Home » Health & Wellness » Instant Pot Tips for Beginners + 30 Instant Pot Recipes
by Amanda Keefer // January 22, 2018 (last updated July 13, 2021)
Are you the proud new owner of an Instant Pot? Need help getting started with using it? We can help! Here’s a full guide of Instant Pot tips and Tricks for beginners. Plus, we’ve included a roundup of 30 healthy Instant Pot recipes to get you started!
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What Are the Perks of Using an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot seems to be everywhere these days! This hot new kitchen tool claims to replace seven appliances and cook food up to 70% faster while using less energy than conventional appliances, making it perfect for busy weeknights. You’ll get that cooked-all-day taste in a fraction of the time!
As a busy mom with an affinity for hoarding, *ahem* I mean collecting, kitchen gadgets, this peaked my interest.
What Exactly Is an Instant Pot?
So, what is an Instant Pot? It’s a multi-use programmable pressure cooker that can be a: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, warmer, and yogurt maker. (Yes, it makes yogurt!)
After receiving one as an early Christmas present, I put this baby to the test. And I have found a whole new world of amazing recipes to try.
Before heading straight into the roundup of 30 Instant Pot recipes, check out this amazing guide from our friend Kristen of A Mind “Full” Mom. There, she breaks down everything you need to know about your new Instant Pot, including a description of every part, how to determine cook time, and her favorite Instant Pot accessories.
Instant Pot Tips for Beginners:
- Your Instant Pot comes with a removable silicone ring that is placed on the inside of the lid and helps to seal in the pressure. Remove and clean this ring after every use. Make sure the ring is securely attached to the lid before turning the valve to “seal.” At this point, the Instant Pot will take 5 to 20 minutes to pressurize.
- Refer to the Instant Pot cooking timetable when deciding on what length of time to cook your food.
- There’s no need to defrost your food! Simply throw it in the Instant Pot and adjust the cook time as frozen food to prolong pre-heating.
- High or low pressure? High is commonly used for most recipes and low is reserved for more delicate ingredients such as seafood and eggs.
- Natural vs. quick release? Once the timer us up, the Instant Pot will switch to warm and will slowly lose pressure. If your recipe calls for quick release, simply turn the steam valve to its venting position. Keep your hands away as the machine will quickly release a burst of steam and lose all pressure in about one minute.
This might seem like a lot of information for one appliance. But I promise you’ll get the hang of it in no time, especially the more you use it!
Now that you’ve had your crash course in Instant Pot 101, check out our round-up of 30 delicious recipes featuring everything from homemade chicken stock, oatmeal, veggie-packed meatballs, soups, mashed potatoes, and more!
Instant Pot Recipes
1
Instant Pot Colcannon
Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish made with mashed potatoes and either kale or cabbage. This version is made with cabbage and Russet potatoes in the Instant Pot for a quick and easy side dish for St. Patrick’s Day or any day of the year.
2
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala with Cauliflower and Peas
Photo Credit:www.skinnytaste.com
This lightened up, dairy-free Chicken Tikka Masala with Cauliflower and Peas is made in the Instant Pot to satisfy Indian food cravings!
3
Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Soup
Photo Credit:aggieskitchen.com
Enjoy a comforting bowl of Mexican Chicken Soup seasoned with chili, cumin and smoked paprika and filled with chicken, beans and vegetables. This soup recipe is made in the Instant Pot for an easy, hands-off dinner.
4
Instant Pot Chicken Ramen
This easy Instant Pot ramen is a serious upgrade to those packets of ramen from college. We added a healthy dose of protein with chicken and loaded up on veggies like onions, bok choy and carrot.
5
Instant Pot Steamed Artichokes
Photo Credit:www.gimmesomeoven.com
This Instant Pot Steamed Artichokes recipe is ultra-easy to make,full of great flavor, and super-speedy in your pressure cooker!
6
Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Photo Credit:amindfullmom.com
Make fluffy, fork tender potatoes in the electric pressure cooker every singe time!
7
Instant Pot Homemade Warm Apple Cider
There’s something about a cup of warm apple cider on a chilly fall or winter night that makes this time of year magical. Make a homemade batch of this apple cider in the Instant Pot, grab a mug and curl up with your family for movie night.
8
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
Photo Credit:lifemadesweeter.com
TheseInstant Pot Steel Cut Oatsare perfectly creamy and so easy to make in no time in your pressure cooker.
9
Instant Pot Sausage, Kale, and Sweet Potato Soup
Photo Credit:www.wholesomelicious.com
Let your Instant Pot do all the work for you in this flavorful soup packed with veggies and sausage! So easy with very little prep time.
10
Instant Pot Bruschetta Chicken
Photo Credit:www.artfrommytable.com
Tender chicken breasts cooked perfectly in the instant pot topped with chopped marinated fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil. Put this Instant Pot Bruschetta Chicken in your meal time rotation.
11
Pasta e fa*gioli Soup
Photo Credit:www.apinchofhealthy.com
Pasta e fa*gioli soup is so hearty, healthy and delicious, and you can make it in your Instant Pot
12
Hard Boiled and Soft Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot
Photo Credit:julieharringtonrd.com
Here's how to make PERFECT hard-boiled and soft-boiled eggs in theInstant Pot.
13
Instant Pot Spiced Pear Oatmeal
Making oatmeal in the Instant Pot is a breeze, just mix, set and enjoy! For this recipe, we use pears, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla.
14
Instant Pot Hummus
Photo Credit:www.everydaymaven.com
Use your Instant Pot to make the best light and creamy hummus from dried beans in under an hour. Plus, this Hummus Recipe requires no soak time!
15
How to Make Yogurt in an Instant Pot
Photo Credit:www.superhealthykids.com
Just two ingredients, a bit of time, and a thermometer are all you’ll need to make the tastiest and most economical yogurt you’ve ever had. Here’s the skinny on how to make yogurt in an Instant Pot.
16
Instant Pot Beef Stew
When cooler weather comes, nothing is more comforting than a hearty bowl of beef stew. While many recipes of this classic dish take hours to prepare, this version is made in the Instant Pot for a delicious, healthy meal in less time.
17
Instant Pot Carrot Ginger Soup
Photo Credit:sweetpeasandsaffron.com
Warm up with a bowl of creamy Instant Pot carrot ginger soup! Made with carrots, ginger, coconut milk, thyme leaves, and a squeeze of lime, this soup is both easy to prepare, and tasty to eat.
18
Instant Pot Turkey Taco Pasta
Photo Credit:www.acedarspoon.com
Instant Pot Turkey Taco Pasta is a zesty meal that the whole family will love. This meal cooked in no time when using your Instant Pot or pressure cooker. The ground turkey, taco seasoning, fired roasted tomatoes paired with pasta make this a fun alternative to taco night.
19
Instant Pot Chicken with Hatch Chili Cauliflower Sauce
For this tasty recipe, we combine Hatch chilis, cauliflower and cheese for a spicy, creamy sauce to spoon over chicken. The chicken and sauce cook together in the Instant Pot for easy clean-up. Serve over rice for a dinner the whole family will love.
20
Instant Pot Pad Thai
Photo Credit:thebetteredblondie.com
The easiest and most delicious Instant Pot Pad Thai, made in less than 30 minutes!
21
Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
Photo Credit:therecipecritic.com
Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken is simple and easy to make in the pressure cooker and perfect for busy weeknights. The chicken cooks up tender and juicy in a buttery lemon garlic sauce.
22
Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup
Traditional baked potato soup gets a healthier makeover with the addition of cauliflower. Enjoy the same creamy goodness without the fuss of pre-baking the potatoes by making this soup in just 20 minutes in an Instant Pot!
23
Instant Pot Steak Fajita Bowls
Photo Credit:thebetteredblondie.com
Use yourInstant Potto make the most delicious and tender fajita steak and peppers! This is sure to be a new favorite healthy weeknight staple in your home.
24
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Photo Credit:kristineskitchenblog.com
An easy recipe forInstant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup, perfect for cold winter days! This delicious chicken soup is quick and easy to make in your pressure cooker.
25
Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes & Carrots
This easy Instant Pot recipe is perfect for beginners. It combines sweet potatoes and carrots for a delicious and colorful side dish that’s perfect to pair with any meal.
26
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
Photo Credit:www.platingsandpairings.com
Instant Pot Minestrone Soupcooks in just 5 minutes! Loaded with veggies, beans, and delicious pasta, then topped with lots of nutty parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
27
Instant Pot Egg Bites
Photo Credit:ifoodreal.com
TheseInstant Pot Egg Bitesmake healthy breakfast on-the-go easy. They are copycat Starbucks sous vide egg bites with one main ingredient and same fluffy with no blender.
28
Watermelon Rind BBQ Sauce
Don’t toss those watermelon rinds! Did you know there are lots of uses for all parts of a watermelon, including the rind? Just peel and toss in the Instant Pot along with the other ingredients to make this delicious and tangy Watermelon Rind BBQ Sauce.
29
Instant Pot Lentil Stew
Photo Credit:thebetteredblondie.com
Healthy, delicious and creamy lentil stew made in the Instant Pot in less than 30 minutes! This family-friendly recipe will be your new favorite easy weeknight meal.
30
Instant Pot Stuffed Bell Peppers
Photo Credit:www.happyfoodstube.com
Making instant pot stuffed bell peppers can’t get any easier than this! No pre-cooking of peppers or sautéing onion is needed. Simply fill with them and cook under pressure. Easy-peasy comfort food ready in no time!
