Quick and simple Instant Pot Broccoli! This recipe for steamed broccoli comes together in just 10 minutes and is totally hands-off. 

steamed broccoli florets in a white square bowl set on a gray surface with a stripped blue linen napkin

How to make Instant Pot Broccoli 

Steaming broccoli in the Instant Pot is pretty foolproof—set it and forget it! To be frank—steaming broccoli in the Instant Pot isn’t faster than doing it on the stove top or even the microwave. But it is totally hands-off, which I find helpful when throwing together a complete meal on a weeknight. 

Step 1: prep the broccoli 

Cut the broccoli into medium-sized florets—about 1½-inch to 2-inch pieces is perfect. This recipe serves 4 as a side dish, if you’re serving more or want larger servings you can easily double the recipe—the cook time will remain the same.   

Reserve the broccoli stems for another use (salad, roasting, slaw, soup). 

collage of two images showing how to cut broccoli into florets and broccoli florets in a brown bowl

Step 2: add broccoli to the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 0 minutes 

Set the wire rack in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Your Instant Pot should have come with a round wire rack. This helps to lift the florets off the bottom of the pot and promoted even steaming. If you don’t have the rack—no worries, the broccoli will still come out delicious. 

Add the broccoli to the pot with water, a garlic clove, and a dried bay leaf. Close and lock the lid then flip the pressure release valve to the “sealing” position. 

Since broccoli steams fairly quickly, the short time it takes for the pot to come up to pressure is all the broccoli needs to be cooked through. Once the pot is to pressure (which takes about 5 minutes, depending on the volume in the pot), the broccoli is cooked through and perfectly fork-tender. For this reason, the cook time is 0 minutes—yes 0 minutes. 

(Yay for Instant Pot Broccoli, yea?!)

collage of 4 images showing how to steam broccoli in an instant pot

Step 3: quick release the pressure 

Once the pot is to pressure (and it beeps), quick release the pressure completely before removing the lid. To quick release pressure, flip the pressure valve to “venting.” Be sure to use a towel to protect your hand!

Step 4: use as desired

Simply season the steamed broccoli with kosher salt, black pepper, and a splash of olive oil for a super quick side dish. For a more composed side dish, use the steamed broccoli in this Healthy Broccoli Salad featuring red onion, pepitas and Cheddar.

What you’ll need for Instant Pot Broccoli:

  • 6-quart Instant Pot or pressure cooker
  • Wire rack that came with the Instant Pot 
  • 2 large heads broccoli 
  • water
  • clove garlic (optional)
  • dried bay leaf (optional)
  • kosher salt, black pepper and extra-virgin olive oil 

Add some flavor

Make this more than just steamed broccoli. Dress up the fork-tender broccoli with some flavorful additions.

  • Add regular or golden raisins 
  • Toss in toasted nuts or seeds
  • Add Cheddar, Parmesan or feta
  • Toss with Classic Vinaigrette
  • Add fresh herbs such as parsley, dill or tarragon 
steamed broccoli florets in a white square bowl set on a gray surface with a stripped blue linen napkin

Broccoli Recipes you may like…

If you give this Instant Pot broccoli recipe a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @zestfulkitchen on Instagram. I love hearing about and seeing your ZK creations!

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steamed broccoli florets in a white square bowl set on a gray surface with a stripped blue linen napkin

Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

  • Author: Lauren Grant
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Side dish
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

Simple, quick and easy, this recipe for Instant Pot steamed broccoli is a great hands-off method for steaming broccoli when you have other things to prep and cook. Hands-off and perfect every time. 


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds broccoli (2 large heads, about 8 cups florets)
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 garlic clove, smashed, optional 
  • 1 dried bay leaf, optional 
  • Kosher salt, black pepper and extra-virgin olive oil 

Instructions

Set Instant Pot wire rack in bottom of Instant Pot (if you have it). If you don’t have the wire rack that came with the pot, skip this step.

Cut broccoli into medium-sized florets (about 1½ to 2 inches large). Add florets to Instant Pot with ½ cup water, garlic, and bay leaf. Lock lid in place and close pressure release. Select high pressure cook function and cook for 0 minutes (press Pressure Cook button, set to “High Pressure,” and set cook time to 0 minutes). 

Once Instant Pot is pressurized and beeps, turn off Instant Pot and quick-release pressure. Carefully remove lid, allowing for steam to escape away from you. Discard garlic and bay leaf.

Season broccoli with salt, pepper and olive oil to taste or make this Healthy Broccoli Salad.



Notes

Only use fresh broccoli. Frozen broccoli will not work and will become overcooked and mushy.

If you want to dress the broccoli with a simple vinaigrette—mash the steamed garlic into a paste and use that in the vinaigrette. 

Make it a complete side dish! Use steamed broccoli in this Healthy Broccoli Salad.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: ¼ of the recipe
  • Calories: 77
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 75mg
  • Fat: 0.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 6.5g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli, Instant Pot Broccoli, Broccoli Instant Pot

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About The Author

Lauren Grant is a professional culinary food scientist, food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer. Lauren is a previous magazine editor and test kitchen developer and has had work published in major national publications including Diabetic Living Magazine, Midwest Living Magazine, Cuisine at Home Magazine, EatingWell.com, AmericasTestKitchen.com, and more.

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