29 Southern Instant Pot Recipes to Make Tonight (2024)

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Southerners are famous for taking their time, but sometimes you need a comforting meal ASAP! This collection of Southern instant pot recipes are perfect for days when you want a flavorful meal without putting in a ton of work.

1/27

Pressure-Cooker Black-Eyed Peas with Ham

Here’s a regional favorite I grew to love after moving to the South, pressure-cooker black-eyed peas. You’ll never want to eat canned black-eyed peas again! Serve the dish as a side with grilled chicken, or make it your main course and round out the meal with greens and cornbread. —Tammie Merrill, Wake Forest, NC

2/27

Pressure-Cooker Jambalaya Risotto

I love making this pressure-cooker jambalaya, especially when entertaining. The risotto makes it creamy and delicious. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina

3/27

Cornbread Stuffed Pork Chops

Tart apple adds a delicious flavor to the moist stuffing that fills these savory chops. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

4/27

Pressure-Cooker Peachy Summer Cheesecake

This is a cool and always refreshing dessert that is fancy enough to take to a gathering. You can make this ahead of time and freeze it. Make sure you wrap it well so it’s airtight, and add the peaches and whipped cream only after it thaws. —Joan Engelhardt, Latrobe, Pennsylvania

5/27

Spicy Cowboy Beans

These spicy cowboy beans are a perfect contribution to a potluck buffet any time of year. Instead of needing hours on the stove, they cook quickly in the pressure cooker and there’s no need to pre-soak the beans. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

6/27

Pressure-Cooker Beef Brisket in Beer

One bite of this super tender brisket and your family will be hooked! The rich gravy is perfect for spooning over a side of creamy mashed potatoes. —Eunice Stoen, Decorah, Iowa

7/27

Pressure-Cooker Dressing

Here’s an easy dressing that’s perfect for special get-togethers. Once it’s in the instant cooker, you’re free to turn your attention to other dishes. —Rita Nodland, Bismarck, North Dakota

8/27

Grandma’s Pressure-Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

I’ve made this soup weekly since I modified my grandma’s recipe for the pressure cooker. Chicken soup, especially this one, is quick to make and budget-friendly for any large family. —Tammy Stanko, Greensburg, Pennsylvania

9/27

Pressure-Cooker Risotto with Shrimp and Asparagus

This speedy method of making risotto works every time! —Kim Gray, Davie, Florida

10/27

Pressure-Cooker Molten Mocha Cake

When I first made my decadent chocolate cake, my husband's and daughter's expressions said it all. She says it's one of her "most favorites." Later, I took one of these to our next-door neighbors. Their teenage son, who answered the door, ate the whole thing without telling anyone else about it! —Aimee Fortney, Fairview, Tennessee

11/27

Pressure Cooker Herbed Chicken and Shrimp

Tender chicken and shrimp make a flavorful combination that's easy to prepare, yet elegant enough to serve at a dinner party. While I clean the house, it practically cooks itself. I serve it over hot cooked rice with crusty bread and a green salad. —Diana Knight Reno, Nevada

12/27

Pressure Cooker Beer-Braised Pulled Ham

To jazz up leftover ham, I cooked it with a beer sauce. Buns loaded with ham, pickles and mustard are irresistible. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

13/27

Pressure-Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili

My sister shared this chili recipe with me. The jalapeno adds just enough heat to notice but not too much for my children. —Kristine Bowles, Albuquerque, New Mexico

14/27

Pressure-Cooker Orange Spice Carrots

To get my son to eat veggies, I mix and match flavors and spices. My carrots with orange and cinnamon won him over. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio

15/27

Pressure Cooker Pepper Steak

Pepper steak is one of my favorite dishes but I was always disappointed with beef that was too tough. This recipe solves that problem! I've stored leftovers in one big container and also in individual portions for quick lunches.—Julie Rhine, Zelienople, Pennsylvania

16/27

Pressure-Cooker Smoky White Beans and Ham

I had never made or even eaten this dish before meeting my husband. Now I make it at least once a week. I serve it with some homemade sweet cornbread. Delicious! —Christine Duffy, Sturgis, Kentucky

17/27

This pressure-cooked rice pudding recipe always turns out wonderful. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan

18/27

Pressure-Cooker Black Bean Chicken Nachos

One of my favorite local restaurants, Zeppelins, has the best chicken nachos. Its famous dish inspired me to create my own, with the added convenience of using the pressure cooker. I recommend fresh cilantro because it makes the dish pop with flavor. —Natalie Hess, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

19/27

My dear mother-in-law passed this simple recipe to me. With meats, beans and savory veggies, it's tasty, easy and economical, too! —Carol Simms, Madison, Mississippi

20/27

For a rich, creamy and slightly spicy shrimp and pasta recipe, you can't beat this crowd-pleasing dish. It's a nice new twist on popular Buffalo chicken dishes.—Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island

21/27

Pressure-Cooker Cola BBQ Chicken

This recipe is really easy, and the sauce is filled with sweet smoky deliciousness. It is not a thick sauce, but you can easily put a little more on the top of each sandwich if you’d like. The meat is juicy and tender, and I enjoy adding a few tasty toppings to my sandwiches: sliced dill pickles and slices of pepper jack cheese. This recipe is for a pressure cooker, but it also can be made in the slow cooker—just cook on low for 8 hours. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin

22/27

Pressure-Cooker BBQ Baked Beans

I was under doctor's orders to reduce the amount of sodium I was eating, but I just couldn't part with some of my favorite foods. After many experiments I came up with this potluck favorite—now everyone's happy! —Sherrel Hendrix, Arkadelphia, Arkansas

23/27

Pressure-Cooker Truly Tasty Turnip Greens

These savory greens are a hit at every church dinner. Adjust the seasonings as you please to make the recipe your own. .—Amy Inman, Hiddenite, North Carolina

24/27

My husband and I are both graduate students right now, so we don't have a lot of time to cook dinner. Our family loves coming home to this incredible nacho platter, and I love how easy it is to prepare. —Faith Stokes, Chickamauga, Georgia

25/27

Pressure-Cooker Pot Roast Hash

I love to cook a Sunday-style pot roast for weeknights. Make it into pot roast hash for any day of the week. —Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New York

26/27

Pressure-Cooker Cranberry Hot Wings

Cranberry wings remind me of all the wonderful celebrations and parties we've had through the years. My daughter?s friends can?t get enough of them. —Noreen Danek, Cromwell, CT

27/27

Pressure-Cooked Mesquite Ribs

When we're missing the taste of grilled food during winter, these tangy ribs give us that same smoky barbecue flavor we love. They're so simple, and they're fall-off-the-bone delicious too! —Sue Evans, Marquette, Michigan