Instant Pot Cauliflower
Posted: 07/08/25
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This super easy recipe makes the most tender cauliflower ever, thanks to the Instant Pot! It’s absolutely perfect for making into cauliflower mash or adding seasoning and having as a delicious and healthy side dish.
What We Love About This Recipe
Instant Pot cauliflower is the perfect side dish when you’re short on time and want something easy, nutritious, and versatile. 5-10 minutes in the Instant Pot and you’ll have crisp-tender cauli florets you can season any way you like and serve with any entrée! This is also a great way to prep cauliflower to use in salads or any recipe that calls for already-cooked cauli.
Flavor Variations
Cauliflower is notoriously versatile, generally filling in for potatoes and rice for the carb conscious. You can season it before or after cooking, with any spices or fresh herbs you like. Here are a few of my favorite combos!
- Olive oil, salt, and chopped fresh parsley (with a squeeze of lemon for brightness!)
- Paprika (smoked or regular), chili powder, and salt
- Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper
- Sea salt, olive oil, dried rosemary
- Ranch seasoning
Cheryl’s Tips
- Make sure the florets are all roughly the same size. If they vary wildly, they’ll cook unevenly. Super small pieces will overcook and be mushy, while really large pieces may still be a bit tough.
- If you don’t have a steamer basket for your Instant Pot, you can use the Instant Pot trivet instead. You’ll just need to cut the florets a little larger so they don’t fall through to the bottom of the insert.
More Tasty Cauliflower Recipes
- Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
- Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
- Steamed Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
- Cauliflower Chips
- Amish Broccoli Salad
- Cauliflower Potato Salad
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Instant Pot Cauliflower Recipe
The easiest, most tender cauliflower florets you'll ever cook!
servings
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower approximately 3 pounds
- ½ cup water
Equipment
- Cutting board
- sharp chef's knife
- 6-quart Instant Pot or similar pressure cooker
- Instant Pot steamer basket
Instructions
- Rinse 1 medium head cauliflower thoroughly. Place rinsed cauliflower on cutting board and pat cauliflower completely dry. Cut away and discard base of head. Chop remaining portion of head into individual cauliflower florets.
- Insert steamer basket into Instant Pot insert. Pour ½ cup water into bottom of insert, then add cauliflower florets to steamer basket.
- Secure lid on Instant Pot with vent in Sealing position. Set Instant Pot to Manual High Pressure mode and set cook time to 0 minutes. Instant Pot will pressurize and then cook time will begin.
- When 0-minute cook time ends, Quick Release internal pressure. Carefully remove lid, then carefully remove steamer basket insert. Serve cauliflower as desired.
Notes
- Serving Suggestions: Toss cooked cauliflower florets in olive oil, salt, and chopped fresh parsley. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over florets just before serving.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 85kcal | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Total Carbs: 17g | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Net Carbs: 10g | Vitamin C: 164mg | Sodium: 104mg | Potassium: 1017mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 1mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
HI! “0” minutes cook time?? Really??
Really! It takes about 7-10 minutes to come to pressure, during which the water steams the cauliflower.