This technique will work with any frozen vegetable: frozen broccoli, a block of spinach, a package of corn kernels. The best part of this technique is that there is no measuring, slicing or dicing. It’s a simple dump and go pantry recipe with lots of flexibility and guaranteed delicious results.
For the recipe and illustration, I’ll be using green beans. But before we I show you the specific green bean recipe, let me give you the basics.
Basic Frozen Veggie Technique
- Dump a 1 or 2 lb (500g or 1k) bag or box of frozen veggies in the pressure cooker, and smooth them into an even layer.
- Add your pressure cooker’s minimum liquid requirement – if you don’t know what it is 1 1/2 cups (375ml) usually, works with every pressure cooker type and model. This liquid can be water, stock, steamed veggie liquid, juice and even wine (not liquor though as it produces ignitable vapors).
- Pour a 14 oz. can (400g) of chopped tomatoes on top of the frozen veggies.
- Sprinkle with your favorite herbs and spices. Don’t add fresh garlic here (add it at the end to maintain the flavor.)
- Add a teaspoon of salt, or adjust to your family’s preference.
- Don’t mix!
- Pressure cook at “high” pressure for 5 minutes for all pressure cooker types and pressures. Please note that the pressure cooker will take slightly longer to reach pressure because of the temperature of the ingredients.
- Release pressure Normally (through the valve).
- OK, now you can mix everything.
- Serve as a stew with a tear from a baguette, piled on a baked potato, or mixed in with rice.
I make this recipe when I’m pressed for time. I turn this stew to my family with some home-made bread and a small ball of fresh mozzarella and call it dinner!
Pressure Cooker | Accessories | Pr. Cook Time | Pr. Level | Open |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 L or larger | none | 5 min. | High | Normal |
(per serving)
- Serves: 4 servings
- Serving size: ¼th
- Calories: 129.8
- TOTAL Fat: 3.8g
- TOTAL Carbs: 22.4
- Sugar Carbs: 4.2g
- Sodium: 606.6mg
- Fiber Carbs: 11.6
- Protein: 5.7
- Cholesterol: 0.0mg

- 2 lbs (1k) frozen green beans
- 1½ cups (375ml) water (or less - see article)
- 1 - 14 oz. can (400g) chopped tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt - or to taste
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Dump the frozen green beans in the pressure cooker and smooth into an even layer.
- Pour on the water, the chopped tomatoes, garlic powder, and salt. DO NOT MIX!
- Close the lid and set the valve to pressure cooking position.
- Electric pressure cookers and stove top pressure cookers: Cook for 5 minutes at high pressure.
- When time is up, open the pressure cooker with the Normal release - release pressure through the valve.
- Mix the contents of the pressure cooker and transfer to a serving dish.
- Cover with a swirl of extra virgin olive oil before serving.
CONTINUE…
Of all the recipes I have seen for the instant pot and and all of the electric versions I have not seen any for steamed puddings savory or sweet is there a reason for this
Thanks for the tips so far
Rita
Hi Rita,
No reason why you cannot steam a pudding in an InstantPot or other Electric.
Here is one recipe. Note that while Laura shows pictures of a Stovetop, she also give the timing for an Electric.
http://www.hippressurecooking.com/steamy-the-hip-christmas-pud/
I make a similar one using a more traditional mix of dried fruit.
Thanks, Greg! : )
Ciao,
L
I’m finding that this recipe is helping me use several bags of vegetables that have been languishing in my freezer. Delicious! Thank you very much!
Good idea for using up frozen vegetables.
Laura, please include photos on this page showing the outcome of the frozen vegetables with tomatoes etc. I like your presentation of food.
Can you make vegetables like this without adding tomatoes?
Yes, you can just add your pressure cooker’s minimum amount of liquid, or stock, and then any spices that you like. : )
Ciao,
L
This is my first comment since I joined the site, so a big thank you, Laura, for all your wonderful recipes and tips. I have your book as well.
I made this recipe with 500g of fresh green beans and adjusted the cooking time. Found I needed to add some sugar as the tomato sauce/soup came out a little bitter. Also added some green olives (the ones stuffed with anchovy) at the end and the effect was terrific!
Thanks again,
Vince
Hello Laura. Thank you so much for your videos and expert advice. As I am not fond of diced tomatoes, do you think I could make the veggie recipe with a can of cream of mushroom soup? Thanks. Sue
Sue,
To be honest, I’m not fan of cream of mushroom soup – and ordinarily, I would say not to use it in the pressure cooker. However, with this technique since the cream of mushroom soup would be piled on top of the frozen veggies and not mixed with the water underneath (preventing it from boiling) I don’t see why not. Come back to let us know how you liked it!
Ciao,
L
Thank you Laura, your site and the book are so full of tips and tricks, really appreciate your dedication!!! Penny