Make these healthy and delicious Easy Instant Pot Recipes For Beginners to help you learn to make amazing quick and simple meals. Tasty dinner, soup, breakfast, and other recipes to get you started on the road to Instant Pot expert.
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So…you got an Instant Pot (or another brand of pressure cooker) recently. You’re super excited and can’t wait to see if it lives up to the hype.
Except it is still in the box and you’re absolutely terrified of the thing and omg could someone please just hold your hand and tell you how this thing works?!
Hey there. I’m Sarah and I’m here to help. Now, take that Instant Pot out of the box, and let’s do this.
This collection of recipes is designed to build your confidence in using your Instant Pot. And for beginners, that means straightforward recipes that involve pushing some buttons and walking away. I want you to love your pressure cooker and work your way up to more complex recipes.
First things first: the cookbook that comes with the Instant Pot suuuuuuuucks. Put it away cause you’re not going to want to use it anytime soon.
Second, do read the user manual because you’ll want to get familiar with the parts and terms of your new pressure cooker. I’m going to walk you through a few of the terms because you’ll see them in the recipes we’re sharing today.
Terms To Know About Your Instant Pot
There are many different models of Instant Pots and some buttons may be marked a bit differently.
- Steam Release Handle = the moveable vent on top of the lid.
- Sealing = the process of putting the lid on, locking it, and switching the steam release handle to “sealing”.
- Venting = the process of switching the steam release handle to “venting”.
- Float Valve = the pin (in some cases it is red) on the lid that indicates if the pot is at pressure or depressurized. This valve is hot so don’t touch it when the pot is in use.
- Up = pressurized
- Down = no longer pressurized and safe to open.
- Quick Release (QR) = Flipping the steam release handle to “venting” to let steam out manually. There may be foam or even liquid that forms when you do this. This process can be hot and releases a lot of steam so I always use a kitchen towel to flip the steam release handle. May also be noted in recipes as Manual Pressure Release.
- Natural Release (NR) = Allowing the Instant Pot to depressurize on its own until the float valve drops down by itself. This is necessary when cooking certain foods (foaming foods, fatty foods, or a huge pot of soup).
- On/Keep Warm = think of this as your “Home” button. This button gets you back to “normal” functions for most models, especially if your recipe includes multiple steps. Later on, when you’re feeling ambitious and use the Saute button, you’re going to need to press On/Keep Warm to move on to the next step. If using the Keep Warm function, you’ll choose an amount of time for warming (ex: 1:30 or 90 minutes) and when it starts it will count the minutes UP. This is the reverse of when it is cooking when the minutes will count down.
- Display functions = this is the digital screen that will let you know what is happening with your Instant Pot
- ON = the Instant Pot is coming up to pressure. This can take only a few minutes or up to 30 depending on what you are cooking.
- Numbers = Once the Instant Pot is up to pressure it will start counting DOWN the cooking time you had entered in. Ex: you set it for 20 minutes and the display now shows “12”. That means there are 12 minutes left for the cooking process.
- OFF = the cooking process has ended (this will happen at the same time as multiple beeps). It will then start to count time UP showing how many minutes it has been since the cooking has finished. This helps you keep track of how long you want the “Keep Warm” function to be used. If you don’t want to use it, just press “Keep Warm/Off” again, or unplug it.
Ready to get started? Let’s do this!
Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie
A big bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie is delicious homemade comfort food. This healthy dinner has a flavorful creamy base paired with LOTS of veggies and delicious tender chicken.
Instant Pot Asparagus
Save time and money by making Instant Pot Asparagus for a quick and healthy side dish. It’s so easy to whip up this perfect pressure cooker asparagus in a flash.
Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings
A big bowl of Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings is pure delicious comfort food. Ready in a flash with an “it cooked all day” taste, you’ll flip over this healthy chicken and dumplings!
Instant Pot Beef Tips
Super easy and incredibly tender these Instant Pot Beef Tips and gravy are cozy comfort food that your family will love!
Garlic Butter Rice
Garlic Butter Rice is a fast weeknight side dish that the whole family will love! Made in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop, this garlic rice is great for meal prep.
Instant Pot Chuck Roast
Fall-apart tender, this Instant Pot Chuck Roast is the ultimate comfort food. You can get an “it cooked all day flavor” in a fraction of the time thanks to using an Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Make perfect Instant Pot Basmati Rice for a fast side dish that the whole family will love! Made in a flash in a pressure cooker, this delicious rice is great for meal prep and is pairs well with so many dishes.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
This is the creamiest Instant Pot Mac and Cheese you’ll ever make! Even better, it can be made in one pot – no muss, no fuss. Pressure cooker macaroni and cheese is so easy (no roux!), and is ready in under 20 minutes.
One Pot Instant Pot Tortellini
This delicious Instant Pot Tortellini is an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love. Packed with flavor and ready in a flash, you’ll find yourself making this pressure cooker pasta every week!
Cold Start Instant Pot Yogurt
A super easy recipe for Cold Start Instant Pot Yogurt, you’re going to love how delicious and simple this is to make at home. Making your own yogurt allows you to control the ingredients and sugar content. This recipe for no-boil yogurt includes notes for making unsweetened or sweetened batches.
Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
A big bowl of Instant Pot Lasagna Soup is simple, delicious, and so comforting. This cozy soup is packed with your favorite flavors and is ready in under 25 minutes.
Chocolate Porridge {Vegan, Gluten-Free}
Instant Pot Chocolate Porridge is a delicious and filling way to start your day. This vegan and dairy-free chocolate quinoa breakfast bowl is the perfect make-ahead breakfast.
Creamy Instant Pot Tortellini Soup
A big bowl of Creamy Instant Pot Tortellini Soup is a simple, delicious, and affordable “whole meal” kind of dish. This cozy soup has an amazing and flavorful creamy broth paired with delicious cheese tortellini.
Easy Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Learn the easiest way to make hard-boiled eggs ever! Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs are so simple and easy to peel – even with fresh eggs!
Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup
A big bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup is pure delicious comfort food. This soup has an amazing and flavorful creamy broth paired with veggies and delicious tender chicken.
Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup
Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup is the perfect meal for when you need an easy, and hearty dinner that the whole family will love. This cozy bowl of yum is a game-changer for flexitarian weeknight dinners, and slow cooker instructions are also included.
Instant Pot Beef Stew
Whole30 Beef Stew is the best stew made in under 75 minutes. Instant pot beef stew is a game-changer, and crockpot/slow cooker instructions are included.
Creamy White Bean Soup {Vegetarian}
A big bowl of Creamy White Bean Soup is a simple, delicious, and affordable “whole meal” kind of dish. This vegetarian bean soup has an amazing and flavorful creamy broth paired with tons of veggies.
Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto
This delicious Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto is a simple weeknight dinner that is packed with amazing flavor. Ready in a flash, this pressure cooker risotto eliminates the long cook time and constant stirring of a stovetop version.
Instant Pot Potato Salad {With Mayo Free Options}
This loaded Instant Pot Potato Salad is the dish that everyone will love. This recipe has mayo-free options for a healthier potato salad and is the perfect make-ahead side dish for your next BBQ. No pressure cooker? You’ll also find stovetop instructions include in the post.
Instant Pot Teriyaki Beef
This delicious Instant Pot Teriyaki Beef is an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love! Packed with flavor and a meal prep dream dish, you’ll find yourself making this pressure cooker dinner every week.
Instant Pot Tortilla Soup With Rice
Healthy, easy, and delicious Instant Pot Tortilla Soup With Rice is the tastiest comfort food in under 30 minutes. Instant Pot, slow cooker, and stovetop instructions included.
Instant Pot Coconut Rice {Vegan}
Make this Instant Pot Coconut Rice for a fast weeknight side dish that the whole family will love! This dreamy rice is delicious even after a few days in the fridge, making it great for weekly meal prep.
Instant Pot Ravioli
This delicious Instant Pot Ravioli is a simple weeknight dinner that the whole family will love. Packed with flavor and ready in a flash, you’ll find yourself making this pressure cooker pasta every week!
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice {Vegan, Vegetarian}
Make this Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice for a fast side dish that the whole family will love! Made in a flash in a pressure cooker, this copycat Chipotle rice is great for meal prep and pairs well with so many dishes.
Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils
Photo Credit:
www.heynutritionlady.com
This Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup is packed with protein thanks to the addition of red lentils! It’s a healthy recipe with warming spices that’s easy to make in your Instant Pot, Crockpot, or on the stovetop (instructions are included for all three!).
Instant Pot Matzo Ball Soup
A big bowl of Instant Pot Matzo Ball Soup is pure delicious comfort food. This soup has an amazing and flavorful broth paired with veggies and light (not dense!) homemade matzo balls.
Perfect Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
Make perfect Instant Pot Jasmine Rice for a fast side dish that the whole family will love! Made in a flash in a pressure cooker, this delicious rice is great for meal prep and is pairs well with so many dishes.
Instant Pot Cauliflower {Vegan, Whole30, Keto}
Save time and money by making Instant Pot Cauliflower part of your weekly dinner rotation. It’s so easy to whip up this tender steamed cauliflower for a fast and healthy side dish.
Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash
Photo Credit:
www.yayforfood.com
The classic combination of garlic and parmesan create the perfect sauce for this quick and easy Instant Pot spaghetti squash recipe. A lower carb alternative to pasta that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Creamy Whole30 Mashed Potatoes
These are the best homemade Instant Pot Whole30 Mashed Potatoes ever! This easy recipe for delicious garlic mash is easy to make ahead of time.
Garlic Instant Pot Noodles
Photo Credit:
www.myforkinglife.com
These delicious Garlic Instant Pot Noodles are too easy to make. This tasty dump and go noodle recipe is a quick weeknight meal you will want to make over and over….and over again.
Instant Pot Roasted Garlic {Pressure Cooker Garlic}
Every home cook should know how to make roasted garlic. This simple process can take your savory recipes to the next level. Learn how easy it is to make roasted garlic in the Instant Pot, toaster oven, or oven.
Healthy Deviled Eggs
These Healthy Deviled Eggs are a delicious and lighter take on a classic recipe. And thanks to the high protein in yogurt, these also make the perfect keto deviled eggs.
Instant Pot Sushi Rice
Make perfect restaurant-quality Instant Pot Sushi Rice for a speedy dish that the whole family will love! This homemade sushi rice is great for sushi bowls and making your own rolls at home.
Instant Pot Roasted Potatoes
Photo Credit:
thecozycook.com
These Instant Pot Roasted Potatoes are pressure cooked in chicken broth for just 11 minutes, then sauteed to crispy perfection and topped with my grandmother’s seasoning recipe!
Instant Pot Baked Apples (3 Ingredients)!
Photo Credit:
www.cleaneatingkitchen.com
This Instant Pot Baked Apples recipe is a delicious healthy dessert that is vegan and paleo-friendly. You only need three ingredients and 30 minutes.
Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth
This easy to follow tutorial teaches you how to make chicken bone broth three different ways. Homemade stock has so many wonderful uses for meals and soup.
Instant Pot Farro {How to Cook Farro}
Instant Pot Farro is a hardy and delicious whole grain that is amazing in soups, salads, stews, or a flavorful side dish. Learn how to cook farro in a pressure cooker or on the stovetop.
Easy Instant Pot Iced Tea and Tea Concentrate
You’ll love this smooth and Easy Instant Pot Iced Tea for a quick and healthy refreshing drink. You can also make tea concentrate to get that same great flavor while saving space in your fridge. Recipe options include making unsweetened iced tea or tea sweetened with sugar, honey, or alternative sweeteners.
Pressure Cooker Chicken Tacos {Instant Pot Tacos}
Juicy and flavorful Pressure Cooker Chicken Tacos are a quick and delicious weeknight dinner. Perfect for freezer meals and make-ahead dinners, these Instant Pot Chicken Tacos are also Whole30 compliant, paleo-friendly, keto, and gluten-free.
Instant Pot Supplies
I’m not one who thinks you need a ton of stuff to use with your Instant Pot. In fact, I only have two accessories for mine.
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