Top 10 Instant Pot Recipes for Busy Cooks

Posted on by Morgan

The Instant Pot is a game-changer for busy cooks, offering quick and easy meal solutions without sacrificing flavor. Here are ten delicious and efficient Instant Pot recipes perfect for anyone with a hectic schedule:

1. Classic Beef Stew

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cut into cubes
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 3 potatoes, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Brown the beef in batches and set aside.
  2. Add onions and garlic, and cook until softened.
  3. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add beef back to the pot along with broth, carrots, potatoes, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
  5. Close the lid, set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode, and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes.
  6. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then perform a quick release.

2. Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken breasts, diced
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Cook chicken until no longer pink.
  2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Stir in pasta and broth. Close the lid and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode on high pressure for 7 minutes.
  4. Perform a quick release. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Adjust seasoning as needed.

3. Spicy Chicken Tacos

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 onion, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken thighs in the Instant Pot. Add broth, taco seasoning, tomatoes, and onion.
  2. Close the lid and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode on high pressure for 15 minutes.
  3. Perform a quick release and shred chicken with two forks. Serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

4. Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup dried lentils
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Cook onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened.
  2. Add lentils, broth, tomatoes, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Close the lid and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode on high pressure for 15 minutes.
  4. Perform a quick release.

5. Honey Garlic Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken in the Instant Pot. In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, then pour over the chicken.
  2. Close the lid and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode on high pressure for 10 minutes.
  3. Perform a quick release. If desired, thicken sauce by mixing cornstarch with a little water and stirring into the sauce.

6. Vegetable Curry

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (potatoes, carrots, peas, bell peppers)
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Cook onions, garlic, and ginger until softened.
  2. Stir in curry powder and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Add vegetables, coconut milk, salt, and pepper.
  4. Close the lid and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode on high pressure for 5 minutes.
  5. Perform a quick release.

7. BBQ Pulled Pork

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into chunks
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

  1. Place pork in the Instant Pot. Add BBQ sauce, broth, onion, and garlic.
  2. Close the lid and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode on high pressure for 60 minutes.
  3. Perform a natural release. Shred pork with two forks and mix with sauce.

8. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

  • 4 bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removed
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1/2 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Brown the ground meat in the Instant Pot using “Sauté” mode. Drain excess fat.
  2. Stir in cooked rice, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Stuff peppers with the mixture and place them in the Instant Pot on the trivet.
  4. Add 1 cup of water to the pot. Close the lid and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode on high pressure for 10 minutes.
  5. Perform a quick release and top peppers with cheese before serving.

9. Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Arborio rice
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup white wine (optional)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Cook onions and mushrooms in olive oil until softened.
  2. Add Arborio rice and cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Pour in white wine (if using) and cook until mostly absorbed.
  4. Add broth, salt, and pepper. Close the lid and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode on high pressure for 6 minutes.
  5. Perform a quick release and stir in Parmesan cheese.

10. Hard-Boiled Eggs

Ingredients:

  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup water

Instructions:

  1. Place a trivet or steamer basket in the Instant Pot.
  2. Add water and place eggs on the trivet.
  3. Close the lid and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode on high pressure for 5 minutes.
  4. Perform a quick release and transfer eggs to an ice bath for 5 minutes before peeling.

These Instant Pot recipes are designed to be quick, flavorful, and perfect for busy days. Enjoy the convenience of the Instant Pot and the satisfaction of a delicious homemade meal!