This Instant Pot Broccoli recipe is so easy and it makes perfectly steamed broccoli in no time! Add extra flavor by steaming your broccoli in chicken broth.
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Just when you guys thought I was out of broccoli recipes for you…nope. Never. I love broccoli and I’ll continue coming up with new ways to cook it!
This one here isn’t really anything fancy – it’s basically just steamed broccoli in the Instant Pot! But, it does have some added flavor from cooking in chicken stock and it comes out perfectly tender-crisp every time, which basically zero work on your part! This really does make broccoli with the perfect texture and a bright green color.
Instant Pot steamed broccoli has been my go to way to steam broccoli lately and you know we eat a lot of broccoli in this house. It’s the one vegetable that everyone in my family likes and it’s such a healthy side dish. Sure, they’ll tolerate lots of veggies, but they LIKE broccoli!
Especially when we pour our keto Alfredo sauce or keto cheese sauce over the top!
Cooking Time to Steam Broccoli in Instant Pot:
The cook time for steaming broccoli in the Instant Pot always cracks me up!
You’ll set your instant pot to manual on high pressure for a total of ZERO minutes! Not to worry, the pot will still take a few minutes to come to pressure, but setting it to a zero minute cook time means the broccoli won’t turn out mushy. It will be perfectly tender crisp.
Can I Use Frozen Broccoli?
I’ve always preferred fresh broccoli florets when steaming broccoli in the Instant Pot or on the stove. We enjoy the tender crisp texture of the fresh veggies!
Frozen broccoli is going to end up with a less crisp, more tender or even mushy texture. If that’s not a problem for you feel free to use frozen broccoli for this easy side dish.
We’re already starting with a 0 minute cook time on the Instant Pot so you can just follow the same steps for making it.
Instant Pot Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 large head broccoli
- ½ cup chicken stock or water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the broccoli into florets and rinse well.
- Place the broccoli in the Instant Pot liner and add the chicken stock.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set to sealing.
- Cook on high pressure for zero minutes. It will take about 5 minutes for the pot to come to pressure, during which time the broccoli will perfectly cook.
- When the Instant Pot beeps, carefully release the pressure and remove the lid.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the broccoli from the pot to a serving dish and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Ingredient Notes:
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Broccoli – You can chop a large head of broccoli into florets or check the produce section for pre-chopped florets. I pretty much always buy the package of florets to save time.
Chicken Stock – We’re going to add loads of flavor to this Instant Pot broccoli by pressure cooking it in some chicken stock! You can use homemade stock, the canned kind, or make some from a chicken base. This is steamed broccoli so it needs a liquid and chicken stock means more flavor.
- It doesn’t get any easier than tossing some broccoli into the Instant Pot and setting it to a zero minute cook time!
- Steaming it in chicken stock adds another level of flavor to the broccoli. Youl could also use veggie broth here.
- This recipe is so versatile! Eat the broccoli as is or dress it up with cheese sauce, butter, or Alfredo sauce.
How To Steam Broccoli in Instant Pot:
- Broccoli – First up you’ll prepare the broccoli by chopping it into florets and rinsing well. Once you’ve finished chopping just add the broccoli to the Instant Pot liner. You don’t need any fancy inserts or anything – just drop it in!
- Chicken Stock – With the broccoli added you can now pour in the chicken stock. A half cup should do the trick, or if you don’t have any you can use water, you just won’t get all that wonderful chicken flavor added to the broccoli! That’s all there is to this Instant Pot broccoli, now you can start cooking.
- Pressure Cook – Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to sealing. Cook on high for zero minutes! A zero minute cook time sounds odd but by the time it gets up to pressure (about 5 minutes) you will have perfect steamed broccoli! When it beeps release the pressure and remove the lid. Use a slotted spoon to remove the steamed broccoli and serve it up right away with some salt and pepper to taste!
Want extra flavor? Squeeze a lemon over your cooked broccoli and enjoy the extra bright flavor.
What To Serve With Instant Pot Broccoli:
There are lots of ways to enjoy this Instant Pot steamed broccoli! I’ve put together a list of my favorite toppings along with other dishes that’ll pair well with the broccoli!
Toppings: Cheese! Drizzle on my keto cheese sauce or just sprinkle on some freshly shredded cheddar. Parmesan or feta cheese works too. Actually, any cheese sounds good. My low carb alfredo sauce would be pretty amazing too!
Turn this into loaded broccoli, by topping with a pat of butter, shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, and a dollop of sour cream. Like a loaded potato, but without the carbs!
Freshly squeezed lemon juice is another great way to enjoy broccoli. It’ll brighten the color and add zesty flavor!
Main Dish: I think broccoli goes well with just about any meat, especially chicken or pork. These crispy baked chicken thighs are delicious with steamed broccoli.
Air fryer boneless pork chops are quick and easy just like this Instant Pot broccoli recipe.
Seafood will also pairs well with broccoli, like garlic butter shrimp. Make extra garlic butter for the broccoli and drizzle it over the top. It would also make a nice light side for this salmon bruschetta.
FAQ’s:
Let the steamed broccoli cool down first before placing it into an airtight container and refrigerating for up to 3 or 4 days. You can quickly reheat it in the microwave.
Nope, if you don’t have any or don’t want to use it water will work here. This is really just Instant Pot steamed broccoli, so it needs some type of liquid but it doesn’t have to be chicken stock. It just adds more flavor!
We like the broccoli to be tender crisp so the time is set for 0 minutes on high. If you want softer more tender broccoli you can add 1 minute to the cook time. I would not add more than a minute or it’ll be mush.
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