Instant Pot broccoli is ready in under 10 minutes, and is perfectly tender, but still with a bit of chew to it. A great way to get broccoli steamed quickly, without the need to babysit a pot of water on the stove.
The Instant Pot is not just a great way to cook proteins, but vegetables as well! From carrots to perfectly cooked sweet potatoes, to mashed potatoes, there are so many ways to cook your veggies.
This Instant Pot broccoli is insanely easy, quick to cook, and versatile. I love that you can push a button and not have to worry about babysitting a pot (though you do need to be present to do a quick pressure release).
The texture of the broccoli is just perfect: tender, but not mushy. It still has a bit of a bite to it, and works well for meal prep.
Reasons to ♡ Instant Pot broccoli:
- it can be cooked and on the table in 10 minutes
- it frees up your hands and saves space in your oven
- it has the perfect texture: tender but not mushy
Recipe video
Need proof of just how easy this broccoli is to prep? Watch the 1-minute video below! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
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Prepping the broccoli
This is an easy and forgiving recipe. Start by washing the broccoli, then chopping it up into even 1.5-2 inch florets. It's important that they are even in size so that they cook through evenly.
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Pictured above are two crowns of broccoli, but you can make this recipe using a single head, or pre-cut broccoli (go through and make sure they are even-sized). You can even use frozen broccoli, though it is slightly on the softer side. Don't forget to include the stems as well.
Pro-tip: use a steamer basket
You can absolutely skip this step, but be warned that some of your broccoli will drop through the trivet into the water below and may over-cook. Using a steamer basket ensures the broccoli is never immersed in the water, and cooks through evenly.
I recommend this steamer basket
, which is specifically designed for the Instant Pot.
Quick pressure release is essential
The caveat to the Instant Pot is that it can overcook some tender vegetables. For this recipe, we do a 0 minute cook time with a quick pressure release. The broccoli cooks while the pot comes to pressure, and while the pressure is released. It's absolutely crucial that you do a quick pressure release, or your broccoli will end up overcooked and soggy.
Cooking broccoli in an Instant Pot
- Place 1 cup (for a 6 quart) or 1.5 cups (for an 8 quart) in the stainless steel inner pot. Place the trivet on top. Place a steamer basket on top of the trivet (if you have one).
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, and set the steam release handle to the 'sealing' position. Select 'pressure cook' (or 'manual' for older models) to 0 minutes.
- Perform a quick pressure release as soon as the Instant Pot beeps (set the steam release handle to the 'venting' position using a spoon or carefully with your hand).
- Remove broccoli, and serve with a squeeze of lemon and fresh parmesan cheese.
Getting creative with steamed broccoli
We love our Instant Pot steamed broccoli served with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
Here are some other ways you can add flavor to your broccoli:
- swap the parmesan for feta cheese
- drizzle with this 2-ingredient balsamic reduction
- top with this miso butter
- drizzle with maple tahini sauce
- add a few cloves of garlic or some herbs to the steaming water
- sprinkle with one of these 7 spice blends
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower
- Instant Pot Hard and Soft Boiled Eggs
- Creamy Instant Pot Applesauce
- Perfect Instant Pot Black Beans
- Instant Pot Recipes You Need to Know
- Instant Pot 101: a Guide For Beginners
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Perfect + Tender Instant Pot Broccoli
Ingredients
- 2 crowns broccoli (cut into 1.5- 2 inch florets)
- 1 cup water (1.5 cups for 8 quart Instant Pots)
To serve
- 1 lemon
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place 1 cup of water into the stainless steel insert of your Instant Pot (1.5 cups for 8 quart Instant Pots).
- Place trivet on top of the water, and place a steaming basket (if you have one), on the trivet. Place broccoli into the steamer basket
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, set the steam release handle to the 'sealing' position, and select 'pressure cook' (or 'manual' for older models) for 0 minutes.
- Once pot beeps, immediately release the pressure by switching the steam release handle to the 'venting' position.
- Remove steamer basket containing broccoli with oven mitts, squeeze lemon juice over top and serve with fresh parmesan cheese.
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Tips:
- swap the parmesan for feta cheese
- drizzle with this 2-ingredient balsamic reduction
- top with miso butter or another flavored butter
- drizzle with maple tahini sauce
- add a few cloves of garlic or some fresh herbs to the steaming water
- season with one of these 7 spice blends
Video
Nutrition Information
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Kai wants you to know that he loves Instant Pot broccoli, too!
Shana says
Perfect! Not mushy, and so easy! Our new go-to.
Denise Bustard says
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed, Shana!