This Instant Pot broccoli has a zero minute cook time and comes out bright green and crisp tender. Here’s my easy method and some tips to avoid mushy florets!
Want the fastest way to cook broccoli? Steaming it in the Instant Pot! Yes, this recipe has a zero minute cook time. A zero minute cook time? Is that even a thing? Turns out, you set the Instant Pot timer for 0 minutes.
After about 5 minutes of “preheating,” your broccoli is done! This means this Instant Pot broccoli takes under 10 minutes. As the final flavoring, we like to add olive oil, red onion, and feta cheese. It’s the easiest side dish we’ve ever made!
How to Make Instant Pot Broccoli
Now, there’s really hardly anything to say about making Instant Pot broccoli because it’s really that simple. This one isn’t actually that much faster than steaming broccoli on the stovetop: they’re both very quick! But the Instant Pot method is even more hands off: all you have to do is chop the broccoli and press Go. It’s one of our favorite broccoli recipes because it’s just that easy!
Step 1: Chop the broccoli into florets.
Use a Chef’s knife to cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets. Here we used 2 large heads broccoli, which is enough for 4 small servings. Feel free double it: it’s still the same cook time!
Step 2: Pressure cook the florets on High for 0 minutes.
Add the florets to the Instant Pot with ½ cup water. Then here’s the fun part: set the timer to 0 minutes! It sounds counterintuitive, but if you’re an Instant Pot pro you’ll know how it works.
Every time the Instant Pot cooks something, it has to come up to pressure: kind of like “preheating”. Each recipe takes a different amount of time to preheat, depending on how much volume is in the pot. In this case, it’s about 5 minutes for the pressure cooker to come up to pressure. Once it does, the building pressure in the pot has already cooked the brocolli.
Step 3: Quick release.
Then you’ll perform a quick release by immediately letting all the steam out of the top valve. Once it’s come out, you can open the lid and taste your broccoli. It comes out perfectly steamed, bright green and crisp tender!
Tips for Florets That Are Not Mushy
An important note: broccoli goes from crisp tender to overcooked quickly in a pressure cooker. After hearing from some readers who ended up with soft florets, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Keep the florets medium-sized (not too small). Tiny florets overcook before the pot reaches pressure. If yours came out too soft, cut them larger next time!
- Release the pressure immediately. Don’t walk away! Vent the steam the moment you hear the beep and take the florets out of the pot.
- Measure the water. More water takes longer to come up to pressure, which results in softer broccoli.
- Know your model. Some newer Instant Pots won’t let you set the timer to a timing less than 1 minute. If you have a pot that works this way, press Cancel as soon as the pot reaches pressure, then do a quick release.
Ways to Season and Serve It
After you’ve made Instant Pot broccoli, how to serve it? I created this recipe to show you how to quickly dress up steamed broccoli as a side dish. It takes just a few simple ingredients to transform this veggie from good to incredible! Here’s what I did here:
- Feta cheese and red or green onion: A sprinkle of feta cheese takes it up a few notches, and I like adding some thinly sliced onions.
- Lemon and Parmesan: Add a squeeze of lemon juice and grated cheese, like my Parmesan broccoli.
- Garlic butter: Swap the olive oil for melted garlic butter.
- Tahini: Drizzle with tahini sauce for a Mediterranean-style spin.
- Pickled onions: Trade the raw onion for tangy pickled red onions.
What Kind of Instant Pot to Use
All pressure cooker brands vary. The brand I use is an Instant Pot 6 Qt Programmable Pressure Cooker. The recipe below is customized for a 6-quart pressure cooker. I also can’t speak to other brands and types of pressure cookers.
For example, Instant Pot Mini works differently, so use it at your own risk! Let us know if you make this pressure cooker broccoli in the comments below!
More ways to cook broccoli? Try our Sauteed Broccoli, Roasted Broccoli, and Boiled Broccoli. Head to How to Cook Broccoli for more.
Storage and Reheating
You can store leftover Instant Pot broccoli in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it briefly in a skillet or the microwave until warmed through.
If you’re making it for meal prep, you can store the broccoli plain and add the toppings right before serving. To freeze, see how to freeze broccoli.
Dietary Notes
This Instant Pot broccoli recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, plant-based, dairy-free, and vegan (without the optional feta).
Best Instant Pot Broccoli
This Instant Pot broccoli has a zero minute cook time and comes out bright green and crisp tender. Here’s my easy method and some tips to avoid mushy florets!
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Pressure Cooker
- Cuisine: Vegetable
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds (2 large heads) broccoli
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup red onions, thinly sliced (or substitute green onion)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli into florets. Add it to the Instant Pot with the water. Lock the lid of the Instant Pot. Place the pressure release handle (vent) in the “Sealing” position.
- Cook on high pressure for 0 minutes: Press the Pressure Cook button, making sure the “High Pressure” setting is selected, and set the time of 0 minutes. Note that it takes about 5 minutes for the pot to “preheat” and come up to pressure. (Avoid touching the metal part of the lid.)
- Meanwhile, very thinly slice the onion. Place it in a bowl of water while you’re making the rest of the recipe, then drain. (This helps to reduce onion breath and remove some of the spicy bite. If you use green onion, skip this step!)
- Quick release: Once the timer beeps, vent the remaining steam from the Instant Pot by moving the pressure release handle to “Venting”, covering your hand with a towel or hot pad. Never put your hands or face near the vent when releasing steam. Open the pressure cooker lid.
- Carefully remove the broccoli to a bowl. Toss with the olive oil, kosher salt, feta cheese (optional), and drained red onions.
My new InstaPot (the standard 6 qt. size) also won’t operate at less than 1 minute. One minute gives too soft result and I don’t want to cook more. I plan to wait until it starts to cook, then cancel and vent.
Do you adjust the water level if the broccoli is freshly washed? My broccoli was slightly wet when I placed it in the pot. After adding the half cup water, it came out a bit mushy. Next time, I might try it without the added water and see what happens.
My 7 and 2 year old gobble this up. It’s a great way to cook frozen broccoli. So good!
Unfortunately this didn’t work for me. I used small broccoli florets and even with a 0 minute cooking time, they were like mush and completely fell apart when I took them out of the ip Too bad there isn’t a way to reduce the steaming process.