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If you ever ate mushy broccoli when you are expecting a bite of perfectly crunchy broccoli yet still cooked just right, then you know how frustrating it is !! It is very important to cook broccoli just right to love it. That minute or two more, of the cooking time, decides your life long love/hate relation with broccoli.
Try this method to perfectly steam broccoli in an Instant pot and rest assured that you will always have perfectly cooked broccoli in just 5 mins with no babysitting.
Feel free to use the button at the top of the page to go to the recipe directly or table of contents below to go to any section of the page you want. The recipe card has all the information that is needed to make the recipe perfectly. However, I try to provide a little more information in the post for the readers who are looking for it.
Why steaming
Steaming broccoli is one of the healthiest ways to cook broccoli as it preserves the most nutrients. As it's quick, nutrients and vitamins won't be lost in the cooking water, as can be the case with boiled broccoli.
How to choose and handle broccoli
- Choose broccoli with bright green heads
- Choose broccoli florets with compact clusters. The more open the florets, the older and closer to flowering they are.
- Choose firm strong stems and stalks not woody stems.
- Avoid broccoli with yellow florets for the best texture. If the broccoli has flowered it will still work in soups.
- Don't wash broccoli until you're ready to prepare it. Unwashed, it will stay fresh in a plastic bag in your fridge for a week.
Fun facts about broccoli
- Even though the florets are the most commonly eaten part, the stalk contains the most fiber, while broccoli leaves are highest in cell-protecting antioxidants, vitamins E and K, and calcium.
- One cup of broccoli has as much vitamin C as an orange.
- Broccoli is also rich in vitamins and minerals like calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, potassium, Zinc, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Vitamins A, B6, B12, D, E, and K.
- Broccoli is full of natural chemicals like sulfur compound called sulforaphane which helps in certain health conditions like diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, etc...
Check out this link for more information on health facts about broccoli. https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-broccoli#1
Equipment Needed
- Instant pot ( I use Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 8 quart )
- Steamer basket (optional) or Trivet that comes with the Instant pot
Yes, you can still make perfectly steamed broccoli in an Instant pot even without the steamer basket. If you have the steamer basket, then definitely use it. But if you don't have it don't worry, just follow the below method.
How to make
Let's see how to make a perfectly steamed broccoli in Instant pot.
Preparation : Wash the broccoli florets thoroughly and then chop them into bite size florets evenly. All of them should be approximately the same size.
Steam in steamer basket :
- Pour ½ cup of water into the Instant pot steel insert and put the steamer basket with the broccoli florets inside the Instant pot insert.
- Close the lid of the Instant pot, close the vent to seal and press the 'Manual' button and choose high pressure for 0 mins ( yes, 0 mins !! It is not a typo) for perfectly crunchy broccoli. If you want it a little bit softer then choose Manual 1 min on high pressure. Cooking for 0 mins basically means that we are allowing Instant pot to come to pressure and then switch off immediately. The time it takes to come to pressure is enough to steam broccoli in an Instant pot perfectly.
- As soon as the Instant pot beeps and turns off( takes 5 mins), immediately move the vent button to the vent position to quickly release all the pressure.
- As soon as all the pressure is released and the pin drops, open the Instant pot lid, and take out the steamer basket and transfer the broccoli to the serving dish.
Steam without Steamer basket :
- Pour ½ cup of water into the Instant pot steel insert and then put the trivet ( I have added a link to the trivet in the recipe card ) that came with your Instant pot on top of the water. Now put the broccoli florets inside the Instant pot on top of the trivet trying to make sure they don't touch the water.
- Close the lid of the Instant pot, close the vent to seal and press the 'Manual' button and choose high pressure for 0 mins ( yes, 0 mins !! It is not a typo) for perfectly crunchy broccoli. If you want it a little bit softer then choose Manual 1 min on high pressure. Cooking for 0 mins basically means that we are allowing Instant pot to come to pressure and then switch off immediately. The time it takes to come to pressure is enough to steam broccoli in an Instant pot perfectly without losing the nutrients.
- As soon as the Instant pot beeps and turns off( takes 5 mins), immediately move the vent button to the vent position to quickly release all the pressure.
- As soon as all the pressure is released and the pin drops, open the Instant pot lid and transfer the broccoli immediately to a serving dish. Serve it as a side dish with any or all of the toppings suggested above in the Ingredients list with your favorite meal.
Tips for a perfect Instant pot broccoli
Follow the method exactly as mentioned in the recipe card for a perfectly steamed Instant pot broccoli. However please note the following if you are facing any problems.
- If you still want crunchier broccoli after following this recipe then try two things and see which texture do you like
- Try using hot water in the Instant pot to steam your broccoli so it takes less time to come to pressure thus giving crunchier broccoli.
- Try steaming broccoli with Manual 0 mins on low pressure instead of high pressure.
Scaling the recipe
You can use the same cooking times for more or lesser quantities of broccoli. Just make sure to keep the size of the florets even as much as possible.
How to Serve
Steamed broccoli makes an excellent healthy vegetable side dish. Serve it with some salt and pepper sprinkled on top if you prefer and some parmesan or feta cheese. You can also drizzle some olive oil over the top if you want.
Try this method to perfectly steam broccoli in an Instant pot in 5 mins and enjoy it more frequently to get all the health benefits.
If you are looking for more side dishes try my Air fryer baked sweet potato. You can serve it as a delicious side dish or break fast or a snack. I promise you won't be disappointed😊.
Recipe
Instant pot Steamed Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 Broccoli head
- ½ cup water
Optional topping suggestions ( Use any or all of them as per your taste )
- Salt
- Pepper
- Parmesan cheese
- Feta Cheese
- A drizzle of olive oil
Instructions
Preparation :
- Wash the broccoli florets thoroughly and then chop them into bite-size florets evenly. All of them should be approximately the same size.
How to steam broccoli in an Instant pot using a steamer basket
- Pour ½ cup of water into the Instant pot steel insert and put the steamer basket with the broccoli florets inside the Instant pot.
- Close the lid of the Instant pot, move the vent to seal position, press the 'Manual' button, and choose high pressure for 0 mins ( yes 0 mins !! This is not a typo, selecting 0 mins allows the Instant pot to come to pressure and then turn off immediately) for perfectly crunchy broccoli. If you want it a little bit softer then choose Manual 1 min on high pressure. (Check notes below for more suggestions on finding the right texture you want)
- As soon as the Instant pot beeps and turns off( takes around 5 mins), immediately move the vent button to the vent position to quickly release all the pressure.
- As soon as all the pressure is released and the pin drops, open the Instant pot lid, and take out the steamer basket ( be careful as it will be hot ) and transfer the broccoli to the serving dish. Serve it as a side dish with any or all of the toppings suggested above in the Ingredients list with your favorite meal.
How to steam broccoli in an Instant pot without a steamer basket
- Pour ½ cup of water into the Instant pot steel insert and put the trivet that came with your instant pot on top of the water. Put the broccoli florets inside the Instant pot on the trivet making sure florets don't touch the water. ( you can use slightly bigger florets to easily balance them on the trivet )
- Close the lid of the Instant pot, close the vent to seal and press the 'Manual' button and choose high pressure for 0 mins ( yes 0 mins !! This is not a typo, selecting 0 mins allows the Instant pot to come to pressure and then turn off immediately) for perfectly crunchy broccoli. If you like it a little bit softer then choose Manual 1 min on high pressure. (Check notes below for more suggestions on finding the right texture you want)
- As soon as the Instant pot beeps and turns off( takes around 5 mins), immediately move the vent button to the vent position to quickly release all the pressure.
- As soon as all the pressure is released and the pin drops, open the Instant pot lid and transfer the broccoli immediately to a serving dish. Serve it as a side dish with any or all of the toppings suggested above in the Ingredients list with your favorite meal.
Please check notes for helpful suggestions.
Notes
- This recipe is made using Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 8 quart.
- If you still want crunchier broccoli after following this recipe then try two things and see which texture do you like
- Try using hot water in the Instant pot to steam your broccoli so it takes less time to come to pressure thus giving crunchier broccoli.
- Try steaming broccoli with Manual 0 mins on low pressure instead of high pressure.
- Use the same cooking time even if you double or triple the recipe. Make sure to keep the size of florets even as much as possible and to not exceed the ⅔ mark of your instant pot when filling with broccoli.
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