How To Steam Vegetables In The Instant Pot

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How Long To Steam Veggies In The Instant Pot

Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables

For tender, yet crispy veggies, follow these guidelines. How long to steam vegetables in Instant Pot? Depending on the size of your pressure cooker, times may vary slightly. Size of the pot matters a lot when steaming veggies in Instant Pot because its volume will dictate how long pot comes to pressure, thus cooking vegetables at same time.

  • 3 quart Instant Pot: 1 minute on High Pressure.
  • 6 quart: 0 minutes on High Pressure.
  • 8 or 10 quart: 0 minutes on Low Pressure.

Pro Tip: If your Instant Pot doesnt have low pressure, cook on High Pressure and Cancel as soon as it pressurizes.

How To Steam Vegetables In The Instant Pot

I like al dente steamed vegetables, where theyre just really bright but not too mushy. So I usually only steam them in the Instant Pot for one minute. Then I immediately try to release the steam and get the vegetables out so that the hot water doesnt continue to cook them.

  • Prepare veggies to steam by cutting into equal-sized chunks shoot large to prevent overcooking.
  • Pour one cup of water under the steamer insert and arrange veggies on the basket.
  • Lock in the lid and make sure the valve is closed.
  • Cook on Manual for one minute. Manual will default to high pressure if youre steaming less than a whole head of cauliflower or broccoli, something small like green beans, or you simply prefer al dente steamed veggies, I would try low pressure for one minute.
  • It will take about 10 minutes to get up to pressure.
  • After the one minute cook time, open the valve with a long-handled wooden spoon or something similar to quick release the pressure .
  • Remove the steamed veggies and serve warm with any desired seasonings!
  • Instant Pot Frozen Cauliflower

    Instant Pot Frozen Caulifloweris fantastic for cooking from frozen under pressure. It saves looking for freshcauliflower and chopping it up and is perfect for using in a lot of differentdishes.

    If you follow Paleo, or similar diets then it is perfect foryou, as how often do you see a recipe that uses cauliflower to make somethingunusual.

    Think of all those times you see a recipe for cauliflower rice, cauliflower pizza or even cauliflower mash.

    One evening I was making Pressure Cooker Corn Chowder, was out of potatoes and subbed the potatoes for frozen cauliflower.

    It was delicious and made me realise what a good backup frozen cauliflower is.

    How To Cook Frozen Cauliflower In The Instant Pot? We cooked half a bag of frozen cauliflower in the Instant Pot.

    The cooking time and method is the same for doing frozen cauliflower as it is frozen broccoli.

    You simply, place a cup of water into the bottom of the Instant Pot, add your trivet and add your steamer basket that is loaded up with frozen cauliflower.

    Set the Instant Pot to 0 minutes on the steam setting and let the Instant Pot do its magic.RecipeThis.com Opinion: Cauliflower is the BEST for last minute cooking plans.

    It can be used in so many dishes and it allows you to be a lazy cook. I love how flavoursome it is for a frozen vegetable.

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    How To Make Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

    If you have an Instant Pot, odds are you have a steamer basket for your Instant Pot. If you dont, I highly recommend one. I use my steamer basket weekly and I love this small trivet too. It can be used in place of a basket if you dont have one.

    To make perfectly steamed broccoli in your Instant Pot, heres what you do:

  • Wash broccoli thoroughly.
  • Place entire head onto steamer basket in Instant Pot.
  • Add just enough water to cover the base of your Instant Pot bowl.
  • Add any seasonings you choose
  • Put on lid and lock. Turn valve to seal.
  • Hit the Manual button and set 0 minutes.
  • Once it beeps and reaches pressure, do a quick release and youll have perfectly cooked Instant Pot broccoli!
  • Using 0 or even 1 on Manual pressuring setting simply bring that pressure and temperature high enough to steam the broccoli quickly. Again, I like my steamed broccoli to retain some crispness so I find the 0 minute setting is best.

    If you like your broccoli to be a bit softer, try using the 1 minute setting on Manual pressure. As with any appliance, trial and error is the best way to learn how to use your Instant Pot for steaming broccoli and other vegetables.

    Note: While the actual cook time will be between 0-1 minute, it will take a few minutes for your Instant Pot to come to pressure. So, please allow about 5 minutes of cooking time for this side dish.

    For Adding Greens To Other Dishes:

    Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables
    • Do not add greens into the recipe prior to cooking. You will end up with browned, stringy, completely nutrient-less greens!
    • For the best results, add greens after you open the lid and stir in to let wilt. If they need to cook down some, place the lid back on after to lock in some heat for 4-5 minutes until they are soft and cooked through.

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    How To Steam In An Instant Pot

    Next, to actually evaporate: Place the glass of water on the bottom of the inner pot of the instant pot. Place your steamer basket in the pot. Add the ingredients you want to steam into the basket. Place the lid on your instant pot and place it over the seal. Click the steam button and cook for the specified time.

    What If I Wanna Use A Steamer Basket

    If you DO prefer a steamer basket, just follow these simple instructions:

    1. Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot.

    2. Place the steamer basket on the bottom of the Instant Pot.

    3. Place the vegetables inside the basket

    4. Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.

    5. Do a quick pressure release and serve.

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    For Whole & Halved Brussels Sprouts:

    • Wash your brussels sprouts first. You can choose now to halve them or keep them whole. Halving them will work better if you want a more authentic roasted end result.
    • Place a steaming rack or the trivet into the pot along with one cup of water. Then, place the brussels sprouts into it.
    • Cook the sprouts on HIGH for 1 minute and follow up with a quick release of pressure. The 1-minute cooking window is better for halved sprouts or small sprouts. Cook for 2 minutes if you have large, whole sprouts.
    • Once the sprouts are softened, you can set them aside. Pour out the water you used to cook with.
    • Set the pot to saute mode and add 1-2 tbsp. of coconut oil, olive oil or butter . A high smoke point is ideal. Now, add the sprouts back in. You can add a little garlic, lemon or herbs
    • Saute until crispy with desired spices and serve.

    How To Steam Vegetables In An Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables

    This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Jessica Gibson is a Writer and Editor who’s been with wikiHow since 2014. After completing a year of art studies at the Emily Carr University in Vancouver, she graduated from Columbia College with a BA in History. Jessica also completed an MA in History from The University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 16,462 times.Learn more…

    Say goodbye to mushy, overcooked vegetables! If you have an Instant Pot, use the steamer basket to perfectly cook almost any type of vegetable. Steam a batch of your favorite veggie or mix a flavorful assortment in the basket. Since most vegetables finish steaming by the time the Instant Pot pressurizes, you’ll have delicious, perfectly cooked vegetables in no time.

    Recommended Reading: How To Steam Tamales In A Crockpot

    Other Ways To Cook Steamed Broccoli

    While making instant pot steamed broccoli is my preferred way, there are other methods you can use to make steamed broccoli.

    • Microwave Before buying an Instant Pot, I always steamed broccoli in the microwave.
    • Cut the broccoli florets in smaller pieces and put into a microwave-safe bowl with a small amount of water in the bottom of the bowl.
    • Place a microwave-safe lid or plate upside down on top of the bowl.
    • Be sure the steam can vent through a small hole or crack into the microwave.
    • Cook for about 2 minutes and check. Microwaves vary on cooking times.
  • Stove-top This closely mirrors the directions for steaming broccoli in the microwave, but instead using a pot with a lid. You can definitely use this same steamer basket with this method.
  • How To Use This Recipe For Meal Prep

    • Cook the vegetables ahead of time to reheat later. Steamed vegetables can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can reheat them as needed.
    • Prep and chop the vegetables ahead of time, store the fresh veggies in the refrigerator, and steam as needed. This way, you will always have freshly steamed vegetables and dont need to worry about reheating them.
    • Cut and chop the vegetables and place them into the Instant Pot. Use the Delay Start function or turn on the pressure cooker before setting the table for dinner. You can leave the fresh vegetables in the Instant Pot for up to 8 hours.

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    How To Steam Broccoli & Other Vegetables Using Your Instant Pot

    You dont need to be intimidated by your instant pot. Follow these simple instructions for cooking vegetables under high pressure and youll find out how easy it really is to use! You can use fresh vegetables or frozen vegetables.

  • First, place the stainless bowl into the base of the Instant Pot.
  • Add the wire rack to the bottom of the instant pot.
  • Add 1 cup of water
  • Add broccoli or vegetables of choice such as cauliflower, carrots, mixed vegetables. You can use frozen vegetables as well without needing to add any extra time!
  • Cover and turn to sealing.
  • Set to low pressure for ZERO minutes.
  • The Instant Pot should say ON. When the machine first turns on, it is building pressure. The time that it takes for this pressure to build does NOT count toward the cooking time. On my machine, I know the pressure is built when the silver pin on top is raised.
  • After the cooking time is complete, release the pressure. To release the pressure turn the valve to VENTING.
  • Lastly, take off the lid once it is unlocked.
  • For Whole Sweet Potatoes:

    Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables
    • Just like with whole potatoes, you want to begin by poking your sweets with a fork a few times. Then, you can choose to pile them in the pot, wrap them individually in foil with seasoning, or use a steamer basket .
    • Add one cup of water to the pot.
    • For small to medium sweet potatoes, set the pot to cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. For large sweet potatoes, set the pot to cook at high pressure for 12-15 minutes.
    • Allow the pot to naturally release pressure for around ten minutes before performing a quick release.

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    How To Prep The Vegetables

    Cooking vegetables in an Instant Pot is very easy. But you do have to prep the vegetables first.

    Before you start, make sure to wash and clean the veggies. Remove leaves and any spoiled and/or dry bits.

    Here is how to prep the veggies for steaming in an Instant Pot:

    • Broccoli: Cut the broccoli into florets. You can also peel the stem and slice it into 1/2-inch pieces.
    • Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into florets.
    • Green beans: Trim the ends. If your green beans are very long, slice them in half.
    • Zucchini: Slice in half lengthwise. Cut each half into 3-4 large chunks.
    • Bell peppers: Remove the stem and seeds. Cut the bell pepper into large chunks.
    • Brussel sprouts: Trim the ends and remove the outer leaves from each Brussels sprout. If the sprouts are large, slice them in half. If they are small, you can leave them as is.
    • Asparagus: Break off the tough ends. If your asparagus spears are long, cut them in half.
    • Fresh peas: Not much to prep other than rinsing the peas if needed.
    • Carrots: Peel and cut each carrot in half crosswise. Slice the thin part into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Then slice the thick part in half lengthwise and cut each half into 1/2-inch thick half-moons.
    • Turnips: Peel and cut into large chunks.
    • Sweet potatoes: Peel and slice into 1/2-inch cubes.
    • Fresh corn on the cob: Slice crosswise into 3 to 4 pieces.

    Recipes Using Steamed Cauliflower

    Steamed cauliflower can be eaten as is with just a little sea salt and maybe a drizzle of olive oil. But cooking this vegetable in this way is also ideal when adding a flavorful sauce or incorporating in recipes calling for cooked cauliflower. Consider adding a store-bought or homemade pesto to steamed cauliflower, or coating the tender white vegetable with a rich cheese sauce. Steaming cauliflower is the first step in recipes such as creamed cauliflower, cauliflower and cheese casserole, and cauliflower mashed potatoes.

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    Whats The Best Method For Mashing Potatoes

    In many years of mashing potatoes, Ive found that three methods produce good results. Depending on the texture you prefer, heres how to do it.

    • Potato Ricer This tool turns the potatoes into very fine rice-shaped tubes that stay light and fluffy and insures there are no lumps. Minimal handling of the potatoes is what gives you the lightest, fluffiest texture, and a potato ricer will get you there.
    • Potato Masher For mashed potatoes that are rustic, fluffy, and classic, a potato masher is the best tool. Its more difficult to eliminate all lumps with a masher than with a ricer , but a potato masher is great for weeknights and means youll have very few dishes to clean up.
    • Stand Mixer For smooth, whipped potatoes, use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Youll have to beat the potatoes for a minute or two to get a creamy result, so the potatoes are more thick and less light and fluffy than the other methods.

    For Sliced Or Cubed Butternut Squash:

    6 Instant Pot Zero Minute Vegetables
    • Peel the butternut squash if desired. Slice the butternut squash in half, remove the seeds, and cut into uniform slices or chunks.
    • Place the slices in a steaming basket and add one cup of water to your pot.
    • Cook on high pressure for 4-6 minutes and follow up with a quick release. As a rule, 4-minute cooking time will be sufficient for smaller cubes while a 6-minute cooking time will suit longer/thicker slices best.
    • Try our Instant Pot butternut squash recipe here.

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    Ingredients For Steamed Veggies In Instant Pot

    This Instant Pot steamed vegetables recipe is as flexible as you need it to be! Use any veggies you like and only 3 other ingredients! As easy to make as Instant Pot eggs and Instant Pot yogurt recipe.

    • Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, baby carrots, green beans, asparagus, zucchini coarsely chopped.
    • Water: You want the water cold, to heat up along with the veggies. Adding hot water will steam the veggies too quickly. See my Instant Pot guide for other 15 tips.
    • Butter: Adding melted butter to steamed veggies is drool-worthy. Its the only way to eat them!
    • Everything bagel seasoning: To taste. Add as much or as little as youd like. You can use store-bought or whip up this homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning.

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    Why I Prefer Steaming Vegetables In The Instant Pot

    Steaming is one of the healthiest methods of cooking fresh vegetables and can be a real lifesaver for those busy weeknight dinners.

    But steaming in the microwave or on the stovetop can be quite annoying because you always have to watch the water level while doing other things. Not to mention increasing the humidity in your kitchen or even getting a blast of steam in your face.

    This is why I prefer steaming vegetables in the Instant Pot.

    This method has only one disadvantage you cant check on the vegetables while they are cooking because the lid of the Instant Pot is closed.

    The solution to this problem is steaming vegetables in the Instant Pot a few times until you get consistent results.

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    Steaming Veggies With The Saute Function

  • 1Find a clear pot lid that fits your instant pot. Dont use your Instant Pot lid when youre using the saute function, since youre not pressure cooking. Instead, use a regular pot lid to trap in steam. This way, youll be able to check your food while it cooks so you can turn off the Instant Pot when your meal is done.XResearch source
  • Normally, you dont need to use a lid at all when youre using the saute function. However, youll need a lid to steam your veggies.
  • 2Press the saute function. Look for the button on the lower-left side of the control panel. This allows you to heat the water up to create steam. However, the Instant Pot wont pressure cook your veggies.XResearch source
  • Normally, youd use this function to heat sauces, toss veggies or meat in oil, or season cooked food.
  • 3Push + or – to adjust the time if necessary. Check the recommended steam time for the veggies youre cooking. Then, set the timer on the Instant Pot. You can set the time for up to 30 minutes while in the saute function.XResearch source
  • If youre using a recipe, use the recommended steam time listed on the recipe. Otherwise, check the recommended steam time for the type of veggie youre cooking.
  • Its okay to set the time high as long as you stay with the Instant Pot. When youre happy with the texture of your veggies, hit cancel to turn off the Instant Pot.
  • The preheating time wont count toward your cooking time, so dont worry about that.
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