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When I wrote The Fresh and Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook, I spent weeks experimenting with the best way to cook veggies in the electric pressure cooker. Since you can’t check on the tenderness as you go, it requires an educated guess to get started.
That’s why I’m sharing a step-by-step guide below to help you get perfectly cooked broccoli in the Instant Pot on your first try. (I’ll show you a cooking cycle that you may not have tried before.)
Plus, you’ll be able to accomplish other tasks in your kitchen without having to babysit a pot on the stovetop.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review
“Megan always has the best recipes and this one doesn’t disappoint! She is a pro at Instant Pot recipes and really the only ones I trust. This broccoli comes out delicious and perfect texture every time!”
-Alex
How to Cook Broccoli in the Instant Pot
Step 1:
Pour a half cup of water into the bottom of your 6-quart Instant Pot and place a steamer basket on top. Add up to one pound of broccoli florets to the steamer basket, then secure the lid on the pot.
Move the steam release valve to “Sealing” and use the Manual or Pressure Cook button to cook at high pressure for zero minutes. (Yes, a zero-minute cook time is a real setting!)
Note: If you purchased your Instant Pot before 2020, it likely has a “Manual” button. Machines produced more recently have a “Pressure Cook” button instead. They both perform the same function.
Step 2:
The pot will take roughly 8 to 10 minutes to pressurize. This is when the majority of the steaming process occurs. The more broccoli you’ve added to the pot, the longer the pressurization will take.
Broccoli Note: I typically cook 12 to 16 ounces of broccoli florets at a time. If you cook more than that, the pot will take longer to pressurize, which means the broccoli will steam longer than intended. (This could lead to mushy broccoli.) If you cook only 1 cup of broccoli, it may turn out firmer than intended because the pot will pressurize more quickly.
As the pot pressurizes, the screen will read “ON,” so you won’t see a countdown.
Step 3:
When the Instant Pot beeps, letting you know the cooking cycle is complete, move the steam release valve to “Venting” right away. This is called a quick release. (Keep your hand to the side of the vent, as pictured below, so steam can escape from the top without burning you.)
When the floating valve in the lid drops, you’ll know the pot is no longer pressurized, and it’s safe to open the lid. Test the broccoli with a fork to make sure it’s tender, and then it’s ready to serve.
Serving Tips
The steamed broccoli should have a bright green color and perfect texture. It should be easily pierced with a fork, but not mushy. If you don’t perform the quick pressure release or remove the lid right away, it will continue to soften, so keep that in mind.
Serve Instant Pot steamed broccoli warm right away, with any toppings you love. Add salt and pepper to taste, or sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese for an easy side dish.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, making this a perfect meal prep side dish.
Instant Pot Broccoli (Perfectly Cooked!)
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- 12 to 16 ounces broccoli florets
Instructions
- Pour the water into the bottom of a 6-quart Instant Pot and arrange a steamer basket inside. There's no need to buy something special; I use the same steamer basket I use for stove-top cooking.
- Place the broccoli on top of the steamer basket, then secure the lid. Move the steam release valve to "Sealing" and use the Pressure Cook or Manual button to cook at high pressure for zero minutes. (Yes, zero is a real setting on the Instant Pot!) It will take roughly 8 to 10 minutes for the pot to come to pressure if you're using a 6-quart Instant Pot, so the machine will read "On" until then.
- As soon as the cooking cycle is complete, the screen will read L0:00. Immediately move the steam release valve to "Sealing" for a quick pressure release. It will take 1-2 minutes for the steam to release. When the floating valve in the lid drops, that means the pressure is gone and it's safe to open the lid.
- The broccoli should be perfectly fork-tender, without being mushy. Serve it warm right away as a healthy side dish, or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, so you can add it to meals throughout the week.
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes to Try
If you try this Instant Pot broccoli recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know how you like it!
Hey Meagan! I was just wondering if I should use 12 oz of broccoli that you stated in the actual blog post or should I use 8oz from the actual recipe? As always thanks for having such a great resource
So Easy and perfect every time! If you prefer the broccoli to have a little more bite, set the pressure to low rather than high!
Megan always has the best recipes and this one doesn’t disappoint! She is a pro at Instant Pot recipes and really the only ones I trust. This broccoli comes out delicious and perfect texture every time!
this tonight with my hubby! We LOVED it! Thanks for the receipe
This is the perfect way to cook Broccoli 🙂 Thank you for this! I always get distracted and overcook it when using the stove. This is so quick and easy. I can set it and get other things ready and not worry it will be mush!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Patty. I always forget it on the stove, too, so I appreciate that the Instant Pot beeps so loudly for this one!