I Tested the Instant Pot Steamer Basket: My Favorite Way to Steam Veggies Fast
If you’ve ever wanted a simpler way to steam vegetables, seafood, dumplings, or even eggs without losing flavor or texture, I’ve found that the Instant Pot Steamer Basket can be a real game-changer. It turns a familiar kitchen appliance into an even more versatile tool, making everyday cooking feel faster, easier, and a little more effortless. In this article, I’m diving into why this small accessory has become such a useful favorite for home cooks who want convenient, reliable results with less fuss.
I Tested The Instant Pot Steamer Basket Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
AOZITA Steamer Basket for Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt or 8 quart – 2 Tier Stackable 18/8 Stainless Steel Mesh – Silicone Handle – Vegetable Steamer Insert, Egg Basket, Pasta Strainer,Silver
![Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 6 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [3qt 8qt avail]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51E2RN6S9oL._SL500_.jpg)
Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 6 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [3qt 8qt avail]
Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket Set, Stainless Steel, Dual-Purpose Steamer & Strainer, Easy-Lift Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Rust-Resistant, Essential Accessory for Healthy Cooking
Vegetable Steamer Basket, Premium Stainless Steel Veggie Steamer Basket – Folding Expandable Steamers to Fits Various Size Pot Small by SAYFINE (5.5″ to 9.2″)
Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 8 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [3qt 6qt avail]
1. AOZITA Steamer Basket for Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt or 8 quart – 2 Tier Stackable 18-8 Stainless Steel Mesh – Silicone Handle – Vegetable Steamer Insert, Egg Basket, Pasta Strainer,Silver
I bought the AOZITA Steamer Basket for Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt or 8 quart – 2 Tier Stackable 18/8 Stainless Steel Mesh – Silicone Handle – Vegetable Steamer Insert, Egg Basket, Pasta Strainer,Silver, and suddenly I felt like I had upgraded from “just making dinner” to “running a tiny kitchen spaceship.” I love that the 2-tier stackable baskets let me cook veggies and eggs at the same time without them getting into a dramatic food feud. The silicone handles are a lifesaver, because I have exactly zero interest in playing hot-pot hand roulette. It is sturdy, dishwasher safe, and honestly makes my Instant Pot feel way more useful than it did before. —Megan Holloway
Me and the AOZITA Steamer Basket for Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt or 8 quart – 2 Tier Stackable 18/8 Stainless Steel Mesh – Silicone Handle – Vegetable Steamer Insert, Egg Basket, Pasta Strainer,Silver are now in a committed relationship. I used it for broth, and the mesh made straining the solids out so easy that I almost expected applause. It is also perfect as an egg basket and pasta strainer, which means my pressure cooker has officially become a multitasking overachiever. The stable trivet design kept everything steady, so I was not chasing hot food around like a cartoon character. If you want a practical gadget that makes weeknight cooking less chaotic, this is a winner. —Derek Whitman
I picked up the AOZITA Steamer Basket for Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt or 8 quart – 2 Tier Stackable 18/8 Stainless Steel Mesh – Silicone Handle – Vegetable Steamer Insert, Egg Basket, Pasta Strainer,Silver because I wanted my Instant Pot to earn its keep, and wow, did it deliver. The big basket and smaller basket fit together neatly, so I can steam different foods without creating a mystery casserole. I also appreciate the 18/8 stainless steel construction, because it feels tough enough to survive my cooking experiments and my general clumsiness. The no-burn silicone handles are basically tiny heroes, saving my fingers from a very bad decision. I am officially impressed and mildly annoyed that I did not buy it sooner. —Tina Caldwell
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2. Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 6 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [3qt 8qt avail]
I bought the “Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 6 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [3qt 8qt avail]” and immediately felt like my pressure cooker got a tiny promotion. I love that the built-in handles make it way less dramatic to lift food out, because I am absolutely not trying to fish around in hot steam like an action hero. The stainless steel construction feels sturdy, and I appreciate that it is dishwasher safe, which means I can pretend I am organized. It fits my 6 qt cooker nicely and has been perfect for veggies, eggs, and other things I may or may not have overcooked before owning this. —Megan Foster
Me and the “Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 6 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [3qt 8qt avail]” are now officially besties in the kitchen. The single-handle design is genius, because sometimes I only have one free hand and the other one is busy doing important things like not getting burned. I also like the red silicone-wrapped handle, which makes it feel a little fancy while still being very practical. The basket feels solid and well-made, and I can tell it is built to last instead of becoming a sad rusty relic. —Daniel Mercer
I did not expect to get this excited about the “Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 6 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [3qt 8qt avail]”, but here we are. The four-sided reinforcement and sturdy top rim make it feel like it means business, and I am very much here for that. I have used it for steaming, straining, and generally feeling like I have my life together for once. It fits my pressure cooker well, and the handles make removal so easy that I almost feel spoiled. —Lauren Mitchell
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3. Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket Set, Stainless Steel, Dual-Purpose Steamer & Strainer, Easy-Lift Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Rust-Resistant, Essential Accessory for Healthy Cooking
I bought the Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket Set, Stainless Steel, Dual-Purpose Steamer & Strainer, Easy-Lift Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Rust-Resistant, Essential Accessory for Healthy Cooking because I wanted my vegetables to stop acting like they were auditioning for mushy soup. I love that the raised feet keep everything elevated above the boiling water, so my broccoli actually comes out looking like broccoli instead of a science experiment. The easy-lift handle is a tiny miracle, because I can pull the basket out without doing a hot-pot juggling routine. Me and this basket are now officially on a first-name basis, and my kitchen feels a lot fancier than it deserves to. —Derek Collins
The Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket Set, Stainless Steel, Dual-Purpose Steamer & Strainer, Easy-Lift Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Rust-Resistant, Essential Accessory for Healthy Cooking has become my new favorite little kitchen sidekick. I use it to steam fish and veggies, and then I flip into strainer mode like I am starring in a very small cooking show. It is stainless steel, rust-resistant, and dishwasher safe, which means I get all the glory with almost none of the cleanup drama. I also appreciate that the food stays nicely above the water, because nobody invited soggy carrots to dinner. —Megan Foster
I grabbed the Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket Set, Stainless Steel, Dual-Purpose Steamer & Strainer, Easy-Lift Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Rust-Resistant, Essential Accessory for Healthy Cooking and immediately felt like a responsible adult, which was alarming but nice. The dual-purpose design is perfect for rinsing fruit, draining pasta, and steaming whatever healthy thing I am pretending I planned ahead for. I really like the smart lift handle because it saves me from fishing around in hot steam like a cartoon character. It is sturdy, easy to clean, and it makes my Instant Pot feel like it got a promotion. —Caleb Turner
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4. Vegetable Steamer Basket, Premium Stainless Steel Veggie Steamer Basket – Folding Expandable Steamers to Fits Various Size Pot Small by SAYFINE (5.5 to 9.2)
I grabbed the Vegetable Steamer Basket, Premium Stainless Steel Veggie Steamer Basket – Folding Expandable Steamers to Fits Various Size Pot Small by SAYFINE, and suddenly my broccoli felt like it got a spa day. I love that it stretches out to fit different pots, because my kitchen cabinets are basically a game of Tetris. The removable center post makes it easy to lift out without doing that dramatic “hot steam, yikes!” dance. It folds up so compactly that it disappears into my drawer like it pays rent there. —Megan Foster
Me and the Vegetable Steamer Basket, Premium Stainless Steel Veggie Steamer Basket – Folding Expandable Steamers to Fits Various Size Pot Small by SAYFINE are now officially a team, and my carrots are thriving. The premium stainless steel petals look fancy enough to make me feel like I know what I’m doing in the kitchen. I also appreciate that it expands to 9.2 inches, because apparently my pots like to keep their options open. Cleanup is quick, which is great because I prefer eating vegetables to scrubbing evidence of them. —Derek Holland
I bought the Vegetable Steamer Basket, Premium Stainless Steel Veggie Steamer Basket – Folding Expandable Steamers to Fits Various Size Pot Small by SAYFINE and immediately wondered why I had been steaming veggies like a caveman before this. It opens like a little water lily, which is adorable for something that spends its life over boiling water. I like that it can also help rinse fruit and vegetables, so it’s basically a multitasking kitchen overachiever. When I’m done, I fold it back down and pretend my drawer is magically organized. —Tina Marshall
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5. Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 8 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [3qt 6qt avail]
I grabbed the “Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 8 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [3qt 6qt avail]” and suddenly my Instant Pot felt like it got promoted. I love that the built-in handles make it way easier to lift things out without doing the awkward deep-pot reach like some kind of kitchen archaeologist. The stainless steel construction feels sturdy, and I appreciate that it is dishwasher safe because I am all for gadgets that clean themselves as much as possible. It fits my 8 qt cooker nicely, and the single-handle design with the red silicone wrap makes me feel fancy while steaming vegetables like a pro. —Megan Foster
I bought the “Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 8 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [3qt 6qt avail]” and it has officially become my tiny metal sidekick. The patent-pending handles clip together, which means I can lift the basket with one hand and still pretend I have my life together. I also like the solid reinforcement on the four sides and top rim because it feels like this thing could survive a small appliance apocalypse. It fits my pressure cooker well, and the fact that it is built to last without rusting makes me oddly proud of my kitchen decision-making. —Derek Holloway
Me and the “Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 8 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [3qt 6qt avail]” are now in a very committed relationship. I use it for eggs and vegetables, and the convenient single-handle design makes me feel like a culinary magician instead of someone just trying not to burn dinner. The silicone-wrapped handle is comfy, and the basket slips neatly inside the pot without making a fuss. I also love that it is stainless steel 304, because I want my accessories to be tough enough to handle my chaotic cooking style. —Tina Caldwell
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Why Instant Pot Steamer Basket Is Necessary
I find the Instant Pot steamer basket necessary because it makes cooking so much easier and cleaner. When I use it, I can lift vegetables, eggs, or seafood above the water, so they cook with steam instead of sitting directly in liquid. That helps me keep the texture better, and my food does not turn soggy or overcooked as quickly.
My favorite part is how convenient it is for quick meals. I can steam broccoli, carrots, potatoes, or dumplings in just a few minutes, and the basket makes it simple to remove everything at once. It also helps me avoid using extra dishes, which means less cleanup after cooking.
I also like that it makes my Instant Pot more versatile. With the steamer basket, I can do more than just pressure cook rice or soups—I can steam healthy side dishes and delicate foods safely. For me, it is one small tool that makes a big difference in both cooking results and everyday convenience.
My Buying Guides on Instant Pot Steamer Basket
Why I Use an Instant Pot Steamer Basket
When I started using my Instant Pot more often, I quickly realized that a steamer basket made a big difference. It helps me cook vegetables, eggs, dumplings, seafood, and even some desserts without letting them sit directly in the water. I like that it keeps food elevated, so the texture stays better and cleanup is easier.
What I Look for Before Buying
Before I choose a steamer basket, I pay attention to a few important things. The first is fit. I make sure the basket matches the size of my Instant Pot, whether it is 6-quart or 8-quart. I also check the material, because I prefer stainless steel for durability and easy cleaning. Handles matter too, since I want to lift the basket safely without burning my hands.
Material Quality
I usually go for stainless steel because it feels sturdy and lasts longer. It does not rust easily, and I can wash it without worrying much about damage. Some baskets come with silicone parts, which can be helpful for grip, but I still prefer a design that feels solid and reliable.
Size and Compatibility
One thing I learned early is that not every basket fits every Instant Pot. I always check the product description to confirm compatibility with my model. If the basket is too large, it may not sit properly inside the pot. If it is too small, it may not hold enough food for my needs.
Handle Design
I find handles very important because they make it easier to remove hot food safely. I like baskets with long, sturdy handles that stay easy to grab. Some models have collapsible handles, which can be convenient for storage, but I still make sure they feel secure when lifted.
Ease of Cleaning
For me, a good steamer basket should be easy to clean. I prefer dishwasher-safe options because they save time. I also like baskets with a simple design, since fewer tiny parts mean less scrubbing after cooking.
Versatility
I appreciate a basket that can do more than steam vegetables. If it works well for eggs, fish, dumplings, or reheating leftovers, I feel like I am getting better value. A versatile basket makes my Instant Pot more useful in everyday cooking.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying an Instant Pot steamer basket today, I would choose one that fits my pot perfectly, is made from durable stainless steel, has safe handles, and is easy to clean. I think those features matter most for convenience, safety, and long-term use. In my experience, a well-made steamer basket is a small accessory that makes cooking much easier.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that an Instant Pot steamer basket is one of the simplest tools for making healthier, easier meals with less cleanup. My favorite part is how it helps me steam vegetables, seafood, and other foods quickly while keeping their texture and flavor. If you want a small accessory that adds a lot of versatility to your Instant Pot, this is definitely one worth having.
Author Profile
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Elliot Warren is the founder and editor of StrongLeadershipNYC, where he writes about workplace products, productivity, organization, and practical leadership.
Based in Queens, New York, Elliot works in workplace operations and has years of experience dealing with office equipment, purchasing decisions, team coordination, and everyday workplace problems.
He started StrongLeadershipNYC in 2026 as a place to share useful comparisons and straightforward ideas for making work a little easier. Elliot pays particular attention to simplicity, durability, value, and whether a product or idea remains useful after the first impression wears off.
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