This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
You only need a few ingredients for this healthy side dish of steamed broccoli made in an electric pressure cooker. Once you’ve made this steam broccoli in the Instant Pot pressure cooker, you might just decide it is the best way to make tender broccoli every single time.


Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make our Instant Pot steamed broccoli recipe, you need the following ingredients:
- Water or chicken broth
- Broccoli heads
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Lemon juice
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:


How to Make Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli
- Load the pressure cooker. Pour the cup of water into the bottom of the pot of the pressure cooker and then set the steamer above it. Add the fresh broccoli florets to the silicone steamer basket. Season the broccoli with salt and pepper to taste.
- Steam. After placing the lid in place, turn the valve to the sealing position and set it to cook on high pressure for zero minutes. Once the Instant Pot comes to pressure, release the pressure manually (quick release) and once the top of the trivet has dropped and has low pressure, remove the lid.
- Add some flavor. Squeeze the lemon over the broccoli if you’d like.
Recipe Notes
- When making this pressure cooker broccoli you really can use either a fresh broccoli head or frozen broccoli, however, you will have to adjust the time in which the broccoli cooks.
- I would add 1-2 minutes to the zero minute cook time if you choose to use frozen broccoli. But not too much extra time otherwise you might end up with mushy broccoli.
- When you are done cooking broccoli and remove it from the inner pot, you can choose to add any of your favorite flavors to this fresh vegetable dish. Some of our favorites include lemon pepper seasoning, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the broccoli, or sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy More Delicious Vegetable Side Dishes
Need the perfect compliment to your main dish? You’ll want to try these delicious side dishes. Browse our comprehensive collection of simple side dish recipes.
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Air Fryer Parmesan Broccoli
- Broiled Asparagus
- Crispy Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
- Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Italian Peas
- Oven Roasted Parmesan Broccoli
- Oven Roasted Broccoli Steaks
- Parmesan Crusted Asparagus
- Panda Express Super Greens

Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli Recipe
You will love our Instant Pot steamed broccoli recipe for its perfect texture with very little prep work and minimal cooking time.
Serving servings
Ingredients
- ¾ cup water
- 12 ounces broccoli heads
- salt and pepper, to taste
- juice of 1 lemon, optional
Instructions
- Load the pressure cooker. Pour the water into the basin of the pressure cooker and then set the steamer above it. Add the broccoli to the steamer. Season the broccoli with salt and pepper to taste.
- Steam. Seal the Instant Pot and set it to cook on high pressure for 0 minutes. Once the Instant Pot comes to pressure, release the pressure manually and remove the lid.
- Add some flavor. Squeeze the lemon over the broccoli if you’d like.
Notes
- When making this pressure cooker broccoli you really can use either a fresh broccoli head or frozen broccoli, however, you will have to adjust the time in which the broccoli cooks.
- I would add 1-2 minutes to the zero minute cook time if you choose to use frozen broccoli. But not too much extra time otherwise you might end up with mushy broccoli.
- When you are done cooking broccoli and remove it from the inner pot, you can choose to add any of your favorite flavors to this fresh vegetable dish. Some of our favorites include lemon pepper seasoning, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the broccoli, or sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
Calories: 29 kcal · Carbohydrates: 6 g · Protein: 2 g · Fat: 0.3 g · Saturated Fat: 0.1 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03 g · Sodium: 30 mg · Potassium: 269 mg · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 1 g · Vitamin A: 530 IU · Vitamin C: 76 mg · Calcium: 41 mg · Iron: 1 mg
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.




















Steams up perfectly every time! This is the fastest, easiest way to make tender-crisp broccoli.