9 Instant Pot Recipes That Will Change Your Life (2024)

Try these easy instant pot recipes tonight!

9 Instant Pot Recipes That Will Change Your Life (1)

by Sidney Yang–Updated Apr 27, 2021

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9 Instant Pot Recipes That Will Change Your Life (2)

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Home/Cook / Recipes RoundUp / 9 Instant Pot Recipes That Will Change Your Life

By Sidney Yang

Updated Apr 27, 2021

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9 Instant Pot Recipes That Will Change Your Life (4)

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Instant Pot Recipes – So you bought an Instant Pot, congrats! If they’re all the craze right now, it’s mainly because electric pressure cookers cook your meals 70% faster than the regular way, and retain the flavor and nutritive qualities of your ingredients. If you need some inspiration to get you started with this wonderful appliance, here are 9 recipe ideas for the Instant Pot that will help you get food on the table in no time.

9 Instant Pot Recipes That Will Change Your Life

1. Cauliflower Curry Soup Recipe

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Loaded with broccoli and cauliflower, this super nutritious and healthy instant pot soup is so easy to make! Adding coconut milk at the last minute makes it super creamy and delicious.

Related: The 5 Best Pressure Cookers to Buy for 2018

Ingredients list:

  • 1 cauliflower head, broken into florets
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 red pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
  • 4-5 baby potatoes, halved or quartered
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons yellow curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
  • Fresh chopped cilantro, for garnish

Read Instructions here

2. Applesauce

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Absolutely delicious and comes out perfect every time. This instant pot recipe for applesauce allows you to process quick batches easily.

What you'll need:

  • 3 to 4 lbs of apples (about 7 to 10 apples), peeled, cored, and halved
  • 2 strips of lemon zest
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 cup of brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup of water
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • knob of butter

Read Instructions here

3. Garlic Brown Butter Potatoes

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Ready in 7 minutes or less, the easiest and fastest potatoes you will ever make. So moist and flavorful, cooked to melting goodness with the brown butter!

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds (1.5kg) baby yellow and red potatoes
  • 1 stick (110g) unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Read Instructions here

4. Beef Pasta Soup

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A major comfort soup that’s so easy, healthy, and absolutely delicious. Dump all ingredients in your electric pressure cooker and you get a complete, family friendly dinner ready in 20 minutes.

Ingredients list

  • 1 lb (450g) beef chuck, diced
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 small can ground tomatoes
  • 3 cups (3/4l) low sodium beef stock
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 10 uncooked lasagna sheets broken into pieces
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese, or Parmesan, for garnish
  • Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

Read Instructions here

5. Turkey Breast with Garlic-Herb Butter

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Turkey breast cooks in the pressure cooker in just 25 minutes, then a quick broil in the oven makes it crisp to perfection. Use the herb and butter flavored dripping juices to make a killer gravy. The best way to save time preparing Thanksgiving dinner!

Turkey:

  • 3 lb (1.5kg) turkey breast
  • 1 or 2 heads of garlic
  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • 1 sprig of thyme
  • 1 cup chicken stock

Herbed butter:

  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 2 sprigs of rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 3 tablespoons butter at room temperature

Gravy:

  • Chicken stock or water, for topping up the cooking liquids, optional
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup (35g) flour
  • Salt and pepper

Read Instructions here

6. Buttery Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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These easy mashed potatoes are fluffy and delicious! Ready in 6 minutes under pressure in your instant pot, you end up with a silky-smooth, delicious side dish that is perfect for weeknight meals or holidays.

What you'll need:

  • 3 lbs (1.5kg) red and Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 1/2 cups (375ml) low sodium chicken stock
  • 3 tablespoons butter or ghee, plus more for serving
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Minced fresh thyme, for garnish (optional)

Read Instructions here

7. Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce

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Easy to make, low carb, and packed with protein and veggie, this healthy dinner will keep you full and happy! Definitely a favorite Instant Pot meal to add to your weekly rotation.

What you'll need:

  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon dried garlic (or 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 pinch each kosher salt and pepper
  • 1 small-medium spaghetti squash
  • Parmesan cheese, for serving
  • Fresh chopped basil, for garnish

Read Instructions here

8. Pasta Soup with Shrimp

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Light, packed with flavor, this heartwarming pasta soup features delicious grilled shrimp with a spicy twist. Add tomato, garlic and baby spinach to make it the perfect healthy and warming meal!

What you'll need:

  • 8 oz (220g) raw medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 oz (220g) tortellini
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 handful cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 6 cups (1.5l) water
  • 6 oz fresh baby spinach
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or more, to taste
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Read Instructions here

9. Mac and Cheese

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Skip the box, and make this super easy mac and cheese in your Instant Pot! It’s pure deliciousness, comfort and pleasure. Piping hot elbow macaroni swim in a creamy cheddar and parmesan cheese sauce with a bit of spiciness. Comfort food at its best for an instant dinner!

What you'll need:

  • 12 oz (340g) dry elbow macaroni
  • 4 cups (1l) water
  • 1 bouillon cube
  • 1/4 cup (60g) butter
  • 1 1/2 cups (350ml) milk
  • 1 cup (120g) light cream or sour cream
  • 1/4 onion, finely minced
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar, divided
  • 1/2 cup fresh parmesan cheese
  • A dash of hot sauce of your choice
  • Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

Read Instructions here

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9 Instant Pot Recipes That Will Change Your Life (16)

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9 Instant Pot Recipes That Will Change Your Life (2024)

FAQs

What foods should not be cooked in an Instant Pot? ›

In fact, there are a handful of foods that just shouldn't be pressure-cooked. Among them are dairy and fried foods, as well as burgers and steaks.

How Instant Pot changed my life? ›

It did change the way I cooked and in ways that I did not expect. The most profound difference was being able to "set it and forget it." The Instant Pot allowed me to prepare food, turn it on, and walk away for as long as I needed. It would finish cooking at the designated time and keep food warm until I got back.

What should I make first in my new Instant Pot? ›

When it comes to breaking your Instant Pot in, it's a good idea to start with some basic foods and simple meals you're already familiar with, then slowly expand your Instant Pot repertoire from there. Try making staples like eggs, sweet potatoes, rice, or lentils using just the pressure cooker function.

Why potatoes should not be cooked in pressure cooker? ›

Mostly we boil potatoes in a pressure cooker, but like rice, potatoes also contain a lot of starch. This is the reason why boiling or cooking in this pressure cooker is not considered good for health. If you still plan to use cooker for the same, add a lot of water and wash them thoroughly post cooking.

What is the best meat to cook in a pressure cooker? ›

You can still pressure cook leaner pieces – like eye of round and top sirloin – but these work best if they've been stuffed, shredded or rolled (with other ingredients). Best cuts of beef to use: Chuck steak, Round Roast, Shoulder, Pot roast, Ribs, Brisket, Oxtail.

Are Instant Pots really worth it? ›

Yes, the Instant Pot is widely considered an effective and versatile pressure cooker. Many users find it worth the price due to its convenience, time-saving features, and ability to perform various cooking functions in one appliance.

Do Instapots use a lot of energy? ›

Instant Pots will draw different amounts of energy based on the setting. For pressure cooking, a standard 6-quart model will draw about 1,000 watts or one-third the energy draw of a big oven. Knowing this, we can determine that in New York State, it will cost you about 17 cents per hour to pressure cook.

Do Instant Pots save money? ›

Using your Instant Pot cuts down on your utility expenses as well. While it may not be a huge saving, it does cut down on your costs. It's much more simple to heat up your electric pressure cooker than to wait and preheat your giant stove.

Why does Instapot say burn food? ›

The Instant Pot's burn message simply means that your Instant Pot has detected that its inner pot has gotten too hot. There may be a slight amount of burned food at the bottom of your pot, but not enough to ruin whatever you're cooking.

How long should you cook meat in a pressure cooker? ›

Season your meat as you normally would. Heat a little oil using the Sauté function and sear the meat. Add 1 1/2 cups of liquid (water, stock, etc.). Cook for 20 minutes (per pound of meat) at high pressure for large chunks and 15 minutes (per pound of meat) for small chunks.

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