How To Use The Instant Pot Steam Feature To Cook Nutrient-Rich Food

Steam cooking and boiling have long been considered two of the healthiest methods of cooking food, as you don't add additional calories to your meal through oils and fats, and your ingredients will be devoid of any nasty, cancer-causing carcinogens.

But there's always been one major drawback—soggy, floppy, and bland-tasting food.

But what if I told you that you could cook delicious, nutrient-rich foods that would be ready in half the time of traditional boiling and steaming methods by using the Instant Pot steam feature?

Interested?

Follow me into the culinary steam room to learn how to utilize your Instant Pot or Instant Pot Duo Crisp and revolutionize meal times for you and your family.

Jump to:

• What Is an Instant Pot Multicooker?
• And What’s an Instant Pot Duo Crisp Multicooker?
• Why You Should Eat Steamed Food as Part of a Balanced Diet
• What Foods Can I Make With the Instant Pot Steam Function?
• The Anatomy of the Instant Pot Lid
• Before Engaging the Instant Pot Steam Setting
• How To Use the Instant Pot Steam Feature
• Five Different Foods and Recipes for Steam Cooking in the Instant Pot
• Frequently Asked Questions About Steaming In The Instant Pot & Duo Crisp
• Full Steam Ahead!

What Is an Instant Pot Multicooker?

If you're here to learn about steaming food but are yet to buy an Instant Pot, here's a crash course in these incredible multicookers and why you should definitely buy one.

The Instant Pot multicooker and Instant Pot Duo Crips are a chef's toolbox of cooking appliances that'll help you whip meals and snacks that are only limited by your imagination and skill. The features may differ depending on your Instant Pot's model, but the majority include:

• Pressure Cook
• Slow Cook
• Steam
• Saute
• Keep Warm

You'll find different-sized appliances that have additional functions tailored to food types, but they generally adapt the different cooking features and alter the times and temperatures ahead of time.

And What’s an Instant Pot Duo Crisp Multicooker?

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is an adaptation of the OG Instant Pot pressure cooker, steamer, and slow cooker that incorporates air frying capabilities to ensure the brand isn't left behind by Ninja and Tefal.

The Duo Crisp comes with the same pressure cooking lid as the regular Instant Pot but has an additional air fryer lid with a heating element and a super-powered fan to blast your food into deliciousness.

In addition to extra accessories like the air fryer, steamer basket, and stainless steel grill, the Duo Crisp has cooking features you won't find in an Instant Pot. They are:

• Air Fryer
• Grill/Broil
• Bake
• Roast
• Dehydrate

However, the steam function on the Duo Crisp is identical to the feature on the Instant Pot, so the technique, tips, and advice you'll find in this article apply to all Instant Pot devices.

For transparency, I'll be using my Duo Crisp for the duration of this article.

Why You Should Eat Steamed Food as Part of a Balanced Diet

Steaming food is a culinary technique and a health-conscious choice that offers numerous benefits for your well-being. Here are several reasons why steamed food should become a staple in your diet:

Steaming Veggies Preserves Nutrients

Steaming vegetables is a god-tier cooking method for retaining a food's nutritional value, especially for nutrient-dense vegetables like broccoli, butternut squash, and snap peas.

Unlike boiling or frying, which can leach out vitamins and minerals, steam cooking helps to lock in essential nutrients, ensuring that you reap the maximum health benefits from your meals.

Using the Instant Pot's steam function takes a fraction of the time of boiling or using a regular steam cook method, meaning you'll retain even more of those precious nutrients, which are even more important when you get to my age.

Steam Food to Enhance Digestibility

The gentle cooking process of steaming softens the fiber in food, making it easier for your stomach to digest and absorb nutrients.

Without going into grim details when we're talking about preparing delicious meals, softened foods are also gentler on the digestive system, reducing the likelihood of discomfort or digestive issues after meals.

This, again, is super helpful for budding chefs who were born in the 1970s and raised in the 1980s and have a penchant for Wimpy Burgers, Jolly Ranchers, and big, sweaty fry-ups.

Steam in an Instant Pot to Maintain Flavor and Texture

The Instant Pots steam feature helps your foods to retain natural flavors and textures better than other cooking methods. Unlike boiling, which can result in soggy or mushy foods, steam cooking preserves the integrity of ingredients, resulting in both delicious and satisfying dishes. 

While you can pressure cook robust vegetables like potatoes and carrots with similar results to steam cooking them, quick-cooking veggies like broccoli or bell peppers would succumb to the immense pressures and be left looking like a boxer's face after 5 five rounds with Tyson Fury.

Steamed Food Promotes Weight Loss

Steamed food is often lower in calories and fats than dishes prepared with oil or butter. By choosing steamed options, you can enjoy flavorful meals while managing your calorie intake, making achieving and maintaining a healthy weight easier.

Incorporating steamed foods into your diet contributes to better health and offers a delightful culinary experience that celebrates the natural flavors of fresh ingredients. So, next time you're in the kitchen, consider steaming your way to a healthier lifestyle.

What Foods Can I Make With the Instant Pot Steam Function?

The Instant Pot steam feature is specifically designed for steaming food using low pressure. This is a gentle cooking method that's perfect for preserving the nutrients, flavors, and textures of delicate ingredients. Here are ten food types to steam in an Instant Pot:

Vegetables

Broccoli, asparagus, green beans, carrots, cauliflower, and leafy greens like spinach and kale all steam beautifully in the Instant Pot, retaining their vibrant colors and crisp-tender textures.

Seafood

Fish fillets, shrimp, scallops, mussels, and other seafood are all excellent choices for steaming. The quick cooking time helps to lock in the delicate flavors and prevent overcooking.

Dumplings

Whether you prefer store-bought or homemade dumplings, steam-cooking them in the Instant Pot results in perfectly cooked dough and fillings.

Eggs

One of my favorite (little-known) tricks is to use the Instant Pot's "Steam" feature to steam soft-boiled or hard-boiled eggs.

You can adjust the cooking time based on your desired level of doneness. It might take a little trial and error to get it right, as the Instant Pot steam feature is way more efficient than a boring old pan full of water.

Tamales

Steaming tamales in the Instant Pot is a convenient and mess-free way to achieve perfectly cooked results. Steamed tamales are usually very time-consuming, but you'll halve the time with the Instant Pot, getting your meal on the table faster and reducing your energy bills.

Corn on the cob

Steaming cobs of corn in the Instant Pot yields juicy and flavorful kernels. Whack ‘em in the steamer basket for one of the most efficient and mess-free steamed veggies of them all.

Chicken breasts

Before you raise an eyebrow of disgust, steamed chicken is not only astronomically healthy. It can also be delicious when prepared properly.

While not as common as seafood, boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be steamed in the Instant Pot for a quick protein option. Just be mindful of the cooking duration to avoid drying out the chicken.

Baby potatoes

Steamed baby potatoes are a nutritious and versatile side dish. You can enjoy them plain, mashed, or tossed with your favorite herbs and seasonings. But cooked with the Instant Pot steam setting, they'll be tender and nutritious.

The Anatomy of the Instant Pot Lid

The lid of the Instant Pot is a fundamental component that facilitates various cooking methods, including steaming and that of the traditional pressure cooker.

Understanding its anatomy and how to utilize it properly can significantly enhance your cooking experience, not to mention avoiding steam-cooked hands.

Here's a breakdown of the Instant Pot lid and how to use it solely for steaming food.

Sealing Ring

The sealing ring, made of silicone, ensures an airtight seal between the lid and the pot's body, enabling pressure to build up inside during cooking.

However, when using the Instant Pot solely for steaming, you won't need to engage the pressure cooking function, making the sealing ring unnecessary for this method, but you don't need to take it out.

Steam Release Handle

The steam release handle or switch is typically used to manually release steam from the Instant Pot after pressure cooking.

However, when you're steaming, you don't need to interact with the steam release handle, as the snazzily engineered electric pressure cooker lid provides a natural pressure release.

Float Valve

The float valve indicates when the Instant Pot has reached pressure during cooking. Since steaming doesn't require a mammoth pressure buildup, the float valve won't play a role in this process.

Steam Venting Knob

Positioned on top of the lid, the venting knob controls the release of steam. When using the Instant Pot solely for steaming, ensure the venting knob is in the venting position to allow steam to escape continuously throughout the cooking process.

Before Engaging the Instant Pot Steam Setting

It might feel like I'm over-gilding the lily a little here, but it's easy to overlook these small processes that will result in, at best, food that tastes a little ropey or, at worst, a malfunctioning Instant Pot.

1. Add Water: Pour the desired amount of water into the inner pot of the Instant Pot. The water will generate steam to cook the food. Check your manual to find out how much water you need.

2. Place Food in Pot: Place the food you want to steam directly into the inner pot, steamer basket, or rack. Ensure there's enough space between the food and the water level to prevent it from getting soggy.

3. Position the Lid: Securely place the Instant Pot's lid on the pot, ensuring it's properly aligned.

4. Set the Venting Knob: Adjust the venting knob to the venting position to allow steam to escape continuously during the steaming process. And don't put your hand near it when you're cooking, or it'll end up looking like Darth Vader's face.

5. Start Cooking: Turn on the Instant Pot and select the appropriate cooking time for the food being steamed. The steam generated from the water will cook the food to perfection.

By understanding the anatomy of the lid for the Instant Pot multicooker and following these steps, you can easily steam a variety of foods using only the lid of your Instant Pot.

How To Use the Instant Pot Steam Feature

The Instant Pot's steam feature is a versatile function that allows you to cook a variety of foods quickly and efficiently. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use it:

1. Prepare Your Instant Pot: Ensure your Instant Pot is clean and properly assembled. Insert the inner pot into the Instant Pot base and plug it into a power source.
2. Add Water: Add water to the inner pot of the Instant Pot. The amount of water needed depends on the recipe and the cooking cycle required. Refer to your recipe for specific water requirements.
3. Insert Steamer Basket or Rack: Place the steamer basket or rack provided with your Instant Pot into the inner pot. This rack will elevate your food above the water, allowing it to steam evenly.
4. Place Food on Steam Rack: Arrange the food you wish to steam on the rack or basket. Ensure that the food is evenly distributed to allow for proper steaming.
5. Close the Lid: Securely close the lid of the Instant Pot by aligning the arrows on the lid and the base. Ensure the sealing ring is properly in place to create a tight seal.
6. Set Steam Function: Depending on the model of your Instant Pot, locate the steam function on the control panel. Press the "Steam" button to activate this function.
7. Adjust Cooking Time: Use the "+" and "-" buttons to adjust the cooking cycle according to your recipe. The cooking duration will vary depending on the type and quantity of food being steamed.
8. Start Cooking: Once you've set the desired cooking time, press the "Start" button to begin the steaming process. The Instant Pot will take some time to build up pressure before cooking begins.
9. Natural Release or Quick Release: After the cooking cycle is complete, you can perform a natural release by allowing the pressure to release naturally or a quick release by carefully turning the steam release valve to the venting position.
10. Open the Lid: Once the pressure has been released and the float valve has dropped, carefully open the lid of the Instant Pot away from your face to avoid any steam burns.

Five Different Foods and Recipes for Steam Cooking in the Instant Pot

You can steam pretty much anything inside the cavernous chamber of the Instant Pot inner pot, but here are a few of my favorites and how to prepare them.

Steamed Broccoli

• Ingredients: Broccoli florets, water.
• Settings: Steam, high pressure, 1-2 minutes.
• Recipe: Place broccoli florets on the steamer rack and cover in butter or olive oil and garlic salt, add water to the pot and steam for 1-2 minutes. Quick release and serve with a sprinkle of pepper.

Steamed Salmon

• Ingredients: Salmon fillets, lemon slices, salt, pepper.
• Settings: Steam, high pressure, 3-5 minutes.
• Recipe: Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper, place them on the steam rack with lemon slices, and steam for 3-5 minutes. Natural release and serve with your favorite sides.

Steamed Dumplings

• Ingredients: Dumplings, water.
• Settings: Steam, high pressure, 5-7 minutes.
• Recipe: Arrange dumplings in your steamer basket, add water to the pot, and steam for 5-7 minutes. Quick release and serve with dipping sauce.

Steamed Artichokes

• Ingredients: Artichokes, lemon, garlic, salt.
• Settings: Steam, high pressure, 10-15 minutes.
• Recipe: Trim artichoke stems, cut off the top, and rub with lemon juice. Place them on the steamer rack, add water, garlic, and salt to the pot, and steam for 10-15 minutes. Natural release and serve with melted butter.

Steamed Rice

• Ingredients: Rice, water.
• Settings: Steam, low pressure, 10-12 minutes.
• Recipe: Rinse rice under cold water, then place it in a heatproof dish with water. Place the dish on the rack, add water to the pot, and steam for 10-12 minutes. Natural release and fluff with a fork before serving.

I'm woeful when it comes to cooking rice, so the Instant Pot steam setting is a godsend.

Frequently Asked Questions About Steaming In The Instant Pot & Duo Crisp

Here are ten of the internet's most asked questions that might seem obvious to some, but you don't know until you know, y'know?

Full Steam Ahead!

Becoming a fully-fledged member of the steam-cooking fan club using the Instant Pot steam setting opens up a world of culinary possibilities that transforms meal prep, improves gut health, and reduces the amount of complaining at the dinner table by a factor of ten.

By harnessing the power of steam, you can create nutrient-rich dishes bursting with flavor and texture, all while maintaining the integrity of your ingredients.

The versatility of the Instant Pot's steam feature allows for endless creativity in the kitchen or can make the most mundane of culinary duties less dull, or at least reduce the amount of time you spend indulging in these mundanities.

Whether you're steaming vibrant vegetables, succulent seafood, or tender dumplings, the Instant Pot ensures consistent results with every dish. Its efficiency and ease of use make it a valuable tool for both seasoned chefs and people like me who cook because they have to.

Steaming food in the Instant Pot is more than mere convenience (though I'm not going to lie, the convenience is a massive draw for me); it's also a health-conscious choice. By preserving nutrients and flavors, steaming helps you maintain a balanced diet without sacrificing taste.

While I've spent this article waxing lyrical about the effortless nature of steaming with the Instant Pot multicooker and the undeniable health benefits that come with it, this incredible multicooker provides its users with all the tools you'll ever need for a complete range of healthy meals.

So, if you enjoy steamed veggies, are looking for a better way of cooking food without losing its nutrients, or are getting into healthy eating, the steam setting on your Instant Pot is definitely worth checking out.