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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chichi | chichiuguru.com says
I love quick and easy. This is healthy and delicious I love that you can make it in an IP
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thank, Chichi!
Anita says
Broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables. Didn't know an IP can make perfectly steamed broccoli like this. 🙂
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Hope you give it a try!
Matt Freund says
I love the instant pot. Vegetables are yummy in it too
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So happy to hear that you're a fan!
Tammy says
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!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Absolutely - I use my Instant Pot almost as much as my blender!
Genevieve from @fittyfoodlicious says
Broccoli is so good for you and one of my favorite veggies!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So happy to hear you're a fan, Genevieve!
Caitlin says
I'm with you - the Instant Pot makes it so much easier to make veggies!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So glad to hear you're a fan!