Instant Pot Steamer Basket As A Colander
The nice thing about this Steamer Basket is that it doubles as a colander. You can use it to keep berries fresh for up to three weeks!
I typically do this in my salad spinner because it has a colander that fits into its base, but if you dont have that, you can use this steamer basket and your Instant Pot liner!
Best Steamer Basket To Buy
I have a preferred steamer basket, but as long as the steamer basket is heat/oven/pressure safe, it can be used in a pressure cooker.
There are two main types of steamer basket:
The stainless/mesh baskets that I have are really solid. Theyre most similar to metal colanders, but unlike a colander, they have straight edges/sides and a handle. This is what I have, but it does take up space in your kitchen.
If youre short on space, you can always store your steamer basket inside of the Instant Pot when not in use.
The silicone baskets are really nice and great for smaller spaces. I go more in depth about silicone baskets below.
Perfect Steamer Baskets And Inserts For Your Instant Pot
I am often asked about perfect steamer baskets for the Instant Pot available here in the UK so I thought I’d compile them in one place, the Feisty Tapas blog .
The inner pot of the 5.7 litre / 6 litre / 6 quart Instant Pot has a diameter of 20 cm so you need something that will fit in there .
The inner pot of the Instant Pot 8 litre has a larger diameter and you can choose pretty much any steamer basket for that one.
For the 3 litre / Mini Instant Pot, you’ll need something smaller. The umbrella / collapsible type of steamer is perfect for this.
Of course, your Instant Pot also comes with a trivet which you can use to steam ingredients but a steamer basket will make life much easier.
Below are the steaming baskets and inserts that I have and use all the time, as well as the ones that have good reviews from the people who use them regularly.
If you are happy with your steamer basket and it’s not included in this list, please let me know and I’ll add it to the post and probably to my basket collection!
Have you taken the Instant Pot electric pressure cooker leap?
You havent? You must know by now that there is nothing to be scared of, that it has ten safety mechanisms, that it’s virtually silent and that you can set it and go, right?
Even better, it pressure cooks and slow cooks . B
Ready for my list of perfect steamer baskets for your Instant Pot all available in the UK?
Also Check: How To Do Potatoes In Instant Pot
Instant Potinner Cooking Pot
easily prepare multiple dishes
This is the next best thing to having two Instant Pots! You dont know how many times Ive wanted to immediately start another dish in the pot, but couldnt because I had to clean up the liner, and the sink was already full of dishes. This would definitely solve the problem!
Wire Mesh Strainer And A Lid
If you don’t have space for a dedicated steamer basket in your kitchen but still want to to make gently cooked vegetables or dumplings at home, you can absolutely hack one together using a wire mesh strainer and a lid. Simply hook the same strainer you use for rinsing beans or draining pasta onto the lip of a pot that’s filled with enough water to reach just below the base of the strainer. Any lid that’s wide enough to cover your pot works I use my trusty 10-inch GIR universal silicone lid.
Also Check: Instant Pot Seal Replacement
How Do I Use A Steamer Basket In My Instant Pot
The concept is rather simple – the steamer basket goes directly into the inner pot of the Instant Pot. First, you have to add the required quantity of water so the IP can build pressure and create steam.
Next, place the veggies or dumplings in the basket, close the lid, and set the timer. The last step is a bit tricky and requires a bit of trial and error because you cant sample the state of your veggies while steaming. The secret is to time the cooking according to the type of vegetables and their state . Also, if youre steaming dumplings, the time will be different.
Lastly, you can add seasonings if you want, but I prefer adding them at the end after the steam has done its job.
As a side note, the steaming function is not just for veggies and dumplings. You can also steam meat such as oysters, fish, or even chicken. The secret is to adjust the timing and the pressure according to each type of food.
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
The Instant Pot is incredible for steaming sweet potatoes because often, they otherwise take over an hour in the oven! No one has time for that!
Stack a couple whole or chopped sweet potatoes and place them in the steamer basket, then cook for about 10-30 minutes, depending on the size.
I always err on the generous side with sweet potatoes and add a couple minutes because having undercooked food in the Instant Pot is THE WORST.
I use this method for my Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole. Its better than Ruths Chris recipe, in my opinion!
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Best Instant Pot Steamer Basket Guide
I love steamed vegetables! Whether its broccoli, string beans, peas, or carrots, they are amazingly delicious when cooked in a steamer. In fact, this is one of the reasons why I love my Instant Pot so much – it makes some mind-blowing steamed veggies!
The steam trapped inside the Instant Pot speeds up the cooking and makes sure the veggies maintain their taste, texture, and color. They also retain nutrients and the fiber isnt damaged, which is the best part about eating vegetables.
However, you cant make properly steamed vegetables without a steamer basket.
What is this, you ask? Well, so did a lot of readers. Lately, Ive seen a lot of questions about steamer baskets and steaming in an Instant Pot in general, that I thought it best to dedicate an entire blog post to this topic.
So, if you want to know what is, how to use it, where to find such an IP accessory, keep reading. Ill start by answering some of the questions I had in my inbox and finish with a top 5 best steamer baskets .
Contents
Is There A Steamer Basket For A 3
Most Instant Pot steamer baskets wont fit in the smaller 3-quart Instant Pot mini pressure cooker.
However, there are some steamer baskets that have been specifically designed to fit in the 3-quart Instant Pot, such as this stainless steel basket and this silicone basket.
Be sure to double-check sizes before purchasing to ensure the selected steamer basket will fit within the circumference of your model!
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Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Trio Separator Set 20 Cm
I personally have the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Trio separator, the separator pops out for those times when you don’t need it.
To use it, all you need to do is pour a cup of water in your inner pot.
Place your veg in it.
Press the Steam button and set the time. For example, for a selection of unpeeled new potatoes and chantenay carrots, I press Steam and set it to 5 minutes. steam release is pointing to Sealing.Then do a quick release at the end.
One great thing about this one is that the Instant Pot trivet fits very neatly on top for layered cooking.
Fits in the 5.7/6 and 8 litre Instant Pots. Doesn’t fit in the 3 litre / Mini.
| Multiple purposes. On this occasion I was keeping food warm. I do love that Keep Warm function |
*Unfortunately the photo is not appearing in the amazon.co.uk pic above but it leads you to the exact same one I bought*Silit 1529602201 Insert Basket 19 cm
A lot of Instant Pot users have this Silit basket to use with their Instant Pot .
Many people use this Silit basket for their bone broths as they can easily strain them at the end just by lifting the basket.
This one changes price all the time, the lowest I’ve seen it for is probably around £16.
Fits in the 5.7/6 and 8 litre Instant Pots. Doesn’t fit in the 3 litre / Mini.
Instant Pot Green Beans
If youre noticing a trend, vegetables do incredibly well in the Instant Pot. Try pressure cooking plain green beans in the steamer basket for a quick and healthy side dish.
I made these for my Instant Pot class just plain pressure cooked green beans and then added some garlic butter on top! So simple! You could also just do a simple squeeze of lemon and a dash of salt.
Try my famous Instant Pot Bacon Green Beans!
Also Check: How To Use Instant Pot
Best Instant Pot Steamer Baskets
Because there are so many different options available on the market, Ive narrowed them down to five popular but different steamer baskets, so you can choose the one that best suits your preferences.
If you want the best Instant Pot steamer basket, these are high quality options that I feel are definitely worthwhile choices.
Some models come with a limited warranty from the manufacturer, so be sure to check the product listing for updated information.
Instant Pot Steamer Basket Broccoli
I use my steamer basket the most to make Instant Pot Broccoli. This is one situation in which you really need the basket for the most ideal, perfectly-cooked broccoli.
We consume so much broccoli each week, and the Instant Pot and Instant Pot steamer basket make it so much easier. One and done!
BONUS: Dont forget to check out my post on the Best Instant Pot Accessories to buy and AVOID!)
Yvonne Castellano
Monday 30th of December 2019
My basket would be used for a number things. Broccoli, bone broth, eggs. Ultimately I would love to use it for the sweet potatoes that I use in my dogs homemade food. I am most Thankful for my friend Rachel Ross! She is my one friend that I could always count on to be healthy with via exercising, hiking, walking and eating. She gifted me my instant pot..so if I won the basket I would definitely gift the basket to her.
Cindy Davis
Sunday 1st of December 2019
Love this post!! My three that Id use my basket for… 1. Potatoes! Sweet and Others! 2. Eggs!! I love making eggs in my IP. 3. Ive been on the bone broth making train lately so a basket to catch all that stuff will be perfect!
This year Im thankful for Change. Change to be in a different environment. Change to get to know my relatives that were once far away. Change to embrace the good times and the struggles and still keep smiling.
Brittany
Sunday 1st of December 2019
Sunday 1st of December 2019
Tambrie
Sunday 1st of December 2019
Thank you for always posting amazing things!
Also Check: Instant Pot Recipes To Lower Cholesterol
Stackable Instant Pot Steamer Baskets
Stackable steamer baskets allow you to steam more than one thing at a time, each in its own separate compartment.
This food-grade silicone basket made by Instant Pot can fit inside a 5-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart Instant Pot, and its essentially the silicone counterpart of a traditional bamboo steamer.
Because it doesnt have feet of its own, youll have to place this one on top of a trivet to keep it up out of the water.
And while you can just use one of these if desired, you can also stack two of these on top of the trivet in order to cook more than one food at a time. This can be useful if youre cooking different foods that you dont want touching each other.
One steamer basket isnt very deep on its own, but it will accommodate a small amount of food. Stacking one steam rack on top of the other increases your cooking capacity.
This silicone model is dishwasher safe, too!
Stainless Steel Steamer Basket
This stainless steel steamer basket is similar to the mesh one I recommend, but in a more solid stainless steel. This makes it particularly sturdy.
Fitting both 6-quart and 8-quart Instant Pots, it has a fold-down handle thats covered with heat-resistant silicone that makes it easy to remove from the Instant Pot.
Because its 5 tall, it has a greater capacity than many smaller steamer baskets.
The solid construction allows this basket to double as a strainer, so it could be particularly useful for other purposes beyond steaming.
For instance, if you want to make a big batch of broth in your Instant Pot, you can keep the bones and scraps within the basket, then you can easily pull those out of the broth after cooking.
This stainless steel basket is dishwasher safe, too! As with all steamer baskets, rinse shortly after cooking to prevent food from sticking to the holes.
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Mesh Instant Pot Steamer Basket
- Instant Pot Compatible – The 717 Steamer Basket is compatible with 6 and 8 quart Instant Pots, as well as many other Pots and Pressure Cookers. The 717 Steamer Basket is perfect for Eggs, Meats, and Veggies
As I mentioned, this mesh steamer basket is the one I own and use in my Instant Pot. Ive had it for a long time now, and its held up really well.
This particular model is quite durable and keeps its shape well, and the silicone covered handle makes it really easy to remove from the Instant Pot. Its also a large basket with a large capacity.
I also appreciate that the feet of this basket arent coated with silicone, so food wont get stuck in the crevices between silicone and metal.
I know some people have qualms with mesh material, finding it difficult to clean.
However, Ive found that if you rinse the steamer basket immediately after using, it is actually very easy to keep clean. But if you allow it to become caked with dry food, it wont be such an easy job.
Plus, its dishwasher safe, which is always a benefit, in my book!
Oxo Good Gripscollapsible Steamer Basket
easy to clean and compact veggie steamer
If youre looking for a steamer basket that takes up less space when stored, this one is the best. Its perfect for steaming vegetables in the pressure cooker. I use mine for corn, other veggies, and even lobster tails! You can also use it as a fruit bowl, egg cooker, cake bowl, colander or strainer. Its super handy. And, its compact for easy storing, easy to clean, made of high quality stainless steel, and dishwasher safe!
Also Check: How To Place Trivet In Instant Pot
The Best Steamer Basket For Every Kitchen
All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Finding the best steamer basket for you is a bit of a personal journey. Whether you’re new to steaming or a seasoned pro, just looking for crisp-tender broccoli or interested in making pillowy bao at home, there is a tool on the market for you. Exploring the options of style and material is a good place to start. Below, we’ve compiled some of the most common steamer basket varieties for your side-by-side comparison with the right tool in your arsenal, you can easily master the art of cooking with steam.
Instant Pot Mexican Rice
This Instant Pot Mexican Rice recipe is packed with flavor and is so simple to make. Its the perfect side dish for tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and more.
For more delicious Mexican inspired Side Dish Recipes, be sure to check out my Copycat Chipotle Guacamole, Avocado Corn Salad, and Mexican Black Beans.
Tacos or enchiladas are on regular rotation at our house, and on those nights I love to make Instant Pot Mexican Rice to eat on the side.
To be honest, my kids tend to eat more of the rice than they do the main dish! Thats a true testament to how delicious this Mexican Rice recipe is.
I absolutely love Mexican Rice because its chock full of flavor from the diced onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and fresh cilantro.
Its also really easy and effortless to make in the Instant Pot just sauté the onion and garlic, then add the rest of the ingredients and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. Easy peasy! The result is a perfectly cooked pot of Mexican rice that is perfect for serving as a side dish or as a main course.
Read Also: Can You Use Slow Cooker Liners In An Instant Pot
Quick & Carryquick & Carry Bag
the easy way to transport your pot
I love my Quick & Carry bag! It is so sturdy and has so much room for everything I need when taking my pressure cooker out of the house. It has lots of extra storage space for accessories as well. They offer two sizes, one for 6-quart and one for 8-quart pressure cookers. This bag is perfect for when you need to travel with your pressure cooker. My only wish is that they made one in aqua!
Instant Pot Accessories To Accommodate Any Recipe
An Instant Pot is a multi-use cooking tool that combines the functionality of a slow cooker and a pressure cooker, allowing you to create a wide variety of different recipes. Expand the capacity of your Instant Pot even further with the available accessories at Williams Sonoma. There are a number of different types of Instant Pot accessories to choose from, depending on what you want to cook.
Egg Accessories
Make a batch of hard- or soft-boiled eggs with a specialty rack that keeps them standing upright for consistent cooking. Choose between corrosion-resistant stainless steel or heat-resistant silicone and get up to two racks that you can stack on top of one another to make enough eggs for everyone. If you’re a fan of tasty egg bites, then you can also pick up a silicone mold tray that will help you make the perfect bites every time.
Lifter
Quickly and easily lift hot pans out of your Instant Pot with a specially designed silicone lifter. A lifter is essentially a sling that fits underneath the pan or even under an entire chicken. It is also a must-have when cooking dishes like lasagna and frittatas. Two large, looped handles provide a cool grip when removing any food.
Steamer
Rack
Cake Pan
Seal Rings
Cookbooks
Sauces and Starters
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