Steaming Vs. Pressure Cooking: Which Is Best For Raw Cauliflower?

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be steamed, roasted, stir-fried, or turned into soup. It is a healthy, low-carb option that is rich in dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Steaming cauliflower is a quick and convenient way to cook this vegetable, and it can be done in an Instant Pot, pressure cooker, microwave, or on the stove. The cooking time varies depending on the desired texture, with shorter cooking times resulting in crispier cauliflower and longer cooking times yielding a softer, mushier texture.

How to steam cauliflower in an Instant Pot

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower
• Water
• Salt (optional)
• Black pepper (optional)

Utensils:

• Instant Pot
• Steamer basket or trivet
• Knife
• Colander (optional)

Method:

• Rinse the cauliflower and cut it into equal-sized florets.
• Pour water into the Instant Pot and place the steamer basket or trivet inside.
• Put the cauliflower florets into the Instant Pot.
• Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to 0 minutes on high pressure.
• Once the Instant Pot beeps, manually release the pressure.
• Carefully remove the steamer basket and place it under cold water for a few minutes to stop the cooking process (optional).
• Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and serve.

Tips:

• For crispier cauliflower, try 0 minutes at low pressure.
• To prevent overcooking, always use the quick-release function.
• Place the cooked cauliflower in an ice bath to prevent further cooking.
• For a whole head of cauliflower, place it stem-side down in the Instant Pot and cook for 1 minute.

How to pressure cook cauliflower in an Instant Pot

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1/2 cup of cold water
• Salt (optional)
• Black pepper (optional)
• Olive oil (optional)
• Lemon zest (optional)
• Italian seasoning (optional)
• Garlic powder (optional)

Method:

• Clean the cauliflower under cold running water.
• Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
• Pour 1/2 cup of cold water into the Instant Pot.
• Place a steamer basket or the trivet that came with your Instant Pot into the pot.
• Layer the cauliflower florets into the steamer basket.
• Close the lid and turn the venting knob to the sealing position.
• Pressure cook on high for 0 minutes for crunchy cauliflower or 2 minutes for tender cauliflower.
• Perform a quick release by immediately releasing the pressure and opening the lid.
• Carefully remove the cauliflower from the pot to prevent overcooking.
• Season with salt and pepper, or olive oil, lemon zest, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder, to taste.
• Enjoy!

Tips:

• The amount of cauliflower and water used will affect the cooking time, so adjust accordingly.
• For crunchier cauliflower, try pressure cooking at low pressure for zero minutes.
• To prevent overcooking, place the steamer basket with the cooked cauliflower under cold water or in an ice bath after cooking.

How to steam cauliflower on a stove

Steaming cauliflower on a stove is a quick and easy way to cook this nutritious vegetable. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Cauliflower

Start by washing the cauliflower and cutting it into florets. You can cut them into large or smaller florets, depending on your preference. If you want them to cook faster and more evenly, opt for smaller florets.

Step 2: Prepare the Stovetop

For this method, you'll need a medium-sized saucepan and a steamer basket. Place the steamer basket inside the saucepan and add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. The amount of water can vary, but aim for about 1/4 inch to 1 inch of water.

Step 3: Steam the Cauliflower

Place the cauliflower florets into the steamer basket. Cover the saucepan and turn on the heat to medium-high. Bring the water to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the cauliflower steam until it reaches your desired level of doneness. For firmer florets, steam for 5-6 minutes. For softer florets, steam for 7-9 minutes. You can also test for doneness by poking the cauliflower with a fork; it should be fork-tender when ready.

Step 4: Season and Serve

Once the cauliflower is steamed to your liking, remove it from the steamer basket and place it in a serving dish. You can keep the seasoning simple with just butter, salt, and pepper, or get creative with other herbs and spices. Lemon, parsley, and chili powder are great additions for a kick of flavor. If you want to make mashed cauliflower, you can also put the steamed florets in a blender or food processor.

Tips and Variations:

• If you don't have a steamer basket, you can still steam cauliflower on the stovetop. Simply add enough water to cover the bottom of the saucepan, place the cauliflower directly into the water, and proceed with the rest of the steps.
• For a more decadent touch, sprinkle grated or shredded Parmesan cheese over the steamed cauliflower.
• Experiment with different seasonings to find your favorite blend. You can try a simple sea salt and cracked black pepper combo or add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

How to steam cauliflower in a microwave

Steaming cauliflower in a microwave is a quick and simple way to cook this tasty, low-carb vegetable. It's faster than steaming on the stove, and there's less washing up! Here's how to do it.

Step 1: Prepare the cauliflower

Wash a head of cauliflower and cut it into bite-sized florets.

Step 2: Add water

Place the florets in a microwave-safe bowl and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl (about 2-4 tablespoons or 1/4 cup).

Step 3: Cover and microwave

Place a plate over the bowl and microwave for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on how crunchy you like your cauliflower, the size of the florets, and the power of your microwave. You may need to experiment to find your perfect cooking time.

Step 4: Rest

Let the cauliflower sit in the microwave for 1 minute before removing. Be careful, as the steam will be hot!

Step 5: Season and serve

Your cauliflower is now ready to be enjoyed as a simple side. Try tossing it with butter, olive oil, salt and pepper, or dip it in ranch or cheese sauce. You could also mash it or add it to a salad.

How to store and reheat cauliflower

Storing cauliflower

Whether you're storing a whole head of cauliflower or cut-up florets, your fridge's crisper drawer is the best place to keep it. If you're storing a whole head, you can place it in the drawer intact, but it will take up more space. If you cut it into florets, remember that it won't last as long.

When storing cauliflower, do not wash it beforehand. Although it feels dry, cauliflower contains a lot of moisture, which can get trapped in its crevices. This moisture will cause it to go bad faster. Instead, wash the cauliflower before you cook it.

To store a whole head of cauliflower, remove any original shrinkwrapping and place the head in a loose bag with an opening or perforation so that moisture can escape. The stem side should face upwards to prevent moisture from building up on the curds.

To store florets, place them in a bag with a few holes poked in it to allow airflow. You can also add a few dry paper towels to the bag to absorb excess moisture.

Storing cauliflower in the freezer

If you have too much cauliflower, you can freeze it, but first, you must blanch (quickly boil) it to preserve its flavour, colour, and texture. Then, shock it in cold water to extract more moisture. Finally, drain it and place it in airtight freezer bags. Frozen cauliflower can be kept for about a year.

Storing cooked cauliflower

Cooked cauliflower can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Reheating cauliflower

There are several ways to reheat cauliflower, including in the microwave, oven, frying pan, griddle, or cast-iron skillet. Reheating in a cast-iron skillet is a good option if you want to add extra seasonings or finish cooking the cauliflower. Heat some olive oil or butter in the pan, add the cauliflower, and sauté for 3-5 minutes.

Frequently asked questions