10+ Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love for Quick, Easy Meals
Instant Pot recipes help you save time and effort in the kitchen. With this handy appliance, you can cook many meals quickly without losing flavor or nutrition.
You can make everything from soups to desserts with simple steps. You’ll also have fewer dishes to clean.
These recipes fit into busy schedules and let you enjoy home-cooked food. Whether you are new to cooking or want easier meal ideas, Instant Pot recipes work for many tastes and occasions.
1) Instant Pot Spicy Short Rib Noodle Soup
This recipe combines tender short ribs and a spicy, gingery broth. Bright sautéed spinach and noodles soak up all the flavors.
You start by browning the short ribs with sesame oil for a rich taste. Add onion, garlic, and fresh ginger to build the soup base.
After pressure cooking, add cooked noodles and spinach just before serving. The Instant Pot makes this hearty meal easy.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs bone-in short ribs
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups cooked noodles
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Cooking Instructions:
- Set your Instant Pot to sauté. Heat sesame oil and brown short ribs on all sides.
- Add onion, garlic, and ginger; cook until soft.
- Pour in beef broth. Close lid and set to pressure cook for 45 minutes.
- Release pressure carefully and remove short ribs. Shred the meat off the bones.
- Return meat to the pot, add noodles and spinach. Stir until spinach wilts.
- Serve hot, topped with sesame seeds. For more details, see the full recipe on Pinch of Yum.
2) Instant Pot Red Curry Chicken
You can make a tasty and quick red curry chicken in your Instant Pot. Start by sautéing red curry paste with some coconut milk until fragrant.
Add chicken breast strips, more coconut milk, and sliced bell peppers. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for about 8 minutes.
After cooking, stir in fish sauce and brown sugar to balance the taste. Serve your curry with rice or noodles.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp red curry paste
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1 lb chicken breast strips
- 1-2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
Cooking Instructions
- Select Sauté on the Instant Pot. Cook curry paste and half the coconut milk until bubbly.
- Add chicken, bell peppers, and remaining coconut milk. Stir well.
- Seal the lid and set to High Pressure for 8 minutes.
- Quick release the pressure.
- Stir in fish sauce and brown sugar before serving.
3) Classic Instant Pot Pot Roast with Potatoes
You can make a tender pot roast quickly in your Instant Pot. Start by seasoning your beef and browning it in the pot.
Place potatoes, carrots, and onions around the roast. Pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over the meat and veggies.
Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for about 15 minutes. After cooking, release the pressure right away.
The potatoes and carrots cook perfectly alongside the roast. They soak up all the juices for a rich, hearty meal.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds beef chuck roast
- 4 medium potatoes, cut into chunks
- 4 carrots, peeled and cut
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Season roast with salt and pepper.
- Brown roast in Instant Pot on sauté mode.
- Add potatoes, carrots, and onions around roast.
- Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
- Seal lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Release pressure immediately.
- Serve hot with vegetables.
4) Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken
You can make Indian Butter Chicken quickly using an Instant Pot. This dish is creamy, spicy, and full of flavor.
The chicken stays tender and soaks up the rich sauce. The sauce uses butter, spices, and cream or pureed cashews for smoothness.
You can use chicken breast or thighs. Serve it with rice or naan bread.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs chicken (breast or thighs), cut into pieces
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or pureed cashews
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Cooking Instructions:
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté and melt butter.
- Add onions, garlic, and ginger. Cook until soft.
- Stir in all spices, then add tomato puree. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Add chicken pieces and coat with the sauce.
- Close the lid and set to pressure cook on high for 8 minutes.
- Quick-release the pressure carefully.
- Stir in cream or cashew puree. Heat for 2 more minutes on sauté.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve warm.
For a detailed recipe, visit Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe.
5) Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Making pulled pork in your Instant Pot is simple and quick. Start with a pork shoulder or loin, which becomes tender in about an hour of pressure cooking.
Add flavors like BBQ sauce, spices, or pineapple juice for extra taste. After cooking, shred the pork with forks and mix it with the sauce.
It’s perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or a hearty meal. Let the pressure release naturally for about 20 minutes to keep the meat tender.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder or loin
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice or orange juice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Cooking Instructions
- Cut the pork into 2 or 3 large pieces.
- Season the pork with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the oil.
- Brown the pork pieces for 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Add the juice and BBQ sauce to the pot.
- Secure the lid, close the vent, and cook on high pressure for 1 hour.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes.
- Remove the pork and shred it with two forks.
- Stir the shredded pork into the sauce before serving.
This recipe is from the Best Damn Instant Pot Pulled Pork and Instant Pot Pulled Pork – The Salty Marshmallow recipes.
6) Instant Pot NY Style Cheesecake
You can make a creamy New York-style cheesecake quickly using your Instant Pot. It’s smooth, rich, and has a buttery graham cracker crust.
This cheesecake cooks under pressure in about 20 minutes. Let it cool to set properly.
The steam inside the pot keeps it moist, so you don’t need to worry about cracking. It’s a great dessert for when you want something delicious but faster than oven baking.
Ingredients
- 9 graham crackers (crumbled)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 Tbsp melted butter
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 16 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cooking Instructions
- Mix graham crackers, salt, brown sugar, and melted butter. Press into a 7-inch springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and flour until smooth. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in sour cream and vanilla.
- Pour filling over crust. Cover pan with foil.
- Add 1 cup water to Instant Pot and place trivet inside.
- Set pan on trivet, seal lid. Cook at high pressure for 20 minutes.
- Let pressure release naturally for 20 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Cool cheesecake, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Learn more about the recipe at Instant Pot New York Cheesecake #1 Best Recipe – This Old Gal.
7) Instant Pot Chili
Instant Pot chili is a quick and easy meal full of flavor. You can cook ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices all in one pot.
Start by sautéing onions and garlic in the Instant Pot. Add your beef and spices, then mix everything together.
Pressure cook it for about 15 minutes. You can top it with cheese, sour cream, or green onions for extra taste.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup beef broth
Cooking Instructions
- Turn on the Instant Pot to sauté and cook onion and garlic until soft.
- Add ground beef and brown it well.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Add beans, tomatoes, and broth. Mix well.
- Close the lid and set to pressure cook on high for 15 minutes.
- Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release.
- Serve with your favorite toppings.
For more ideas, check Instant Pot Chili – Dinner at the Zoo.
8) Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
Making Chicken Alfredo in your Instant Pot is simple and quick. You cook the chicken, pasta, and sauce all in one pot.
This saves time and means fewer dishes to wash. Start by adding chicken breasts and pasta to the pot.
Pour in a creamy Alfredo sauce made with heavy cream and chicken stock. The Instant Pot cooks everything in just a few minutes.
Serve it with fresh parsley or parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into pieces
- 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Add chicken, pasta, garlic, chicken stock, and heavy cream to the Instant Pot.
- Stir gently to mix and make sure pasta is covered by liquid.
- Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
- Quick release the pressure carefully.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until sauce is smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with parsley if you like.
For more details, check Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo pasta.
9) Instant Pot Potato Ham Chowder
This chowder is easy to make and perfect for using leftover ham. It’s creamy and full of flavor.
You’ll cook potatoes, ham, and vegetables in your Instant Pot. The dish includes ham, potatoes, corn, and often bacon for extra taste.
It comes together quickly and warms you up on a cold day. You can keep it thick or a bit more broth-like, depending on how you like your chowder.
Ingredients
- 28-32 oz frozen hash browns with onions and peppers
- 8 oz cubed ham
- 1/4 cup cooked bacon, chopped
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup diced onion
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup milk or cream
Cooking Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot to sauté and cook onions until soft.
- Add ham, bacon, hash browns, corn, and chicken broth.
- Close the lid and set to pressure cook on high for 8 minutes.
- Release pressure carefully, then stir in milk or cream.
- Season with salt and pepper, then serve warm.
For a detailed recipe, check Instant Pot Potato Ham Chowder.
10) Instant Pot Oatmeal 5 Ways
You can make oatmeal in your Instant Pot quickly and easily. Just use rolled oats with water and a pinch of salt.
Try five different flavors by adding mix-ins like cinnamon and apples, peanut butter and banana, or berries and honey. Each version brings a new twist to your breakfast.
This method keeps your oatmeal creamy without constant stirring. Just pour in the ingredients and press a button.
You can make savory oatmeal by adding cheese and herbs for a warm meal. Prepare a big batch to eat throughout the week.
Ingredients
- Rolled oats (not steel cut or instant)
- Water
- Salt
- Mix-ins: cinnamon, apples, peanut butter, banana, berries, honey, cheese, herbs
Cooking Instructions
-
Add 1 cup oats and 2 cups water to the Instant Pot.
-
Add a pinch of salt.
-
Stir in any mix-ins you like.
-
Close the lid.
-
Seal the valve.
-
Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
-
Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
-
Quickly release any remaining pressure.
-
Stir well before serving.