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    Home » Recipes » Side Dish

    Instant Pot Broccoli

    Published: Oct 25, 2019 · Updated: Apr 7, 2020 by Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC · 12 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Bowl of broccoli cooked in the instant pot

    Learn how to cook perfect broccoli every time with your pressure cooker. This Instant Pot broccoli is a quick and tasty side dish to round out your dinner.

    A bowl of cooked broccoli with a lemon wedge

    In my quest to cook just about everything in my Instant Pot after I purchased it a few years, I've experimented with just about every veggie out there, including cauliflower, beets, carrots, cabbage, and more.

    While broccoli is easy to cook on the stovetop, there are times when it's just more convenient to use the Instant Pot. It's easy, quick, hands-off, and always turns out the same.

    Ingredients you'll need

    To cook perfectly steamed broccoli in your pressure cooker, all you need is:

    • Head of fresh broccoli
    • A cup of water
    • An Instant Pot (I use both the Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart and Instant Pot DUO 6-Quart with great results)
    • A steamer basket
    • A few optional ingredients to add flavor, such as minced garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, fresh herbs, extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt, black pepper

    How to cook broccoli in the Instant Pot

    Cooking broccoli in the Instant Pot could not be easier. Cut the head of broccoli into bite-size florets. Keeping them about the same size so they cook evenly.

    Pro tip: After cutting the florets, rinse under cool water to remove any extra debris that may have been lodged in the broccoli. Drain well.

    1. Prepare the Instant Pot: Pour 1 cup of water into the stainless steel insert that comes with the Instant Pot. Place the steamer basket inside the insert.

    2. Add ingredients to Instant Pot: Carefully arrange the broccoli florets onto the steamer basket. It's okay to stack them up on top of each other.

    Hand placing broccoli florets into the insert of the Instant Pot.

    3. Pressure cook: Close the pot with its lid and turn the pressure valve to the sealing position. Press the Pressure Cook, or Manual, button and adjust the time to 0 minutes.

    As soon as the pressure cooker comes to pressure, it's done cooking.

    Hand closing the lid of the Instant Pot.

    4. Quick-release pressure: Once the pressure cooker reaches pressure, immediately quick release the pressure by turning the pressure valve. Carefully remove the lid. 

    Note: Release pressure as soon as the Instant Pot beeps, indicating it's come to pressure. Otherwise, you’ll end up with mushy broccoli.

    5. Remove broccoli: Once the broccoli has cooled down and the steamer basket is safe to handle, remove from the Instant Pot.

    Hand removing steamer basket from the Instant Pot, filled with cooked broccoli.

    6. Season with herbs, if using: In a separate bowl, drizzle cooked broccoli florets with extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.

    Storing and reheating

    Cooked broccoli will store well in the fridge for 3-4 days in a sealed container.

    Serving suggestions

    Prepared broccoli can be served in a variety of ways, including a tasty addition to salads, main dishes, and side dishes. Here are some ways to enjoy them:

    • A delicious side dish dressed with oil (or butter), salt, and pepper. Or infused with more flavors, such as garlic, fresh herbs, and lemon juice.
    • Drizzle with a lemon vinaigrette, lemon tahini sauce or balsamic vinaigrette.
    • Add broccoli into a salad with leafy greens, fresh vegetables, nuts, and fresh herbs.
    • Serve with rice (jasmine rice, black rice, or brown rice) or another grain (quinoa or wheat berries)
    • Pair with a bowl of comforting mac and cheese.

    Frequently asked questions

    What size Instant Pot did you use? I’ve tested this recipe on both my Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart and Instant Pot DUO 6-Quart with great results. However, you may need to tweak how long you cook your broccoli based on preference, the size, model, and brand of your pressure cooker.

    A bowl of cooked broccoli with a small bowl of flaky salt in the background.

    More Instant Pot side dishes

    • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
    • How to Cook Perfect Quinoa in the Instant Pot
    • Instant Pot Chickpeas
    • Instant Pot Pinto Beans

    Interested in cooking other vegetables in your Instant Pot? Check out beets, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, and asparagus.

    Did you make this Instant Pot Broccoli recipe? Leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it turned out. Be sure to tag Real + Vibrant’s Instagram to show me your broccoli.

    A bowl of broccoli cooked in the Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Broccoli

    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 165kcal
    Author: Sapana Chandra
    Learn how to cook perfect broccoli every time with your pressure cooker. This Instant Pot Broccoli is a quick and tasty side dish to round out your dinner.

    Ingredients

    • 1 medium head broccoli, about 2–3 cups of broccoli florets
    • 1 cup water

    Optional Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • Salt and pepper, to taste

    Instructions

    • Cut the broccoli into large florets, keeping them about the same size so they cook evenly. 
    • Pour 1 cup of water into the stainless steel insert of the Instant Pot before placing the steamer basket inside. Then, carefully arrange the broccoli florets onto the steamer basket.
    • Cook on High Pressure for 0 minutes.
    • Once the pressure cooker reaches pressure, immediately quick release the pressure and remove the lid.*
    • Once the broccoli has cooled down and the steamer basket is safe to handle, remove it from the Instant Pot.
    • In a separate bowl, drizzle cooked broccoli florets with extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.

    Notes

    *It’s extremely important to release pressure immediately (as soon as your Instant Pot beeps after coming to pressure), otherwise you’ll end up with mushy broccoli.
    I use this steamer basket as it's adaptable to a variety of different sized pots. I especially love how easy it is to grab the handle. 
    I’ve tested this recipe on both my Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart and Instant Pot DUO 6-Quart with great results. However, you may need to tweak how long you cook the broccoli based on preference, the size, model, and brand of your pressure cooker.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 165kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 107mg, Potassium: 961mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1894IU, Vitamin C: 271mg, Calcium: 143mg, Iron: 2mg
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @realandvibrant and hashtag #realandvibrant!

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    About Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC

    Sapana Chandra is a certified health coach, author of Plant Power Bowls, and founder of Real +Vibrant. Here you’ll find simply delicious vegetarian recipes with step-by-step photo instructions – recipes you’ll be excited to enjoy and share with your loved ones.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chichi | chichiuguru.com says

      October 25, 2019 at 1:31 pm

      I love quick and easy. This is healthy and delicious I love that you can make it in an IP5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 1:34 pm

        Thank, Chichi!

        Reply
    2. Anita says

      October 25, 2019 at 12:07 pm

      Broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables. Didn't know an IP can make perfectly steamed broccoli like this. 🙂5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        October 25, 2019 at 12:52 pm

        Hope you give it a try!

        Reply
    3. Matt Freund says

      October 25, 2019 at 12:02 pm

      I love the instant pot. Vegetables are yummy in it too5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        October 25, 2019 at 12:52 pm

        So happy to hear that you're a fan!

        Reply
    4. Tammy says

      October 25, 2019 at 11:41 am

      It's so incredible all the things you can do with an instant pot! I've been thinking about investing in one for a while now. Simple sides like this look so easy to make...perfect for busy weeknights!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        October 25, 2019 at 12:53 pm

        Absolutely - I use my Instant Pot almost as much as my blender!

        Reply
    5. Genevieve from @fittyfoodlicious says

      October 25, 2019 at 11:39 am

      Broccoli is so good for you and one of my favorite veggies!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        October 25, 2019 at 12:53 pm

        So happy to hear you're a fan, Genevieve!

        Reply
    6. Caitlin says

      October 25, 2019 at 11:38 am

      I'm with you - the Instant Pot makes it so much easier to make veggies!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        October 25, 2019 at 12:54 pm

        So glad to hear you're a fan!

        Reply

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    Sapana Chandra

    Hi, I'm Sapana! I’m a recipe developer and author of the cookbook Plant Power Bowls. Here you'll find simple, delicious, vegetarian recipes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Learn more about me

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