Easy Broccoli Instant Pot Recipe
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!
Contents
Why You’ll Love Instant Pot Broccoli
- 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.
Recipe 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.
How to Cook Broccoli in the Instant Pot?
Here are the steps for cooking broccoli in an Instant Pot.
Step One: 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 Two: 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 od 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 For Cooking Instant Pot Broccoli
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.
What To Serve With This Recipe?
- 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.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store: If you want to know how to store broccoli in the fridge, here are our top tips:
- 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.
FAQ’S
How Much Broccoli Should I Eat?
While there is no one amount of broccoli that you should eat each day, experts generally recommend eating at least two servings of cruciferous vegetables each week. One serving of broccoli can be roughly equal to a half-cup cooked or 1 cup raw, so try adding more broccoli to your diet by incorporating it into soups
Can You Steam Broccoli In An Instant Pot
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.
What Does Steamed Broccoli Taste Like?
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.
How To Make A Foil Sling For Instant Pot?
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.
Does Boiling Broccoli Remove Nutrients?
Some people may be concerned that cooking their broccoli in boiling water will cause the nutrients to leach out of it. While this is true for some vitamins and minerals, research has shown that steaming broccoli does retain more of its nutritional value than boiling or microwaving it.
Broccoli Instant Pot Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Broccoli Head
- 1 Cup Water
- 1/2 Red Onion
- 1 Teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp 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!
More Instant Pot Recipes;
If you love quick and easy recipes like this Instant Pot Broccoli recipe, then you are sure to enjoy our other delicious Instant Pot recipes too:
- Instant Pot Carrots
- Instant Pot Sweetcorn
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Hummus
- Instant Pot Brussel Sprouts
- Instant Pot Acorn Squash
- Instant Pot Asparagus
