Best Instant Pot Recipes

Using an instant pot is a surefire way of preparing a complete meal in record time for a group of people. If you’ve got an instant pot for your kitchen, this article has the best recipes you can use it for. And even if you don’t have one, all these recipes will show you all the reasons why you should absolutely get one.

These recipes include entrees and desserts without missing any meals in-between. It is, in fact, a full guide with all the delicious ideas and recipes you’ll need for numerous meals to enjoy with family and friends.
Let’s get started!

Chili Recipe For the Instant Pot

Using an instant pot for chili is inarguably the best method for making tasty chilly without the hard process of standing in front of a stove and stirring. This gluten-free recipe will give you one of the best instant pot recipes.
This particularly delicious recipe takes just 5 minutes of meal prep time and a total cooking time of 35 minutes to make six servings.

The ingredients you need include:

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• (1) cup of water or beef broth
• 10 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles like Rotel
• 28 ounces can crushed tomatoes
• 8 ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 pound ground beef lean
• 4 ounce can green chiles
• 1 cup diced onion about 1 medium onion
• 1 green pepper seeded and diced
• 15-ounce canned kidney beans drained and rinsed
• 15 ounce canned black beans drained and rinsed
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano (or regular oregano)
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt plus more to suit your taste buds
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Here are the directions for making chili with your instant pot for six people:

• Turn your Instant Pot to the saute function.
• Once the screen says HOT add the canola oil.
• Wait 1 minute, then add ground beef.
• Cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spatula as it cooks.
• Once the meat is completely browned, add water or broth and stir well.
• Deglaze the pot and scrape all the bits from the bottom.
• Add all remaining ingredients, except for the spices.
• Stir well to incorporate all ingredients.
• Stir in the spices and seasonings.
• Put the instant pot lid on the Instant Pot and turn the valve to “sealed”.
• Cancel the saute function and switch it to manual.
• Set the timer for 25 minutes.
• Once timer beeps, do a quick release.
• Remove the instant pot lid and stir the chili.
• Taste and add more salt, if necessary.
• Let the chili sit for about 10 minutes to cool and thicken.
• Serve with desired toppings.

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

There are fewer foods that cook well with your instant pot compared to rice. These pots cook food quickly, but they’re also perfect for making chicken cook tenderly while ensuring the rice doesn’t get undercooked.

This will provide you with a great instant pot chicken recipe.
This instant pot chicken and rice takes just 20 minutes of prep time and cooks for just 13 minutes to give approximately 5 servings.

Here are the ingredients you need:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 pound boneless chicken breasts
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

Here are the directions for making chicken and rice with your instant pot for six people:

• Select the sauté function on the Instant Pot.
• Add the olive oil and butter.
• When the butter has melted, add the onion and sauté.
• Stir frequently, until translucent, about 2 minutes.
• Add the carrots, celery, and garlic and cook.
• Stir frequently until the vegetables begin to soften, and the garlic becomes fragrant for about 2 minutes.
• Add the bell pepper, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and chicken stock.
• Stir, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits.
• Stir in the rice.
• Place the chicken pieces on top.
• Secure the instant pot lid, making sure the steam release knob is in the sealing position.
• Choose the pressure cook function, high pressure, and set the timer for 8 minutes.
• When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release the remaining pressure with quick release.
• Remove the chicken breasts to a plate.
• Chop or shred with 2 forks.
• Stir in the peas and half the parsley.
• Add the chicken back to the pot and stir to combine.
• Taste and adjust the seasonings.
• Spoon the chicken and rice into a serving bowl and garnish with the remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.
• Serve with favorite hot sauces and condiments.

Easy Instant Pot Recipes: Chicken Noodle Soup

This has been a comfort food classic for many households for a long time. Whether you’re feeling ill or tired or too stressed out to cook, chicken soup with noodles is a quick meal that lifts your spirit with great taste. This will give you one of the best instant pot recipes.
With just 15 minutes of prep time, there will be a lot of soul-relieving chicken soup to warm you up before long.

Here are the ingredients you need:

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 yellow onion chopped
• 3 medium carrots peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup Italian parsley chopped
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 64 oz chicken broth
• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 tsp thyme
• 8 oz egg noodles
• Extra parsley for topping

Here are the directions to make yourself some chicken and noodles soup with your instant pot:

• Set Instant Pot to the sauté setting.
• Add the olive oil and heat for 2 minutes.
• Then add garlic, onion, and carrots, and sauté for 3-5 minutes.
• While sautéing, add parsley, thyme, a bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the pot and stir.
• Add the chicken broth/stock and chicken breasts to the pot.
• Place the instant pot lid on the pot and set the timer to 6 minutes on high pressure (soup setting).
• It will take the pressure cooker around 10 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.
• When cooking is done, release pressure naturally for 15 minutes, then do a quick release.
• Unlock the instant pot lid, then remove the chicken to a cutting board; shred.
• Add egg noodles to the pot and replace lid.
• Set to low pressure and cook for 2 minutes.
• Do a quick release, remove instant pot lid and turn off Instant Pot.
• Add the shredded chicken back to the pot.
• Let sit for 2 minutes in the pot and serve with fresh parsley.

Instant Pot Recipes: Pot Roast and Potatoes

Rather than roast your beef for long hours all day to prepare the pot roast, you only need just under two hours to prepare this instant pot beef. Thanks to instant pot pressure cookers cook, the meat remains just as juicy and tender as if you had slow roasted it for hours on end. This will certainly provide you with one of the best instant pot recipes.

You can use just a couple of hours to prepare this dish with your instant pot, so here are the ingredients you need: It’s also a gluten free recipe.

• 3-5 pound beef chuck roast
• 1 tablespoon oil
• (1) teaspoon of onion powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika – optional
• 1 pound baby red potatoes
• 4 large carrots – chopped into large chunks, see note for using baby carrots
• 1 large yellow onion – chopped
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup water
• 2 tablespoons corn starch

Here are the directions to prepare six delicious servings of pot roast and potatoes:

• Turn on your instant pot and set it to “saute.”
• In a small bowl, stir together salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
• Rub mixture all over the roast to coat all sides.
• Drizzle oil in instant pot, wait about 30 seconds, then use tongs to place roast in the pot.
• Do not move it for 3-4 minutes until well-seared and browned.
• Use tongs to turn the roast onto another side for 3-4 minutes, repeating until all sides are browned.
• Switch instant pot to “pressure cook” on high and set to 60-80 minutes.
• Add potatoes, onions, and carrots to pot and pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over everything.
• Place instant pot lid on the pot and turn to a locked position.
• Make sure the vent is set to a sealed position.
• When the cooking time is up, do a natural release for 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, turn vent to the venting release position and allow all of the steam to vent before removing the instant pot lid.
• Transfer the roast, potatoes, onions, and carrots to a platter and shred the roast with 2 forks into chunks.
• Use a handheld strainer to scoop out bits from the broth in the pot.
• Set instant pot to “soup” setting.
• Whisk together the water and corn starch.
• Once broth is boiling, stir in corn starch mixture until the gravy thickens.
• Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
• Serve gravy poured over roast and veggies and garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if desired.

Instant Pot Recipes: Creamy Risotto

This amazing Italian dish only requires a few ingredients to turn simple rice into a rich, creamy meal. With the electric pressure cooker, it has become easy to make this dish with brown rice in just 25 minutes. This is one of the healthy instant pot recipes.
Just 10 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes will serve four to six people. So, if you’re looking for a healthy recipe to spice up your dinner table, here are the ingredients you need:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 cups short-grained white rice or brown rice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• 5 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 5 cups packed baby spinach
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1 tablespoon salted butter
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Here are the directions to get your risotto prepared in such a short time:

• Take the instant pot lid off of the Instant Pot and turn on the sauté function, using the “normal” or “medium” setting.
• Once hot, add the oil followed by the onion.
• Sauté for about 3 minutes, or until the onion is mostly translucent.
• Add the garlic and sauté another minute until fragrant.
• Add the wine and stir. Let simmer for about 3 minutes, or until the alcohol smell has dissipated and the liquid has reduced by half.
• Turn off the sauté function.
• Add the rice and salt and stir.
• Add the broth, making sure all of the rice is submerged in the rice cooker.
• Cook at high pressure for 6 minutes.
• Once the timer goes off at the end of the cook time, use a natural release for 5 minutes followed by a quick release.
• Once the pressure has released, remove the instant pot lid and add the spinach, cheese, butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
• Stir well to break up the white or brown rice, wilt the spinach, and make the mixture nice and creamy.
• Taste for seasoning, adding salt and/or lemon juice as needed.
• Serve topped with more Parmesan.

Instant Pot Recipes: Mashed Potatoes

It has never been easier to prepare instant pot mashed potatoes from start to finish in just 20 minutes,and it’s also a comfort food. With an instant pot pressure cooker, you spend less time cooking and it tastes even better than it would in a normal pot. This will give you one of the best instant pot recipes.
They also turn out quite creamy and rich, which makes them a perfect side dish for those nights when everyone just wants a simple but amazing meal.

It takes just 10 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes, and you can serve 6 people, so here are the ingredients you need for this side dish:

• 3 Pounds sweet potatoes 6 medium, peeled and sliced
• Water to cover potatoes about 4-5 cups
• 2 teaspoons salt divided
• ¼ cup butter
• (¼) cup of sour cream
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon pepper

The directions to cook this healthy side dish are here:

• Place the sweet potatoes into the bottom of the instant pot.
• Cover with water and add 1 teaspoon of salt.
• Place the instant pot lid on the instant pot and set the valve to seal.
• Cook on manual pressure for 8 minutes.
• When the timer goes off, turn the instant pot off.
• Quick-release the pressure from the pot.
• Drain the sweet potatoes and return to the instant pot.
• Add the remaining salt, pepper, garlic powder, butter, milk, and sour cream to the potatoes. Mash until smooth.
• Serve topped with parsley if desired.

Instant Pot Recipes: Beef Stew

Using the ingredients below, you’d be able to serve four people some sweet instant pot beef stew. Because most pressure pots are large, you can double the ingredients and make food for eight servings. This gluten free recipe will give you one of the best instant pot recipes. With a total time of 50 minutes, this main course instant pot meal is easy to set up and cook.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 ½ pound beef stew meat
• (1) teaspoon of salt
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• A teaspoon of pepper
• 1 pound potatoes, cubed
• 2 ½ cups beef broth
• 1 10 ounces can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 16 ounce bag of baby carrots, cut into slices
• (1) tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons water

Here are the directions to cook this instant pot meal:

• Add the olive oil to the instant pot and turn on the saute function.
• When the oil starts to sizzle add the meat and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
• Cook the meat until browned and has become fall apart tender beef.
• Add the beef broth to the instant pot and use a spoon to scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Add the Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion, carrots, potatoes, and tomato sauce.
• Close the instant pot lid and steam valve on the instant pot.
• Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes.
• Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before doing a quick release.
• Mix together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl and stir into the stew until thickened.

Instant Pot Pork Chops

It’s possible to cook boneless pork chops with this recipe, but leaving the bones will ensure a more all-round flavor. This recipe can serve four people, but with a bigger pressure cooker or multi cooker, and double the ingredients, you’ll be able to serve as many as eight people. This will give you one of the best instant pot recipes.

The best thing about this recipe is how quickly you can finish preparing the chops. With a pressure cooking time of 55 minutes and prep time of just 10 minutes, your dinner guests will be satisfied sooner rather than later. This is a gluten free recipe.

Here are the ingredients:

• 2 pounds bone in pork chops ¾” or thicker
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 ¼ cup beef broth divided
• 1 small onion diced
• 3 cups mushrooms brown or white, sliced
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup condensed
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley

Here are the directions to tender and juicy chops:

• Season chops with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Turn Instant Pot on to sautee.
• Add oil.
• Brown chops in batches, about 2 minutes per side.
• Remove from Instant Pot and set aside.
• Add 1 cup broth to the Instant Pot and scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
• In order, add sliced mushrooms, chopped onion, browned chops.
• Top with mushroom soup and parsley.
• Seal the instant pot lid and turn the Instant Pot to HIGH pressure for 15 minutes.
• Once done, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 10 minutes.
• Release any remaining pressure.
• Remove chops from the gravy and set them aside.
• Combine remaining broth and cornstarch in a small bowl.
• Turn the Instant Pot on to sautee to bring the gravy to a boil.
• Add cornstarch mixture a little bit at a time to reach desired consistency.

Instant Pot Recipes: Whole Chicken

Using an instant pot, it becomes very easy to cut down the preparation time for pressure cooking a whole chicken to half. This recipe can serve four hungry people, and it is perfect for a dinner as it needs just 10 minutes of prep time and 80 minutes in total. This will give you one of the best instant pot recipes.

These are the ingredients you will need:

• 1 tbsp. packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp. chopped thyme leaves
• Kosher salt
• 1 tbsp. chili powder
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2/3 c. low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 whole small chicken (3- to 4-lb.)
• 1 tbsp. smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp. freshly chopped parsley

These are the directions for preparing whole chicken for four servings:

• In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, and thyme.
• Pat chicken dry with paper towels then season with salt and pepper.
• Rub the brown sugar mixture all over chicken.
• Preheat Instant Pot to Sauté setting.
• Once heated, add oil then add chicken, breast side down.
• Let sear until skin is crispy, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Use very large tongs to flip chicken then pour broth into the bottom of the Instant Pot.
• Change setting to Pressure Cook on High and set timer to 25 minutes.
• Lock instant pot lid into place and set valve to “Sealing” position.
• Allow Instant Pot to depressurize naturally then remove lid and take out chicken.
• Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
• Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Easy Instant Pot Recipes: Chicken Thighs

Just like the whole chicken, pressure cooking chicken thighs with your pressure cooker gives you an instant advantage with speed over a slow cooker. Although the full chicken takes over an hour to be prepared, the instant pot thighs only need a total of 30 minutes. This will give you one of the best instant pot recipes.

With a prep time of 25 minutes and a cook time of 5 minutes, here are the instructions you need to make eight to 12 servings:

• 4 lbs. thighs
• 3 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup soy sauce (or tamari)
• 4 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon warm water
• 2 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)

Here are the instructions you need:

• First, use a few pieces of paper towel to remove as much moisture as possible from your chicken thighs.
• Next, turn on the Instant Pot’s sauté feature.
• Add olive oil and then sear both sides of each\ thigh for 2-3 minutes to give them a nice brown.
• While the thighs are sauteing, prepare the honey garlic sauce.
• Mix together minced garlic, honey, soy sauce, and chili garlic sauce.
• Once the thighs are done browning, turn off the sauté function and then pour on the honey garlic sauce.
• Close your Instant Pot and turn the valve to seal.
• Turn your Instant Pot to manual > high pressure > and set the timer for 5 minutes.
• It will take around 10 minutes for the pressure to build before it starts counting down from 5 minutes.
• When the timer goes off, quick release your Instant Pot by opening the valve.
• Remove the lid and then remove the thighs.
• Turn on the Instant Pot’s saute feature.
• Whisk together cornstarch and water until the cornstarch dissolves to create a cornstarch slurry.
• Pour the slurry into the sauce and whisk until the sauce thickens.
• Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve with sesame seeds, fresh herbs, and your favorite grain and veggies.

Easy Instant Pot Recipes: Dried Beans

If you need to cook dry beans, especially because you forgot to soak them, this recipe will give you everything you need. With just 30 minutes, you can get 10 servings of beans, which can come in handy for whatever instant pot meal you’re planning to serve. This will give you one of the best instant pot recipes.

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Here are the ingredients you need:

• 1 pound beans (dried)
• 2 to 3 cloves peeled garlic, optional
• 1 0r 2 teaspoons salt
• 8 cups water
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• A piece of bay leaf, optional

Here are the directions you need to cook dry beans:

• Combine all ingredients in the pressure cooker.
• Do not fill the pressure cooker more than half full.
• Secure the lid.
• Cook the black beans.

Here are the cooking times for unsoaked beans in the Instant Pot:

• Black beans: 20 to 25 minutes
• Black-eyed peas: 20 to 25 minutes
• Great Northern beans: 25 to 30 minutes
• Chickpeas (garbanzo beans): 35 to 40 minutes
• Cook beans at high pressure for the time recommended above.
• The pressure cooker will take 15 to 20 minutes to come to full pressure before cooking begins.
• Once cooking is complete, you can let the pressure release naturally on its own, which takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

Conclusion

There are many easy instant pot recipes you can make with your instant pot or pressure cooker, and they’re all perfect for a quick meal with family or friends.
Even the most difficult meals can have their cooking times cut in half by the use of an instant pot, which makes instant pots key components in your kitchen.

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