Instant Pot Shrimp and Broccoli

Name: Instant Pot Shrimp and Broccoli
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 pound large shrimp (thawed, peeled and deveined); 1/3 cup olive oil; 1/4 cup lime juice; 1/4 cup lemon juice; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1/2 tsp salt; 4 tbsp butter; ½ head broccoli (chopped into small florets)

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Easily make Instant Pot Shrimp and Broccoli in 15 minutes! This healthy lunch or dinner recipe can be served over rice, noodles and other grains to make a complete meal. Or use it as a quick and delicious meal prepping idea for your busy week.

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Instant Pot lemon lime shrimp and broccoli recipe.

Instant Pot Shrimp and Broccoli creates a meal full of lemon, lime and garlic flavor, complete with crisp broccoli florets and tender, juicy shrimp. It makes a great light and refreshing lunch or dinner.

This recipe for shrimp and broccoli uses the saute function on your Instant Pot rather than the pressure cook option itself. Because shrimp and broccoli may require slightly different pressure cook times based on your texture preference, it's easier and just as quick to use the saute function.

Why wouldn't I just cook this on the stove then?

I realize that not everyone's living conditions give them access to an oven or stove. This recipe is deal for students in dorms, people with disabilities or who cannot work a stove, those who live in RVs, long-distance truckers, anyone undergoing kitchen renovations, those living in hotels or basement apartments without kitchens and even families and couples on vacation without a kitchen in their hotel.

So this recipe gives everyone a chance regardless of any limitations to enjoy a delicious lemony lime shrimp and broccoli meal, all in virtually 15 minutes! Serve with some pressure cooked white rice or basmati, barley or farro and you have a complete dinner. Or enjoy just the shrimp and broccoli for a low-carb option.

shrimp, broccoli and rice tossed in a bowl

Ingredients

This recipe uses only a few simple ingredients:

Shrimp: it's best with large shrimp but you can substitute with any size. A bag of peeled and deveined with their tail off saves prep time, but you can do this all yourself too.
Broccoli: it's best with fresh broccoli cut into small florets.
Lime juice: freshly squeezed or a bottle of lime juice.
Lemon juice: freshly squeezed of a bottle of lemon juice.
Garlic cloves
Salt
Butter

Instructions

STEP 1: Rinse shrimp under cool water and pat dry. Remove tails. Combine the olive oil, lime juice, lemon juice, minced garlic and salt in a large bowl or large plastic baggie to make the marinade. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Put in the fridge for 10-20 minutes (and no more than 30).

STEP 2: Set the Instant Pot to saute on high for 9 minutes. Add the butter to the pot. When melted, add the broccoli florets and saute for 5 minutes, flipping occasionally, then remove and set aside.

STEP 3: Add the marinated shrimp to the pot and cook on each side for 1 minute, reserving the marinade. Pour in the reserved marinade and boil for 2 minutes. Toss in the cooked broccoli and stir to combine.

Serve over rice, noodles or other grains.

instant pot shrimp and broccoli with white rice

How To Store

Place in an airtight covered container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days for optimal quality. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.

What To Serve With Shrimp and Broccoli

Serve your Instant Pot shrimp and broccoli with these suggested salads, soups, breads and main dish finishers:

And complete the meal with a tasty dessert:

Cooking Tips

Don't over-marinate the shrimp. The shrimp should be marinated in liquid that contains acidic ingredients (lemon and lime juice) for 30 minutes max.
Don't overcook the shrimp. This recipe cooks the shrimp on each side for just 1 minute because it will continue to cook while boiling for a few minutes after adding the marinade to the pot. Overcooked shrimp will be rubbery instead of juicy and tender.
Adjust the time it takes to saute the broccoli depending on how crunchy you'd like it. The 5 minutes of cooking time in this recipe will make fairly crisp broccoli. Add a few minutes if you prefer soft broccoli.

broccoli and shrimp with rice in a plate

FAQs

Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?

It's preferable to use thawed shrimp in this recipe. If you marinate frozen shrimp, the marinade will not soak into the flesh of the shrimp well. Also, when sauteing frozen shrimp, it will release water and dilute any sauce or seasonings.

Can I Use Frozen Broccoli?

Yes, frozen broccoli can be used but keep it mind that it will release some water into the inner pot and dilute the flavor from the butter. Frozen broccoli will also not turn out as crisp as fresh broccoli would.

Can I Use The Pressure Cook Setting?

Technically, yes. But bear in mind that a little water will need to be added to the marinade to have enough liquid for the pot to pressurize correctly (and to ensure ingredients don't burn). To use the pressure cook setting, put the marinated shrimp, broccoli florets and extra marinade into the inner pot. Pour in ⅓ cup of water. Close the lid and pressure cook on high for 1 minute, with a quick release of pressure when done.

Enjoy!

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