How to Steam frozen broccoli?

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
How to steam fresh and frozen broccoli using the instant pot or stove top.
how to steam broccoli
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This post will teach you how to steam fresh and frozen broccoli. As well as the healthy benefits of broccoli. Keep reading to find out which method listed below works well for your family.

How to Steam Broccoli?

There are so many ways to steam broccoli. If you are wondering how to steam broccoli but are sick of always having to have fresh broccoli on hand, I have a solution for you.

Frozen Broccoli

Steamed Broccoli Health Benefits

Steaming broccoli is a healthy way to cook it. By steaming it, you can keep its nutrients and vitamins intact and readily available for consumption. In the case of boiling broccoli, some of its nutrients get absorbed by water, and according to research, boiling also reduces the vegetable’s cancer-fighting properties.

Here is broccoli’s nutrition profile. A cup of this vegetable gives the following nutrients:

  • Vitamin C – 200% of your RDA
  • A good dose of Vitamin A
  • Calcium
  • Fiber
  • Riboflavin
  • It contains only 40 calories (If you are trying to lose extra weight)

Knowing how to steam broccoli in instant pot properly will ensure that you get the health benefits that the vegetable provides. Follow the instructions below for cooking instant pot steamed broccoli

how to steam broccoli

How to steam broccoli in instant pot?

Before we answer the question, let us deal first with the matter that some people ask about: What is the point of using an instant pot?

An instant pot is a brand of multi-cookers or electric pressure cookers. Like a pressure cooker, it creates heat under a tight seal, and it does not allow heat to escape.

As a multi-cooker, an instant pot performs various cooking functions. It can sear, brown, and sauté food, and it can also steam delicate items like vegetables, eggs, and fish. Some people even use instant pots in baking cakes, bread, and sweets.

Now how do you cook vegetables in an instant pot and broccoli in particular? Here are the things everyone should know about how to steam broccoli in instant pot and how long to steam broccoli in instant pot.

How to steam frozen broccoli in instant pot?

One of my favorite ways to steam frozen broccoli is to do it in the instant pot.

When you steam frozen broccoli instant pot style you end up with a delicious crisp steamed broccoli great for any dinner side.

Keep reading to learn more about how to steam frozen broccoli in the instant pot and on the stove top.

how to steam broccoli

Steaming frozen broccoli in instant pot

To steam frozen broccoli and vegetables using an instant pot means cooking them with water, trivet, and a bowl. Dump a cup of water and place the trivet. Next, put the vegetables in a stainless steel bowl and place the bowl on the trivet. Set for high pressure.

The usual time for cooking frozen broccoli and vegetables this way is about five minutes. When done, open the pot using the quick-release method. If you do not use oil when steaming vegetables, it will be easy to clean an instant pot.

How long to steam frozen broccoli?

Some recommendations:

  • Keep a journal for steaming vegetables. Sometimes, the vegetables can turn mushy, but with the use of a journal, you can zero in on the perfect time for every type of vegetable you cook. Broccoli steam time instant pot may vary by machine but within a couple tried you should have the perfect time for you.
  • Follow the recipe card for more information on how long to steam frozen broccoli and fresh broccoli.
  • Slice your fresh vegetables into equal pieces. Cook hard-to-cook vegetable parts like stems separately. Or discard them.
  • Many fresh vegetables do not have the same cooking time, so you need to cook them in separate batches sometimes.
  • Do not mix fresh and frozen vegetables. You do not want an uneven cook.

Concerning the details of frozen broccoli, yes, you can steam frozen broccoli in instant pot. Frozen broccoli is more nutritious than its fresh counterpart. For example, it has 400% more beta-carotene. Frozen vegetables keep high levels of nutrients because farmers harvest them at their peak ripeness and flash-frozen within 24 hours.

Flash freezing vegetables means freezing them in just a few hours (after harvest) through direct contact with liquid nitrogen, a common practice in the food industry.

Steam broccoli instant pot style using the tips here.

Other tips and methods on how to steam broccoli.

You also have other options. For example, use a pasta cooker if you do not have an instant pot. Many pasta cookers feature a basket for steaming, so the method of cooking is almost the same.

Add water to the pan and bring it to a boil. Peel broccoli stalks and cut their florets into desired sizes. Cook for more or less 5 minutes, but if you want your vegetables to be softer rather than super crisp, cook for a couple of minutes more.

Using a skillet is another option you can try. When using a skillet, make sure that you use the least amount of water possible. You want to make sure that nothing of the nutrients gets lost in the water.

Broccoli is a fantastic vegetable with the many ways you can cook it. Stir fry it or sauté it and add a bit of butter and cashew. You can also roast it in an oven or extract caramelized flavors by grilling it. 

Learning how to treat vegetables you love will encourage healthy eating and help you stay on track for your health goals.

Using frozen broccoli is a great resource and keeps in the freezer so you have healthy sides anytime you want it.

How to steam broccoli? ????  

how to steam broccoli
How to Steam Broccoli
How to steam fresh and frozen broccoli using the instant pot or stove top.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Equipment
  • Instant Pot or Steam Pot
Ingredients
 
 
  • 1 broccoli
  • 1 cup water
  • salt optional
  • black pepper optional
Instructions
 
Instant Pot Directions:
    Steaming Fresh Broccoli
    • Cut broccoli into equal size florets and place into a small stainless steel bowl. (Small enough to fit inside of instant pot). If preferred you can also use instant pot steamer basket instead.
    • Add 1 cup water to instant pot. Place metal trivet into instant pot.
    • Add stainless steel bowl with broccoli on top of trivet.
    • Seal instant pot and cook on high pressure for 0 minutes. (For crispier broccoli cool at low pressure).
    • Quick release broccoli when finished and remove bowl from instant pot. Cool under cool water for a minute to prevent broccoli from becoming mushy or serve immediately. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!
    Steaming Frozen Broccoli
    • Choose similar size frozen florets and place into a small stainless steel bowl. (Small enough to fit inside of instant pot). If preferred you can also use instant pot steamer basket instead.
    • Add 1 cup water to instant pot. Place metal trivet into instant pot.
    • Add stainless steel bowl with broccoli on top of trivet.
    • Seal instant pot and cook on high pressure for 0 minutes.
    • Quick release broccoli when finished and remove bowl from instant pot. Cool under cool water for a minute to prevent broccoli from becoming mushy or serve immediately. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!
    Stovetop Directions:
      Steaming Fresh Broccoli
      • Bring 1 inch water inside of steamer pot to a boil.
      • Cut broccoli into equal size florets, add to steamer insert.
      • Cover with lid and reduce heat to medium. Let broccoli steam for 5-6 minutes. (For crispier broocoli steam for 3-4 minutes then check for desired texture).
      • Cool under cool water for a minute to prevent broccoli from becoming mushy or serve immediately. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!
      Steaming Frozen Broccoli
      • Bring 1 inch water inside of steamer pot to a boil.
      • Add frozen broccoli to steamer insert.
      • Cover with lid and reduce heat to medium. Let broccoli steam for 3-5 minutes.
      • Cool under cool water for a minute to prevent broccoli from becoming mushy or serve immediately. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!
      Keyword frozen broccoli, how to steam broccoli, steam broccoli instant pot
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