Instant Pot Steaming: What, Why, And How?

Instant Pots are a great addition to any kitchen and can be used to cook a wide variety of foods. They are particularly well-suited for steaming, which is a quick and easy way to cook food while retaining its nutrients. The Instant Pot's Steam function can be used with or without a steamer basket and can cook a variety of foods, including vegetables, chicken, fish, potatoes, eggs, and fruit. The process is simple: add water to the Instant Pot, place a trivet and/or steamer basket in the pot, add the food, secure the lid, adjust the settings, and cook. The Instant Pot will begin heating the water and producing steam, and the food will start steaming once the pot reaches full pressure.

How to steam with the Instant Pot's steam function

Instant Pots are a great addition to your kitchen and can be used to cook a wide variety of foods. They are particularly well-suited for steaming! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use the steam function on your Instant Pot.

Step 1: Add Water to the Inner Pot

Firstly, pour 1 to 2 cups of water into the Instant Pot. Use less water for a smaller quantity of food, but opt for 2 cups if you're steaming a whole basket of veggies or seafood. Remember, you don't want the water to go above the food, as it will boil your meal instead of steaming it.

Step 2: Set the Trivet on the Bottom of the Instant Pot

Place the trivet that came with your Instant Pot at the bottom of the pot. This will help hold the food up and over the water. If the water level is too high, scoop some out to lower it below the top of the trivet.

Step 3: Layer the Food in the Basket

Check the cooking times in your recipe or Instant Pot cooking guide and layer the food in your steam basket accordingly. Foods that take longer to cook should be placed at the bottom, closer to the water, and quicker-cooking foods should be placed on top. Root vegetables, for example, take longer to steam than green veggies, and seafood cooks pretty quickly.

Step 4: Place the Steam Basket into the Instant Pot

Lift the filled steam basket into the Instant Pot and place it on top of the trivet. Make sure the top of the basket is below the top edge of the pot so that the lid will fit securely.

Step 5: Secure the Lid on the Instant Pot

Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn it clockwise until you hear a click, locking it into place. Double-check that the lid is secure by ensuring the arrows on the lid and the pot are aligned. If the lid isn't sealed, steam can escape, and your food won't cook correctly.

Step 6: Seal the Vent

Look on the top of the lid and shift the vent switch to the left or right to close it off. This step is crucial, as it traps the pressure and steam inside the Instant Pot, ensuring effective cooking.

Step 7: Press the "Steam" Button

Check the lower right area of the control panel for the "Steam" button and press it. The screen should light up, and a standard cook time will appear. If you can't find the button, refer to the instructions that came with your Instant Pot.

Step 8: Set the Cooking Time

Use the plus or minus keys to adjust the cooking time as needed. Set the actual cook time without worrying about preheating. Times vary for each type of food, so double-check the recommended time, especially if you're steaming something for the first time. Generally, most veggies steam in 1 to 5 minutes, but root veggies usually take longer. Frozen veggies will also need a longer steam time than fresh ones. Similarly, most seafood cooks in 1 to 5 minutes.

If you're following a recipe for a traditional pressure cooker, add 7-15% more time to the recommended cooking time, as Instant Pots operate at lower pressure.

Step 9: Listen for the Beep

Stay near your Instant Pot so you can hear the beep that signals the end of the cooking time. It's essential to manually release the pressure as soon as you hear the beep to prevent overcooking and turn your food mushy.

Step 10: Release the Pressure

Cover your hand with an oven mitt or a kitchen towel to protect your skin from the hot steam. Then, push the steam release handle to the left or right to open the vent. This releases the pressure inside the Instant Pot and stops the cooking process. Be very careful during this step, as the steam is extremely hot and can burn your skin.

Step 11: Open the Lid and Remove the Steam Basket

Once the pressure is released, twist the lid to unlock it, then carefully lift it off the Instant Pot. Finally, grip the handle of the steam basket and lift it out. Your delicious steamed meal is now ready to be served!

What foods can be steamed in an Instant Pot?

Instant Pots are a great addition to your kitchen and can be used to cook a wide variety of foods. They are particularly well-suited for steaming, which is a quick and easy way to cook food while retaining its nutrients. Here are some foods that can be steamed in an Instant Pot:

Vegetables

Whether you are cooking fresh or frozen vegetables, steaming is the best way to cook them as it retains their flavour and nutrients better than boiling. Examples of vegetables that can be steamed include:

• Asparagus
• Beans
• Brussels sprouts
• Butternut squash
• Corn
• Potatoes
• Broccoli
• Artichokes
• Sweet potatoes
• Spaghetti squash
• Cauliflower

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.

Proteins

The Instant Pot is also great for cooking proteins such as:

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

Other foods

You can also steam dumplings, Idlis, and Mochi dough in your Instant Pot.

How to steam in an Instant Pot without a steam basket

Instant Pots are a great addition to your kitchen and can be used to cook a wide variety of foods. Here is a guide on how to steam in an Instant Pot without a steam basket:

Firstly, it is important to note that the Instant Pot does require some water to steam food. The amount of water needed depends on the size of your Instant Pot, so check your manual for the minimum requirement. It is usually around 1 cup (250ml). You can also add stock or broth to add more flavour to your food.

The key to steaming without a steam basket is to find a way to elevate the food so that it cooks in the steam and not in the boiling water. Here are some options:

• Use the metal trivet or rack that comes with the Instant Pot. This works best for larger food items that won't fall through the bars.
• For smaller foods, place them on a plate or in a bowl on top of the metal trivet.
• If you don't have a trivet, you can use rolled-up balls of tin foil inside the Instant Pot to rest a plate or bowl on.
• Use a heat-proof bowl placed directly inside the Instant Pot bowl. The bowl should be tall enough to keep the food above the water level.
• A colander can also be used as a steamer basket. Place your vegetables in the colander and put it over the trivet. Make sure the colander doesn't touch the walls of the inner pot, as this will make it difficult to remove.
• A tall trivet or egg rack can be used to steam larger vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, as well as whole sweet potatoes and eggs.

Tips for Steaming in an Instant Pot:

• Always make sure the vent is in the sealing position to retain the steam and cook your food evenly.
• The "Steam" function on the Instant Pot is a preset for high pressure. You can adjust the time using the "+" and "-" buttons or by selecting "More" or "Less".
• It is normal for the pressure valve to rise during the steaming process. Wait for it to fall before opening the lid.
• You can also use the Sauté function to steam food without pressure. Simply add water, place the food in a steamer basket, and cover with a glass lid.

Foods That Can Be Steamed in an Instant Pot:

• Vegetables: steaming is a great way to retain flavour and nutrients.
• Chicken: steaming chicken breast in the Instant Pot is quick and convenient, perfect for sandwiches or recipes requiring pre-cooked chicken.
• Fish: steaming is a better option than cooking in water, as it is easy to overcook fish.
• Potatoes: steaming is a gentle cooking method that prevents overcooking.
• Eggs: steaming eggs in the Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to make hard-boiled eggs.
• Fruit: whole fruit like pears and apples can be steamed directly on the trivet. Chopped fruit can be steamed in a heat-proof bowl.

How to steam in an Instant Pot without the steam button

Instant Pots are a great addition to your kitchen and can be used to cook a wide variety of foods. They are particularly well-suited for steaming. Here is a guide on how to steam in an Instant Pot without the steam button:

Step-by-step guide to steaming in an Instant Pot without the steam button:

• Add 1 to 2 cups (240 to 470 ml) of water to the Instant Pot. Use less water for smaller quantities of food, and more water if steaming a whole basket of vegetables or seafood. Ensure the water level is below the food to create steam and not boil the food.
• Place a trivet at the bottom of the Instant Pot. The trivet will hold the food above the water level. If the water level is too high, scoop out some water.
• Layer the food in a steam basket according to cooking time. Place foods that take longer to cook at the bottom, closer to the water. Foods that cook quickly go on top. Root vegetables generally take longer to steam than green vegetables, and seafood cooks quickly.
• Avoid overfilling the steam basket. Leave some space at the top to ensure the lid fits securely.
• Place the steam basket on top of the trivet inside the Instant Pot. Ensure the top of the basket is below the top edge of the pot so the lid fits.
• Secure the lid on the Instant Pot by turning it clockwise until it locks. Check that the lid is secure by ensuring the arrows on the lid and pot line up.
• Close the vent by turning the handle near it. This traps the pressure and steam inside.
• Press the "Saute" button and adjust the time using the plus or minus keys. Set the actual cook time, and refer to Instant Pot's guide for recommended cooking times.
• Listen for the beep signalling that the food is done. Manually release the pressure immediately by switching the vent to the venting position. Be careful of the escaping steam.
• Open the lid and remove the steam basket. Dinner is served!

Tips:

• You can use most steam baskets with your Instant Pot. If you don't have one, use a small colander or place the food directly on the trivet.
• Instant Pots have a minimum water requirement based on their size. Check your manual for the minimum amount, which is typically around 1 cup (250 ml).
• You can use stock or broth instead of water to add flavour to your food.

Instant Pot steam venting or sealing

Instant Pots are a great addition to any kitchen and can be used to cook a wide variety of foods. They are particularly well-suited for steaming, which is a quick and easy way to cook food while retaining its nutrients.

The steam preset in the Instant Pot is set to 10 minutes. You can adjust this to a maximum of 15 minutes and a minimum of 3 minutes. The vent should be in the sealing position when using this preset mode. This allows the steam to be retained in the Instant Pot, cooking the food more quickly and evenly.

How to Steam in an Instant Pot

Firstly, add 1 to 2 cups of water to the Instant Pot. Then, place a trivet and/or steam basket in the pot. Put the food you want to steam inside the basket or on top of the trivet. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and turn the lid clockwise until the lock clicks. Double-check that the lid is secure by ensuring the arrows on the lid and the pot line up. Find the vent switch on the top of the lid and shift it to either direction to close off the vent. This traps the pressure and steam inside the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Steam vs Pressure

The "Steam" function on the Instant Pot is a preset for high pressure for 10 minutes. The time can be adjusted up to 15 minutes by selecting "More", or down to 3 minutes by setting it to "Less". It can also be adjusted using the +/- buttons for finer control. The Instant Pot steams under pressure, so it is a different process from steaming on a stovetop, and much faster.

Tips for Steaming in an Instant Pot

• Check your manual to ensure you don't use less than the minimum amount of water required for your Instant Pot. It will likely be around 1 cup (250ml).
• You can also use stock or broth to add more flavour to your food.
• You will need a steamer basket. The water level should be below the level of the food, otherwise, the food will be boiled in the water. The steamer basket holds your food inside the Instant Pot inner bowl.
• You can use a regular steamer in an Instant Pot. If you have a metal or silicone steamer basket, simply place it straight in the Instant Pot over the water.
• Bamboo steamers also work well in an Instant Pot. You just need to raise it so that the water underneath isn't touching the bamboo steamer directly. Place the bamboo steamer on the Instant Pot steam rack/trivet or place 3 balls of aluminium foil in the bottom of the Instant Pot and place the steamer on that.
• If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use the metal trivet or rack that comes with all Instant Pots if the food you are steaming is large enough that it won't fall between the bars. For smaller foods, place the food on a plate or in a bowl and place that on the metal trivet.
• Alternatively, you can steam food in a heat-proof bowl placed inside the Instant Pot bowl with no trivet. The bowl just needs to have sides that are high enough to be an inch or two above the waterline to keep the food out of the water.
• You can place the food in a bowl on the Instant Pot steam rack if you don't have a steamer basket.

Frequently asked questions