I love steamed vegetables! Whether it’s broccoli, string beans, peas, or carrots, they are amazingly delicious when cooked in a steamer. In fact, this is one of the reasons why I love my Instant Pot so much - it makes some mind-blowing steamed veggies!
The steam trapped inside the Instant Pot speeds up the cooking and makes sure the veggies maintain their taste, texture, and color. They also retain nutrients and the fiber isn’t damaged, which is the best part about eating vegetables.
However, you can’t make properly steamed vegetables (or steamed anything) without a steamer basket.
What is this, you ask? Well, so did a lot of readers. Lately, I’ve seen a lot of questions about steamer baskets and steaming in an Instant Pot in general, that I thought it best to dedicate an entire blog post to this topic.
So, if you want to know what is, how to use it, where to find such an IP accessory, keep reading. I’ll start by answering some of the questions I had in my inbox and finish with a top 5 best steamer baskets (in my opinion).
Contents
- What Is A Steamer Basket?
- How Do I Use A Steamer Basket In My Instant Pot?
- What Can I Use Instead Of A Steamer Basket?
- What NOT to do: Don't use plastic products! Don't use any accessories that hinder the lid. Don't use any accessories with chipped paint. What to do: You can try a stainless steel colander. Just make sure it fits well in the inner pot. You can put the vegetables directly in the bottom of the Instant Pot, like I did here. You can order a steamer basket and make something else this time. You can make your own steamer basket as you can see below. DIY - How to make a Steamer Basket at home Grab two aluminum pie plates Punch holes in one (using a knife or a fork), flip it upside down and put it inside the pot Fill the pot with water just right up to the top of the plate Get the second one and flatten it with a rolling pin or a similar object. Get a parchment round and place it on top of the flattened pie plate and punch holes through both items. Place the items on top of the first plate and there you go, your own homemade steamer basket! The whole point is to get your food up and away from the water and keep it contained in something resembling a bowl or basket. Can I Steam Vegetables Without A Steamer Basket? Yes. You can steam vegetables without using a steamer basket, just by placing the vegetables on the bottom. I did it a few times as a test, as you can see in my Instant Pot steaming vegetables recipe. Is was a great side dish, however as expected, the results are not the same. You can also use a homemade improvised steaming basket. Please note that steaming can be a dangerous job because, in an uncontrolled environment, there is the risk of burning your hands and/or face while handling an improvised steamer. So if you have an Instant Pot and a steamer basket there is no reason for you to do so. Does Instant Pot Come with a Steamer Basket? No. A steamer basket is not one of the accessories delivered with an Instant Pot. However, it is the kind of accessory you only buy once. It’s also affordable, easy to clean, and doesn’t need much space for storage. Does Instant Pot Come With A Rack Or Trivet? Yes. The Instant Pot comes with this simple metal rack: I'm using it to make baked potato or hard boiled eggs. Please note that this trivet is not a steamer basket and can’t be used for steaming. Does A Steamer Basket Fit 3 Quart Instant Pot? You can find special ones that will fit. Since it's a small size, most of the regular steamer basket won't fit the 3-quart Instant Pot. Does A Steamer Basket Fit 8 Quart Instant Pot? It all depends on the circumference of the basket. So, before you make any purchase, make sure to measure the circumference of your IP inner pot and calculate the ideal size of the steamer basket. The basket should fit easily inside the pot, without scratching the walls. Can I Use Any Steamer Basket In My Instant Pot? Yes, As long as it fits inside the pot and it’s made from heat-resistant material. Still, before you purchase a basket, I recommend asking the IP community. If there are people who already use it, you can get useful information regarding durability and more. What Is The Best Steamer Basket For Instant Pot? I’ve tried and reviewed several steamer baskets over the years, so I decided to share my preferences with you. Please keep in mind that options may differ from person to person due to size, material, and price. 1. Kitchen Deluxe Vegetable Steamer Basket
- 2. Silicone Steamer Basket
- 3. Instant Pot Silicone Steamer Basket
- 4. Original Sturdy Steamer Basket
- 5. Hatrigo Steamer Basket
- Summary
What Is A Steamer Basket?
In short, a steamer basket is a standard accessory that fits inside an Instant Pot and allows the steam to penetrate the veggies. It usually has stilts and handles so it’s easy to use, and it can be made from stainless steel (with holes), mesh, silicone, or other food-grade materials.
Luckily, there are lots of different products on the market and everyone can have their pick. For instance, you can get a stacked basket, which allows steaming on different levels and of different foods. There are also sectional steamers, which you can use while cooking other foods.
Still, the main purpose of the steamer basket is to hold the food (usually fresh or frozen) and make sure the food doesn’t touch the water or liquid (needed to create pressure in the pot). This way, the food is exposed to the hot steam and becomes tender and ready to eat.
How Do I Use A Steamer Basket In My Instant Pot?
The concept is rather simple - the steamer basket goes directly into the inner pot of the Instant Pot. First, you have to add the required quantity of water (in the same inner pot) so the IP can build pressure and create steam.
Next, place the veggies or dumplings in the basket, close the lid, and set the timer. The last step is a bit tricky and requires a bit of trial and error because you can’t sample the state of your veggies while steaming. The secret is to time the cooking according to the type of vegetables and their state (fresh or frozen). Also, if you’re steaming dumplings, the time will be different.
Lastly, you can add seasonings if you want, but I prefer adding them at the end after the steam has done its job.
As a side note, the steaming function is not just for veggies and dumplings. You can also steam meat such as oysters, fish, or even chicken. The secret is to adjust the timing and the pressure according to each type of food.
What Can I Use Instead Of A Steamer Basket?
If you’re using the Instant Pot for steaming, I don’t recommend using an improvisation. The accessories that are specially designed for the pot are created to resist high temperatures and protect both your food and the pot.
Can you use a stainless steel basket from a deep fat fryer in an insta pot?
Yes stainless steel basket can be used in Instant Pot.
can the steamer be used under pressure an do you leave the silicon handle during the pressuring or put in on to take it out of the pot?
I have one with the silicone handle and stainless mesh on the basket. I put the whole thing in the liner with no problem!