Instant Pot Cauliflower (perfect + tender)
Instant Pot cauliflower is a quick and easy 20 minute side dish that comes out perfect and tender (not mushy) each time. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh lemon juice, or get creative with it!
Servings: 4
Calories: 74kcal
Ingredients
- 4 cups cauliflower florets roughly half a head of cauliflower; see note 1
- ½ lemon cut into wedges
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Assemble Instant Pot- Place 1 cup (6 quart) or 1.5 cups (8 quart) water in the stainless steel insert of your Instant Pot. Place the trivet over the water, and a steamer basket on the trivet.
- Add cauliflower– Carefully arrange the cauliflower into the steamer basket.
- Cook– Place the lid on the Instant Pot, set the steam release handle to the ‘sealing’ position, then pressure cook for 0 minutes.
- Quick pressure release- When the cooking cycle has completed, the Instant Pot will beep and switch over to ‘keep warm’. Carefully transfer the steam release handle to the ‘venting’ position, performing a quick pressure release.
- Serve it up– Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the steamed cauliflower, then sprinkle with parmesan cheese (and parsley if desired). Enjoy!
Notes
1- frozen cauliflower works great using this method as well, though it does come out slightly softer.
2- nutritional information is for ¼ of the batch and the serving size is an estimate.
Storage
Note that cauliflower doesn't smell great after storing, but it will still taste great.
- fridge- cool completely, then store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- freezer- you can freeze steamed cauliflower, though you should expect it to soften and release water when thawed. Consider using it in smoothies! Cool completely, then store in an air tight container, freezer bag, or reusable silicone bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- 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
- turn it into cauliflower mash using this Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower recipe
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup; see note 2 | Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 230mg | Potassium: 311mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 98IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 1mg