Steaming Food: Pressure Cooker's Surprising Superpower

Pressure cookers are a great way to steam food. They can be used to cook a wide variety of foods, from vegetables to chicken, and are particularly good for steaming. Steaming in a pressure cooker is a quick and easy way to cook food while retaining its nutrients. It is also a hands-off method once the food is in the cooker. While it may not be much quicker overall to steam in a pressure cooker, it is certainly easier as you don’t need to supervise your food closely.

How to steam food in an Instant Pot

Yes, you can steam food in a pressure cooker, and it's a great way to cook food while retaining its flavour and nutrients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam food in an Instant Pot.

Step 1: Prepare the Instant Pot

Firstly, pour 1-2 cups of water into the Instant Pot. The amount of water will depend on the quantity of food you are steaming. You want to ensure the water level is below the food, so it steams rather than boils.

Step 2: Prepare the Trivet and Steamer Basket

Place the trivet (the short rack that comes with the Instant Pot) at the bottom of the pot. This will hold the food up and out of the water. If you don't have a trivet, you can use rolled-up balls of tin foil to act as a rack.

Next, place the steamer basket on top of the trivet. You can use most types of steamer baskets with an Instant Pot. If you don't have one, you can use a small colander or place the food directly on the trivet.

Step 3: Prepare the Food

Place the food inside the steamer basket. Layer the food according to cooking time, with the food that takes the longest at the bottom and the quickest-cooking food on top. Avoid overfilling the basket; leave a little space at the top to ensure the lid fits securely.

Step 4: Secure the Lid and Set the Vent

Secure the lid on the Instant Pot by turning it clockwise until it locks into place. Check that the arrows on the lid and the pot line up. Close the vent by shifting the vent switch to the left or right. This will trap the pressure and steam inside the pot.

Step 5: Set the Cooking Time and Temperature

Press the "Steam" button on the Instant Pot to activate the steam function. Adjust the cooking time using the plus or minus keys. The cooking time will depend on the type of food you are steaming. Most vegetables steam in 1-5 minutes, while root vegetables and frozen vegetables may take longer.

Step 6: Release the Pressure and Serve

When the timer goes off, manually release the pressure by switching the vent to the venting position. Be careful when doing this, as the steam will rush out and could burn your skin. Open the lid and remove the steamer basket. Your food is now ready to be served!

What foods can be steamed in an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can steam food in a pressure cooker. Here are some foods that can be steamed in an Instant Pot:

Vegetables

Vegetables are a great option for steaming in an Instant Pot, whether they are fresh or frozen. This method helps retain their flavour and nutrients better than boiling. Some vegetables that can be steamed include:

• Artichokes
• Sweet potatoes
• Spaghetti squash
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Asparagus
• Green beans
• Brussels sprouts
• Butternut squash
• Corn
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Beets

Proteins

The Instant Pot is also great for steaming proteins, such as:

• Chicken breast
• Turkey breast
• Fish fillet
• Shrimp/prawns
• Eggs

Fruits

You can also steam fruits like apples and pears in the Instant Pot.

Other Foods

In addition to the above, you can also steam dumplings, Idlis (a South Indian dish), and even Mochi dough in the Instant Pot.

How to steam food without an Instant Pot

Yes, you can steam food in a pressure cooker without an Instant Pot. Here is a guide on how to do it:

Firstly, you will need to add liquid to your pressure cooker to create steam. Depending on the size of your cooker, add between 1 cup and 2 cups (240ml to 480ml) of water or stock. If you are planning on using the stock in a sauce or soup, add flavour to the water with ingredients such as cornflour.

Next, you will need to find a way to elevate the food so that it cooks in the steam and doesn't boil in the water. You can use a steamer basket, or if your food is large enough, you can use the metal trivet or rack that comes with most pressure cookers. If you are using a steamer basket, make sure it has a few holes so that the food can breathe. If your food is too small to sit on the trivet, place it on a plate or in a bowl on top of the trivet.

Now you can add your food to the pressure cooker. If you are cooking multiple types of food that require different cooking times, place the food that takes the longest closest to the water, and layer the quicker-cooking food on top.

Finally, secure the lid on your pressure cooker, making sure that the lid is sealed so that steam doesn't escape. Turn on the heat and wait for the water to start steaming. The amount of time you need to steam your food for will depend on what you are cooking, but generally, most vegetables steam in 1 to 5 minutes, root vegetables take longer, and seafood cooks in a similar time to green vegetables.

If you want to be able to check on your food while it is cooking, you can use the sauté function on your pressure cooker instead of steaming with the lid closed. You will need to use a regular pot lid to trap the steam inside the cooker, and you will need to be careful of the rising steam when you remove the lid.

How long to steam different foods for

Yes, you can steam food in a pressure cooker. Here is a guide on how long to steam different foods for:

Vegetables

Steaming vegetables in a pressure cooker is a simple and effective way to cook them whilst retaining their flavour and nutrients. The time taken to steam vegetables will depend on the type of vegetable and the size of the chunks. Here are some examples:

• Green beans cut into halves or thirds – steam for about 2 minutes
• Potatoes cut into very small chunks – steam for about 2 minutes
• Carrots cut into big chunks – steam for about 2 minutes
• Beets cut into small chunks – steam for about 2 minutes
• Broccoli florets cut into pieces – steam for about 1 minute
• Cauliflower florets cut into pieces – steam for about 1 minute

Fruits

You can steam whole fruits like pears and apples directly on the trivet, or chopped fruit in a heatproof bowl on the trivet or in a steamer basket. Here are some examples:

Apple slices or chunks – steam time varies depending on the Instant Pot model

Proteins

You can steam proteins such as chicken, fish, shrimp or prawns in a pressure cooker. Here are some examples:

• Chicken breast (boneless) – steam for 6-8 minutes per 1lb/450g
• Turkey breast (boneless) – steam for 7-9 minutes per 1lb/450g
• Fish fillet (frozen) – steam time varies depending on the Instant Pot model
• Shrimp or prawns (fresh) – steam time varies depending on the Instant Pot model

Eggs

Steaming eggs in the Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to cook them. Here is an example:

Hard-boiled eggs – steam for 5 minutes

Advantages of steaming food

Yes, you can steam food in a pressure cooker. Here are some advantages of steaming food:

Nutrient Preservation

Steaming food helps retain its nutritional properties as there is no direct contact with water. This means that the food's nutrients are not lost in the cooking process. For example, vitamins such as vitamin B, thiamine, niacin, and vitamin C are enhanced through steaming, and minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc are retained.

Rich, Genuine Flavours

Steaming allows food to retain its genuine flavour, allowing you to "rediscover" its real essence. This cooking method is particularly ideal for fish and vegetables.

Light and Healthy Dishes

The steaming method does not require oil, and therefore, avoids producing unwanted fats. The resulting dishes are very light, healthier, and gentler on the palate. When cooking fish and chicken, the steam dissolves the fat, making the food lower in calories and more easily digestible.

Quick and Economical

Steaming is a fast and inexpensive way to prepare dishes. It also allows you to cook several different foods simultaneously, saving time and creating fewer dishes to wash.

Almost No Smells

Steam cooking reduces the unpleasant smells that are typically associated with cooking certain foods.

Frequently asked questions