Make perfectly steamed cauliflower in next to no time in your Instant Pot. This simple recipe is almost totally hands-off and an ideal way of making a quick veggie side dish when you’re pushed for time.
The quick and easy way to steam cauliflower
What is better than a dish of perfectly steamed cauliflower? It goes with just about any meal, can be served simply or dressed up, and because you can cook it in the Instant Pot, you can whip it up with very little effort. No standing over a boiling pot on the stove!
Tip 1: Cut the cauliflower into equal-sized pieces
Equal-sized pieces of cauliflower will cook at the same rate. Aim for around 1½-inch chunks If some are smaller, they may turn out over-cooked, or very large pieces may not cook through quickly enough.
Tip 2: Use the trivet (or a steamer basket)
The key to getting the texture of the cauliflower right is to make sure that it is not sitting in the water while it cooks. You can use the trivet that came with the Instant Pot if you like, or a steamer basket if you have one.
I usually use a steamer basket, because smaller florets sometimes fall through the trivet and end up mushy.
Tip 3: Use quick release
Once the cooking time is up, it is important to open the Instant Pot right away. If it stays sealed, the cauliflower will keep cooking, and end up mushy.
It is best to start cooking this recipe so that it finishes cooking right before you want to serve it. It takes around 15-20 minutes to make, but because the bulk of the time for this recipe comes from how long it takes your Instant Pot to pressurize, the total time will vary depending on your particular Instant Pot.
Serving ideas
- Topped with garlic butter and chopped fresh parsley
- Sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese
- Topped with cheese sauce and crispy bacon bits
- Tossed with pesto and pine nuts
Instant Pot Steamed Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- ½ cup water
- salt & pepper (to taste )
Directions
- Wash and chop the cauliflower into florets.
- Add the water to the Instant Pot.
- Place the trivet into the bottom of the Instant Pot, and place the cauliflower on top of the trivet.
- Seal the Instant Pot, then set to Pressure Cook (or "Manual") on high pressure for 1 minute.
- Once the cooking time is up, open the Instant Pot using 'Quick Release', and carefully remove the lid.
- Remove the cauliflower season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.
