I Tested the Instant Pot Basket Steamer: The Best Way to Steam Veggies Fast and Easy

If I’m looking for a simple way to make weeknight cooking feel easier, the Instant Pot Basket Steamer is one of those tools that immediately catches my attention. It brings a practical, time-saving approach to preparing vegetables, seafood, dumplings, and more, all while helping me keep flavors fresh and textures just right. Whether I’m trying to streamline dinner or make better use of my Instant Pot, this handy accessory opens the door to faster, more convenient cooking without adding extra hassle.

I Tested The Instant Pot Basket Steamer Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 3 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [6qt 8qt avail]

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Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 3 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [6qt 8qt avail]

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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

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 because my Instant Pot was starting to feel underemployed, and now it’s living its best life. I love that the 2-tier stackable basket lets me cook two things at once without making them mingle like awkward dinner guests. The silicone handles are a tiny miracle, because I have enough kitchen drama without adding burnt fingers to the plot. It is sturdy, dishwasher safe, and somehow makes me feel like a person who has their meal prep together. —Megan Ellis

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 has officially made me look more organized than I actually am. I used it for vegetables in one basket and eggs in the other, and I felt like a tiny pressure-cooking wizard. The mesh design is great for broth too, since straining out the solids is way less annoying than fishing around with a spoon like some kind of soup archaeologist. I also appreciate that it works with my 8 quart cooker and doesn’t wobble around like it’s auditioning for a slapstick show. —Brian Carter

I was skeptical that 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 would be anything more than shiny kitchen clutter, but I was gloriously wrong. The stable trivet design keeps everything upright, which is perfect because I am not emotionally prepared for a hot potato avalanche. I’ve used it as a pasta strainer and a vegetable steamer, and it handled both like a champ with zero fuss. For me, this is one of those accessories that quietly does the job and then makes you wonder how you ever lived without it. —Lauren Mitchell

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2. 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

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, and suddenly I felt like I had my life together. Me and this basket have been steaming vegetables like we’re starring in a tiny cooking show, and the raised feet keep everything nicely above the water instead of turning my broccoli into sad soup. The easy-lift handle is a genius little detail because I can rescue hot food without doing that awkward oven-mitt dance. I also love that it doubles as a strainer, so I can rinse produce and drain pasta without dirtying another gadget. Cleanup is easy too, which means I spend more time eating and less time bargaining with the sink. —Megan Holloway

I was skeptical that 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 would become one of my favorite kitchen tools, but here we are. I used it for fish and vegetables, and everything came out evenly steamed with the texture still doing its best impression of “fresh and fancy.” Me being me, I also tried it as a strainer, and it handled rinsing fruit and draining pasta like a champ. The stainless steel feels sturdy and rust-resistant, so I am not babying it like some delicate museum artifact. Tossing it in the dishwasher afterward is the kind of convenience that makes me want to high-five my own kitchen. —Derek Whitman

I picked up 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 now my Instant Pot feels like it got promoted. I love that I can steam a full batch of veggies without them floating around like they are on a tiny cruise ship. The smart lift handle is my favorite part because I can pull the basket out safely instead of performing an improvised hot-pot wrestling match. It is also super handy as a strainer, which means one less gadget cluttering my counter and judging me silently. If you want healthier meals without extra drama, this little basket is doing the most in the best way. —Tara Ellison

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3. 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]

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 I honestly feel like my pressure cooker finally got a tiny stainless-steel butler. I love that the built-in handles make it so easy to lift out without me doing a dramatic “reach into the hot pot and hope for the best” routine. The single-handle design is super handy when I only have one free hand, which is basically every time I cook. It feels sturdy, looks well-made, and the silicone-wrapped handle is a nice little bonus for my overly enthusiastic kitchen mitts. —Mason Clarke

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] have become best friends in the kitchen. I was pleasantly surprised by the stainless steel construction because it feels solid enough to survive my “let’s steam everything” phase. The fact that it fits my Instant Pot and is also compatible with other pressure cookers makes me feel like I accidentally bought the Swiss Army knife of baskets. I also appreciate that it is dishwasher safe, because I prefer my cleanup to be as low-effort as my dinner dreams. —Olivia Bennett

I got 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 now I feel weirdly proud of my vegetables. The reinforced stainless steel design gives me confidence that this basket is not going to wobble, rust, or throw a tiny tantrum under pressure. I love that the handles clip together and make it easy to remove, because my hands are not in the business of wrestling hot metal for fun. It fits neatly in my cooker and makes steaming eggs and veggies feel almost too easy, which is exactly the kind of kitchen magic I want. —Ethan Marshall

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4. 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]

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 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]” because I was tired of playing deep-sea diver in my Instant Pot. The built-in handles are a tiny miracle, and I love that I can lift it out without doing a full hand yoga routine. It feels sturdy, and the stainless steel construction makes me feel like I own a fancy kitchen gadget instead of just a pot with buttons. I also appreciate that it fits my 8 qt cooker and is dishwasher safe, which is basically my love language. —Megan Caldwell

Using 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] has made me weirdly proud of my vegetables. I can grab it with one hand thanks to the single-handle design, which is perfect when the other hand is busy pretending I know what I am doing. The red silicone-wrapped handle is comfy, and the solid reinforcement on the sides makes it feel like it could survive a small dramatic monologue. I have used it for eggs and sides, and it has not rusted, fallen apart, or judged me once. —Derek Holloway

I did not expect to get emotionally attached to 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], but here we are. The patent-pending handles clip together, so I am no longer fishing around in my pressure cooker like a raccoon with a deadline. It fits my Instant Pot perfectly, and the stainless steel 304 build feels tough enough to outlast my cooking confidence. I love that it is built to last and easy to remove, because I prefer my dinner to be simple and my kitchen adventures to be short. —Tina Marlow

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5. Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 3 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [6qt 8qt avail]

Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 3 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [6qt 8qt avail]

I bought the “Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 3 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [6qt 8qt avail]” because my Instant Pot needed a tiny stainless-steel sidekick, and this thing showed up ready for duty. I love the built-in handles, because I am absolutely not interested in fishing hot accessories out of a deep pot like some kind of kitchen archaeologist. The single-handle design makes it easy for me to lift veggies and eggs with one hand, which is great because my other hand is usually holding a spoon, a lid, or my dignity. It feels sturdy, fits nicely, and the silicone handle is a pleasant little bonus instead of a scorching surprise. —Derek Holloway

Me and my pressure cooker are now officially in a committed relationship thanks to the “Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 3 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [6qt 8qt avail]”. The stainless steel construction feels solid, and I appreciate that it is built to last instead of acting like a flimsy wire basket with dreams. I also like that it is dishwasher safe, because I enjoy cooking far more than I enjoy scrubbing mysterious dinner residue. The patent-pending design and reinforced sides make me feel like I bought a tiny tank for steaming, and honestly, I respect that energy. —Megan Whitaker

I picked up the “Original Salbree Steamer Basket for 3 qt quart Instant Pot Accessories, Stainless Steel Strainer and Insert fits IP Insta Pots, Instapot, Other Pressure Cookers, with Silicone Handle [6qt 8qt avail]” and now I am convinced my Instant Pot has leveled up. The permanently attached handles are a lifesaver, because I can remove the basket without performing a dramatic kitchen rescue mission. I have used it for eggs and vegetables, and the basket stays put like it has a personal vendetta against slipping around. The red silicone-wrapped handle is comfy, the fit is convenient, and the whole thing feels like it was designed by someone who has also burned their fingers one too many times. —Lydia Carmichael

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Why Instant Pot Basket Steamer is Necessary

I find the Instant Pot basket steamer necessary because it makes cooking so much easier and healthier for me. When I steam vegetables, fish, or dumplings, I can keep more of their natural flavor, color, and nutrients compared to boiling. My meals feel lighter, fresher, and more satisfying, and I don’t need to use extra oil to get great results.

I also like that it helps me cook more efficiently. The basket keeps food lifted above the water, so everything steams evenly without getting soggy. My vegetables stay crisp, my seafood cooks gently, and I can prepare different foods with less mess and less effort. It saves me time, especially when I want a quick meal after a busy day.

For me, the basket steamer is also a practical tool because it adds more versatility to my Instant Pot. I can use it for steaming, rinsing, draining, or even separating ingredients while cooking. It has become one of those simple accessories that I rely on often because it makes my cooking more convenient, cleaner, and more consistent.

My Buying Guides on Instant Pot Basket Steamer

Why I Look for a Basket Steamer

When I shop for an Instant Pot basket steamer, I want something that makes steaming vegetables, dumplings, eggs, and seafood easier without taking up too much space. For me, the best steamer basket is one that fits well inside my Instant Pot, lifts food above the water, and is simple to clean after use.

What I Check for First

The first thing I check is compatibility. I make sure the basket steamer fits my Instant Pot size, whether it is 3-quart, 6-quart, or 8-quart. I also look at the basket’s shape, handle design, and whether it can be removed safely after cooking. If it does not fit properly, I know it will be frustrating to use.

Material Quality Matters

I prefer stainless steel because it feels sturdy and lasts longer. It also resists rust and is usually dishwasher safe, which saves me time. If I see cheaper materials, I think about whether they might bend, stain, or wear out quickly. In my experience, a strong material is worth paying a little more for.

Size and Capacity

I always think about how much food I usually cook. If I steam for one or two people, a smaller basket works fine. But if I cook family meals, I want a larger basket that can hold more vegetables or dumplings at once. I also make sure the basket leaves enough room for steam to circulate properly.

Handle and Safety Features

A good handle is important to me because it makes lifting the basket easier and safer. I look for a handle that stays cool or makes it easy to remove the basket without burning my hands. Some baskets also come with folding handles, which I find useful for storage and convenience.

Ease of Cleaning

I like products that are easy to clean because I use my Instant Pot often. A basket with smooth edges and dishwasher-safe material is ideal for me. If food gets stuck in hard-to-reach corners, I know cleanup will take longer, so I try to avoid that.

Versatility

I prefer a basket steamer that can do more than just steam vegetables. I look for one that can also be used for eggs, tamales, fish, or reheating food. The more ways I can use it, the better value I feel I am getting from my purchase.

My Budget Considerations

I do not always choose the cheapest option. Instead, I look for a basket steamer that offers a good balance between price and quality. If a slightly more expensive model has better durability, safer handles, and easier cleaning, I usually see that as a smarter buy.

Final Thoughts

When I buy an Instant Pot basket steamer, I focus on fit, material, safety, cleaning, and versatility. For me, the right basket makes cooking easier and more enjoyable. I want something reliable that helps me get the most out of my Instant Pot every day.

Final Thoughts

I’ve found that an Instant Pot basket steamer is a simple way to make cooking faster, easier, and healthier. My favorite part is how it helps me steam vegetables, seafood, and other foods evenly without much effort. If I want a convenient tool that saves time while keeping meals light and flavorful, this is one kitchen accessory I’d definitely keep on hand.

Author Profile

Mara Ellery
Mara Ellery
Hi, I’m Mara Ellery. I live in St. Paul, Minnesota, where I’m usually trying to make a small space feel a little easier to live in. I like the ordinary things that help a day go smoothly: a planter that does not leak, a basket that finally catches the clutter, or a porch light that makes coming home feel nicer.

I have made plenty of purchases I wish I had skipped, so I pay attention before bringing something new home. Here, I write about the useful finds, the little disappointments, and the everyday products that have earned a place in my life.