Steaming Cauliflower in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker recipe is a perfect way of cooking crunchy, tender cauliflower in just a few minutes. These steamed cauliflower helps to retain the nutrients and the right texture of the vegetable.
Cauliflower is an amazing low-carb / keto substitute and rich in antioxidants. If you are on a Keto or Low Carb Diet. Check out Keto Indian Food Recipes Collection.
Today I have steamed the cauliflower in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT. You can use any equivalent electric pressure cooker like Mealthy Multipot.
Steaming vegetables in an instant pot help to retain certain vitamins and minerals. and less monitoring if you know the exact cooking time for the vegetable.
Why steam Cauliflower in an Instant pot?
- Cooks under 5 minutes
- It's hands-off and very fast
- It preserves both nutrients and flavor
- You can cook them fresh or frozen.
- Great for Make ahead & meal planning
- Vegan, Keto, Paleo, Low-carb, Gluten-free.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower: You need a head of cauliflower (medium-sized) in this recipe. You can also use store-bought pre-cut cauliflower florets or frozen ones.
- Water: It is necessary to bring the cooker to pressure for cooking the cauliflower florets.
- Seasoning: I prefer to season with salt and black pepper. You can serve it with any seasonings of your choice.
How to Perfectly Steam Cauliflower in Instant Pot
Using a sharp knife, cut the cauliflower into medium-sized florets.
Then, using a colander, rinse them under running water to remove dirt or any little hidden bugs.
Add water into the instant pot insert and place the trivet. Spread the florets in layers on the steamer basket and place them in the instant pot insert.
Close the lid on the Instant Pot, and turn the pressure valve to the SEALING position. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure).
0 minute for crunchier tender cauliflower OR
1 minute for softer cauliflower
When the instant pot beeps, Quick Release the pressure manually.
Open the lid. If you think they are perfectly cooked, to avoid overcooking, you can remove the steamer basket and place it under cold running water.
Sprinkle some salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve pressure cooker steamed cauliflower.
Frozen Cauliflower Florets
Most frozen cauliflower florets are partially cooked, so you don't need to change the time. Steam for 0 minute on high pressure, followed by quick release to get perfect tender cauliflower and season in the end. You do not have to thaw the frozen cauliflower.
Serving Suggestion
Serve your Instant Pot Steamed Cauliflower with a little salt & black pepper. Here are a few more ways to use them.
- Top it with butter, salt, and pepper for seasoning.
- You can use it to make cauliflower soup.
- Blend it with butter to make a delicious Cauliflower mash substitute for mashed potatoes for anyone on a low-carb diet.
- Leftovers can be used to make Cauliflower Coconut Curry
Storage Suggestions
- Store: Store the leftovers for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- Freeze: You can freeze the cooked florets for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container.
- Reheat: You can reheat it on the microwave or stovetop until warm.
Tips on Perfectly Steamed Cauliflower
- You can easily double or triple this recipe, but cook on high pressure for 1 minute instead of zero minutes.
- Make sure to do a Quick Release as soon as the cooking time ends, to avoid over-cooked cauliflower florets.
- You can use frozen cauliflower in this recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Steaming Frozen Cauliflower in an instant pot takes 0 minute under high pressure, followed by quick release to get perfect tender cauliflower.
A whole Head of Cauliflower in an instant pot takes 2 minutes under high pressure, and use the quick release to get perfect tender cauliflower.
You can steam cauliflower in an Instant Pot pressure cooker with or without a steamer basket. I have used a steel steamer basket that comes along with the Instant Pot packing.
But if you dont have a steamer basket, just put cauliflower florets in the inner pot and ½ cup of water and follow the steps. But I highly recommend using a steamer basket to get perfectly crunchy and tender cauliflower.
More Cauliflower Recipes
- Cauliflower Manchurian
- Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Potato Cauliflower Stir Fry
- Cauliflower Poha
- Cauliflower Upma
- Cauliflower Coconut Curry
More Instant Pot Basic Series
- Boil Potatoes
- Cook Chickpeas (Soak & No-Soak Method)
- One Minute Quinoa
- How to Cook Beets
- How to Steam Broccoli
- Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Check out the complete guide on Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables from my blog.
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Instant Pot Cauliflower
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower head
- 1 cup water
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, cut the cauliflower into medium-sized florets.Then using a colander, rinse them under running water to remove dirt or any little hidden bugs.
- Add water into the instant pot insert and place the trivet. Spread the florets in layers on the steamer basket and place them in the instant pot insert.
- Close the lid on the pot, and turn the pressure valve to the SEALING position. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure).0 minute for crunchier tender cauliflower OR1 minute for softer cauliflower
- When the instant pot beeps, Quick Release the pressure manually.Open the lid. If you think they are perfectly cooked, to avoid overcooking, you can remove the steamer basket and place it under cold running water.
- Sprinkle some salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve pressure cooker steamed cauliflower.
Notes
Tips on perfectly Steamed Cauliflower
- You can easily double or triple this recipe, but cook on high pressure for 1 minute instead of zero minutes.
- Make sure to do a Quick Release as soon as the cooking time ends, to avoid over-cooked cauliflower florets.
- You can use frozen cauliflower in this recipe.
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