5 Best Instant Pot Steamer Basket Options & Why You Need Them

Even novice Instant Pot users can save time and make better meal choices for their families with even the most basic knowledge of multicookers and the steam setting.

However, once you start dipping your toes into the warm waters of Instant Pot intricacies, you can learn how to get the very best out of your appliance with tips, tricks, and accessories. One of my favorite Instant Pot accessories is the steamer basket. This handy accessory helps me steam veggies, rice, dumplings, and even boil eggs.

In this guide, I'll walk you through how the humble steamer basket can up your cooking game, what to look for when buying a basket, and five of my favorite products to get you started.

Let's get cooking!

Jump to:

• Why Use an Instant Pot Steamer Basket?
• Types of Steamer Baskets: Silicone vs. Stainless Steel
• Top 5 Steamer Baskets for Your Instant Pot
• Best Overall Steamer Basket - Official Instant Pot Mesh Basket Set
• Best Silicone Steamer Basket - Official Instant Pot Silicone Basket
• Best Collapsable Steamer Basket - Zocy Foldable Basket
• Best Stackable Steamer Basket - Aozita 2-Tier Basket
• Best Segmented Steamer Basket - Taylor's Eye Witness 3-Part Basket
• Features to Consider When Choosing a Steamer Basket
• How to Use a Steamer Basket in an Instant Pot
• Steaming Beyond Vegetables: Creative Uses for Your Basket and Steam Function
• Safety Tips and Best Practices for Instant Pot Steaming Baskets
• Frequently Asked Questions About Baskets & The Steam Function
• Conclusion

Why Use an Instant Pot Steamer Basket?

Using steam to cook food predates the Instant Pot steam setting by about 10 thousand years. However, thanks to the steaming process on our favorite appliance, cooking steamed food has never been easier.

That is until you get your hands on a steamer basket that helps you steam vegetables and make the perfect hard-boiled eggs and tender fish.

Here are some undeniable reasons that make owning a steamer basket a non-negotiable:

• Nutrient Retention: Steaming vegetables helps retain the nutrients in your food. Unlike boiling, it doesn't leach vitamins and minerals into the water.
• Healthy Cooking: The steaming process requires no oil, making it a low-fat, low-calorie cooking method. It's perfect for those watching their calorie intake or cholesterol levels.
• Taste and Texture: Steaming food preserves its natural flavor and texture. It keeps veggies crisp and fish tender.
• Easy Clean-up: With a steamer basket, clean-up is a breeze. Just lift the basket out, empty the contents, and wash.

So, a steamer basket is an excellent investment to maximize your Instant Pot. It's a small accessory that can make a big difference in your cooking without spending your children's inheritance.

Types of Steamer Baskets: Silicone vs. Stainless Steel

While there are tons of steamer basket manufacturers and designs, two primary materials are used in their construction: stainless steel and silicone.

Each material has pros and cons that may or may not suit your needs. What's good for the goose and all that?

Here's a quick gander (a 'look' for our non-British readers) at the differences between the two and why you might want to choose one over the other.

Silicone Steamer Baskets

If you're looking for a lightweight, easy-to-handle, and affordable basket for your Instant Pot, consider the silicone option.

Not only is this type of basket cheaper than stainless steel, but they're super easy to clean, have non-stick properties without the toxicity of Teflon, and come in a range of vibrant colors if you're sick of bland, silver-colored appliances and accessories.

The downside to silicone baskets is that they're not going to last for years under heavy use and tend to stain and retain odors if you're cooking particularly smelly food.

Stainless Steel Baskets

Stainless steel is the rugged and robust big brother of silicone. If silicone is perfect for producing steamed delicacies with handleability and ease of cleaning in mind, then stainless steel is the preferred choice for demanding jobs and prolonged use.

Stainless steel will last for years without ever becoming discolored or a bit stanky. However, that robustness comes at an extra cost, both fiscally and from a handling perspective.

Steel gets exceedingly hot and can be challenging to clean, especially if it gets scratched (ironically, you can use silicone utensils to prevent scratching).

Ultimately, the choice between silicone and stainless steel comes down to personal preference. Both types of steamer baskets can help you make delicious, healthy meals with your Instant Pot.

Top 5 Steamer Baskets for Your Instant Pot

Choosing the right steamer basket for your Instant Pot can be a game-changer. It can make your cooking experience more enjoyable and your meals healthier. But with so many options, how do you pick the best one?

To help you out, I've rounded up the top 5 steamer baskets for Instant Pot multicookers. These baskets have been chosen based on quality, functionality, value for money, and user reviews.

Best Overall Steamer Basket - Official Instant Pot Mesh Basket Set

While there are plenty of excellent third-party steaming baskets (that are usually more wallet-friendly), you can't beat the official Instant Pots product because it was designed with the brand in mind.

All the baskets I cover in this article come highly recommended, but their manufacturers built these products for use with multiple appliances for maximum sales potential.

Instant Pot engineered this basket set to use primarily with Instant appliances, giving you peace of mind on two fronts:

1. You can be confident that the baskets will fit your 6-quart inner pot perfectly, ensuring optimal performance and minimal damage to the stainless steel cookware.
2. Instant Pot are renowned for their excellent build quality, so you can rest assured that these baskets will remain in your cooking rotation for years to come.

Official Stainless Steel Steaming Basket Benefits

• Robust handle for easy removal
• Raised feet to keep food above the water level
• Double stackable so you can steam multiple foods simultaneously
• Made from high-quality material
• A breeze to clean
• Can be used for other cooking tasks

Official Stainless Steel Steaming Basket Drawbacks

• Pricey compared to other products
• A little small for 8-quart or larger inner pots
• Can't close the Instant Pot lid when using the large basket

Best Silicone Steamer Basket - Official Instant Pot Silicone Basket

If the 'overall best basket' is an Instant Pot product, it should be no surprise that the mother company makes the best silicone basket, too. The eye-catching bright green design is a little bit jarring compared to Instant's usual sleek aesthetic, but if you're after something a little more jazzy, this should be right up your street.

The thick silicone material will ensure this basket lasts longer than other cheaper silicone-based products, while its flexible nature means you can use it with different Instant Pot inner pot sizes.

Official Silicone Steamer Basket Benefits

• Super affordable
• Made from BPA-free silicone
• Interlocking handles for safety and storage
• Can be used in most multicookers
• Dishwasher safe
• Can be used as a strainer

Official Silicone Steamer Basket Drawbacks

• The main basket is relatively shallow
• Basket feet are small, which reduces the minimum water level

Best Collapsable Steamer Basket - Zocy Foldable Basket

The Zocy foldable basket is one of my favorite designs because of its unparalleled versatility and because it's really fun to play with. The fan-like design means the basket will automatically size itself to your chosen pot, so it's suitable for almost any Instant Pot size ... or any other pot or pan for that matter.

The mechanism can be tricky to unfold out of its storage position, and it could potentially scratch your cookware if you don't treat it with respect, but no other steamer basket available at the price point works so well and offers this enormous versatility.

Zocy Foldable Basket Benefits

• Most affordable steamer basket
• Perfect for small storage spaces
• Automatic sizing design
• Can be used in any pot or pan
• Dishwasher safe

Zocy Foldable Basket Drawbacks

• Can be a bit faffy to unfold
• Tricky to clean
• Has the potential to scratch the inner pot if you're not careful

Best Stackable Steamer Basket - Aozita 2-Tier Basket

The Aozita 2-tier basket rivals the official Instant Pot product but at a much more affordable price point. As you'd expect, because it's not as expensive, it's not quite as impressive (which is why it didn't win overall best basket).

The mesh basket can be hard to clean, and the smaller basket doesn't have feet, meaning it can't be used as a stand-alone basket. However, that shouldn't detract from this product's overall versatility. This hard-wearing steamer is more than adequate for steaming veggies, boiling eggs, and steaming pasta.

Aozita 2-Tier Basket Benefits

• More affordable than the official Instant Pot product
• Lets you steam more than one food at a time
• Solid, robust, and rust-resistant design
• Silicone handle for easy lifting

Aozita 2-Tier Basket Drawbacks

• Small basket handle falls into food
• Not compatible with Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5-quart
• Hard to clean

Best Segmented Steamer Basket - Taylor's Eye Witness 3-Part Basket

The clever design of the Taylor's Eye Witness 3-part steamer basket prevented me from leaving it out of my top five list. Not only does the Trivial Pursuit wedge-style design make it the only product on this list that can cook three different foods separately, but because all three baskets are different sizes, they can be stored inside themselves, making them ideal for smaller kitchens.

Sure, the stainless steel material is a little flimsy, and that triangular design is very restrictive to the type of Instant Pot models it'll fit (6-quart only), but if the specs meet your needs, this basket can be a real game changer.

Taylor's Eye Witness 3-Part Basket Benefits

• Innovative design
• Perfect for people who don't like food touching
• Cook three different foods simultaneously.
• Excellent space saver
• Dishwasher safe

Taylor's Eye Witness 3-Part Basket Drawbacks

• Only compatible with 6-quart pots
• Feels a little flimsy

Features to Consider When Choosing a Steamer Basket

If I've convinced you that you need a good steamer basket in your life but want to browse other products besides the ones I've recommended, you'll need to consider some important information to ensure you make the right choice.

Choosing the right product can be the difference between a flawless cooking cycle and perfectly steamed veggies or a frustrating experience that will ultimately see your basket gathering dust at the back of your cupboard.

Here are some essential features to look for:

Basket Size and capacity

Ensure the basket fits snugly into your Instant Pot and can hold the food you usually cook. Buying the wrong basket and needing more room for your food, or worse,  it not even fitting into your multicooker would render your purchase a waste of money.

Basket Handle and Maneuverability

Some people may struggle with heavy, awkward, or excessively hot kitchen utensils, so choose a basket you're comfortable with. Products with hinged handles or intelligently designed to assist users are vital here.

Basket Design and Materials

Consider your basket's intended use before committing to a product. Will you be steaming one type of food at a time, or do you want to cook multiple steamed veggies? Would you prefer longevity over affordability? Are you looking for something robust that can take a beating or something more accessible on the hands? Material selection is crucial.

Ease of cleaning

Everyone who has ever read one of my articles knows how much I hate cleaning. As a result, ease of cleaning is right at the top of my list of things to research before buying any kitchen product. Check out user reviews to see what people with hands-on experience have to say.

Related: Is Your Instant Pot Dishwasher Safe? Find Out Here!

How to Use a Steamer Basket in an Instant Pot

Using a basket with your steam function in your Instant Pot model is a simple process that can significantly enhance your cooking experience. It allows you to steam various foods while preserving their nutrients and flavors.

Here are the basic steps to follow:

1. Fill the Instant Pot with approximately one cup of water (consult your user guide for recipes). The water level should be below the steamer basket.
2. Place the food in the steamer basket. Avoid overfilling it to ensure even cooking.
3. Insert the steamer basket into the Instant Pot. Make sure it sits above the water level.
4. Close the lid, select the steam options, and set the cooking time according to the type of food you're steaming.

Remember, the cooking time may vary depending on the type and quantity of food. Always check the food for doneness before serving.

Steaming Beyond Vegetables: Creative Uses for Your Basket and Steam Function

Steaming isn't just for vegetables. With a steamer basket, your Instant Pot becomes a versatile cooking tool capable of preparing a wide variety of dishes.

Here are some creative ways to use your steamer function and basket:

• Steam seafood or chicken for a healthy, low-fat meal.
• Prepare delicate dumplings or buns without them falling apart.
• Cook grains like quinoa or couscous directly in the basket.
• Make homemade baby food with steamed fruits and vegetables.
• Steam eggs for easy-to-peel hard or soft-boiled eggs.

Remember, the key to successful steaming is to ensure that the food is cut into even pieces for uniform cooking. With a bit of creativity, the possibilities with your Instant Pot and steamer basket are endless.

Safety Tips and Best Practices for Instant Pot Steaming Baskets

Safety should always be your top priority when using an Instant Pot steamer basket. It should go without saying that steam is scalding hot and could cause severe burns if you neglect the proper handling procedure while steaming veggies, dumplings, or any other ingredient. Follow these quick tips to ensure your skin remains on your hands.

• Make sure you release all the steam before attempting to remove the basket
• Ensure the basket is securely placed to prevent tipping or spilling during cooking.
• Don't overfill the basket before you start steaming.
• Remember to use oven mitts or silicone gloves when removing the hot basket.
• Make sure you add enough water for your food quantity and cooking cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baskets & The Steam Function

Here are a few commonly asked questions about using a basket with your Instant Pot steam function.

Conclusion

Investing in a quality steamer basket can better your Instant Pot cooking experience. It opens up many possibilities, from healthier meal options to more efficient meal prep. Whether you're a pro home cook or a beginner using the Instant Pot for the first time, a steamer basket is a must-have Instant Pot accessory.

Remember, the best basket for you depends on your specific needs, cooking habits, and how you like to steam food. Consider the material, size, and features that will best serve your kitchen. With the right product, your Instant Pot can become an even more versatile and indispensable tool in your steaming adventures.