Instant Pot Broccoli
Instant Pot Broccoli cooks up perfectly crisp-tender for a delicious and healthy side dish. Learn how to steam broccoli in the Instant Pot. It’s the best way to cook broccoli quickly!
Besides making flavorful one pot meals and soups, the Instant Pot is great for cooking the basics. Some of my most popular Instant Pot recipes include Instant Pot Rice, Instant Pot Baked Potatoes and Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs.
Using your Instant Pot is also an easy way to cook healthy vegetable side dishes, including Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes, Instant Pot Green Beans and this Instant Pot Broccoli.
I love using my Instant Pot to cook broccoli because it is hands-off and nearly foolproof. After a 0 minute cook time the broccoli is perfectly crisp-tender and a vibrant bright green color. Yes, you read that right, the actual pressure cooking time for perfect Instant Pot broccoli is zero minutes. The broccoli cooks while the Instant Pot comes up to pressure and then for about a minute more while the steam escapes when you quick release the pressure.
Perfectly cooked broccoli with minimal effort? Yes, please!
Instant Pot broccoli is similar to steamed broccoli in taste and texture. We love it for a quick and easy side dish, seasoned with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Want more broccoli recipes? When we’re craving broccoli with browned, caramelized edges we make this Roasted Broccoli. We also love making Air Fryer Broccoli – you can’t beat those crispy edges!
How to Make Instant Pot Broccoli
If you’re new to Instant Pot cooking, my guide on How to Use an Instant Pot can help you to get started.
- Cut the broccoli into florets.
- Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot inner pot. Put a steamer basket in the pot.
- Put the broccoli florets in the steamer basket.
- Pressure cook for 0 minutes at high pressure for crisp-tender broccoli. If you like your Instant Pot steamed broccoli softer, set the cook time to 1 minute at high pressure.
- Quick release the pressure by carefully moving the steam release to the venting position.
- Serve with your desired seasonings and enjoy!
Find the full printable recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.
Instant Pot Broccoli Recipe Tips
- Don’t cut the broccoli florets into smaller pieces or they may overcook.
- If your Instant Pot will not allow you to set a 0 minute cook time, you can set it to pressure cook for 1 minute at high pressure and then cancel the cooking cycle as soon as the pot reaches pressure and the cook time displays 1. Then immediately quick release.
- Be sure to quick release the pressure promptly or the broccoli may overcook and become mushy. Similarly, as soon as all of the steam has escaped and the pin drops down, open the Instant Pot.
- If you do not have a steamer basket, you can stack the broccoli florets on the Instant Pot metal trivet.
Frozen Broccoli in the Instant Pot
You can also cook frozen broccoli florets in the Instant Pot. The method and cook time are the same as for fresh broccoli. Set the cook time to 0 minutes at high pressure, followed by a quick release of the pressure. If you want the broccoli softer, cook for 1 minute at high pressure.
Ways to Serve
Most often we keep it simple and season our Instant Pot broccoli with salt, black pepper and grated Parmesan cheese. For a pop of bright citrus flavor, squeeze on some lemon juice or add lemon zest. Try a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat, feta cheese for a salty bite, or creamy, tangy goat cheese. Other topping ideas include a drizzle of balsamic glaze, a sprinkle of sesame seeds or sliced almonds for crunch.
Serve this broccoli as a baked potato topping or alongside Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, Baked Chicken Tenders or Air Fryer Chicken Breast. You can also cook broccoli in the Instant Pot to use in recipes that call for cooked broccoli. Our favorites include Broccoli Mac and Cheese, Broccoli Cheese Quiche and Broccoli Casserole.
More Broccoli Recipes
Instant Pot Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds broccoli
- 1 cup water
- salt, pepper, lemon juice, Parmesan, etc., as desired for serving
Instructions
- Cut broccoli into florets.
- Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot inner pot. Add a steamer basket to the pot.
- Place broccoli florets in the steamer basket.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and set the steam release valve to the sealing position.
- For crisp-tender broccoli, set the pressure cook time to 0 minutes at high pressure. (If your Instant Pot will not allow you to set a 0 minute cook time, you can set it to pressure cook for 1 minute and then cancel the cooking cycle as soon as the pot reaches pressure. Then immediately quick release.)For softer broccoli, set the pressure cook time to 1 minute at high pressure.
- The Instant Pot will take about 10 minutes to reach pressure and then the cook time will begin. As soon as the cook time ends, quick release the pressure by carefully moving the valve to the venting position.
- Once all of the steam has escaped and the pin drops down, immediately open the pot (to prevent over-cooking). Serve broccoli with salt, pepper, and other toppings, as desired.
Notes
- If you do not have a steamer basket, you can stack the broccoli florets on the Instant Pot metal trivet.
- You can cook frozen broccoli florets using the same method and cook time.
