Guide to Cooking with an Instant Pot & Recipes!
Searching for pressure cooker recipes? You’ve come to the right place! We’re starting from the basics here with tips and tricks and building-block recipes. Once you get the hang of it, try the more involved recipes (they’re still so easy!).
If you haven’t noticed, the world is infatuated with the electric pressure cooker. It’s a little kitchen appliance that feels magical at times. It’s nearly hands-off and in my opinion, produces a better result than the slow cooker most times.
If you’re wondering, “how do you cook in a pressure cooker?” you’ve come to the right place. Included in this list are lots of super basic pressure cooker recipes to get you started and once you get those under your belt, you’ll feel like an expert! At the end of this post, I’ve included answers to frequently asked questions as well as some equipment and resource recommendations.
I’m always dreaming up new pressure cooker recipes and recipes for the Instant Pot, so if you have any recommendations, make sure to send them my way!
Basic Safety Tips for Using a Pressure Cooker
I feel like I should cover these because people are kind of timid when it comes to using a pressure cooker, especially if it’s your first time. It can be a bit intimidating, and we’ve all heard horror stories about old-school pressure cookers. The good news is, the new electric pressure cookers are very safe! You can do this. Here are my basic safety tips:
- READ THE MANUAL. I could just leave it at that. You should always read your manuals – I’m completely type-A so you don’t have to tell me twice to do this, but I know not everyone is like me. Give it at least a quick skim so you learn the basic process for using your specific pressure cooker.
- When you quick-release the pressure, make sure you’re standing back and not leaning over the valve. The steam comes out fast and hot, so keep your distance.
- That’s really it – please follow the safety instructions in your manual!
Basic Pressure Cooker Recipes
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes: Soft, silky sweet potatoes in less than 30 minutes? Sign me up! You guys will love these for meal prepping!
Instant Pot Ribs – Fall off the bone perfection!
Instant Pot Short Ribs – So delicious!
Instant Pot Boiled Eggs: Using your pressure cooker to “boil” eggs is a total game-changer! Never again will you struggle with peeling a boiled egg.
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken: This is such a great method of cooking chicken. It’s fast and the chicken has a better texture than chicken cooked in a slow cooker. In this post, I cover four easy recipes, each with only two ingredients. This chicken is great for salads, soup, burrito bowls, enchiladas, tacos, sandwiches, and more!
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash – Includes an Instant Pot method!
Instant Pot Jasmine Rice – The very best kind of rice, in my opinion!
Instant Pot Risotto – A game changer when it comes to making risotto, no standing over the stove stirring.
Instant Pot Baked Potatoes – Just like sweet potatoes, perfect every time!
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes – Perfect every time!
Instant Pot Pinto Beans – No soaking necessary.
Instant Pot Applesauce – Homemade applesauce, quick and easy.
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats – use your pressure cooker to make this breakfast favorite.
Healthy Meals in the Instant Pot
Healthy Chicken Piccata: All the fantastic flavor of Chicken Piccata, except made a bit healthier. Plus it’s done in a fraction of the time thanks to the pressure cooker!
Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi Pasta: You won’t believe how delicious and easy this is!
Instant Pot Chicken Marsala: This one is one of our favorites!
Instant Pot Chili: This one is Whole30 compliant and paleo, but I also give you instructions to make it vegetarian, how to add beans, and instructions to help you make it in the slow cooker or stove top. It’s perfect as is, but the possibilities are endless with this one!
Southwestern Instant Pot Chicken and Quinoa: Filling and hearty, this flavorful mixture will be your new best friend at dinner time!
Instant Pot Farro Stuffing: This makes a fun stuffing on Thanksgiving, but it’s also great as a main dish, too! Try sprinkling some pecans or walnuts on top for added crunch.
Instant Pot Pasta with Sausage, Spinach, and Tomatoes: A full meal, all in one (Instant) pot!
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup: Good for the soul!
Pressure Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken from Crazy for Crust
Pressure Cooker Breakfast Quinoa from Pressure Cooking Today
Desserts
Rhubarb Instant Pot Cake (Upside Down Rhubarb Cake)
Pressure Cooker Fudgy Brownies from Taste and Tell (yum!!!)
FAQs
What’s good in a pressure cooker?
So much! The pressure cooker makes the best hard boiled eggs that always peel perfectly. It cooks chicken breast without turning it to mush like the slow cooker does. It makes tender ribs and roasts. Grains and rice cook perfectly. Dried beans require no soaking. It’s such a versatile kitchen tool!
Is it healthy to cook in a pressure cooker?
Well, that depends. If you’re cooking spaghetti squash and boiled eggs, yes. If you’re making macaroni and cheese, not as much. There are so many great healthy recipes that you can cook in an Instant pot so it really is a great method of cooking healthy food.
What is the best pressure cooker to buy?
I love my Instant Pot – the 6qt is the most common size. If you have a larger family, you might want to get the bigger size (8qt), and if you have a smaller crew, there is also a mini one (3qt) available. There are other brands of pressure cookers as well (Crock Pot makes one), but I haven’t tried any brand except the Instant Pot.
Pressure Cooker Cookbooks
Try these:
- The Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook by Barbara Schieving
- The Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook by Laurel Randolph
- Dinner in an Instant by Melissa Clark
- The Healthy Pressure Cooker Cookbook by Janet Zimmerman
- The Great Big Pressure Cooker Book by Bruce Weinstein & Mark Scarbrough
extra equipment Needed for pressure cooking
Technically, you don’t need any extra equipment. The Instant Pot comes with a steamer rack that works for eggs, potatoes, and anything of a bigger size. It comes with everything you need for a variety of pressure cooker recipes. If you want to steam vegetables, you’ll need a steamer rack with smaller holes. If you want to get fancy or expand your repertoire of recipes, here are some things to try:
- Steamer basket – this one would hold a lot, this one is more basic.
- Stackable pans – if you want to cook more than one thing at a time, these would be a perfect solution!
- Silicone cover – not entirely sure how much I’d personally use this, but it would be nice if you were cooking at home and bringing the food somewhere.
- New rings and inserts in case you need replacements!
Do you have requests for pressure cooker recipes or any more questions? I’m happy to help – send them my way!