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BeeyondCereal » Recipes » Side Dishes

Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

Modified: Oct 18, 2023 · Published: Dec 24, 2020 By Nicole Durham
This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment · Cost Recipe $1.55 / Serving $0.39

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5 from 1 vote
promotional graphic for Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

Steaming a head of broccoli in the Instant Pot will soon become your favorite way to cook it! Going from fresh to tender in minutes and without a messy hassle is just another reason to love this simple Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli recipe.

a white plate filled with steamed broccoli.

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Whether you like your broccoli crisp or like it more tender (like my kids do), then this recipe is for you. You can adjust the cooking time by as little as a minute and make a HUGE difference with your Instant Pot broccoli.

This steamed broccoli is an excellent choice for those looking to save time and simplify their cooking process. With this method, you can enjoy a delicious green vegetable without sacrificing its vibrant color or essential nutrients.

Add in the seasoning mix at the end and you can pack a lot of flavor into every perfect bite of broccoli. Use this Instant Pot broccoli recipe for dinner tonight and see what I mean.

For more Instant Pot veggie recipes, make sure to check out my Instant Pot Asparagus, Instant Pot Brussel Sprouts and Bacon, and Instant Pot Green Beans.

Jump to:
  • 💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • 🛒 Ingredients
  • 💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
  • 🥄 Instructions for Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
  • ❄️ Storage and Reheating
  • 🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
  • ❓ Recipe FAQs
  • 🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe

  1. Simple ingredients. Fresh broccoli, oil, and basic seasonings are all you need for a side dish that works with any meal.
  2. Fast to make. In just a few minutes, you'll have perfectly cooked broccoli ready to serve alongside dishes like Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs or Crispy Baked Chicken Quarters.
  3. Consistent results. Once you know how tender you like your broccoli, this method makes it easy to get it right every time without overcooking.

🛒 Ingredients

steamed broccoli in steamer basket in front of instant pot.

Fresh Broccoli- You will need some fresh broccoli that has been washed and cut into florets.

Water- This is necessary for helping to get your Instant Pot to cook properly.

Seasonings- You will want to use some basic pantry staple seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.

💰 Budget-Friendly Tips

Buy broccoli by the bunch. Whole broccoli is usually cheaper than pre-cut florets and gives you better value.

Use the stems. Peel and slice the stems to cook alongside the florets or save them for stir-fries and soups.

Cook once, use again. Extra broccoli can be reused in casseroles, pasta dishes, or grain bowls later in the week.

🥄 Instructions for Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

A colander filled with wash broccoli florets.

Step 1: Wash and trim your broccoli into floret sized pieces.

an instant pot with a trivet water and broccoli florets inside.

Step 2: Place 1 cup of water inside the Instant Pot and place the broccoli in the steamer basket or lay on the trivet inside of the Instant Pot.

steamed broccoli inside an instant pot on a trivet.

Step 3: Close the lid and seal it. Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 0 minutes. Do a Quick Pressure Release when the time is up.

steamed broccoli in a glass mixing bowl.

Step 4: Drain the water and remove the broccoli. Place broccoli into a large mixing bowl.

olive oil and seasoning covered steamed broccoli in a mixing bowl.

Step 5: Add the olive oil and seasonings.

seasoned steamed broccoli in a mixing bowl.

Step 6: Gently toss well to coat the broccoli evenly.

Serve warm, and enjoy!

a bowl of steamed broccolie with lemon wedges.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

  1. Steaming Method: Use an Instant Pot steamer basket or lay them on the trivet. The steamer basket is convenient.
  2. Cooking Time: Cook broccoli for 0 minutes as the pressure cooker heats up. For softer broccoli, cook for up to 2 minutes.
  3. Seasoning Adjustment: Adjust the seasoning mixture to taste. Halve or double the broccoli, but maintain the water amount for proper pressure cooking.

❄️ Storage and Reheating

Storage: Store cooked Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheating: Reheat gently in the microwave in short intervals or warm in a skillet over medium heat.

🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas

This Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli pairs well with grilled or baked chicken, salmon, pork chops, pasta dishes, or simple rice and potato-based meals.

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❓ Recipe FAQs

How long is steamed broccoli good for?

You can keep leftover steamed broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days before it needs to be eaten or tossed. For best results, I recommend eating it sooner rather than later.

Can I freeze steamed broccoli?

You could. Because the broccoli has been cooked, you can freeze it. If you plan to freeze it, flash freeze the broccoli for 1-3 hours on a baking sheet before transferring it to an airtight container for up to 3 months. This will keep it from all sticking together and make it easier if you just want a little and not the entire bunch.

What role does the trivet or steamer basket play in this cooking method?

The trivet or steamer basket elevates the broccoli above the water, allowing it to steam without becoming waterlogged.

a bowl of steamed broccoli with lemon wedges.

🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love

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🐝 If you tried this Instant Pot Broccoli, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!

📖 Recipe

Instant Pot Broccoli with lemon wedges in a bowl.
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Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

By: Nicole Durham
Cost: Recipe $1.55 / Serving $0.39
5 from 1 vote
Steaming a head of broccoli in the Instant Pot will soon become your favorite way to cook it! Going from fresh to tender in minutes and without a messy hassle is just another reason to love this simple recipe.
Prep TimePrep: 2 minutes mins
Cook TimeCook: 1 minute min
Total TimeTotal: 3 minutes mins
ServingsYield: 4 servings
CaloriesCal: 85kcal
: Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

  • Measuring Spoons
  • 6qt Instant Pot
  • Mixing Bowl

Ingredients
 

  • 1 bunch fresh broccoli, about 1 pound, cut into florets - ($1.31)
  • 1 cup water - ($0.00)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil - ($0.14)
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder - ($0.04)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder - ($0.04)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt - ($0.01)
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper - ($0.01)

Instructions

  • Prepare the broccoli. Wash the broccoli and trim into bite-sized florets.
  • Add water and load. Pour the water into the Instant Pot liner. Place the broccoli in a steamer basket or on the trivet inside the pot.
  • Pressure cook. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 0 minutes.
  • Quick release. Perform a quick pressure release as soon as the cook time ends.
  • Season. Carefully drain any remaining water and transfer the broccoli to a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss gently to coat.
  • Serve. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Texture control. Cooking for 0 minutes yields tender-crisp broccoli. For softer broccoli, increase cook time to 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Water amount. Keep the water amount the same even if adjusting the quantity of broccoli, as the Instant Pot requires liquid to pressurize.
  • Equipment. Use a steamer basket or trivet to keep broccoli out of the water for best texture.
  • Storage. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, though best quality is enjoyed sooner.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 85kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 199mg | Potassium: 488mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 947IU | Vitamin C: 136mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition and cost info are estimates and may vary. See How We Calculate Recipe Costs.

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About the Author

Nicole Durham

Nicole is the frugal foodie behind Beeyond Cereal. Based in Michigan, she shares budget-friendly recipes, homemade pantry staples, and practical tips to help families stretch every grocery dollar. When she’s not developing recipes, Nicole enjoys crocheting, thrifting, and spending time with her two kids, always with a cup of coffee close by.

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The proud owner and recipe developer behind BeeyondCereal. Here, I'm passionate about showing people how to navigate the kitchen with frugality in mind, whipping up family-friendly recipes that not only save money but also bring joy to every meal.

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