Instant Pot Zucchini is a great way to steam your favorite vegetable to perfection. With an easy cooking process and only 2 minutes of actual cooking time, this recipe is as simple as it gets!
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Instant Pot steamed zucchini is a fantastic way to enjoy soft, crisp, and flavorful zucchini without much effort. I'm a big fan of low-effort meals and side dishes!
To steam zucchini in an Instant Pot, all you need to do is chop the zucchini, add it and some water to the Instant Pot, and set the cooking time. It is a quick and convenient way to make a versatile and tasty addition to your meals.
You can check some of our many zucchini recipes like Zucchini Penne Pasta, Snickerdoodle Zucchini Bread, Zucchini Carrot Oatmeal Muffins, and Zucchini Bread Mini Loaves.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy. With just a few minutes of prep and only 2 minutes of cook time, you can have perfectly cooked zucchini ready to serve. For more ideas, check out our Delicious Summer Squash Recipes.
- Simple ingredients. All you need is zucchini, water, and basic seasonings, making this a great option when you want something easy, especially if you're using garden fresh zucchini.
- Budget friendly. Zucchini is affordable year round, and paired with pantry staples and tap water, this recipe keeps costs low while still delivering great flavor.
🛒 Ingredients
Fresh Zucchini. Use washed fresh zucchini. Garden zucchini works great, but store bought is just fine too. If you have extra, try Amish Zucchini Bread, Old Fashioned Zucchini Bread, or Instant Pot Taco Zucchini Boats.
Water. Needed to bring the Instant Pot up to pressure so the zucchini can cook properly.
Seasonings. A simple mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder keeps the flavor clean and versatile.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use seasonal zucchini: Zucchini is often very affordable in summer and early fall, especially at farmers markets or when stores run produce sales.
No-waste cooking: There is no need to peel the zucchini, which saves time and prevents food waste while adding extra nutrients.
Minimal ingredients: This recipe relies on a short list of pantry staples, keeping costs low while still delivering flavor.
🥄 Instructions for Instant Pot Zucchini
Step 1: Wash your zucchini and slice it into coins about ¼ inch thick. (Image 1).
Step 2: Place the zucchini in a steamer basket or lay it on a trivet and lower it into your Instant Pot. Add 1 cup of water. (Image 2).
Step 3: Close the lid and seal it. Set it to High Pressure for 2 minutes (Image 3) and do a Quick Pressure Release.
Step 4: Remove the zucchini and drain the water.
Step 5: Place the zucchini into a mixing bowl with the olive oil and seasonings. Toss to coat. (Image 4).
Serve warm.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Preferred Texture: Slice zucchini into ¼-inch thick slices for a balance of tenderness and crispness.
- Adjusting Thickness: Thicker or thinner slices can be used to tailor the texture to your preference.
- Variety Options: Substitute with yellow squash or mix both for variation based on availability or preference.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Store leftover Instant Pot Zucchini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a skillet over low heat to avoid overcooking.
Make Ahead: Zucchini can be sliced ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Serve Instant Pot Zucchini alongside grilled chicken, fish, or pork. It also pairs well with pasta dishes, rice, or as a light vegetable side for weeknight meals.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Nope! The peel on these zucchini slices can be left on or taken off depending on your preference. It's thin enough that it cooks down with the rest of the zucchini and helps it to maintain some of that fresh/crisp bite.
You can cut zucchini into slices, chunks, or sticks, depending on how you plan to use them. Slices or chunks are versatile and cook evenly.
You typically need about 1-2 cups of water in the Instant Pot for steaming zucchini. The exact amount may vary based on your specific Instant Pot model.
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🐝 If you tried this Instant Pot Zucchini, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Zucchini
Equipment
- IP Trivet or steamer basket
Ingredients
- 2 large zucchini, sliced - ($1.78)
- 1 cup water - ($0.00)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil - ($0.14)
- ¼ teaspoon salt - ($0.01)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder - ($0.02)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper - ($0.01)
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchini. Wash the zucchini and slice into ¼-inch rounds. Slice thinner if you prefer softer zucchini.
- Add water and load. Pour the water into the Instant Pot liner. Place the zucchini on a trivet or in a steamer basket inside the pot.
- Pressure cook. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 2 minutes.
- Quick release. Perform a quick pressure release as soon as the cook time ends.
- Season and serve. Drain any remaining water and transfer the zucchini to a bowl. Add the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper, then toss gently to coat. Serve warm.
Notes
- Texture control. Slicing zucchini about ¼ inch thick yields tender zucchini with a slight crispness. Thinner slices will be softer.
- Vegetable swaps. Yellow squash can be used in place of zucchini or mixed in.
- Peel preference. The peel can be left on or removed. It softens during cooking and helps the zucchini hold its shape.
Nutritional Information
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