75+ Best Instant Pot Recipes for Dinner, Dessert & More (2024)

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  • Instant Pot

Ariel Knutson

Ariel Knutson

Arie was the Features Director at Kitchn. She lives in Los Angeles.

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updated Oct 1, 2020

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Our readers labeled the Instant Pot as their favorite slow cooker, and Kitchn reviewed (and loved) it a several years ago. Now that we’ve established our fandom, it’s time to find even more delicious recipes that make the most of this totally helpful appliance. A love as big as this deserves an equally long list of things to make.

As you probably already know, the Instant Pot is a seven-gadget-in-one appliance. Where the Instant Pot really stands out, however, is in its ability to be both a slow cooker and a pressure cooker. That’s why we’re focusing on those two functionalities, and sharing more than 75 of our best Instant Pot recipes for any time of day.

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Pressure Cooker Recipes

You can make any regular pressure cooker recipe in your Instant Pot by using the “manual” mode and adding 15 percent more cooking time. For example, if a recipe says it takes 10 minutes, you’ll want to cook it for 11 to 12 minutes instead. This is because most pressure cookers operate with 15 psi, but the Instant Pot operates at 11.6 psi.

Cooking Tutorials

  • How to Cook Perfect Instant Pot Quinoa
  • How to Make the Best Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
  • How To Make Butter Chicken in the Instant Pot
  • How To Make Potatoes in the Instant Pot
  • How To Make Buttery Corn on the Cob in the Instant Pot
  • How To Make Ribs in the Instant Pot
  • How to Make Tender and Juicy Instant Pot Pork Chops
  • How To Make Bone Broth in the Instant Pot
  • How To Cook Spaghetti Squash in an Instant Pot
  • How To Cook Rice in the Electric Pressure Cooker
  • How To Make Steel-Cut Oatmeal in the Pressure Cooker
  • How To Make Easy Risotto in the Instant Pot
  • How To Cook Beans in an Electric Pressure Cooker
  • How To Cook Lentils in the Electric Pressure Cooker
  • How To Make Chicken Stock in an Electric Pressure Cooker
  • How To Cook Eggs in an Electric Pressure Cooker
  • How To Make Instant Pot Chili
  • How To Make Chicken Tikka Masala in the Electric Pressure Cooker
  • How To Cook Potatoes in the Electric Pressure Cooker
  • How To Make the Best Instant Pot Hummus
  • How To Cook Chicken Breast in the Instant Pot
  • How To Make Instant Pot Vanilla Extract
  • How to Make Spaghetti in the Instant Pot
  • How to Make Instant Pot Yogurt
  • How to Make Instant Pot Cheesecake

Everyday Recipes

  • Sweet and Tangy Meatballs
  • Instant Pot Barbacoa
  • Instant Pot Whole Chicken with Mushroom Sauce
  • Instant Pot Weeknight Chicken and Rice Burrito Bowls
  • Instant Pot Turkey Chili
  • Instant Pot Kacchi Lamb Dum Biryani
  • Kerala Coconut Chicken Curry
  • Pressure-Cooker Hawaiian Kalua Pig
  • Potato Risotto
  • Sweet and Spicy Braised Cabbage
  • 30-Minute Cacciatore Chicken
  • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
  • Pressure Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
  • Freezer-to-Pressure-Cooker Chicken Curry
  • Pressure-Cooker Meatloaf
  • Beef and Porcini Mushroom Stew
  • Pressure-Cooker Rice Pudding
  • Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
  • Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
  • Instant Pot Baked Ziti
  • Instant Pot Butter Bath Corn
  • Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes
  • 5-Ingredient Instant Pot Potato Salad
  • Instant Pot Mexican Rice
  • Instant Pot Baked Beans

Slow Cooker Recipes

The default slow cooker time is four hours for the Instant Pot. Make sure to adjust time and temperature (low, medium, high) before starting. Remember to adjust the steam release handle to “venting” when using your Instant Pot as a slow cooker.

Cooking Tutorials

  • How To Make Easy Shredded Chicken in the Slow Cooker
  • How To Make Applesauce in the Slow Cooker
  • How To Bake a Potato in the Slow Cooker
  • How To Make Creamed Corn in the Slow Cooker
  • How To Make Meatballs in the Slow Cooker
  • How To Make Chicken Stock in the Slow Cooker
  • How To Cook Beans in the Slow Cooker
  • How To Make Caramelized Onions in a Slow Cooker
  • How To Cook Salmon in the Slow Cooker

Soups

  • Slow-Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
  • Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Split Pea Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons
  • Slow-Cooker Hearty Chicken Minestrone
  • How To Make French Onion Soup in the Slow Cooker
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup
  • Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Meaty Mains

  • Slow-Cooker Barbacoa Beef
  • Slow-Cooked Brisket and Onions
  • Slow-Cooker Korean Short Ribs
  • Slow-Cooker Pork Carnitas
  • Slow-Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken
  • How To Cook a Whole Chicken in Coconut Milk in the Slow Cooker

Everyday Dinners

  • Slow-Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls
  • Slow-Cooked Bolognese Sauce
  • Slow-Cooker Ratatouille
  • Slow-Cooker Chicken Tacos
  • Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
  • Slow-Cooker Lemon Dal
  • 10-Hour Slow-Cooker Chana Masala

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Recipe Roundup

Slow Cooker

75+ Best Instant Pot Recipes for Dinner, Dessert & More (2024)

FAQs

What is the best easy use Instant Pot? ›

The best Instant Pots in 2024
  • The quick list.
  • Best overall: Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid.
  • Most premium: Pro Crisp.
  • Best for beginners: Duo Plus.
  • Best alternative: Ninja Foodi 14-in-1.
  • Best for air frying: Ninja Foodi 11-in-1.
  • Best smart: Pro Plus.
  • Meet the team.

Is Instant Pot good for baking? ›

The Instant Pot can gently steam and bake with ease — and keep you from heating up the oven when you want a sweet treat. Instant Pot desserts are their own particular brand of delicious — so you don't want to try taking your favorite cheesecake recipe and throwing it on high pressure for 20 minutes.

Are Instant Pot meals healthy? ›

Instant pot recipes are absolutely healthy as long as what you put in the recipe is healthy,” she says.

What cannot be cooked in 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.

What is the 5 5 5 method for Instant Pot? ›

The 5-5-5 method involves the following: 5-minute cook time. 5-minute natural pressure release. 5-minute ice bath.

What is the disadvantage of Instant Pot? ›

Con– The Instant Pot uses steam under pressure to cook food and not everything is meant to be cooked in the Instant Pot. I attempted a crustless quiche which turned out well but it was too wet and moist to my liking and I prefer to cook it in the oven with dry heat.

Can you put frozen meat in an Instant Pot? ›

It is safe to cook frozen food in a pressure cooker because it uses pressure to move food through the "Danger Zone" quickly. As a result, you don't run into the issues that you would find by cooking frozen food in a slow cooker, where it can stay too long in the Danger Zone and could become unsafe.

Can you put frozen chicken in an Instant Pot? ›

Place the frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot inner pot. If you are cooking more than one, make sure they are separated to achieve even cooking throughout. To separate frozen chicken breasts, place them in cool water until they have thawed enough to pull apart. Add one cup of chicken broth to the pot.

Are Instapots better than crockpots? ›

If you are interested primarily in slow cooking, you should buy a dedicated slow cooker. They're more reliable with a range of slow-cooker recipes than an Instant Pot. We found Instant Pot multicookers specifically could not successfully slow-cook dense, high-volume recipes such as beef stew or pot roast.

Can you use aluminum foil in an Instant Pot? ›

The short answer is good news. It is generally safe to use aluminum foil in an Instant Pot, but it is important to use it properly to avoid damaging the appliance or creating a potential safety hazard.

Can you put a cake pan in an Instant Pot? ›

Step 1: Pick the Right Pan

Let's get this out of the way right now: this cake does not bake in a standard 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pan. Both sizes are too large to fit in a standard 6-quart Instant Pot. You'll need a 6-inch round cake pan like this one.

Can you leave food in the Instant Pot all day? ›

Unlike nonstick cooking surfaces, the stainless steel pot presents no threat of harmful chemicals. Instant Pot also switches to a “warm” setting when it's done cooking, keeping food at a safe temperature for up to 10 hours.

Is cooking meat in an Instant Pot healthy? ›

Pressure-cooked meat-based dishes show a significant reduction in unsaturated fat contents, but it appears that iron is not lost. In addition to making foods like grains and legumes more digestible, pressure cooking does not create any of the unhealthy chemicals associated with baking and grilling methods.

What are the disadvantages of pressure cooking? ›

Because pressure cooking is an enclosed form of cooking, there is no contact with air. Therefore, some nutritionists argue that the ingredients may remain uncooked from within which can hamper your digestion on being consumed. Almost all cooking methods, including pressure cooking, have their own pros and cons.

Which Instant Pot for beginners? ›

Beginner-Friendly: Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1

The Duo Nova is best for: anyone who's extra cautious about cooking with pressure (or kitchen safety in general).

Can I put frozen meat in an Instant Pot? ›

Do Expect Cook Times to Vary: A frozen piece of meat will not only take longer to cook, but it will also take longer for the Instant Pot to come to pressure. Because of this, be prepared to add a few extra minutes to your overall cook time.

Is Instant Pot better than an air fryer? ›

Cooking times: Instant Pots can often prepare food more quickly than air fryers. Food choices: Although both small kitchen appliances can prepare a wide range of foods, Instant Pots offer more recipe options. Ease of use: Air fryers are good for beginners, while Instant Pots have a learning curve.

Are Instant Pots worth it? ›

Is it worth buying an Instant Pot? Yes, we do think an Instant Pot is worth it, particularly for pressure cooking. There's a reason it's one of the most popular kitchen appliances out there.

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