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The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
The Instant Pot is the new must-have kitchen appliance that can make your life a whole lot easier in the kitchen, especially as a time-saving device on busy days. An Instant Pot is an intelligent multi-cooker, that's essentially an electric pressure cooker. When you don't have time for traditional or slow cooking, the Instant Pot is a fantastic solution. Meals will be cooked a lot faster, using less energy.
Want to get started with the Instant Pot, or add to your growing repertoire of Instant Pot recipes (and cookbooks)? We've collected our favorite Instant Pot recipes here (from both our site and beyond) for appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, desserts, and even beverages, to inspire you in the kitchen. From chicken noodle soup and chicken pot pie to macaroni and cheese, pork tacos, scalloped potatoes, and cheesecakes, you'll want to make this your go-to guide for inspiring Instant Pot recipe ideas.
Instant Pot Chili
The Spruce / Diana Rattray Here's an awesome, hearty, Instant Pot chili recipe that's ready to eat in under an hour from start to finish, but tastes like it simmered on the stovetop for hours. Delicious, belly-warming, ground beef chili is packed with nutritious and colorful vegetables.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
The Spruce / Emily Baker
Creamy, perfect mashed potatoes are quick and easy to make, with this excellent Instant Pot mashed potato recipe. Using an Instant Pot cuts the time in half, so you can get this yummy side dish onto the table quicker.
Instant Pot Refried Beans
The Spruce
Want a great recipe that you can use in burritos, enchiladas, or as a side dish to Mexican meals? These tasty Instant Pot refried beans are a snap to prepare and are ready in just over an hour. That's a fraction of the time they would take on the stovetop.
Instant Pot Coq au Vin
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
Just a fancy French name for chicken stew with wine, Instant Pot coq au vin delivers the same delicious taste in about 55 minutes as the version that's cooked for hours. Originally made with an old rooster, modern versions use chicken, in this case, bone-in thighs and legs along with carrots, mushrooms, pearl onions if desired, and fresh herbs.
Continue to 5 of 55 belowInstant Pot Butter Chicken
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
This Instant Pot butter chicken recipe takes a lot less time than the traditional way of making this popular Indian dish. Marinating the chicken isn't necessary because the pressure cooking will render the chicken moist and delicious. It has the same creamy, buttery sauce scented with tomatoes, cumin, garlic, ginger, garam masala, and coriander as the original. Serve it with rice, naan bread, and yogurt.
Instant Pot Pho Soup
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
This recipe for Instant Pot pho soup is a speedy version of a traditional Vietnamese beef broth and noodle soup. It is subtly spiced, fragrant and a meal that will warm body and soul.
Instant Pot Lasagna
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
Enjoy this Instant Pot lasagna in a fraction of the time it takes to make conventional lasagna. Best of all, it can be prepared year-round because it doesn't turn a summer kitchen into a blazing inferno with the oven heat. It's a traditional recipe with traditional ingredients, just cooked in a different way.
Instant Pot Spaghetti Dinner
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
This easy, complete homemade spaghetti dinner recipe is nothing short of amazing. Ready to serve in less than 30 minutes, this is a great family dinner idea for busy weeknights, when you're rushing to get a satisfying meal on the table.
Continue to 9 of 55 belowInstant Pot Spaghetti Squash
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
Spaghetti squash is super easy and quick to cook in the Instant Pot. You can cook the squash in about 10 minutes, then separate it into spaghetti-like strands, for topping with spaghetti sauce or tossing with butter and seasonings. This recipe includes more tips for serving ideas.
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
The Spruce / Laurel Randolph
Rich and flavorful chicken noodle soup from scratch in about an hour seems undoable, but it has actually never been so easy. This Instant Pot recipe creates an incredibly delicious broth filled with vegetables, shredded chicken, and tender cooked noodles, tasting like it cooked all day on the stovetop.
Instant Pot Matzo Ball Soup
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
Thanks to the instant pot, this matzo ball soup tastes like the broth simmered all day when it only takes 35 minutes. This version uses chicken thighs, but a cut-up three-pound chicken is an excellent alternative. Just make sure to use bone-in chicken for the very best flavor.
Instant Pot Potato Soup
The Spruce / Leah Maroney
You won’t believe how quickly you can make this favorite comfort food recipe using the Instant Pot. This recipe makes an easy lunchtime soup or light dinner that the whole family will love.
Continue to 13 of 55 belowInstant Pot Minestrone
The Spruce / Leah Maroney
Traditional minestrone combines carrots, celery, beans, spinach, and pasta in a tomato broth. You can stick with a vegetarian version or brown some Italian sausage or ground beef to add a meaty flavor. This hearty soup comes together with ease when you make it in an Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
The Spruce / Rachel Riesgraf
A true one-pot dinner, beef stroganoff with a creamy sauce and tender mushrooms is easy to throw together on a weeknight. There's very little clean-up and the filling pasta dish will please the whole family.
Instant Pot Brown Rice
The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga
Brown rice is more nutritious than white rice and has a beautiful nutty flavor. The only downside is that it takes so much longer to cook than white rice. Fortunately, the Instant Pot is here to save the day (or, at least your dinner)! Set it and forget it with this easy recipe that will become a staple side dish for everything from roast chicken to tofu.
Instant Pot Parmesan Garlic Chicken Wings
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
For a twist on the average wing recipe, try these Parmesan garlic chicken wings. The unflavored wings are first cooked in the Instant Pot. They're then tossed with garlic butter and finished in the broiler. Toss them with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, and you have an appetizer everyone will enjoy.
Continue to 17 of 55 belowInstant Pot Pork Shoulder
Diana Rattray Tender, succulent shredded pork shoulder is quicker and easier in the Instant Pot. Cooking under pressure keeps the meat moist and renders it perfectly tender. It's delicious on its own or in a bun as a sandwich.
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
Diana Rattray Instant Pot pork tenderloin takes just minutes to cook to the perfect temperature and the recipe is easy to customize with alternative herbs and spices. This recipe relies on the pressure build and natural release to cook the pork, with no actual high-pressure cooking time. All you have to do is brown the pork, set the timer to 0 (yes, zero!), and let the pressure come down naturally for 15 minutes.
Instant Pot Ribs
Diana Rattray Pork ribs are perfectly tender and juicy when cooked in the Instant Pot. After being rubbed with spices, the ribs are pressure cooked before being slathered with barbecue sauce and broiled until sticky and delicious.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Diana Rattray An ideal recipe for a busy weeknight, this Instant Pot bbq chicken is quick to prepare and will please the whole family. It begins with a flavorful rub including smoked paprika, chili powder, and brown sugar; store-bought barbecue sauce is then brushed on before pressure cooking. The chicken is placed under the broiler to achieve nice crispy skin.
Continue to 21 of 55 belowInstant Pot Korean Beef
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
When in the mood for spicy food, this is the recipe to choose. Gochujang chili paste gives the dish an authentic Korean taste, along with soy sauce, ginger, rice wine vinegar, and garlic. Simply place all of the ingredients in the Instant Pot, set to pressure cook for 25 minutes, thicken with a cornstarch slurry, and enjoy with rice.
Instant Pot French Onion Soup
Diana Rattray French onion soup usually takes ages to cook, but this Instant Pot version is quicker and easier. With naturally sweet onions and rich beef broth topped with crusty bread and melted cheese, it is a cold-weather treat.
Instant Pot Yogurt
Diana Rattray Homemade yogurt may sound complicated, but it's made easy in the Instant Pot. After a quick boil, a couple of spoonfuls of plain, active yogurt or yogurt starter are added and the multi-cooker does the rest.
Instant Pot Chicken Stock
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
The Instant Pot makes a homemade chicken stock a breeze. Vegetables and herbs flavor the broth and you can use chicken wings, other parts, or even a carcass. It's a great base for a variety of recipes, including soups, and freezes wonderfully.
Continue to 25 of 55 belowInstant Pot Beef Bourguignon
Diana Rattray One of France's most famous dishes, beef bourguignon becomes simple and quick when made in the Instant Pot. Bacon, onion, and beef are browned on the saute setting, and then the rest of the ingredients are added and pressure cooked until thick. Red wine, beef stock, and fresh herbs create a rich sauce, wonderful served over noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice.
Instant Pot Chicken Breast
Diana Rattray The Instant Pot produces tender, juicy chicken breasts every time, easily answering the age-old question, "What's for dinner?" Chicken breasts can be shredded for pulled chicken sandwiches and tacos; diced for soups, salads, and casseroles; or sliced and served as an entrée along with side dishes.
Instant Pot Orange Chicken
Diana Rattray Chinese orange chicken is a popular take-out menu item, but it is also easy to make at home—especially with the Instant Pot. Orange juice and zest, garlic, soy sauce, sugars, ginger, and chili paste make for a sweet and tangy glaze with a hint of spice. This dish is not only delicious but also a bit healthier than take-out since the chicken isn't deep-fried.
Instant Pot Pizza
Diana Rattray Perfect as an appetizer or after-school snack, these individual-sized pizzas are simple to make and easily customizable. Store-bought pizza dough is cut to the size of a cake pan, layered with toppings, and cooked for 15 minutes. Stack two pans and cook a few at a time.
Continue to 29 of 55 belowInstant Pot Chicken and Rice
Diana Rattray This comforting and adaptable dish makes the whole family happy. Perfect for Little League nights when you need to get dinner on the table quickly or a curl-up-by-the-fire fall Sunday, Instant Pot chicken and rice can be your go-to all-in-one meal.
Instant Pot Sloppy Joes
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
A favorite family meal and potluck dish, your Instant Pot makes sloppy joes easier than they've ever been. All you have to do is brown the beef, then toss the ingredients in the pot. In about 45 minutes, it's ready for sandwiches.
Instant Pot Buffalo Wings
Diana Rattray Chicken wings are a crowd favorite, but they can be a hassle to make. This Instant Pot recipe simplifies the method while still creating that familiar spicy bar snack food. The wings are pressure cooked, tossed with some of the homemade sauce, and then broiled to create that signature crispy coating. A final drizzle of hot sauce finishes them off.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash
Diana Rattray Whether you plan to serve the butternut squash simply with a garnish of almonds, sugar, and cinnamon or need cooked squash for a soup, risotto, or casserole, this Instant Pot recipe makes it simple and quick, cooking the butternut squash in just three minutes.
Continue to 33 of 55 belowInstant Pot Taco Soup
Diana Rattray Change up your Taco Tuesday with this hearty soup. Ground beef, beans, and taco seasonings combine with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and green chilis and are cooked for 20 minutes. Ladle the soup into bowls and add tortilla chips and your favorite taco toppings.
Instant Pot Carne Asada Tacos
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
Of all the things to cook in an Instant Pot, beef is one of the best—tougher cuts of meat do well with searing and pressure cooking, which renders them flavorful and tender. Although carne asada is traditionally grilled (the term translates to "grilled meat"), you can achieve a satisfying smoky flavor with the use of smoky and woody spices like cumin and oregano, which are included in this recipe. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, which is perfect for Tuesday night dinner. Feel free to go wild with toppings. Pico de gallo, shredded cheese, sliced radishes, pickled onions, and fresh or store-bought salsa are all great. Or, if you're running low on ingredients, a simple dash of hot sauce still makes for an amazing bite.
Instant Pot Kugel
Diana Rattray Noodle kugel may be a typical Jewish holiday side dish but it is a delicious, sweet casserole that can be enjoyed at any time. Boiled egg noodles are combined with ingredients such as cottage cheese, sour cream, eggs, sugar, and cinnamon and pressure cooked until set. This recipe calls for adding a crunchy cornflake topping before placing under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp up.
Instant Pot Pork Chops
Diana Rattray The Instant Pot makes preparing these pork chops with cream sauce a cinch. The chops along with onions and mushrooms are browned on the saute setting; stock and herbs are added and once the dish is pressure-cooked, a flavorful simmered cream sauce is spooned over the pork and vegetables.
Continue to 37 of 55 belowInstant Pot Bolognese Sauce
Diana Rattray Bolognese is a meaty red sauce that typically cooks slowly for hours on the stove. Using a pressure cooker makes it hands-off and shrinks down the cook time. Use it to top pasta or fill lasagna.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Diana Rattray Pulled pork is easy and tender when pressure cooked in an Instant Pot. It takes a fraction of the time to cook and tastes great in a sandwich bun, as sliders, on nachos, or simply served as a main dish.
Instant Pot Jambalaya
Diana Rattray The addition of tomatoes makes this Creole jambalaya. Chock-full of andouille sausage, chicken, and shrimp, this Louisiana stew is filling and delicious. The meat and vegetables are sautéed, and then the seasonings, stock, canned tomatoes, and rice are added and pressure cooked. The dish is finished off with the shrimp and some green onions.
Instant Pot Cornbread
Diana Rattray Whether for the holiday bread basket or as a side at the summer barbecue, cornbread in the Instant Pot is ideal when you can't or don't want to use the oven. This recipe is made with very little sugar, making it a typical Southern-style cornbread. Feel free to add green onion, cheddar cheese, and/or corn kernels for extra flavor, color, and texture.
Continue to 41 of 55 belowInstant Pot Barbacoa
Diana Rattray Tender beef barbacoa is ready in less than half the time of a traditional recipe in the Instant Pot. It's a flavorful filling for tacos or a fun topping for nachos and feeds a small crowd.
Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole
Diana Rattray All of the favorite savory breakfast foods are cooked together in this Instant Pot casserole. Bacon, hashbrowns, cheese, eggs, and vegetables are layered in a springform pan and cooked in the Instant Pot until set. The breakfast casserole is finished off with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar and fresh parsley.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
Macaroni and cheese is an American comfort food classic that is a family favorite for dinner. When made in the Instant Pot, this mac and cheese recipe creates an unbelievably creamy, cheesy sauce that is out of this world.
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
Diana Rattray Here's a winning Instant Pot recipe for pork carnitas that is just perfect for making authentic Central Mexican pork tacos from scratch. Pork shoulder is browned and then cooked along with seasonings, onion, jalapeno, orange and lime juice, and chicken stock. The meat is shredded and broiled and then arranged in soft tacos along with homemade pickled onion and various toppings.
Continue to 45 of 55 belowInstant Pot Whole Chicken
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
All you need are a few easy ingredients, an Instant Pot, and about 30 minutes to have this amazing, perfectly tender, and juicy Instant Pot whole chicken. Your family will love it, and it makes a fabulous dinner party entree, too.
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Diana Rattray Chicken cacciatore, a classic Italian dish, comes together quickly and easily with the Instant Pot. Chicken thighs cook until tender and juicy in a rich tomato sauce and taste great over pasta or served with crusty bread.
Instant Pot Meatloaf
Diana Rattray This Instant Pot meatloaf is full of flavor and will be ready in less time than the traditional baked version. Ground beef is mixed along with onion, celery, and carrot, and seasoned with ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. A rich glaze including Dijon mustard and brown sugar is spooned over top before serving.
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Diana Rattray A classic Indian main dish of meat bathed in a spiced tomato, yogurt, and cream sauce, chicken tikka masala is quick and easy in the Instant Pot. The cream is added after pressure cooking to avoid scorching and make a creamy sauce.
Continue to 49 of 55 belowInstant Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup
Diana Rattray All of the flavors of a filling chicken enchilada are cooked together in this Instant Pot soup. Boneless chicken, enchilada sauce, beans, corn, and seasonings are pressure cooked along with soup ingredients and topped with homemade fried tortilla strips and your favorite toppings.
Instant Pot Rice Pudding
Diana Rattray Rice pudding is quick and easy in the Instant Pot, and this classic recipe won't disappoint. Flavored with cinnamon and raisins, it's delicious served warm or chilled.
Instant Pot Cheesecake
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
Learn how to make cheesecake in the Instant Pot with this easy recipe. It's so much simpler than the traditional method for cheesecake and delivers a velvety-smooth cream cheesecake that you will be proud to serve. This recipe is great for holiday dessert tables.
Instant Pot Flan
Diana Rattray This Instant Pot version of the classic Spanish dessert flan cooks in less than 10 minutes, though you do need to plan ahead as it must chill in the refrigerator for four hours before you serve it. The light caramel custard makes a sweet finish to any meal.
Continue to 53 of 55 belowInstant Pot Banana Bread
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
Banana bread is a comforting snack food that makes a great after-school treat. Or top warm slices with vanilla icing to make it into dessert. This Instant Pot banana bread recipe makes a moist, dense bread you will love.
Instant Pot Brownies
Diana Rattray Brownies are always a crowd-pleaser, no matter what the occasion. Making these rich, gooey, nut-studded brownies in the Instant Pot frees up the oven for other dishes or means you don't have to turn the oven on at all—perfect in the summertime. The brownies are finished off with a shiny ganache and a sprinkle of chopped pecans.
Instant Pot Bread Pudding With Bourbon Sauce
Diana Rattray Using the pot-in-pot method, this bread pudding cooks up perfectly moist and delicious. Studded with raisins and flavored with warming spices, it's topped with a decadent bourbon cream sauce.