Frozen Broccoli Instant Pot Instructions - The Typical Mom

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Frozen Broccoli Instant Pot

By Justine

5 from 1 vote

Updated Dec 12, 2025

Published Mar 23, 2024

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This is how to cook frozen broccoli in an Instant Pot! Steaming to tender is the best way to cook vegetables in under 5 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper or serve with our cheese sauce and it will become a new favorite for your kids too.

Ninja Foodi Frozen Broccoli

You can use your Crockpot Express or make it as an easy Ninja Foodi recipe too. It doesn’t matter what brand you have, they all have the same functions basically however with the Foodi you will use the lid that isn’t attached to pressure cook or the one that is attached to make air fryer frozen broccoli.

I have shared how to cook Instant Pot frozen meat quite a bit too. Why?? Because I am forgetful, admission for sure but I guarantee I am not alone. This is to make this veggie all on it’s own. We have been known to add a bag into a one pot meal like our Instant Pot chicken broccoli rice casserole. That is fantastic.

But if you already have a protein or main dish in mind you might just want steamed broccoli alone. Yes you can do the same thing on the stovetop but this takes a fraction of the time and is more hands off. You can use any bagged brand out there, store brand is always cheaper.

Should you thaw broccoli before cooking?

No actually that would kinda’ ruin it because the texture would be mushy. Air fryer frozen vegetables are meant to be cooked right out of the freezer as is for the cook time to be right and the texture to become as desirable as possible so do NOT do it.

Does frozen broccoli take the same amount of time to cook than fresh?

What if you want to cook fresh broccoli? We do that a lot too and the timing doesn’t really change. The biggest difference is that you can cut the pieces larger. I like that best but don’t always have produce on hand so this is a good second. If you do have fresh broccoli, follow our Instant Pot steamed broccoli recipe here and enjoy.

Cooking Tips

Besides your multi cooker you will want to use a steamer basket so that your bag(s) of florets don’t sit in the water below. I like the one that expands with little legs on the bottom and a handle in the middle to lift it out easily when done.

How to Add Flavor

You can season and serve or make the sauce in our Asian Broccoli and drizzle that on top for a pop of flavors and spicy heat. Topped with salt, pepper and butter is an easy choice or with a drizzle of velveeta cheese sauce on top is a kid fave for sure.

Chopped frozen broccoli covered in melted cheese sauce, perfectly prepared in an Instant Pot, served on a round plate.

5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Frozen Broccoli Recipe

By Justine Fresh and frozen broccoli Instant Pot directions are here! This is the best way to make all kinds of vegetables tender in under 5 minutes. Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 1 minute Servings: 4 Save RecipeSaved Recipe Pin Recipe Comment Print Recipe

Equipment

1 pressure cooker

Ingredients 1x2x3x

▢ 24 oz broccoli, frozen florets
▢ 1 cup water
▢ 1 pinch salt, to taste

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Instructions

Pour cup of water into your pressure cooker with a steaming basket in the center.
Pour your frozen florets into the steamer basket. Close lid and steam valve.
Set to steam setting for 1 minute (or 0 minutes if you don't want it soft, but have a bit of a "bite" to it still). If your pot doesn't have this setting use high pressure.
IMMEDIATELY release the pressure and remove the lid right when it beeps or it will get softer by the second.
Lift basket out and serve topped with salt, pepper, butter, or cheese sauce on top

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz, Calories: 58kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 59mg, Potassium: 538mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1060IU, Vitamin C: 152mg, Calcium: 82mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side DishCuisine: American Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

Once it is done lift the basket out or it will continue to get softer and softer with the steam continuing to be released. Then dump out the water and make your main dish like Instant Pot frozen chicken breast with sauce or a frozen roast in Instant Pot.

Can you save cooked broccoli?

I mean you can but it’s not fabulous. The only really good way to use it is to save and then create homemade baby food with it since it will become even softer as it sits. As far as myself enjoying it the next day, I just don’t. You can kinda’ bring it back to life in an air fryer for a few minutes at 400 F. but I tend to just try to finish it same day.

I have been known to throw it into a pot of fried rice if I am making that the next day for dinner but that is the only way I have enjoyed it.

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About Justine

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

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