How To Steam Vegetables In Instant Pot Without Steamer Basket

(Many of the links in this article redirect to a specific reviewed product. Your purchase of these products through affiliate links helps to generate commission for Storables.com, at no extra cost. Learn more)

Introduction

Steaming vegetables is a nutritious and easy way to cook them, as this method helps to retain their natural flavors, textures, and nutrients. Traditional steaming methods often involve using a steamer basket or a steamer pot, but what if you don’t have those utensils on hand? Don’t worry! You can still steam vegetables in an Instant Pot without a steamer basket.

In this article, we will explore different methods to steam vegetables using alternative tools that you might already have in your kitchen. These methods are simple, effective, and will ensure that your vegetables are perfectly cooked and ready to be enjoyed.

Method 1: Using a Heatproof Bowl or Dish

If you don’t have a steamer basket, one of the easiest alternatives is to use a heatproof bowl or dish to steam your vegetables in the Instant Pot. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Choose a heatproof bowl or dish that fits comfortably inside your Instant Pot. It should be big enough to hold the vegetables you want to steam, but small enough to fit inside the pot without touching the sides or the bottom.
2. Add about 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot. The exact amount may vary depending on the size of your pot, so refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance.
3. Place a trivet or a heatproof stand at the bottom of the Instant Pot. This will elevate the bowl or dish and prevent direct contact with the water.
4. Add your vegetables to the heatproof bowl or dish. You can toss them with some olive oil, salt, and pepper for added flavor if desired.
5. Cover the bowl or dish tightly with foil or a heatproof lid. This will help to trap the steam and cook the vegetables evenly.
6. Place the bowl or dish on top of the trivet inside the Instant Pot.
7. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set the sealing valve to the “Sealing” position.
8. Select the “Steam” function on the Instant Pot and set the cooking time according to the type of vegetables you are steaming. As a general guideline, most vegetables will be tender and cooked through in about 4-6 minutes.
9. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release the pressure for a few minutes. Then, carefully turn the sealing valve to the “Venting” position to release any remaining steam.
10. Remove the lid and carefully take out the bowl or dish using oven mitts or silicone grips, as it will be hot.

Your vegetables are now perfectly steamed and ready to be served. This method using a heatproof bowl or dish is a simple yet effective way to achieve tender and flavorful steamed vegetables in your Instant Pot, even without a steamer basket.

Method 2: Using a Stainless Steel Steamer Basket

If you prefer a more traditional approach to steaming vegetables in your Instant Pot, using a stainless steel steamer basket is a great option. Here’s how you can use a steamer basket for perfectly steamed vegetables:

1. Start by adding 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot. The exact amount may vary depending on the size of your pot, so refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Place a trivet at the bottom of the Instant Pot. This will elevate the steamer basket and prevent the vegetables from touching the water directly.
3. Insert the stainless steel steamer basket inside the Instant Pot. Make sure it is securely placed on top of the trivet.
4. Add your vegetables to the steamer basket. You can cut them into bite-sized pieces for faster and more even cooking.
5. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set the sealing valve to the “Sealing” position.
6. Select the “Steam” function on the Instant Pot and set the cooking time according to the type of vegetables you are steaming. As a general guideline, most vegetables will be perfectly tender and cooked through in about 4-6 minutes.
7. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release the pressure for a few minutes. Then, carefully turn the sealing valve to the “Venting” position to release any remaining steam.
8. Remove the lid and carefully lift out the steamer basket using oven mitts or silicone grips. Be cautious as the basket and the vegetables will be hot.
9. Transfer the steamed vegetables to a serving dish and season with your desired spices or dressings.

A stainless steel steamer basket is a versatile and convenient tool to have for steaming vegetables in your Instant Pot. It allows for even heat distribution, ensuring that your vegetables are cooked to perfection without losing their nutritional value and flavors.

Method 3: Using a Stainless Steel Colander

If you don’t have a steamer basket but have a stainless steel colander, you can still steam vegetables in your Instant Pot. Here’s how:

1. Begin by adding 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot. The exact amount may vary depending on the size of your pot, so refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Place a trivet at the bottom of the Instant Pot. This will ensure that the colander does not touch the water.
3. Insert the stainless steel colander inside the Instant Pot on top of the trivet.
4. Add your vegetables to the colander. You can cut them into bite-sized pieces for faster and more even cooking.
5. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set the sealing valve to the “Sealing” position.
6. Select the “Steam” function on the Instant Pot and set the cooking time according to the type of vegetables you are steaming. Refer to the recommended cooking times for each vegetable.
7. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release the pressure for a few minutes. Then, carefully turn the sealing valve to the “Venting” position to release any remaining steam.
8. Remove the lid and carefully lift out the colander using oven mitts or silicone grips.
9. Transfer the steamed vegetables to a serving dish and season with your desired spices or dressings.

Using a stainless steel colander as a makeshift steamer in your Instant Pot is a practical solution for steaming vegetables without a dedicated steaming basket. The colander allows the steam to circulate around the vegetables, resulting in tender and flavorful results.

You can steam vegetables in an Instant Pot without a steamer basket by using the trivet or a heatproof dish. Simply add water to the pot, place the trivet or dish inside, and then add the vegetables on top before cooking as usual.

Method 4: Using Aluminum Foil

If you don’t have a steamer basket or a colander, you can still steam vegetables in your Instant Pot using aluminum foil. Here is a simple method to do so:

1. Start by tearing off a large piece of aluminum foil, enough to create a pouch to hold the vegetables.
2. Place your vegetables in the center of the foil and season them with salt, pepper, or any other desired spices or herbs.
3. Bring the sides of the foil together and fold them over to create a tightly sealed pouch. Make sure there are no openings for steam to escape.
4. Add about 1 cup of water to the bottom of the Instant Pot. The exact amount may vary depending on the size of your pot.
5. Place a trivet at the bottom of the Instant Pot to elevate the foil packet above the water.
6. Place the foil packet on top of the trivet.
7. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set the sealing valve to the “Sealing” position.
8. Select the “Steam” function on the Instant Pot and set the cooking time according to the type of vegetables you are steaming.
9. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release the pressure for a few minutes. Then, carefully turn the sealing valve to the “Venting” position to release any remaining steam.
10. Remove the lid and carefully open the foil packet, ensuring to protect your hands from the escaping steam.
11. Transfer the steamed vegetables to a serving dish and enjoy!

Using aluminum foil as a steaming method in your Instant Pot is a quick and effective way to steam vegetables without the need for specialized equipment. This method allows the steam to circulate within the foil packet, resulting in tender and flavorful vegetables ready to be enjoyed.

Method 5: Using a Silicone Steamer Basket

If you’re looking for a convenient and versatile alternative to traditional steamers, using a silicone steamer basket is a great option. Here’s how you can use a silicone steamer basket to steam vegetables in your Instant Pot:

1. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot. The specific amount may vary based on your Instant Pot’s size.
2. Place a trivet at the bottom of the Instant Pot to lift the silicone steamer basket off the water.
3. Insert the silicone steamer basket into the Instant Pot on top of the trivet.
4. Add your vegetables to the silicone steamer basket. You can cut them into manageable pieces to ensure even cooking.
5. Close the Instant Pot lid securely and set the valve to the “Sealing” position.
6. Select the “Steam” function on your Instant Pot and adjust the cooking time based on the type of vegetables you are steaming. Refer to the recommended timings for specific vegetables.
7. After the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to release the pressure naturally for a few minutes. Then, carefully switch the valve to the “Venting” position to release any remaining steam.
8. Open the Instant Pot lid and carefully remove the silicone steamer basket using oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves.
9. Transfer the steamed vegetables to a serving dish and season them with your preferred seasonings or sauces before serving.

A silicone steamer basket is a fantastic tool for steaming vegetables in your Instant Pot. It is flexible, easy to clean, and its perforated design allows for optimal steam circulation, resulting in perfectly cooked and flavorful vegetables.

Method 6: Using a Homemade Foil Sling

If you’re in a pinch and don’t have a steamer basket or any other appropriate utensils, you can create a homemade foil sling to steam vegetables in your Instant Pot. This method is simple and requires minimal materials. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Tear off a long piece of aluminum foil, around 18 inches in length.
2. Fold the aluminum foil in half lengthwise to create a long strip. This will provide extra support for the vegetables when lifting the sling.
3. Roll the folded aluminum foil strip into a long, cylindrical shape. Make sure it is thick enough to hold the weight of the vegetables without tearing.
4. Shape the cylindrical foil into a U shape, making a sling that will fit inside your Instant Pot. Ensure that the ends of the foil are long enough to extend beyond the edges of the pot for easy lifting.
5. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot to create steam for cooking.
6. Place a trivet at the bottom of the Instant Pot to elevate the homemade foil sling above the water.
7. Add your vegetables to the sling, arranging them in a single layer for even cooking.
8. Lower the foil sling with the vegetables onto the trivet inside the Instant Pot.
9. Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the “Sealing” position.
10. Select the “Steam” function on your Instant Pot and adjust the cooking time based on the type of vegetables being steamed.
11. After the cooking cycle finishes, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release the pressure for a few minutes. Then, carefully release any remaining steam by turning the valve to the “Venting” position.
12. Open the Instant Pot lid and use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves to lift the homemade foil sling out of the pot.
13. Transfer the steamed vegetables to a serving dish and season them according to your taste preferences.

This homemade foil sling method may not be as sturdy as a proper steamer basket, but it is a quick and effective solution if you’re lacking the necessary tools. With this makeshift sling, you can still steam vegetables in your Instant Pot and enjoy delicious and nutritious results.

Conclusion

Steaming vegetables in your Instant Pot is a healthy and convenient cooking method that preserves their nutrients and flavors. While a steamer basket is the traditional tool for steaming, it’s not the only option. In this article, we explored six alternative methods to steam vegetables without a steamer basket.

Using a heatproof bowl or dish, a stainless steel steamer basket, a stainless steel colander, aluminum foil, a silicone steamer basket, or a homemade foil sling, you can achieve perfectly steamed vegetables with ease. Each method has its advantages and can be used based on the utensils you have available in your kitchen.

Remember to add water to the Instant Pot to generate steam and use a trivet to keep the vegetables elevated above the water. Adjust the cooking time based on the type and desired doneness of your vegetables, and always exercise caution when handling hot utensils.

Whether you’re looking for a quick side dish or want to incorporate more vegetables into your meals, these alternative methods will help you steam vegetables to perfection without a steamer basket. Experiment with different cooking times, seasoning, and combinations of vegetables to create delicious and nutritious dishes.

So, the next time you find yourself without a steamer basket, don’t let it stop you from enjoying steamed vegetables. Utilize these alternative methods in your Instant Pot and savor the goodness of perfectly steamed vegetables with ease.