Easy Instant Pot Steamed Pot Broccoli

The quickest, easiest way to cook broccoli, this Instant Pot steamed broccoli is buttery and tender, drizzled with a lemon butter sauce, and on the table in under 15 minutes - it's one of the easiest instant pot recipes!

To steam broccoli in instant pot, you literally set the Instant Pot to zero minutes. Yes, zero minutes. By the time it gets up to pressure, the perfectly steamed broccoli is done cooking. It's SO EASY.

Plus, a tangy lemon butter sauce is the perfect accompaniment for this broccoli. Adding the perfect silky finish, you may even get non-vegetable lovers to eat this broccoli (they will probably like this garlic butter broccoletti too)!

Using an instant pot pressure cooker (or any electric pressure cooker) is the is THE way to be steaming your broccoli. The boyfriend and I are totally addicted to cooking veggies in the Instant Pot - we are all about these instant pot carrots, instant pot cauliflower and instant pot beets.

Why this instant pot steamed broccoli recipe works

• It's ultra easy way to steam broccoli, and takes less than 15 minutes to make as the broccoli cooks in the time it takes the instant pot to come to pressure.
• It's a great way to save space on the stovetop when you're preparing a large meal.
• Broccoli has so many health benefits and is great for meal prepping - it's the perfect healthy side dish.
• You get perfectly tender and crisp broccoli every time when using the instant pot to steam broccoli.

More instant pot steamed veggies

Broccoli is one of the vegetables you can steam in the instant pot - you can make all kinds of vegetables in the instant pot. Get perfectly steamed vegetables every time with one of these recipes:

Ingredients

Look for deep green, fresh broccoli heads to make steamed broccoli. You can also buy bags of pre-cut broccoli florets for convenience. You can make frozen broccoli in the instant pot too, but it will be softer than if cooked from raw.

Fresh lemon juice is a must when making the lemon butter. Bottled juice just won't have the same flavor.

The full list of ingredients and instructions is included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Variations and substitutions

• You can crumble some cheese like feta or goat cheese on top for an extra delicious tangy flavor.
• Replace the lemon butter with this easy chimichurri sauce for a delicious tangy, herby flavor.
• Instead of lemon you can use lime or any other citrus.
• Just use a sprinkle of salt and a drizzle of good quality olive oil to keep it simple.

Step by step instructions to steam broccoli in the instant pot

1. Cut the heads of broccoli into individual florets. Add the broccoli florets to a steamer basket (made to work with Instant Pot) and put it in the Instant Pot.

2. Add the water to the bottom of the pot, close the lid to the instant pot and set the pressure to cook for zero minutes on high pressure. Once the instant pot beeps, use the quick pressure release to release the pressure when done.

3. Carefully remove the broccoli, drizzle with lemon butter and serve immediately. This is amazing served alongside this butter poached sous vide lobster tail or this Dutch oven whole roast chicken.

How to make lemon butter

1. Combine the butter, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a microwave safe bowl.

2. Microwave for 20-60 seconds, or until butter is fully melted. Stir well to ensure it is combined and the salt has dissolved.

This lemon butter would also be incredible on this sous vide chicken breast, these garlic butter roasted potatoes or these instant pot shrimp.

Expert tips for instant pot broccoli

1. If your broccoli comes out mushy (I've never had this happen, but some people have), try to pressure cook it in low pressure.
2. Use fresh lemon juice for the best results. Bottled juice will not provide the same fresh flavor.
3. Double the recipe for the same cook time if needed.
4. I use a 6 quart Instant Pot to make this recipe. An 8 quart would work also.
5. While a steamer basket is not required, it is the best way to ensure the broccoli does not get mushy while cooking.
6. Once the broccoli is done, always be sure to quick release and remove from the pressure cooker as soon as possible otherwise the broccoli will overcook.
7. If you have a pressure cooker with no "0" setting, cook for 1 minute on the lowest pressure setting.
8. Cut the broccoli in even pieces so it cooks evenly.
9. To steam frozen broccoli, use low pressure instead of high pressure.

More serving options

• Just use a sprinkle of salt and a drizzle of good quality olive oil to keep it simple
• Crumbled bacon or pancetta
• Drizzled with a pesto sauce
• A sprinkle of your favorite cheese and/or nutritional yeast for extra flavor
• Toasted nuts and/or dried cranberries
• A drizzle of tahini (great with the lemon butter)
• Roasted garlic cloves or this sous vide garlic confit

Frequently asked questions

More broccoli recipes

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