Cauliflower is one of my favorite winter vegetables, and it's especially delicious when cooked in the Instant Pot. This quick and easy pressure cooker Cauliflower Instant Pot Recipe takes less than 10 minutes to prepare, making it a great weeknight dinner option for busy families. So what are you waiting for try this Instant Pot Cauliflower recipe today!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Healthy and Hearty: This recipe transforms cauliflower into a surprisingly satisfying main dish.
- Effortless Cooking: Using an Instant Pot makes preparation and clean-up a breeze.
- Flavorful Feast: The seasoning blend gives this cauliflower dish a delicious, unique taste.
📋 Ingredients
For this easy cauliflower Instant Pot recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- Cauliflower: The star ingredient, known for its mild, slightly nutty flavor and versatile texture.
- Olive Oil: Enhances the flavor of the cauliflower and helps with roasting to perfection in the Instant Pot.
- Crushed Garlic: Adds a robust, aromatic flavor, complementing the cauliflower wonderfully.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds a zesty tang that brightens the dish and balances the rich flavors.
- Parmesan Cheese: Melts onto the cauliflower, adding a layer of creamy, savory flavor and a delightful texture.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhance the natural flavors and balance the overall taste of the dish.
- Water: Helps in pressure cooking the cauliflower in the Instant Pot, keeping it tender and moist.
- Sprinkle Of Basil (Optional): Adds a fresh, herby note that complements the other flavors nicely.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Flavor Enhancements: Toss cauliflower with garlic, smoked paprika, or curry powder before cooking for a bolder taste. Add a squeeze of lemon juice or parmesan cheese after cooking for extra depth.
- Liquid Variations: Instead of water, use vegetable broth or coconut milk for a richer flavor, especially for mashed or curried cauliflower dishes.
- Texture Options: Keep florets whole for a steamed side dish, mash them for a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, or blend them into a creamy cauliflower soup.
- Topping Ideas: Sprinkle with toasted almonds, crispy bacon bits, or fresh herbs like parsley or chives for an elevated presentation and crunch.
🔪How To Cook Cauliflower In The Instant Pot
- Step 1: Pour 1 cup of water into your Instant Pot. Chop the cauliflower into small florets. Place the cauliflower florets into a steamer basket (or onto a trivet) and place the steamer basket into the Instant Pot.
- Step 2: Squeeze the lemon juice from your lemon and pour evenly over the cauliflower florets, followed by the olive oil. Add the minced garlic, salt and pepper to the cauliflower. Pressure cook your cauliflower on high pressure for 0 minutes. The cauliflower will cook as the pressure builds in the pot and be ready once the cooking time is due to begin.
- Step 3: Perform a quick release on your pressure cooker to release the steam.
- Step 4: Plate your tasty steamed cauliflower. Garnish with shredded parmesan cheese and fresh basil before serving. This cauliflower Instant Pot recipe makes a great side dish or can be used in many recipes from stir fry to cauliflower cheese or cauliflower rice.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Cutting Cauliflower: There are a few different ways to cut cauliflower, depending on the type of dish you are preparing. Some of the most common ways to cut cauliflower include:
- Chopping or dicing florets into small pieces for use in stir-fries, hash browns, and other dishes.
- Cutting cauliflower into thick florets or slices for roasting and grilling;Shredding or spiralling cauliflower into rice-like "cauliflower rice" to use as a substitute for traditional grains.
- Separating the florets from the stem and using both parts in different recipes. Whether you are looking to add some healthy, nutritious cauliflower to your diet or need an alternative grain for a low-carb recipe, the instant pot is a great tool for cooking this versatile vegetable quickly and easily.
💭 FAQs
The Instant Pot is a popular kitchen appliance that makes it easy to cook healthy meals with little preparation time. One of the many great things about this pressure cooker is its ability to quickly cook vegetables, including cauliflower.
Instant Pot steamed cauliflower is tender, flavorful, and perfect for adding to all sorts of dishes, from soups and stews to stir fries and side dishes. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious Instant Pot Cauliflower dish that is sure to become a family favorite.
You can cook cauliflower in the Instant Pot from zero to a few minutes, depending on how tender you prefer your vegetables. Some people like their veggies to be soft and almost meltingly tender, while others prefer them to maintain more of a bite. So experiment with different cooking times until you find the perfect amount of doneness that works for your tastes.
While both cooking methods result in tender, cooked cauliflower that can be used in a variety of dishes, steamed cauliflower tends to be slightly softer and more flavorsome than boiled, while boiled cauliflower retains a bit more of its crunch.
Once you've cooked your Instant Pot Cauliflower, it's important to store it properly to prevent spoilage and keep the nutrients intact. To preserve its freshness and nutrients, be sure to keep your cauliflower tightly wrapped in plastic in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. You can freeze this steamed cauliflower recipe for up to 3 months if you prefer, simply freeze it in an airtight container.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Instant Pot Cauliflower:
- Mashed Cauliflower: Blend the cooked cauliflower with butter, garlic, and a splash of cream for a smooth and creamy mashed cauliflower. Serve as a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes.
- Roasted Cauliflower Bites: After cooking in the Instant Pot, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, paprika, and Parmesan cheese, then broil in the oven for a few minutes until golden and crispy. Serve as a side or snack.
- Cauliflower Rice: Pulse the cooked cauliflower in a food processor to create cauliflower rice. Use it as a low-carb base for stir-fries, burrito bowls, or curries.
- Cheesy Cauliflower Bake: Mix the cooked cauliflower with shredded cheese, a little cream, and breadcrumbs. Bake until bubbly and golden for a delicious cauliflower gratin-style dish.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 Cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 Teaspoons Crushed Garlic
- Fresh Lemon Juice ½ Lemon
- ¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 Cup Water
Instructions
- Pour 1 cup of water into your Instant Pot.
- Chop the cauliflower into small florets. Place the cauliflower florets into a steamer basket (or onto a trivet) and place the steamer basket into the Instant Pot.
- Squeeze the lemon juice from your lemon and pour evenly over the cauliflower florets, followed by the olive oil.
- Add the minced garlic, salt and pepper to the cauliflower.
- Close the lid on your Instant Pot and set the steam valve to the closed position. Pressure cook your cauliflower on high pressure for 0 minutes.
- The cauliflower will cook as the pressure builds in the pot and be ready once the cooking time is due to begin.
- Perform a quick release on your pressure cooker to release the steam.
- Plate your tasty steamed cauliflower. Garnish with shredded parmesan cheese and fresh basil before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
More Instant Pot Recipes
If you love cauliflower in the Instant pot then you may also enjoy the following Instant Pot pressure cooker recipes.
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