How to Steam in an Instant Pot With or Without a Steam Basket

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Using a pressure cooker to make steamed veggies and more
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Steaming your veggies has never been easier, thanks to the Instant Pot! The steaming function on your pressure cooker not only cooks food fast, but it can also steam things just like that. From frozen vegetables to fresh fish, adding soft and delectable food rich in nutrients to your meals is simply a piece of cake. In this article, we’ll walk you through using the steam function on your Instant Pot with or without a steamer basket. Plus, we’ve even thrown in some common cooking times for your favorite foods.

The Best Way to Steam in an Instant Pot

Pour about 1 to 2 cups (240 to 470 mL) of water into the Instant Pot. Then, place a trivet and/or steam basket in the pot. Drop the food you’d like to steam inside the basket or on top of the trivet. Press the “Steam” button and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Section 1 of 3:

Using the Steam Function with a Basket

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  1. Measure out your water and pour it into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Use less water for a smaller quantity of food, but go ahead and add the full 2 cups (470 mL) if you’re steaming a whole basket of veggies or seafood. [1]
    • You don’t want the water to go up over the food since it will boil your meal instead of steaming it.
  2. The trivet is the short rack that came with your Instant Pot. Place it at the bottom of your pot to help hold the food up over the water. [2]
    • If the water comes up over the trivet, scoop a bit out to lower the level below the top of the trivet.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Steam in an Instant Pot
    Check the cooking times in your recipe or Instant Pot cooking guide before you load multiple foods into your steam basket. Place the foods that take longer to cook at the bottom, closer to the water. Top the basket with your quickest cooking food. [3]
    • Root vegetables take longer to steam than green veggies. Similarly, seafood also steams pretty quickly.
    • For instance, you might put potatoes on the bottom, carrots in the middle, and broccoli on top.
    • Instant Pots don't always come with a steam basket, but you can use most steam baskets with your Instant Pot. If you don't have a steam basket, use a small colander or place the food on the trivet.
  4. While it’s okay to layer food in your steam basket, leave a little space at the top of the basket so the lid will fit securely. You don’t need a lot of space; just make sure no food comes up over the top of the basket. If the lid is loose or the pot can’t securely seal, your food may be undercooked. [4]
    • If your basket seems overly full, cooking your meal in 2 or more batches may be best. Since your Instant Pot is so fast, dinner will still be ready soon.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Steam in an Instant Pot
    Lift the basket into the Instant Pot and place it on top of the trivet. Make sure the top of the basket is below the top edge of the pot so your lid will fit. Your food is now ready to steam! [5]
    • You can use most steam baskets in an Instant Pot.
    Coco Morante, Award-Winning Cookbook Author

    Steaming is a great way to cook vegetables, fish, and other delicate foods in your Instant Pot. To steam in your Instant Pot, you'll need a steamer basket or a metal trivet. Simply add water to the bottom of the pot, place the steamer basket or trivet on top, and add your food.

  6. Watermark wikiHow to Steam in an Instant Pot
    Place the lid over the top of the Instant Pot. Then, turn the lid clockwise until the lock clicks. Double check that the lid is secure by making sure the arrows on the lid and the pot line up. [6]
    • If the lid isn’t sealed, the steam can escape. If this happens, your food won’t cook correctly.
  7. Look on the top of the lid to find the vent switch. Shift it in either direction to close off the vent. This traps the pressure and steam inside the Instant Pot. [7]
    • If you don’t put the vent in the sealing position, the steam will escape from the vent, and your food won’t cook right.
  8. Check the lower right area of the control panel for the "Steam" button. Watch for the screen to light up and a standard cook time to appear. [8]
    • If you can’t find the right button, check the instructions that came with your Instant Pot.
  9. Set the actual cook time without worrying about preheating. Times vary for each type of food, so double-check the recommended time the first time you steam a food. Use the time listed in your recipe, if you have one, or use Instant Pot's handy guide. [9]
    • Generally, most veggies steam in as little as 1 to 5 minutes, but root veggies typically take longer. However, frozen veggies will need a longer steam time than fresh veggies. Similarly, most seafood cooks in 1 to 5 minutes.
    • If you’re following a recipe for a traditional pressure cooker, add 7% to 15% more time to the recommended cooking time because Instant Pots have lower pressure. For instance, if the cooking time is 15 minutes, you could multiply it by 1.07 to add 7% more time and 1.15 to add 15% more time. This gives you a cooking range of about 16 to 17 minutes after rounding.
  10. Stay near your pot so you are there when the timer goes off. It’s super important that you manually release the pressure as soon as you hear the beep. Otherwise, your food may overcook and get mushy. [10]
    • Place your oven mitt or kitchen towel nearby so you have them handy.
    • You cannot check on your food while it's steaming. If you do, it'll release the pressure and end the cooking process. If you want to check the food mid-way through steaming, use the sauté function instead of the steam function.
  11. Watermark wikiHow to Steam in an Instant Pot
    Cover your hand with an oven mitt or towel to protect your skin from the steam. Then, push the steam release handle to either the left or the right to open the vent. This releases the pressure inside the Instant Pot so your food stops cooking. [11]
    • Be super careful as you do this. The steam will rush out and could burn your skin.
  12. Watermark wikiHow to Steam in an Instant Pot
    Twist the lid to unlock it, then carefully lift it off the Instant Pot. Next, grip the handle of the steam basket and lift the basket out. Set the basket on a plate or kitchen towel. Dinner is served! [12]
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Section 2 of 3:

Steaming without a Basket

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Steam in an Instant Pot
    This method uses the sauté function on your Instant Pot, so you don’t need your regular Instant Pot lid. Instead, use a regular pot lid to trap in steam. This way, you’ll be able to check your food while it cooks so you can turn off the Instant Pot when your meal is done.
    • Normally, you don’t need to use a lid when using the sauté function. However, you’ll need a lid to steam your veggies.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Steam in an Instant Pot
    Look for the button on the lower-left side of the control panel. This allows you to heat the water to create steam without pressure cooking your veggies. [13]
    • Normally, you’d use this function to heat sauces, toss veggies or meat in oil, or season cooked food.
  3. Check the recommended steam time for the veggies you’re cooking. Then, set the timer on the Instant Pot. You can set the time for up to 30 minutes while in the sauté function. [14]
    • If you’re using a recipe, use the recommended steam time listed on the recipe. Otherwise, check the recommended steam time for the type of veggie you’re cooking.
    • It’s okay to set the time high as long as you stay with the Instant Pot. When you’re happy with the texture of your veggies, hit “cancel” to turn off the Instant Pot.
    • The preheating time won’t count toward your cooking time, so don’t worry about that.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Steam in an Instant Pot
    Stay near the Instant Pot so you can monitor the water. When you see steam rising from the bottom of the pot, you’ll know the water is boiling.
    • If you’re following an Instant Pot recipe, use the amount of water recommended. If you’re not using a recipe, aim between 1 to 2 cups (240 to 470 mL) of water.
  5. 5
    Toss in your desired veggies. Place your vegetables on top of your Instant Pot rack. Be careful when placing them in the Instant Pot, as the water and Pot will be extremely hot. [15]
    • Keep in mind that without a basket, your veggies might boil with the water, making them a bit softer.
    • This method can also work with a basket. If you’d like to use a basket, add your veggies into the basket and place them into the pot when you first pour in the water.
  6. When you see steam, use the lid to trap it inside the Instant Pot. Wear an oven mitt to protect your skin from the steam, or cover your hand with a kitchen towel while putting on the lid. This way, you won’t accidentally get burned by rising steam.
    • After you put the lid on the Instant Pot, always use an oven mitt or towel to handle it. The lid will likely get hot, and steam will escape from the pot when you shift or remove the lid.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Steam in an Instant Pot
    After a couple of minutes, remove the lid to see your food. To check the texture, spear a few pieces with a fork. If your veggies aren’t quite cooked, replace the lid and let them cook a little longer.
    • If you’re using a recipe, wait until the timer is almost out. However, it’s best to check the veggies before the time runs out so they don’t accidentally overcook and get mushy.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Steam in an Instant Pot
    Put on an oven mitt or cover your hand with a kitchen towel. Then, carefully lift the steam basket out of the Instant Pot. Dinner is ready!
    • The “Cancel” button turns off your Instant Pot, even if there’s more time on the clock.
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Section 3 of 3:

Steaming Times

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Food Steam Time
Instant Pot Common Steam Times
Asparagus 1 min
Broccoli florets 0 min
Brussel sprouts 1 min
Butternut squash 1-2 mins
Cabbage 1-3 mins
Carrots 1-3 mins
Corn 1-2 mins
Frozen mixed vegetables 3-4 mins
Peas 2-3 mins
Potatoes 1-8 mins
Apples 1-4 mins
Peaches 2-3 mins
Pears 2-4 mins
Plums 2-3 mins
Chicken breast 6-8 mins per 1lb
Turkey breast 7-9 mins per 1lb
Fish filet 2-4 mins
Shrimp 1-3 mins
Hard-boiled eggs 5 mins
Tofu 0 min

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      Tips

      • Not sure what to steam in your Instant Pot? Try steaming artichokes, sweet potatoes, spaghetti squash, cauliflower, or broccoli! [16]
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      • Use your Instant Pot to lock in nutrients and retain the vitamins and minerals in your veggies. [17]
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      • When a recipe says to steam something in your Instant Pot for "0 minutes," set the time on the steam setting to "0."
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      Warnings

      • Steam can burn your skin, so be careful when venting the Instant Pot and removing the lid. [18]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-usQrqgqw&feature=youtu.be&t=213
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-usQrqgqw&feature=youtu.be&t=216
      3. ↑ https://www.mashed.com/109258/mistakes-youre-making-instant-pot/
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/9pJRsw3a514?t=69
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-usQrqgqw&feature=youtu.be&t=230
      6. ↑ https://recipes.instantpot.com/recipe/instant-vegetable-medley/
      7. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-use-your-instant-pot/
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-usQrqgqw&feature=youtu.be&t=105
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-usQrqgqw&feature=youtu.be&t=248
      1. ↑ https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/instant-pot-duo-and-smartcooker/
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-usQrqgqw&feature=youtu.be&t=92
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-usQrqgqw&feature=youtu.be&t=331
      4. ↑ https://www.mashed.com/109258/mistakes-youre-making-instant-pot/
      5. ↑ https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/instant-pot-duo-and-smartcooker/
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/9pJRsw3a514?t=105
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/DmUdzE-bXzY?t=38
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-usQrqgqw&feature=youtu.be&t=52
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-usQrqgqw&feature=youtu.be&t=321

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