Looking for a delicious side dish to go with any meal? Look no further than this Easy Broccoli Instant Pot Recipe! This simple broccoli Instant Pot recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, as it only takes a few minutes to cook up and can be served with pretty much any dish.
You can make perfectly cooked broccoli using both fresh and frozen broccoli florets. Make Instant Pot Broccoli today and enjoy this healthy, nutrient-rich vegetable any time you want!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Speedy and Simple: This Instant Pot recipe delivers perfectly cooked broccoli in minutes.
- Nutrition Boost: Broccoli is a superfood, packed with vitamins and fiber for a healthy meal.
- Versatile Veggie: This easy recipe can be a side dish or main course star.
📋 Ingredients
Here are the ingredients for this broccoli Instant Pot dish cuisine.
- Broccoli Head: The main ingredient, prized for its earthy flavor and crisp-tender texture when cooked right.
- Water: Essential for the pressure cooking process in the Instant Pot, ensuring perfectly steamed broccoli.
- Red Onion: Adds a sweet, slightly spicy flavor and a pleasing crunch to contrast with the broccoli's texture.
- Minced Garlic: Enhances the savory profile of the dish, pairing well with the broccoli.
- Olive Oil: Helps sauté the onions and garlic, and adds a mild, fruity note to the dish.
- Butter: Melts into the broccoli, adding a rich, creamy taste and enhancing its natural flavors.
- Red Chili Pepper Flakes (Optional): Adds a spicy kick to the dish, if you like a bit of heat.
- Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkled on top for a savory, cheesy finish that complements the broccoli beautifully.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a zesty tang, brightening up the dish and balancing the rich flavors.
- Garlic Powder (Optional): Gives an extra garlicky boost, intensifying the overall flavor profile.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Flavor Boosters: Add garlic powder, lemon zest, or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese after cooking for extra depth of flavor. A drizzle of sesame oil or soy sauce can also give an Asian-inspired twist.
- Liquid Options: Instead of plain water, steam the broccoli with vegetable or chicken broth for a subtle infusion of flavor.
- Texture Tweaks: For firmer broccoli, use a quick 0-minute pressure cook and release immediately. For softer, mashable broccoli, increase the cooking time slightly.
- Topping & Garnish Ideas: Toss the broccoli with toasted almonds, red pepper flakes, or crispy breadcrumbs for added crunch and visual appeal.
🔪How to Cook Broccoli in the Instant Pot
- Step 1: Saute your diced onion with garlic, olive oil, and butter. Once softened, place in a small bowl and put to one side. Wash out your Inner Pot and place it back into the pressure cooker. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pot.
- Step 2: Wash broccoli and place your broccoli florets into the Instant Pot pressure cooker. The broccoli pieces can either be placed on top of a trivet or into a steamer basket. Close the Instant Pot Lid and set the sealing valve to the closed position. Turn on the Instant Pot and pressure cook on low pressure for 1 minute, followed by a quick release of pressure.
Step Five: Remove the broccoli from the Instant pot and place it on a serving plate. Add the cooked onions. Garnish with lemon juice, shredded parmesan cheese, and red chili pepper flakes for a kick of spice.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Fresh Broccoli Instant Pot Time: If you're wondering how long to cook broccoli in a pressure cooker, it depends on whether or not the broccoli is fresh or frozen.
- Fresh Broccoli Instant Pot time = 1 minute.
- Frozen Instant Pot Broccoli time = 2 minutes.
Softer Broccoli: If you prefer your broccoli to be softer and a little more cooked, there are some techniques that you can try. One option is to steam the broccoli in the Instant Pot for an extra minute or two before removing it from the pressure cooker. This is great if you're making Pureed Food.
💭 FAQs
The answer is Yes! Steaming broccoli in an Instant Pot is quick and easy and will result in perfectly tender broccoli with a delicious savory flavor. To steam Instant Pot broccoli you need to get the timings right and be sure to cook on low pressure so you end up with mushy broccoli.
Steamed broccoli can have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor and a tender but firm texture. It’s delicious when served alongside other vegetables like asparagus or green beans or tossed with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and herbs for a simple side dish.
If you don’t have a steamer basket you can make an aluminum foil sling for the instant pot. Simply prepare a long strip of aluminum foil, about 10-15 inches in length and as wide as the pot is deep.
If making Instant Pot broccoli with a foil sling, place the broccoli florets or stalks in the center of the sling and fold up both sides to form a sling that will help you lower the broccoli into the Instant Pot without touching it directly.
Broccoli should be kept in a plastic vegetable bag and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Store broccoli at the bottom of your refrigerator, which is typically the most humid area. This will help to preserve its freshness and prevent it from becoming too dry or wilted. If you want to extend the freshness of your broccoli even further, try adding a slice of lemon or other citrus fruit to the bag with your broccoli.
Serving Suggestions
Steamed Broccoli is a versatile vegetable that can be served with many different dishes. Some of our favorite pairings include Rice, Roasted Salmon, Grilled Chicken, and eggs cooked any way you like them.
- You can serve steamed broccoli with just about any meal, making it an easy and healthy side dish that is quick and convenient to cook.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Broccoli Instant Pot Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Broccoli Head
- 1 Cup Water
- ½ Red Onion
- 1 Teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Butter
- 1 Teaspoon Red Chili Pepper Flakes optional
- 1 Sprinkle Parmesan Cheese
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Saute your diced onion with garlic, olive oil and butter. Once softened, place in a small bowl and put to one side.
- Wash out your Inner Pot and place it back into the pressure cooker. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pot.
- Wash broccoli and place your broccoli florets into the Instant Pot pressure cooker. The broccoli pieces can either be placed on top of a trivet or into a steamer basket.
- Close the Instant Pot Lid and set the sealing valve to the closed position. Turn on the Instant pot and pressure cook on low pressure for 1 minute. (Assuming the broccoli is fresh) If using frozen broccoli add an extra minute to the pressure cooking time.
- After the Instant pot beeps, perform a QPR, quick pressure steam release on your Instant Pot by opening the pressure valve using a wooden spoon or teatowel.
- Remove the broccoli from the Instant pot and place it on a serving plate. Add the cooked onions. Garnish with lemon juice, shredded parmesan cheese and red chilli pepper flakes for a kick of spice.
Notes
Nutrition
Steamed broccoli cooks quickly and retains a bright green color when cooked, so if you want to ensure that your broccoli is as healthy as possible, consider using an Instant Pot or similar electric pressure cooker to steam broccoli instead of boiling.
And of course, be sure to season your steamed broccoli with salt and pepper or other spices for even more flavor!
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