Instant Pot Broccoli is the easiest way to steam broccoli! It comes out super tender and you don’t have to watch a boiling stove!

Before I purchased my Instant Pot, I was super lazy and always bought those steamer bags of broccoli. They’re good in a pinch but they are easily over cooked and sometimes go bad rather quickly.
Also, this was in my mid 20’s – I was never very into cooking before. I was all about simplicity and I really didn’t care how my food looked or tasted.
Now enter the realm of my early 30’s where there never seems to be enough time in the day. With running multiple businesses, being a pro bowler, and trying to have a work/life balance something had to give.
And that’s where the Instant Pot and this super easy steamed broccoli recipe come into play!

Benefits of Steaming Broccoli in the Instant Pot
- Almost completely hands off! No need to watch the stove top to make sure your pot of water doesn’t boil over
- Save money over buying steamer bags
- Cook other food while your broccoli is cooking to save time in the kitchen
Ingredients
- 1 head of broccoli, washed and chopped
- 1/2 cup to 1 cup of water
- Salt and pepper optional
How to Make Instant Pot Broccoli
First you’re going to wash and chop your broccoli into florets. Then place 1/2 cup to 1 cup of water in the bottom of the Instant Pot.

Next place the trivet inside the Instant Pot and then place the chopped broccoli into the trivet. Then place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the knob is set to sealed.

Next, hit the “manual” button. Choose high pressure and set the timer to 1 minute. Once the broccoli comes up to pressure (5-8 minutes) it will cook for one minute.

After it has cooked for one minute, preform a “quick pressure release.” This will release the pressure, but be sure to do this carefully as to not burn yourself on the steam.
Carefully lift up the trivet from the Instant Pot. Transfer the broccoli to a serving bowl and top with salt and pepper if desired.
Cooks Notes
- For crunchy broccoli, reduce time to 0 minutes. Yes, you can actually set the timer to 0!
- If you have a large head of broccoli (making 2 to 3 cups of florets), consider increasing the time to 2 minutes for them to be tender.

If you loved this easy Instant Pot Broccoli recipe, you’ll love this Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower. It’s another great low carb side dish you can make quick with your pressure cooker!
Leftover idea! This steamed broccoli is great for putting in a stir fry recipe like this Ground Pork Stir Fry with Zucchini and Mushrooms. It’s an easy way to increase the nutrient content of the dish without adding a lot of extra calories.

Instant Pot Broccoli
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli, washed and chopped
- 1/2 cup water
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Wash and chop your broccoli into florets. Place 1/2 cup to 1 cup of water in the bottom of the Instant Pot insert.
- Place the trivet inside the Instant Pot and then place the chopped broccoli into the trivet. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the knob is set to the sealed position.
- Select the “manual” button. Choose high pressure and set the timer to 1 minute. Once the broccoli comes up to pressure (5 to 8 minutes) it will cook for one minute.
- After it has cooked for one minute, preform a “quick pressure release.” This will release the pressure, but be sure to do this carefully as to not burn yourself on the steam.
- Carefully lift up the trivet from the Instant Pot. Transfer the broccoli to a serving bowl and top with salt and pepper if desired.
Notes
- For crunchy broccoli, reduce time to 0 minutes. Yes, you can actually set the timer to 0!
- If you have a large head of broccoli (making 2-3 cups of florets), consider increasing the time to 2 minutes for them to be tender.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home. All information provided regarding nutrition on this website is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Content related to nutrition is not medical advice nor is it intended to replace medical advice. The website is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, condition, illness, or injury. Before beginning any diet program, modifying your diet, or making changes to the diet of a child in your care, including following the nutrition information available on the website, you should seek advice from a licensed professional.
