Steam Cooking In Instant Pot: Efficient Or Not?

Steam cooking is considered one of the healthiest ways to prepare food as it helps retain nutrients and avoids the addition of extra calories from oils and fats. The Instant Pot is a multi-cooker that can be used for steaming, and it has several advantages over traditional steaming methods. Firstly, it is more hands-off and convenient as it does not require constant supervision. Secondly, it is faster and more efficient, taking half the time of traditional steaming methods. Finally, it is safer as it eliminates the risk of burns associated with handling hot steam.

Instant Pot steaming: a quick and easy way to cook

Instant Pot steaming is a quick and easy way to cook delicious, nutrient-rich food. It is a versatile function that allows you to cook a variety of foods, from vegetables and fruits to chicken, fish, eggs, and dumplings. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the Instant Pot steam function:

Preparing the Instant Pot:

• Ensure your Instant Pot is clean and properly assembled.
• Add water to the inner pot. The amount of water depends on the recipe and the type of food being steamed. For a whole basket of veggies or seafood, use 1-2 cups of water.
• Place the steamer basket or rack provided with your Instant Pot into the inner pot. This elevates the food above the water, allowing it to steam evenly.

Steaming the Food:

• Arrange the food in the steamer basket or on the rack. Ensure the food is evenly distributed for proper steaming.
• Securely close the lid of the Instant Pot, ensuring the arrows on the lid and base are aligned.
• Set the venting knob to the sealing position to allow steam to build up inside the pot.
• Locate the steam function on the control panel and press the "Steam" button.
• Adjust the cooking time using the "+" and "-" buttons according to the type and quantity of food.
• Once the desired cooking time is set, press the "Start" button to begin the steaming process.

Releasing Pressure and Serving:

• After the cooking cycle is complete, perform a natural or quick release by carefully turning the steam release valve to the venting position.
• Open the lid of the Instant Pot away from your face to avoid steam burns and carefully remove the steamed food.

Tips for Steaming in an Instant Pot:

• Use the Instant Pot steam function for quick and convenient cooking while retaining nutrients in your food.
• The Instant Pot is ideal for steaming vegetables, as it preserves their flavour, texture, and nutrients better than boiling.
• You can steam a wide variety of foods in your Instant Pot, including chicken, fish, eggs, dumplings, and fruits like apples and pears.
• Always ensure there is sufficient water in the inner pot before steaming, and allow the water to boil before adding the food.
• Use a steamer basket or rack to elevate the food above the water level, preventing it from getting soggy.
• Instant Pots usually come with a trivet or rack, but you can also use a metal or silicone steamer basket or a colander for steaming.
• For delicate foods like fish and seafood, steaming is a gentler approach than cooking directly in water, preventing overcooking.
• Steaming is a healthy cooking method that doesn't add extra calories or fats to your meal, making it a great choice for those watching their calorie intake.

The Instant Pot's steam function: how it works

The Instant Pot's steam function is a great way to cook food quickly and efficiently while retaining its nutrients. Here's a step-by-step guide on how the steam function works and how to use it:

How the Steam Function Works

The Instant Pot's steam function is a preset for high pressure that can be adjusted to suit your needs. By default, the steam function is set to 10 minutes on low pressure, but it can be adjusted to a maximum of 15 minutes or a minimum of 3 minutes. This setting is ideal for foods that are suitable for steaming, such as vegetables, seafood, chicken, eggs, and fruits.

Using the Steam Function:

• Add Water: Pour about 1 to 2 cups of water into the inner pot of the Instant Pot. The amount of water will depend on the recipe and the type of food you are steaming. Ensure that the water level is below the food to create steam instead of boiling the food.
• Prepare the Food: Place the food you want to steam into a steamer basket or directly onto the trivet or rack provided with your Instant Pot. If using a steamer basket, layer the food according to cooking time, with longer-cooking items at the bottom and quicker-cooking items on top.
• Secure the Lid: Place the lid on the Instant Pot and ensure it is properly aligned and sealed. The arrows on the lid and base should be lined up, and the sealing ring should be in place.
• Set the Vent to Sealing: Adjust the vent to the sealing position to trap the steam and pressure inside the pot.
• Select the Steam Function: Locate the "Steam" button on the control panel and press it to activate the function.
• Adjust the Cooking Time: Use the "+" and "-" buttons to adjust the cooking time according to your recipe or the type of food you are steaming. Most vegetables steam in 1 to 5 minutes, while seafood cooks in a similar timeframe.
• Start Cooking: Once the desired cooking time is set, press the Start button, and the Instant Pot will begin building up pressure before starting the steaming process.
• Release Pressure: After the cooking cycle is complete, you can perform a natural release by allowing the pressure to release naturally or a quick release by carefully turning the steam release valve to the venting position.
• Open the Lid: Once the pressure has been released, carefully open the lid away from your face to avoid any steam burns and enjoy your perfectly steamed food!

Steaming without a basket: alternative methods

If you don't have a steamer basket, there are still ways to steam your food in an Instant Pot. Here are some alternative methods:

• Use a colandervegetables in a colander that fits inside your Instant Pot. Ensure the colander doesn't touch the walls of the inner pot, as this will make it difficult to remove. Both netted and holed colanders work, but netted ones are preferred.
• Use a trivet or egg rack: If you don't have a steamer basket or colander, you can use a tall trivet or egg rack that comes with the Instant Pot. This method works well for broccoli, cauliflower, butternut squash, pumpkin, whole sweet potatoes, eggs, and Idlis.
• Use a plate on tinfoil: Fill a medium pot with 1/2 inch of water and place three golf ball-sized balls of aluminum foil at the bottom. Rest a heat-proof plate on the foil balls, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Add vegetables to the plate, cover, and steam.
• Microwave: Place vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl with a tablespoon of water. Cover with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe plate and cook until crisp, checking frequently. This method is quicker but may result in shrivelled-looking vegetables.
• Steam in water: Fill a pot with 1/2 inch of water, add vegetables, cover, and bring to a boil. This method works better for firmer vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.
• Use a heat-proof bowl: Place food in a heat-proof bowl with high sides, ensuring the bowl is at least an inch or two above the waterline. Place the bowl directly into the Instant Pot without a trivet.

Remember, when steaming without a basket, you want to ensure your food is elevated above the water level to avoid boiling it. The Instant Pot's steam function is designed for low-pressure cooking, which helps preserve the nutrients, flavours, and textures of delicate ingredients.

Instant Pot vs stovetop steaming: pros and cons

Instant Pot steaming is a great way to cook food while retaining its nutrients. It is also a more hands-off approach than stovetop steaming as you do not need to supervise the food closely. However, it may not be much quicker overall as it takes time to build up pressure.

Instant Pot Steaming: Pros

• More hands-off than stovetop steaming – no need to supervise the food closely.
• Retains nutrients in food.
• Can steam large quantities of food.
• Minimal dish washing required – you can reuse the inner pot to cook other things.
• No fancy gadgets needed – you can use a colander that fits inside the inner pot.
• Minimal babysitting – you can use a kitchen timer and a transparent glass lid to gauge if your dish is done.
• You can steam a wide variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits, dumplings, eggs, chicken, and seafood.

Instant Pot Steaming: Cons

• It may not be much quicker overall as it takes time to build up pressure.
• You need to add water to the Instant Pot to steam food, and ensure you add enough to meet the minimum requirement for your Instant Pot size.
• You will also need a steamer basket.
• It can be difficult to get the steaming time just right and you may need to use trial and error to get the setting right.

Instant Pot steam settings: getting the timing right

Steaming is a great way to cook food that retains nutrients and flavour. The Instant Pot is a versatile appliance that can be used for steaming a wide variety of dishes, from vegetables and fruits to dumplings, chicken, fish, and even eggs. Here are some tips and instructions to help you get the timing right when using the steam settings on your Instant Pot.

Understanding the Steam Preset

The Instant Pot's steam preset is typically set to 10 minutes on low pressure. This setting is suitable for most foods that can be steamed. Since the Instant Pot takes less time to come to pressure in this function, there is less chance of overcooking your food. You can adjust the preset to a maximum of 15 minutes or a minimum of 3 minutes, depending on your desired cooking time.

Preparing Your Instant Pot for Steaming

Before you begin steaming, make sure you have added enough water to the inner pot. This is an important safety precaution for any mode of cooking in the Instant Pot. The amount of water needed will depend on the type and quantity of food you are steaming. Generally, 1 to 2 cups of water should be sufficient. Place the trivet or steam rack that came with your Instant Pot at the bottom of the pot. If you are using a steamer basket, place it on top of the trivet. The food you are steaming should be placed above the water level to ensure it is steamed and not boiled.

Using the Steam Function

Once your Instant Pot is prepared, it's time to use the steam function. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot by turning it clockwise until it locks into place. Make sure the arrows on the lid and the pot are aligned. Close the vent by shifting the switch to the sealing position to trap the pressure and steam inside. Find the "Steam" button on the control panel and press it to activate the steam function. Adjust the cooking time using the plus or minus keys according to the type of food you are cooking. Most vegetables steam in 1 to 5 minutes, while seafood takes a similar amount of time. Root vegetables and frozen vegetables will usually require a longer steaming time.

Releasing Pressure and Serving

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 can burn your skin. Open the lid and remove the steam basket or trivet. Your food is now ready to be served!

Tips for Perfect Timing

• Layer the food in the steam basket according to cooking time, with longer-cooking foods at the bottom and quicker-cooking foods on top.
• Avoid overfilling the steam basket to ensure the lid fits securely.
• Stay near your Instant Pot during the cooking process so you can manually release the pressure as soon as the timer goes off to prevent overcooking.
• If you want to check on your food during steaming, use the sauté function instead of the steam function, as opening the lid during steaming will release the pressure and end the cooking process.

Frequently asked questions