Steaming Broccoli: Using A Pressure Cooker The Right Way

Steaming broccoli in a pressure cooker is a quick and easy way to prepare this nutritious vegetable. It is a hands-off cooking method that ensures your broccoli is tender, yet crunchy, and perfectly steamed every time. This guide will take you through the simple steps to achieve the best results.

How to prepare broccoli for steaming

Step 1: Wash the Broccoli

Rinse the broccoli under running water to remove any dirt or residue.

Step 2: Cut the Broccoli into Florets

Using a chef's knife, cut the broccoli head into evenly sized florets. Try to make the florets about 1.5 inches in size, and ensure they are all roughly the same size so they cook evenly.

Step 3: Prepare the Pressure Cooker

Add water to the inner pot of your pressure cooker. The amount of water will depend on how much broccoli you are cooking; generally, you will need about 3/4 cup of water for a pound of broccoli. You can also add a trivet or steamer basket to the pot, which will make it easier to remove the broccoli once it's cooked.

Step 4: Season the Broccoli (Optional)

At this stage, you can add seasonings to the broccoli if desired. You can sprinkle on some garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, or any other seasonings you like.

Step 5: Place the Broccoli in the Cooker

Place the broccoli florets into the pressure cooker, either directly onto the trivet or steamer basket, or into a pressure cooker-safe dish on top of the metal stand. If using a dish, you can add a little water to the broccoli, about 2 tablespoons.

Step 6: Close the Cooker and Set the Timer

Close the lid of the pressure cooker and set the valve to "sealed." Set the cooker to high pressure and the timer for 0 minutes. The broccoli will cook as the cooker comes to pressure.

Step 7: Quick Release the Pressure

As soon as the cooker beeps, indicating it has reached pressure, release the pressure valve immediately. This step is crucial to prevent overcooking, which can result in mushy broccoli.

Step 8: Remove the Broccoli

Once the pressure has been released, carefully remove the broccoli from the pressure cooker. It is now ready to be served!

What to put in the pressure cooker

Now that you've decided to steam broccoli in a pressure cooker, let's get into the details of what you'll need to put in the cooker to achieve perfectly steamed broccoli.

Firstly, you'll need to prepare the broccoli by washing it under running water. Then, using a chef's knife, cut the broccoli head into evenly sized medium florets, roughly about 1.5 inches in size. This ensures that the broccoli cooks evenly and at the same time.

Next, you'll want to gather the rest of the ingredients and prepare your pressure cooker. Add about 3/4 to 1 cup of water to the inner pot of your pressure cooker. The water is essential for creating steam and should not be omitted.

If you have a steamer basket, place it inside the pressure cooker on top of the water. The advantage of using a steamer basket is that the broccoli cooks evenly without being immersed in water. Transfer the broccoli florets into the steamer basket.

If you don't have a steamer basket, don't worry! You can use the trivet or metal stand that likely came with your pressure cooker. Simply place the trivet inside the pot, and put the broccoli florets on top, ensuring they don't touch the water.

At this point, you can also add some optional ingredients directly to the broccoli. This could include a sprinkle of garlic, Himalayan pink salt, or a drizzle of olive oil or lemon juice. These additions will infuse your broccoli with flavour as it cooks.

Now, it's time to seal the pressure cooker and choose the appropriate cooking setting. Close the lid and ensure the valve is in the sealing position. Power on the cooker and select the "Nutritional Cooking" option, if available. If not, set the cooker to high pressure and "0" minutes. Yes, cooking at "'0' minutes is correct! The broccoli will cook as the cooker comes to pressure.

Once the cooker beeps, indicating it has reached pressure, immediately release the pressure manually by flicking the switch or turning the valve to "Release". This step is crucial to prevent overcooking the broccoli, which can result in a mushy texture.

After releasing the pressure, carefully remove the steamer basket or trivet with the broccoli, as it will be hot. You can place the broccoli under cold water for a minute to stop the cooking process if desired, or simply serve it right away.

And that's it! You now have perfectly steamed broccoli that is slightly soft, slightly crunchy, and ready to be seasoned and enjoyed!

How long to steam broccoli

Steaming broccoli in a pressure cooker is a quick and easy way to cook this nutritious vegetable. It is also one of the best ways to prepare broccoli as it helps the broccoli retain its health benefits.

The time it takes to steam broccoli in a pressure cooker depends on how crunchy or soft you like your broccoli. The cooking time is also affected by the power of your pressure cooker, the quantity of broccoli, and whether it is fresh or frozen.

How to steam broccoli in a pressure cooker

Firstly, wash the broccoli and cut it into equal-sized florets. The broccoli head can be cut into quarters or thirds if you don't have a steamer basket. If you are using frozen broccoli, you don't need to worry about cutting it into pieces.

Secondly, add water to the inner pot of your pressure cooker. You will need about 3/4 cup of water for a pound of broccoli. If you are using a steamer basket, place it inside the inner pot. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use the trivet that comes with the pressure cooker. Place the broccoli on top.

Thirdly, seal the pressure valve and set the cooker to high pressure for 0 minutes. Yes, you read that right! The broccoli will be perfectly steamed in the time it takes for the pressure cooker to come to pressure. If your pressure cooker doesn't have a 0-minute option, set it for 1 minute on low pressure.

Once the pressure cooker beeps, manually release the pressure by flicking the switch at the top with a spoon. Open the lid when the pressure gauge has dropped and the lid opens easily. Remove the broccoli immediately to prevent overcooking.

The whole process, from adding the water to releasing the pressure, should take no more than 15 minutes. The actual steaming time is just the time it takes for the pressure cooker to come to full pressure, which is about 5-10 minutes.

Tips

• To prevent mushy broccoli, make sure you release the pressure and remove the broccoli from the pressure cooker as soon as it reaches full pressure.
• If you are using frozen broccoli, be sure to always use high pressure.
• For extra flavour, use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water.
• Try out different seasonings such as parmesan cheese, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, or salt and pepper.

How to serve steamed broccoli

There are many ways to serve steamed broccoli as a tasty and nutritious side dish. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Seasonings and Toppings

A sprinkle of salt and pepper is a simple way to season your steamed broccoli, but you can also try other seasonings like garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or onion powder. For a cheesier option, top your broccoli with shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan cheese. You can also add some crunch with sliced almonds or walnuts, or a tangy twist with dried cranberries or golden raisins.

Drizzle with Sauce

For an Asian-inspired flavour, drizzle your steamed broccoli with soy sauce, sesame seeds, and sriracha sauce. Alternatively, a lemon tahini sauce can add a creamy and tangy dimension to your dish.

As Part of a Salad

Steamed broccoli is a great addition to a salad. Toss it with your favourite greens, veggies, and dressing for a nutritious and well-rounded meal.

With Rice or Protein

Steamed broccoli goes well with rice, especially basmati rice. You can also serve it as a side dish with chicken breast, steak, salmon, or any other protein of your choice. It's a versatile vegetable that complements a variety of main courses.

In a Pasta Dish

Steamed broccoli pairs well with pasta, especially white sauce or Alfredo pasta. It adds a healthy and tasty component to your meal.

With Other Vegetables

You can also serve steamed broccoli with other vegetables, such as carrots and bell peppers, to create a nutritious and colourful side dish or addition to your meal prep bowls.

How to prevent overcooking

To prevent overcooking, it is important to be aware of the short cooking time required for broccoli in a pressure cooker. Broccoli cooks very quickly, and overcooking will result in a loss of colour, flavour, and nutrients, as well as a soft and mushy texture.

The key to avoiding overcooking is to cook on low pressure for 0 minutes. This is not a typo! The broccoli will cook as the pressure cooker comes to pressure. If your cooker does not have a 0-minute option, try 1 minute on low pressure. It is critical to release the pressure immediately when the broccoli is done cooking. Broccoli is cooked when it is still tender-crisp and bright green. It should be crunchy, not soft.

If you are cooking a larger quantity of broccoli, the cooking time will remain the same, but it is important to ensure the broccoli is cut into equal-sized florets so that it cooks evenly.

To stop the cooking process, you can place the broccoli under cold water for a minute or serve it immediately.

Frequently asked questions