Steaming broccoli sounds simple, right? But, first, we need a steamer basket to steam them with!
Pressure Cooker Steamer Baskets
Not all pressure cookers come with one. Some come with a wire trivet, there’s no way you can steam broccoli with this!
Others come with perforated racks but, it’s too shallow for steaming. It would just be covered with liquid and not actually steam the broccoli.
Here’s a wire trivet with handles, again, it’s too shallow and the openings are too wide for broccoli.
Here’s my favorite kind of steamer basket. It’s a collapsible steamer basket. It has tall feet and comes in different sizes. I call it a flower steamer basket.
I recommend getting the largest one that will fit because it has a larger flat area that can be used for steaming desserts.
If your pressure cooker has a non-stick insert, get a silicone steamer basket to prevent from scratching the coating. You can purchase these from any homeware store. Check the hip site for links.
Thankfully, the pressure cooker I use in the recipe did come with an extra tall trivet and high-quality steamer basket!
See Also: Pressure Cooker Accessories: Steamer Basket (with purchase links)
Pressure Steaming Tips
Before you get started here are a few more things to keep in mind.
- Use your pressure cooker’s minimum liquid requirement – this ensures the cooker can reach pressure quickly. If you’re not sure what that is 1 1/2 cups (375ml) is usually enough to bring almost any pressure cooker model and type to pressure.
- Save the pressure cooking liquid for later use – it’s full of veggie juice (and some nutrients) so use it in place of water or stock in another recipe.
- Choose the pressure according to your “veggie done-ness preference” use “High Pressure” for tender, “Low Pressure” for al dente, and “No Pressure” for crunchy (if your cooker has this setting). You can use the recommended cooking time for all pressures, or tweak it up and down a minute or two to further customize the results.
| Pressure Cooker | Accessories | Pr. Cook Time | Pr. Level | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 L or larger | steamer basket | 3 -5 min. | Low/ High | Normal |
(per serving)
- Serves: 2 cups
- Serving size: ¼th
- Calories: 36.9
- TOTAL Fat: 0.4g
- TOTAL Carbs: 7.5g
- Sugar Carbs: 1.5g
- Sodium: 43.2mg
- Fiber Carbs: 3.4g
- Protein: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 0.0mg
- 1 lb (500g) broccoli florets
- 1½ cups (375ml) water
- Pour the water in the pressure cooker base and add the steamer basket, or trivet and steamer basket, with the broccoli inside.
- Close the lid and set the valve to pressure cooking position.
- Electric pressure cookers and stove top pressure cookers: Cook for 3 to 5 minutes at high or LOW pressure.
- When time is up, open the pressure cooker with the Normal release - release pressure through the valve.
- Remove the steamer basket from the pressure cooker immediately to stop the broccoli from cooking further.
CONTINUE…
Hi Laura I made your steamed broccoli but added potatoes. I got the idea from your broccoli soup.
I added 1 1/2 cups water to the pressure cooker. I cut about 6 medium potatoes in quarters and put them on the steamer basket then I inserted the broccoli stems in the potatoes. Then I cut the stem in four and inserted it between the potatoes as well. I cooked it for 5 minutes on high with quick release. Just as you stated for the soup.
Once cooked, I seasoned them with oil, salt and a bit of Mrs. Dash seasoning and it was a sidedish that was so tasty. My family really liked the combination. Thanks again for all your recipe ideas.
Mil
Hi Laura I had given it five stars but it did not post so here it is again.
Mil
Sorry Laura I forgot I posted this message under the broccoli the untold story. I guess it was so good I got carried away. All the best. Mil