How to Steam Broccoli – Instant Pot

This Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli, is an easy and a fast way to steam perfect broccoli by preserving most of its nutrients value and its vibrant color!! Makes an excellent side dish, serve it with some rice and/or protein.

This recipe is Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, Plant-based, Low Carb, Nut-free, Paleo and Dairy-free.

Broccoli, botanically known as Brassica oleracea var. italica, belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family. Broccoli, like other cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, collard greens and turnips is a cool season vegetable.

Broccoli is considered a nutritional powerhouse, rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, minerals and natural fiber. Broccoli is known for its natural detoxification, anti-inflammatory, and powerful antioxidant properties. A cup of broccoli, contains 31 calories, 0 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbohydrate and 3 grams of protein.

WHICH IS MORE NUTRITIOUS – RAW, STEAMED OR BOILED BROCCOLI

The nutritional value of broccoli depends a lot upon how you prepare the broccoli. One of the key factors in preserving most of its nutritional values is not to cook the broccoli for too long.

Raw broccoli is considered to maintain all its nutrients value but however, consuming raw broccoli can irritate or cause discomfort bowls. Thus, it is important to cook the broccoli to a right temperature, without losing its nutritional values.

Boiling the broccoli, losses most of its nutrients value. However, steaming or microwave the broccoli, for few minutes, helps retain most of its nutrients and it also prevents from any bowl discomfort.

A quick stir fry also helps retain most of its nutrients value. Thus, it is important not to cook the broccoli for long. You can steam, microwave or do a quick stir fry, would work just perfect.

HOW TO STEAM BROCCOLI IN INSTANT POT

Broccoli is a great tasting food, which is low in calories and rich in its nutrients value. Steaming broccoli is a breeze in Instant Pot, it’s quick, and a healthy way of making perfect steamed broccoli every time.  Instant Pot steamed broccoli is great for salads or even make a great side dish. Steaming broccoli helps in preserving its nutrients value, and at the same time reduces the risk of food bacteria, when consumed raw.

Steaming broccoli in Instant Pot can be done easily by using one of the steamer basket. I love this steamer basket, it fits easily in any size Instant Pot. If you are looking to purchase a steamer basket, here’s the link on Amazon.

STEP 1 PREP THE BROCCOLI

Wash the broccoli head under cold water. Chop the broccoli head into medium size florets. Here, I have used one large head of broccoli. You can double the quantity, but the cooking time will still remain the same.

STEP 2 ADD WATER TO THE INSERT

Add 1/2 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert.

STEP 3 PLACE THE BROCCOLI FLORETS ON TO THE STEAMER BASKET

Place the cut broccoli florets on to the steamer basket.

STEP 4 PLACE THE STEAMER BASKET INTO THE INSERT

Carefully lift the steamer basket and place it into the Instant Pot insert. Close the Instant Pot lid with vent on sealing position. Pressure cook for “ZERO” minutes. Yes, “ZERO” minutes is all you need to steam the broccoli in Instant Pot.

The broccoli is cooking until it takes time for Instant Pot to come to the pressure. So technically it is cooking for more than “ZERO” minutes. To be precise, broccoli cooks for around 8 minutes in Instant Pot.

STEP 5 QUICK RELEASE

As soon as the Instant Pot beeps, do a quick release. This is important, if the pressure is not released quickly, the broccoli will still continue to cook under the remaining pressure, resulting in mushy, soggy broccoli.

STEP 6 RUN THE BROCCOLI UNDER COLD WATER (OPTIONAL)

This is completely optional step, if you wish you can run the broccoli under cold water or put it in an ice bath, to further stop cooking.

HOW TO STEAM BROCCOLI ON A STOVE TOP

You can perfectly steam broccoli on a stove top as well.

Take a pot. Add couple of inches of water in the bottom of a pot.

Place a steamer basket inside the pot. Now place the broccoli into the steamer basket.

Note: You can use strainer, colander, or steamer basket that fits inside the pot.

Cover and bring the pot to a boil. Allow the steam to build up.

For tender, crisp broccoli, steam for 5-7 minutes. You can check the broccoli by inserting a fork to see how tender it is.

HOW TO STEAM BROCCOLI IN THE MICROWAVE

Many a times, I also like to steam my broccoli in a microwave.

Take a microwave safe dish. Add broccoli florets. Add about 2-3 tablespoons of water. Loosely cover the dish with a microwave safe plate.

Note: Do not tightly cover the plate, you want some of the steam to escape.

Steam the broccoli on high for 2 minutes. Check the broccoli. If required add 30 seconds of cooking time in intervals, until broccoli is cooked.

Note: Different microwave functions differently. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.

PRO TIPS FOR STEAMING PERFECT BROCCOLI

Pick, fresh, firm broccoli head. Chop into medium size florets.

The key factor to making a perfect broccoli is not to cook the broccoli for long. Depending upon how tender/crisp you like your broccoli, cook the broccoli.

Once the Instant Pot beeps, release the pressure manually and remove the broccoli from the Instant Pot. If the broccoli is left inside for longer, it will continue to cook under the remaining pressure, resulting in mushy, soggy broccoli.

Learn the FACTS ABOUT INSTANT POT STEAMED BROCCOLI – please refer to the post below.

FACTS ABOUT INSTANT POT STEAMED BROCCOLI

Every time the Instant Pot is cooking something, there is a pressure build up. This pressure is co-related to the amount of liquid (water) and cooking time. Pressure level (high or low) also contributes in this process. Thus, quantity of water, time and pressure level are important factors contributing to the texture, color and taste of the steamed broccoli.

For example, let’s consider two scenarios:

Scenario A: Cooking with 1 cup of water for “ZERO” minutes.

Scenario B: Cooking with 1/2 cup of water at “ZERO” minutes.

Here, it will take longer for scenario A to come to pressure than scenario B. Which means, A is cooking for longer than B, because of more liquid, it will take more time to come to a pressure.

CONCLUSION – For tender broccoli I prefer 1/2 cup of water, “ZERO” minute(s) at “HIGH” pressure.

For crisp broccoli, I prefer 1/2 cup of water, “ZERO” minute(s) at “LOW” pressure.

HERE’S A QUICK COOKING GUIDE FOR PERFECT BROCCOLI

**Set Instant Pot to Manual / Pressure cook mode (*) “ZERO” minute(s)

**Quick Pressure Release

**I am using one large head of broccoli, cut into florets for this recipe

HOW TO INCORPORATE BROCCOLI INTO YOUR DIET

Broccoli, can be consumed in many different ways. Make stir fries, wraps, sandwich, pasta, soup, roasted broccoli or have it as it is. Here are some of the ways we like to incorporate broccoli into our diet.

One of the easiest and the best way to consume broccoli is steamed. You can eat steamed broccoli as it is, or drizzle some olive oil, salt and pepper.

I also like to add chopped broccoli in my wrap, or a sandwich.

Toss some broccoli in salads, or have it with some dip.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup is my family’s favorite soup.

Make some Broccoli potatoes patties and have it on a bun with your favorite sauce.

Broccoli Mac and cheese is yet another one of my kids favorite.

Make broccoli stir fries or broccoli chicken.

Roasted broccoli or air fried broccoli, great as a side dish.

FAQ ABOUT STEAMED BROCCOLI

HOW TO PICK FRESH BROCCOLI – Look for fresh, green color broccoli heads with tight and firm stalks, without any yellow or black spots. The head of the broccoli should feel heavy. The ends of the stalks should be fresh looking.

HOW LONG DOES FRESH BROCCOLI STAYS GOOD – Fresh broccoli stays good for up to 10 days in the refrigerator. Store the fresh broccoli, unwashed in a clean, dry, open plastic bag in the refrigerator. You can also use some vegetable bags to store the broccoli.

HOW TO STORE FRESH BROCCOLI – Store the unwashed broccoli in a loose plastic bag in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. Wash the broccoli just before consuming it. Wet broccoli can develop mold, which is not safe to consume.

CAN FRESH BROCCOLI BE FROZEN – Yes, you can freeze the fresh broccoli. Wash the broccoli, cut the broccoli head into medium size florets. Store these broccoli florets into freezer (Ziploc) bags. Consume within a month for best results.

CAN I USE FROZEN BROCCOLI FOR THIS RECIPE – Yes, you can use frozen broccoli for this recipe. However, it frozen broccoli may not have the same taste and texture as to fresh broccoli.

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