Instant Pot Recipes Easy

So weve gathered more than 40 of the absolute easiest Instant Pot recipes we know — from classic chicken dishes, to hearty soups and stews, to family-favorite pastas. Theyre all made using a pressure cooker, and the majority are drop-and-go meals, meaning the appliance does all the hard work for you!

instant pot recipes easy

50 Best Instant Pot Recipes

instant pot recipes easy

Before jumping into our Best Instant Pot Recipes, the first recipe to try is cooking water! This recommended step helps you learn how to use Instant Pot, and build your confidence in cooking with an Instant Pot!

Total: 15min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: Sodium 6 mg, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (500ml) cold water

Instruction:

  1. Add Water: Put inner pot in Instant Pot, then pour 2 cups (500ml) of cold water in the inner pot.
  2. Close Lid: Make sure the silicone sealing ring is properly seated in the rack, and nothing is blocking the Venting Knob & Floating Valve. Close the lid by lining the two arrows, then turn clockwise.
  3. Seal Instant Pot: Turn Venting Knob from Venting Position to Sealing Position.
  4. Set Pressure Cooking Time: Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button. Press the “-“ button until the indicator says “2”. The default setting should be at “High Pressure”.*Note: This means we’re pressure cooking at High Pressure for 2 minutes.*Pro Tip: It’s normal for some steam to come out of the floating valve during the preheating cycle. Once there’s enough steam in Instant Pot, the floating valve will pop up. It takes roughly 13 minutes to reach High Pressure.
  5. Release Pressure: After pressure cooking for 2 minutes, your Instant Pot will automatically switch to “Keep Warm” mode. Press “Cancel” to turn it off. Carefully release the pressure by turning the Venting Knob from Sealing Position to Venting Position.
  6. Open Lid: Turn the lid counter-clockwise, then carefully lift it open. You did it!

Best Instant Pot Recipes: Pot Roast

instant pot recipes easy

The best Instant Pot recipes for easy dinners! This collection of recipes includes chicken, beef and vegetarian recipes, plus more dinner ideas. Start with this comforting Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe.

Prep: 25min

Total: 125min

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 428 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 36 g, Fat 22 g, Saturated Fat 9 g, Trans Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 117 mg, Sodium 592 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 4 g, unSaturated Fat 13 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 3 pound boneless beef chuck roast
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion (coarsely chopped)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 ½ cups low sodium beef broth
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 6 medium carrots (cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • 1 ½ pounds whole baby potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening gravy)
  • 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening gravy)

Instruction:

  1. Cut the beef roast in half.
  2. Season the beef on all sides with the salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the oil in the Instant Pot using the sauté function until hot.
  4. Place the beef in the pot and brown, 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a clean plate.
  5. Add the onion to the pot. Cook until softened and lightly browned, stirring often, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and turn off the Instant Pot.
  6. Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and beef broth. Stir well and scrape up any browned bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pot.
  7. Put the beef back in the pot. Add the fresh thyme sprigs or dried thyme.
  8. Close the Instant Pot lid and move the steam release valve to the sealing position. Pressure cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. When the cook time ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes and then quick release any remaining pressure by moving the valve to the venting position.
  9. Open the Instant Pot lid and add the carrots and potatoes on top of the beef. Close the lid, seal the pot, and pressure cook for 5 more minutes on high pressure. Then let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes. Quick release any remaining pressure.
  10. Remove the beef and vegetables from the pot, leaving the juices in the pot. Discard the fresh thyme stems. Use two forks to shred the roast into chunks.
  11. Thicken the juices in the pot (optional): Turn on sauté. Stir together 2 tablespoons each of cornstarch and water and then stir into the liquid in the Instant Pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until gravy has thickened slightly.

4 Easy Instant Pot Dinners

FAQ

What is best to cook in Instant Pot?

Here are some of our favorite ways to use this little gem.
  • Short Rib Beef Ragu.
  • Yogurt.
  • Rice.
  • Spiced Apple Cider.
  • All The Soups.
  • Hard Boiled Eggs.
  • Whole Roasted Chicken.
  • Baked Potatoes.

What is the first thing I should make in my Instant Pot?

Recipe #1: Water!

Cooking water in your Instant Pot as soon as you get it out of the box is a must…..for two reasons: It lets you quickly learn and experience just how your pot works, exactly.

What foods should not be cooked in an Instant Pot?

6 Things You Should Never Cook in an Instant Pot
  1. Creamy Sauces. If there’s one food group you should avoid in the Instant Pot, it’s dairy. …
  2. Fried Chicken. The best fried chicken is crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside and perfectly golden brown. …
  3. Cookies. …
  4. Burgers. …
  5. Pie. …
  6. Steak.

Does Martha Stewart use an Instant Pot?

All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. My first reaction when I heard that the queen of domesticity had her own version of the Instant Pot? Of course she does. If there’s one thing most people can agree on, it’s that Martha Stewart is no fool.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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