Instant Pot Broccoli and Cauliflower

White bowl filled with roasted broccoli and cauliflower florets

This recipe is an excellent option if you are watching calories. It's vegan, low-carb, nutritious and you can have it in less than 5 minutes using your Instant Pot.

Unlike the microwave, the Instant Pot keeps most of the nutrients and vitamins.

White bowl filled with roasted broccoli and cauliflower florets

Broccoli and Cauliflower works amazing together and can be added to any main dish you make.

Why This Recipe Works

Steaming vegetables in the Instant Pot preserves their nutrients, vibrant colors, and crisp-tender texture. The high pressure of the Instant Pot ensures that the broccoli and cauliflower are cooked evenly and quickly, without becoming mushy. Seasoning with just salt and pepper allows the natural flavors of the vegetables to shine through, making this dish a versatile and healthy addition to any meal.

Tips

Uniform Cutting: Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into similar-sized florets to ensure even cooking. This helps avoid some pieces being undercooked while others are overdone.

Seasoning Variations: Experiment with different seasonings or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for added flavor. A squeeze of lemon juice can also add a fresh, tangy finish.

Steaming Basket: Using a steaming basket prevents the vegetables from sitting in the water, which can make them soggy.

Stock: Feel free to use vegetable stock instead of water for extra taste.

Which Steaming Basket to use?

For this recipe I'm using a steamer basket. You can use one of these options:

1. Stainless steel steamer basket
2. Silicone Steamer Basket
3. Any steamer basket that fits your Instant Pot.

Cooking time

From my experience,  1 minute is enough and the veggies come out perfectly.

If you like the vegetables softer (for children for example), feel free to cook for 2-3 minutes on high pressure.

Can I add butter?

Yes. This steamed broccoli and cauliflower recipe works great with butter. Just add 1-2 tablespoon after cooking and mix well.

The butter will melt and you will enjoy a creamy side dish.

How to make it crispy?

If you wanna make the steamed vegetables crisp, broil them in the oven or by using the Air Fryer Lid at 375 °F for 2 minutes.

How To Serve

This recipe can be served as a side dish to complement any main course. It pairs well with grilled chicken, fish, or tofu. For a complete meal, toss the steamed vegetables with cooked quinoa or brown rice, and add your favorite protein. They also make a great addition to salads, pasta dishes, or stir-fries.

Broccoli Recipes

Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli

Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Broccoli Frittata

Cauliflower Recipes

Cauliflower Pizza Bowl

Cauliflower Cheese

Cauliflower Steaks

White bowl filled with roasted broccoli and cauliflower florets

Instant Pot Broccoli and Cauliflower

A healthy and flavorful vegan-friendly dish that can be made in Instant Pot easily.
4.76 from 91 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: broccoli, cauliflower
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 4 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Corrie

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add water to the Instant Pot.
  • Place the steaming basket on the bottom of the Instant Pot.
  • Place the broccoli and the cauliflower on the steaming basket.
  • Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 1 minute.
  • When cooking time ends, do a quick pressure release.
  • Open the lid and serve. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 14kcal Carbohydrates: 3g Protein: 1g Fat: 1g Saturated Fat: 1g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Sodium: 18mg Potassium: 147mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 1g Vitamin A: 142IU Vitamin C: 32mg Calcium: 18mg Iron: 1mg

Notes

  • Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into similar-sized florets to ensure even cooking. This helps avoid some pieces being undercooked while others are overdone.
  • Experiment with different seasonings or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for added flavor. A squeeze of lemon juice can also add a fresh, tangy finish.
  • Using a steaming basket prevents the vegetables from sitting in the water, which can make them soggy.
  • Feel free to use vegetable stock instead of water for extra taste.
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @corriecooksblog or tag #corriecooks!

28 thoughts on “Instant Pot Broccoli and Cauliflower

  1. This was great! To everyone concerned about the cooking time – I did the commonly recommended 0 minutes/high pressure/quick release for broccoli/cauliflower and it turned out perfect. Still slightly crunchy, but not soggy. I have the Crock Pot pressure cooker, so it doesn’t have a manual option. In order to achieve 0 minutes I let it get to pressure, and as soon as it set I turned off the pressure cooker and did a quick release. Very good!

    1. Yes 0 minutes is possible and useful if you like the veggies a bit crunchy. Glad you like the recipe 🙂

  2. Ok, I must be missing something, here...

    The recipe is titled "Instant Pot Roasted Broccoli And Cauliflower" and the picture shows beautifully cooked and browned caramelized broccoli and cauliflower, just the way I like it...

    But there is nothing in the instructions to explain this step...

  3. Tried it, followed the directions exactly. Came out more like broccoli and cauliflower soup. Not at all what I expected from the picture or the intent.

    1. I agree. I even self vented the pressure and took lid off right after. It was hard to take a second bite, it was so mushy.
      Next time I will try 1 minute instead of 10.

      1. I don't see "10" min anywhere in the directions. I only see "1 min". It may take 10 minutes for the pot to come to pressure but the cook time is only 1 min.

    2. Mine did same thing...like mush. I think adding a full cup of water is way too much. I followed a recipe for brussel sprouts which also said to add a full cup of water...and couldn't even eat them..like baby food...mush. Tried with 1/2 cup and cut the timer for the pressure cooker down to 2 min (was recommended at 3) and almost same thing. Every time I've tried cooking just vegetables in the pressure cook cycle...it's been awful.

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