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Enjoy perfectly cooked veggies with this recipe for Crockpot Express Broccoli and Cauliflower!
After doing several tests, I’ve determined that the Steam setting is where the Crockpot Express differs most noticeably from the Instant Pot. The CPE definitely comes to pressure/heats up faster than the IP does. When you are steaming vegetables, that makes a difference in cook times. That’s why I created this quick Crockpot Express Broccoli and Cauliflower guide!
Because the CPE heats up more quickly, the veggies inside aren’t cooking as long in the preheat process, so they will need more actual cook time. For example, Instant Pot recipes everywhere say 0 minutes for broccoli. However, cooking them in the CPE definitely requires 1-2 minutes, depending on how much “bite” you like in your broccoli.
Even my husband, who isn’t a huge veggie lover, commented about how good the broccoli was! And that was after I had reheated it in the microwave. (One minute was perfect for reheating.) It might have been all the salt and butter that made this Crockpot Express Broccoli so yummy, but hey, I’ll take it. 🙂 This is definitely going on my list of successful Crockpot Express Recipes! <— Be sure to check out that link to see all my other CPE recipes!
Crockpot Express Broccoli and Cauliflower
Ingredients
Broccoli Florets
- 1 broccoli crown
- butter and salt to taste
- 1 cup water
Cauliflower Florets
- 1 head of cauliflower
- butter and salt/pepper to taste
- 1 cup water
Whole Head of Cauliflower
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 tbsp diced garlic
- salt and pepper
- 1 cup water
Instructions
Broccoli Florets
- Pour 1 cup cold water into the bottom of the pot. Cut broccoli into florets and place in steamer basket.
- Place steamer basket inside the pot (it doesn't need to be up on the trivet if there are legs to keep it up out of the water.)
- Turn Steam Release Valve to closed. Press Steam. Adjust the time down to 3 minutes. (Even though we only want to cook for 1-2 minutes you need to set it to 3.)
- Press Start/Stop. When pressure is reached and the cook time starts, you need to manually shut it off after 1-2 minutes. When your desired cooking time is done, use a long utensil to flip the Steam Release Valve to open and release the steam.
- Remove the steamer basket immediately to avoid overcooking. Serve right away with a little butter and salt. Delicious!
Cauliflower Florets
- Pour 1 cup cold water into the bottom of the pot. Cut cauliflower into florets and place in steamer basket.
- Place steamer basket inside the pot (it doesn't need to be up on the trivet if there are legs to keep it up out of the water.)Turn Steam Release Valve to closed.
- Press Steam. Adjust the time down to 3 minutes. (Even though we only want to cook for 1-2 minutes you need to set it to 3.)
- Press Start/Stop. When pressure is reached and the cook time starts, you need to manually shut it off after 1-2 minutes. When your desired cooking time is done, use a long utensil to flip the Steam Release Valve to open and release the steam.
- Remove the steamer basket immediately to avoid overcooking. Serve right away with a little butter and salt. Delicious!
Whole Head of Cauliflower
- Mix the butter, garlic and salt/pepper in a bowl large enough to hold the whole head. Flip the head over and let it "marinate" a bit to soak up the butter and garlic mixture.
- Pour 1 cup cold water into the bottom of the pot. Trim the leaves off the head and carefully cut the stem to create a flat bottom. Place in steamer basket.
- Place steamer basket inside the pot (it doesn't need to be up on the trivet if there are legs to keep it up out of the water.)
- Turn Steam Release Valve to closed. Press Steam. Adjust the time down to 5 minutes.
- Press Start/Stop. When the cooking time is done, use a long utensil to flip the Steam Release Valve to open and release the steam.
- Remove the steamer basket immediately to avoid overcooking. Pour the remaining butter mixture over the head.
- Place under the broiler on high for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown on top. Slice and serve right away with a little butter and salt. Delicious!
Notes
Don’t forget to pin this recipe for Crockpot Express Broccoli and Cauliflower!
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Sue G. says
On a new low-carb, good-carb meal plan for medical reasons. It’s so great to be able to come to your website and find recipes for making veg prep easy. So glad I have the CPE — it makes so many low-carb foods quick and easy to prepare.
Heather says
Thanks so much for taking the time to get this to perfectly cooked deliciousness! I used it for cauliflower with the intention of substituting it for potatoes in my favorite potato salad recipe.
I cooked 2 lbs at a time (Costco pack) and followed your instructions but added a bit of time (4 min) just in case larger family cooks are reading this. 😁
Thank you!!
Heather S says
I appreciated the tip to watch the time. I made it tonight and had to chop more broccoli for my son to have thirds!
Nicole Burkholder says
Wow, I wish my kids would eat that much broccoli! 🙂