How to use instant pot for steaming

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Table of Contents Show

Ingredients and substitutions
How to steam vegetables in the Instant Pot
Is it better to pressure cook or steam vegetables?
Frequently Asked Questions
Storing and reheating
Freezing this recipe
More Instant Pot side dish recipes
Meal prep tools for this recipe
Does an Instant Pot work as a steamer?
Do you seal or vent when steaming in Instant Pot?
What's the difference between steam and pressure cook on Instant Pot?

These Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables are super easy to make and a foolproof method that will give you the perfect veggies every time.

Ingredients and substitutions

Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and bell peppers – use any veggies of your choice for this recipe! Just make sure that you cut them into the same size pieces so they cook evenly.

How to steam vegetables in the Instant Pot

Add the water, trivet and veggies to the Instant Pot.
Cook on high pressure for 0 minutes.
Do a quick release of the pressure.
Season as desired and serve!

Is it better to pressure cook or steam vegetables?

When it comes to steaming veggies, the pressure cooker is the way to go. Instead of spending 20 minutes steaming your vegetables in a pot on the stovetop, they’ll cook in the pressure cooker for 0 minutes. It’s the ideal solution for people who are super easy! It’s also super easy and doesn’t require any kitchen tools – all you need is your Instant Pot.

Most (if not all) of the models of Instant Pot brand pressure cookers are sold with a free steamer basket. If you own an electric pressure cooker made by a different company, that may not be the case. You have nothing to worry about, though. Any steamer basket that fits inside of your pressure cooker will work just fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you need to steam vegetables in the Instant Pot?

To steam vegetables in the Instant Pot, you’ll set the cook time to 0 minutes at high pressure. It’ll take the Instant Pot about 5-10 minutes to get up to the high pressure setting, so the cook time is still less than 15 minutes!

Can you use frozen veggies?

This recipe for making Instant Pot steamed vegetables is based on using fresh veggies. You can use frozen vegetables, but they will need a little extra cook time. Rather than setting the cook time to 0 minutes, you will just set it to 1 minute. An alternate method is to allow the pressure to release naturally rather than doing an instant pressure release.

Can you steam them without a steamer basket?

The reason you’ll want to use a steamer basket for steaming vegetables in an Instant Pot is to keep the vegetables elevated above the water. If you place them directly into the liquid, they won’t steam, they will boil. As a result, you may end up with limp, overcooked veggies. As a last resort, you can also place the veggies into a fine mesh sieve, but only if it’s made out metal or silicone. You should never use plastic in an Instant Pot because it is likely to melt.

Storing and reheating

You can store your steamed vegetables in the fridge for up to a week, but honestly, they’re so easy to make that you’re better off just making them fresh. If you do decide to make a big batch to store for later, make sure to keep the veggies in airtight glass containers so they stay fresh.

Freezing this recipe

Technically you can freeze your steamed vegetables, but some vegetables won’t defrost very well and will end up getting soggy.

More Instant Pot side dish recipes

Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Lemon Herb Instant Pot Green Beans
Perfect Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

Meal prep tools for this recipe

Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan to add the Instant Pot steamed vegetables to your weekly lunches.
Here’s the steam basket trivet in case you lost the one that comes with your Instant Pot.

3/4 cup water
1 head broccoli, chopped
1 head cauliflower, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped

Add the 3/4 cup of water to the bottom of Instant Pot and then place trivet inside the inner pot. Add veggies, then place lid on Instant Pot and make sure valve is set to seal.
Press the pressure cook button and set to high, then cook for 0 minutes. Yes, zero minutes is all that’s needed to steam! The Instant Pot will take about 5-10 minutes to come to pressure, then notify you it’s done by beeping.
Press the Cancel button then do a quick release of the pressure on the Instant Pot by flicking the switch at the top with a spoon. Open the lid when pressure gauge has dropped and the lid opens easily.
Season veggies if desired then serve and enjoy!

Use any vegetable medley of your choice.

If you’re using frozen veggies, add 1 minute to the cook time.

Make sure all the vegetables are cut into roughly the same size so they cook evenly.

Add on any seasonings after the veggies have finished steaming.

Does an Instant Pot work as a steamer?

Using an Instant Pot as a steamer An instant pot can come in handy for more than just making quick meals. It can also be used as a steamer. Steaming in an Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to cook food while retaining its nutrients.

Do you seal or vent when steaming in Instant Pot?

In order for pressure to build in the Instant Pot — a necessary requirement for pressure cooking — the steam release knob must be turned to the sealed position. This traps the steam pressure in the cooker, which builds over time, eventually pressure cooking the ingredients.

What's the difference between steam and pressure cook on Instant Pot?

Perhaps the most interesting distinction between a pressure cooker and a dedicated steamer, however, is how much faster and more effective pressure cooking is than steaming food. Pressure cookers are often around ten times more efficient and faster than many other methods of cooking!