Instant Pot will take 5-10 minutes to reach pressure, so your cook time will not actually be 0 minutes.)
- Follow the quick release instructions of your cooker. Open the lid once the pin drops and remove broccoli immediately to prevent overcooking.
Notes
- Broccoli is not soft enough - Place the broccoli back in the Instant Pot and seal the lid, but don't cook it. The heat from the inside of the Instant Pot will help soften it.
- Salt - Add salt and seasonings after cooking to ensure the broccoli becomes tender.
- Meal Prep: This recipe can easily be doubled with the same cooking time and instructions.
- Quick Pressure Release: To prevent the broccoli from overcooking, after the cook time is up, manually release the pressure by following your cooker's quick release instructions.
- Microwave: To steam broccoli in microwave, add broccoli and ⅛ - ¼ cup water to a heat-safe bowl or container. Heat for 3 minutes. Check broccoli, and if it's not soft enough, heat for 1 to 2 more minute.
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