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    Allianna's Kitchen » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Published: Oct 12, 2021 · Modified: Nov 5, 2024 by Allianna Moximchalk · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Instant Pot Zucchini

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    This Instant Pot Zucchini recipe is super simple to make and can go well with so many dishes! This recipe only requires 5 minutes of hands-on time.  I love having this recipe in my back pocket for those nights that I need a quick side dish to complete my meal. The best part is that this dish can be enjoyed year round!

    Instant pot zucchini in a bowl and garnished with red pepper flakes.

    This dish is still full of flavor even though it uses the simplest of ingredients. The simplicity of the dish also allows it to be easily paired with any protein or dish. I love to pair this dish with my Keto Crab Cakes! The lemon from the zucchini pairs well with the flavors of the crab cakes.

    If you have a bunch of zucchini leftover from this recipe, check out my Gluten Free Zucchini Bread recipe and Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins! If you are looking for another easy vegetable recipe, check out my Blanched Broccoli. I love spicing up my vegetables by adding fun sauces into the mix like my Lemon Dill Aioli.

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Step by Step Instructions
    • Equipment Needed
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQ’s
    • Storage Instructions
    • Other Vegetable Recipes You Will Love
    • Want a FREE guide of my go to healthy alternatives?
    • Instant Pot Zucchini

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    • It is so simple! Even with using all of the optional ingredients it still only puts you at a total of five ingredients!
    • If you love this simple vegetable recipe, you will also love my Roasted Carrots and Cauliflower recipe.
    • This dish is naturally gluten free, paleo, dairy free, grain free, soy free, whole30, vegan, and if you exclude the red pepper flakes it can also be autoimmune protocol (AIP) friendly as well.
    • This dish is a great way to get kids to eat more vegetables because the flavors are simple.
    • You can have this dish ready to eat within less than 5 minutes including prep time.
    • This would pair well with my Honey Lemon Garlic Chicken Drumsticks to make a great summer dish. 
    • This side dish is versatile and the flavors are simple making it easy to pair with any protein or main dish of your choice.

    Ingredients

    Zucchini and bone broth in glass bowls.
    • Zucchini – You will want to prepare your zucchini by cutting the ends off and then slicing down the middle. From there you will create half moon slices.
    • Bone Broth – Using bone broth will help to add additional flavor to the zucchini. You can also use water. The liquid of the bone broth or water will help to steam the zucchini in the instant pot.

    Optional Ingredients

    • Sea Salt – This will add flavor to the zucchini. I like to use pink Himalayan sea salt.
    • Lemon – Fresh squeezed lemon juice will add flavor to the zucchini.
    • Red Pepper Flakes – These can be used to add a small amount of heat or spice to the zucchini or can be used as a garnish after you plate the dish.

    See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • You can use any of the optional ingredients to add additional flavor to this dish.
    • To add additional flavor and color you could also add yellow squash cut into the same shape to this dish.

    This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

    Step by Step Instructions

    Zucchini sliced in half moons in the basket of an instant pot.
    First, wash the zucchini and slice ends off, slice down the middle, and then into half moons. Place the instant pot trivet into the instant pot, then place the steaming basket inside. Then, pour in the bone broth and add the zucchini into the steaming basket. Finally, set the instant pot to steam for 2 minutes and allow to naturally release when the time is complete.

    Equipment Needed

    • Instant Pot

    Expert Tips

    • Tip # 1: Zucchini’s vary in size. The size of the zucchinis will cause variation in the amount of servings you get with each time making this dish.
    • Tip # 2: When slicing your half moons, you will want to ensure the slices are relatively equal thickness so that some don’t need steamed longer than others.
    • Tip # 3: When choosing your zucchini in the store, you will want to make sure to choose ones that do not have a lot of soft spots or open areas.

    Recipe FAQ’s

    What does this go well with?

    I like having easy vegetables prepped and ready to go in my refrigerator. This easy vegetable goes great with almost anything. I will make a batch at the beginning of the week and serve it with things like chicken piccata, chicken parmesan, or teriyaki chicken.

    What if I do not have a steam basket for my instant pot?

    You can steam zucchini on the stovetop with a steam basket. You can also sauté it in a little bit of avocado oil or cooking oil with salt.

    Do I have to slice the zucchini into half moons?

    No! You can slice the zucchini anyway you would like. You can do whole coins or cubes as well. Your steam time will just need adjusted.

    Instant pot lemon zucchini in a bowl garnished with red pepper flakes.

    Storage Instructions

    • This dish can be stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Other Vegetable Recipes You Will Love

    • brussel sprouts on a plate with a honey wand
      Honey Sriracha Brussel Sprouts
    • Easy air fryer spaghetti squash on a plate with fresh green herbs.
      Easy Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
    • lemon cucumber pickles 2 scaled
      Lemon Cucumber Pickles
    • Lemon garlic asparagus on a serving dish.
      Lemon Garlic Asparagus

    Want a FREE guide of my go to healthy alternatives?

    download your FREE guide
    instant pot zucchini with red pepper flakes in a bowl

    Instant Pot Zucchini

    Course Side Dish, Vegan
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 2 minutes minutes
    Total Time 7 minutes minutes
    Servings 6 servings
    Author Allianna Moximchalk
    24kcal
    Cost $2
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot

    Ingredients

    • 6 cups zucchini chopped, roughly 2 large zucchini
    • 1/2 cup bone broth or water

    To season (optional)

    • sea salt
    • lemon juice
    • red pepper flakes

    Instructions

    • Wash and cut the zucchini into half moons. Place the instant pot trivet into the instant pot, then place the steaming basket inside. Pour in the bone broth, then add the zucchini into the steaming basket and set the instant pot to steam for 2 minutes.

    Notes

    Storage: This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an air tight container.
     
    Nutrition: The nutrition for this recipe is an estimate and the calorie count is not guaranteed.  It is based on 6 servings. 
     
    Servings:  This recipe should yield 6 servings.
     
    Quick and easy way to make zucchini in the instant pot!
    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 24kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 324mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 248IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag me on instagram @alliannaskitchen!

    More Gluten Free & Dairy Free Side Dish Recipes

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      Pesto Orzo Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lori says

      February 08, 2022 at 1:18 pm

      5 stars
      Really good and super easy. Love adding this as a side to any meal!

      Reply
      • Allianna Moximchalk says

        February 09, 2022 at 2:24 am

        Its the perfect side!!

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




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