Instant Pot Steamed Brussels Sprouts cook in little to no time for an easy and healthy side dish. Dress them up with any seasoning or sauce you like for an extra boost.
» You might also like these Easy Instant Pot Cauliflower and Instant Pot Rack of Lamb.
Most people flinch at the mention of steamed brussels sprouts. But that’s generally because brussels sprouts tend to get overcooked, leaving them mushy and smelly. This Instant Pot Steamed Brussels Sprouts recipe cooks the veggie perfectly in less than 10 minutes.
Rather than a mushy green, you will get a crisp and flavorful plate of Brussels sprouts. They are a great side dish for any meal, but this is also a great way to cook a large amount of Brussels sprouts for the holidays. Once you try this recipe, you’ll see that Brussels sprouts are simply a misunderstood vegetable.
Ingredients You Need
- Brussels Sprouts – Buy ones that are medium sized, plump and full. Try to make sure they are all about the same size, so they cook at the same rate. The sprouts should be trimmed and halved before cooking.
- Water – Water is needed to steam the brussels sprouts. In a 6-quart IP, you need one cup. Use 1 1/2 cups for an 8 quart pot. I’ve used chicken broth before but it really doesn’t add much to the flavor.
- Seasonings – I typically just use salt & pepper to taste, but you can add in other seasonings that you enjoy, like seasoned salt, garlic salt, or even Cajun seasoning or Old Bay.
Equipment information
- Instant Pot – I cook with a 6-quart instant pot, so please adjust the amount of water required to fit the size of your instant pot. Generally this just means you need to use 1 1/2 cups of water for an 8-quart pot. Cook times stay the same.
- Steamer basket – Place a steamer basket in the instant pot to properly steam the brussels sprouts. Don’t put the sprouts directly into the water or they might become soggy.
How to Make Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts
Place the Brussels sprouts in a steamer basket. Season with salt and pepper. Set it inside the Instant Pot and pour in the water. Close the lid of the Instant Pot. Set the valve to the sealing position.
Press the Pressure Cook or manual button and set the cook time to 2 minutes on high pressure. It will take about 5 minutes for the pot to come up to pressure and start cooking. When the cook time is up, do a quick pressure release and carefully remove the steamer basket from the pot.
Cooking for 2 minutes yields a tender result that still has a little bit of crispness to it. If you like your Brussels sprouts to be more cooked, without any bite left, go for 3 minutes. After you’ve cooked them, you can try one and determine if this is enough time for you. If you need to cook for additional time, just set the pot for 1 more minute. It won’t take much time to come up to pressure because the water is already hot.
If you want to add a bit of char or crispiness to the Brussels sprouts, you can sauté them on Sauté Mode in the Instant Pot with some butter. Heat the butter until it’s sizzling. Add the sprouts and cook them.
Season the sprouts again with salt and pepper or another seasoning of your choice. You can drizzle on some balsamic vinegar glaze or toss in melted butter, sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese… dress them up however you like.
Possible Substitutions & Variations
- Garlic – Season the sprouts with garlic salt, or top them with a bit of minced garlic before serving.
- Vinegar – Add a bit of tartness to the brussels sprouts by drizzling on some balsamic vinegar on top of the freshly steamed sprouts.
- Bacon – Brussels sprouts pair delightfully with a garnish of crispy, chopped up bacon.
- Citrus – Round out the savory flavor of the Brussels sprouts with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Butter – You know the saying “butter makes everything better”. Toss the sprouts in a little melted, salted butter.
Why Use An Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. If you don’t have one, check out our guide on which one to buy. Also see our guide to How to Use an Instant Pot and the many accessories you can buy for it.
- Don’t Have an Instant Pot? This guide can help you choose the right one.
- See reviews and prices for Instant Pots on Amazon.
- Learn some great Instant Pot Tips & Tricks.
- Click to find more recipes to make in your Instant Pot.
Questions About the Recipe
Can I make a bigger batch of Instant Pot Brussels sprouts?
Yes, you can make a larger batch of this recipe. But, you should decrease the cooking time, as the pressurizing time will be longer.
What garnishes can I add to the sprouts?
There are many toppings to add to the brussels sprouts. Some great choices are cooked bacon, flaky salt, freshly minced garlic, parmesan, diced shallots, or chopped up nuts.
Can I sauté the sprouts after steaming them?
Yes! If you like a little crispiness to your sprouts, then you can sauté them in butter after the steam. Drain the brussels sprouts, dry out the pot, then add butter to the pot, turn on Sauté Mode and add the sprouts back in. This will give them a nice crispy exterior and an extra layer of flavor.
Additional Tips
- Use cold water or stock for this recipe to get the best results.
- To get softer brussels sprouts, cook them for 3 minutes instead of the suggested 2 minutes.
- If you want to sauté the sprouts after steaming, cook for 2 minutes and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Main Dishes to Serve This With
This is a great side dish to serve with just about any main dish protein. I like to serve it with chicken and pork. Here are a few options to enjoy:
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Instant Pot Steamed Brussels Sprouts
Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot
Equipment
- Steamer basket
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts trimmed and halved
- 1 cup water
- Seasoning to taste
Instructions
- Place the Brussels sprouts in a steamer basket. Season with salt and pepper. Set it inside the Instant Pot and pour in the water. Close the lid of the Instant Pot. Set the valve to sealing position.
- Press the Pressure Cook or manual button and set the cook time to 2 minutes on high pressure. It will take about 5 minutes for the pot to come up to pressure. When the time is up, do a quick pressure release and carefully remove the steamer basket from the pot.
- Season again with salt and pepper or another seasoning of your choice.
Notes
- Use cold water
- Cook for 3 minutes for softer Brussels sprouts
Nutrition
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Laura is a passionate home cook and the owner of A Pressure Cooker Kitchen. She is dedicated to helping people create delicious Instant Pot meals with ease. Laura is an expert at developing recipes that can be prepared quickly and easily using a pressure cooker.