7+ broccoli recipes that are made in an Instant Pot

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Remember when you were growing up and your mom would always make you eat your broccoli? Some kids really struggled with this, though there were always those who enjoyed their veggies.
When it comes to boiled broccoli, it's hard to blame people who complain about eating it. But these delicious Instant Pot recipes will have former broccoli haters asking for more.
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Instant Pot broccoli soup
Broccoli and cheese soup is the best kind of comfort food — the kind you can eat all you want of it without feeling guilty because it’s healthy, right? I mean, it’s broccoli! All that cheese is just, you know, to hold it all together. This Instant Pot version has the added benefit of being impossibly easy to make.
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Flavored with onion and garlic and with a rich chicken broth base, this soup is deeply satisfying. Serve it with a hunk of crusty sourdough bread for dunking, and you’ve got yourself a mouth-watering winter evening meal. The pressure cooker makes it so easy and fast that you can make this one after work and still eat dinner at a totally reasonable hour. Check out this video.
Instant Pot steamed broccoli
Steaming is one of the healthiest ways to cook vegetables. The vegetables retain their nutrients much better than with boiling, and no added fat is needed for cooking. The Instant Pot makes steaming veggies unbelievably easy, too. Take broccoli, for example. Just trim it, cut it into florets, put it in the pot with a little water and set the pot to steam for two minutes. Done.
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It’s important to keep in mind, though, that any vegetable, maybe broccoli especially, can overcook quickly. This means that not only should you choose a short cooking time, but as soon as the time is up, you must immediately quick-release the pressure and remove the broccoli from the pot. As long as it sits in the hot, steamy pot — even if the cooking function has turned off — it will continue to cook. It all comes together in this video below.
Instant Pot beef and broccoli
Broccoli beef is a classic Chinese restaurant favorite here in the US. It’s a simple dish that gets intense flavor from just a handful of ingredients — soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic and ginger. There’s no secret ingredient — just a few punchy standbys that give it the sweet, salty, tangy flavor people love. And making it in the Instant Pot couldn't be easier.
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All you need to round out this meal is a bowl of steamed rice. It's especially yummy with brown rice, which makes it an extra-healthy dinner, but white rice is fine, too. If you like spice, feel free to bump up the red pepper flakes. Likewise, if you're feeding people with sensitive palates, cut back on the red pepper or leave it out altogether. Watch this video and then decide.
Instant Pot broccoli and ham bake
Baked casseroles are the ultimate in family comfort food. Start with a starch of your choice — whether it’s pasta, rice or something else — add some meat, a cheesy-creamy sauce and chopped veggies, and you’ve got a one-pan meal that your whole family is bound to love.
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The Instant Pot makes this dish easier and faster to make than ever. Cook the rice in the pressure cooker, then add the broccoli, ham, milk, cream and cheese right to the rice in the Instant Pot. If you want to get extra fancy, spread the cooked dish in a baking dish, sprinkle with panko breadcrumbs and a little Parmesan cheese, then run it under the broiler for a few minutes until the top is golden brown and crisp. Take a look at this video.
Instant Pot broccoli and rice
Broccoli and rice casserole, held together with melted sharp cheddar cheese, is an ideal side to accompany everything from a simple roasted chicken to a holiday ham. With the Instant Pot, this recipe is easy and fast to make. It also makes a great holiday side dish since it won’t take up space in your oven or on your stovetop.
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Broccoli and tangy sharp cheddar cheese are a perfect flavor match. Other vegetables work well here, too. Try using asparagus when it's in season and abundant at the market. Check out this video.
Instant Pot chicken and broccoli
This spicy Instant Pot recipe is inspired by everyone’s favorite — Chinese takeout. You've got to love that it's quick and easy, and cooks all in one pot for less cleanup. But you'll also love that it’s healthy and super-family friendly. Add a pot of steamed white or brown rice and you’ve got dinner solved.
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Fresh ginger and garlic really punch up the flavor of the savory, soy-based sauce. The red pepper flakes add a nice kick of heat, but you can leave them out if you’re serving kids or people with sensitive palates. If gluten is an issue, simply substitute coconut aminos or gluten-free tamari for the soy sauce, and be sure to use gluten-free chicken broth. See it all come together in this video.
Instant Pot broccoli and cashew chicken
There’s no denying the allure of Chinese takeout on a busy weeknight. It’s fast, easy and requires little in the way of cleanup. But with an Instant Pot, you can make a delicious Chinese meal just as quickly as you can order and pick it up. This broccoli cashew chicken is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It all cooks in one pot, so there’s less to clean up, and most of the cooking is hands-off, set-it-and-forget-it style. Soy sauce and honey give it sweet, salty, umami flavor. The cashews add a nice textural contrast.
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Add some steamed white or brown rice, and you've got a scrumptious family meal. It stores well, too, so you can make it ahead or make a double batch and have it for more than one meal. If you do prepare it in advance, save the cashews to stir in just before serving so they don’t get soggy. Store the chicken and broccoli in the refrigerator for up to three days. Here's a video for you to follow.
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