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Home » Instant Pot

Instant Pot Broccoli

Published: Jan 5, 2022 · Modified: Nov 16, 2022 by Kristina Tipps · This post may contain affiliate links for which I earn a small commission.

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Instant Pot broccoli is so easy and quick to make, with a pressure cooking time of zero minutes! No more mushy and overcooked stovetop broccoli. Enjoy as a side dish or toss into your favorite pasta, rice, and meat dishes.

Instant pot broccoli in a white plate

The pressure cooker creates the perfect fresh steamed broccoli in only 15 minutes (pressurizing time and pressure releasing time included).

Broccoli is naturally gluten-free, low in calories, vegan, and full of nutrients. It fits into almost every diet and is one of the most popular healthy side dishes.

There is nothing difficult about making amazing and perfectly cooked broccoli in the Instant Pot. This is such an easy recipe!

MORE EASY INSTANT POT RECIPES

  • Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
  • Instant Pot Salmon and Rice
  • Instant Pot Celery Soup
  • Instant Pot Barbecue Chicken

Tips For Making Perfect Broccoli

Making perfectly steamed broccoli in the Instant Pot is so simple that there aren't many tips needed, other than knowing how long to pressure cook the broccoli for your preferred tenderness. These cook times are for fresh broccoli florets. Bagged broccoli will take slightly longer.

Recommended Cook Time

Crisp: zero minutes on high pressure

Soft: 1 minute on high pressure

Broccoli cooked in zero minutes with be tender crisp and still easily pierced with a fork.

*If you're using a refrigerated bag of broccoli like this, you should increase the cooking time. For crisp bagged broccoli, cook for 2 minutes on high pressure and for softer broccoli, cook for 3 minutes.

Tools Needed

  • Pressure cooker
  • Steamer basket (or trivet)

This recipe will work in any size Instant Pot. You'll likely need to reduce the amount of broccoli for a 3 quart pot, although I have not tested it.

If you don't have a steamer basket, put the chopped broccoli on a trivet. Steamer baskets allow you to more easily remove the broccoli than a trivet because of their handles and basket shape. I have this accessory set for my Instant Pot and it includes a great steamer basket!

a fork poking a piece of cooked broccoli

Instructions

Let's not complicate how to pressure cook broccoli! All you need to do is add the right amount of water recommended for your pot size, your steamer basket of broccoli and press start.

STEP 1: Pour cold water into the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Make sure to use the recommended amount of water for your pot size!

STEP 2: Wash the broccoli, cut it into florets, and put it in the steamer basket. Place the steamer basket into the inner pot. Close the lid and put it into the sealing position. Set to high pressure and the cook time to 0 minutes for tender-crisp broccoli or 1 minute for soft broccoli. For bagged broccoli, cook for 2-3 minutes depending on your preferred tenderness.

broccoli florets in an instant pot steamer basket

STEP 3: Complete a quick release of the pressure when the pot beeps. open the lid and carefully remove the steamed broccoli using tongs or transfer the steamer basket to the counter using oven mitts. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

instant pot broccoli in a white serving bowl

Store cooked broccoli in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

What Size Instant Pot Can I Use?

You can use a 6, 8 or 10 quart Instant Pot when making the amount of broccoli this recipe calls for (one pound). For 3 quart pots, you'll likely need to use a little less broccoli.

Should I Change The Amount Of Water Based On My Pressure Cooker Size?

Yes, you should. Because the water isn't added into the recipe, you just want to use the correct amount to ensure your Instant Pot comes to pressure correctly. Check your user manual for the recommended water amount for your size pot.

How Does It Cook With A Zero Minute Cook Time?

The Instant Pot cooks food as it's coming to pressure. So when foods have a zero cook time, they cook as the pot is pressurizing. The time it takes for the pot to build pressure is the only time it takes to steam fresh broccoli! Remember, too, that food also continues to cook as you release pressure. Broccoli always needs a quick release so it does not overcook, which will happen if you allow the pressure to naturally release.

What If I Use Low Pressure?

When using low pressure to steam any vegetable you will need to increase the pressure cook time. Increase the time 1 minute when cooking broccoli on low pressure.

Can I Use Frozen Broccoli?

Yes, you can pressure cook frozen broccoli instead of fresh using the same cook time. Always use high pressure for frozen broccoli.

Does Bagged Broccoli Cook For The Same Amount Of Time?

Bags of precut broccoli take slightly longer to pressure cook. For tender-crisp broccoli, pressure cook for 2 minutes and for softer broccoli cook for 3 minutes.

up close image of broccoli in a white bowl

Ways To Serve

Serve as is, plain, as an incredibly healthy side dish along with your favorite meat or fish. Or to flavor it:

  • Sprinkle with salt, pepper, or other seasonings.
  • Squeeze with a little fresh lemon.
  • Mix with roasted garlic, red onions, or steamed cauliflower.

Recipes To Use Up Steamed Broccoli

In addition to eating your Instant Pot steamed broccoli as a side dish, use it in these delicious recipes:

  • Green Pizza with Broccoli, Arugula, and Pesto
  • Broccoli Egg and Cheese Breakfast Burritos
  • Broccoli Garlic Pasta Shells with Olive Oil and Parmesan
  • Broccoli Cheddar Fritters

Recipe

pressure cooked broccoli florets in a white bowl

Instant Pot Broccoli

Kristina Tipps
Instant Pot broccoli is so easy and quick to make, with a pressure cook time of zero minutes! No more mushy and overcooked stovetop broccoli. Enjoy as a side dish or toss into your favorite pasta, rice, and meat dishes.
5 from 12 votes
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Prep Time 1 minute minute
Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
Total Time 11 minutes minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 19 kcal

Equipment

  • pressure cooker any size
  • Steamer basket

Ingredients

  • 1 lb fresh broccoli *see notes for bagged or frozen broccoli
  • 1 - 1½ cups cold water

Instructions
 

  • Pour the recommended amount of cold water for your Instant Pot size into the inner pot. This is 1 ½ cups for an 8 quart pot. Put a steamer basket or trivet inside the pot.
  • Wash the broccoli, cut it into florets, and put into the steamer basket or trivet. Close and seal the Instant Pot lid. Set to pressure cook on high for 0 minutes for tender-crisp broccoli or 1 minute for soft broccoli.
  • Complete a quick release of the pressure when done. Carefully remove the steamed broccoli using tongs or transfer the basket or trivet to the counter using oven mitts.
  • Let cool for a few minutes and serve warm as a side dish or toss into pasta, rice, or meat dishes.

Notes

This recipe will work in a 6, 8 or 10 quart Instant Pot. You'll likely need to reduce the amount of broccoli for a 3 quart pot. 
Using frozen broccoli: the recipe remains the same if using frozen broccoli.
Using bagged broccoli: for pre-cut bags of broccoli, cook for 2 minutes for tender-crisp broccoli and 3 minutes for softer broccoli.
Storing: keep cooked broccoli stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 3ozCalories: 19kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 20mgPotassium: 179mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 353IUVitamin C: 51mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
Did you try this recipe?Give a shout out to @tastyovenrecipes or tag #tastyovenrecipes!

If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to give it a star rating and let me know what you thought in the comments! And follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for more delicious recipes!

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Comments

    5 from 12 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. E. L.

    June 25, 2024 at 4:43 pm

    I rarely buy any bagged pre cut vegetables but I'm curious about why it would take longer than fresh or frozen. I can't grasp why it would/should take longer to steam than what I just washed & cut.

    Reply
  2. Mindy

    January 14, 2022 at 12:13 pm

    5 stars
    I was skeptical but shouldn’t have been. Worked like a charm to steam some fresh broccoli for a broccoli casserole. The stems were just as tender as the florets which is sometimes tricky with stovetop steaming.

    Reply
    • Kristina

      January 14, 2022 at 3:59 pm

      I am glad you tried it! The perfect tenderness is why I love it too.

      Reply
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