9 Beginner Instant Pot Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (2024)

Looking for a reason to try out your new Instant Pot? Check these out!

9 Beginner Instant Pot Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (1)

You’ve probably heard about the newest craze in the cooking world–the Instant Pots. Everyone is falling madly in love with these kitchen gadgets, and I can’t say that I blame them! Not only do they cook your favorite meals in the blink of an eye, but they make meal planning an absolute breeze. Never used one before? Don’t worry! Check out these beginner Instant Pot recipes that are just too easy to pass up.

You’ll notice that every recipe on this list is easy to follow, and the result is a meal that you can be proud of. Who says you have to spend all day in the kitchen? Let the Instant Pot do the work for you!

1. Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

We all crave comfort foods from time to time. If you’re tired of the canned stuff (and who really likes that anyway?), let’s do something about it! This Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe has all the things you appreciate about a good home cooked meal without any of the fuss.

The fantastic thing about the Instant Pot is that it has more than one setting. For instance, in this recipe, you’ll start out by using the Sauté setting so that the onions, celery, and carrots have a head start. Then, after just a two or three minutes, you adjust to the Manual setting for the duration of the cook time. It’s that easy! You don’t have to worry about standing at the stove or accidentally overcooking it!

2. Instant Pot Split Pea and Ham Soup

If you love a soup that tastes as if it simmered away all day, then this is the meal for you! It has all the fantastic flavors you love with half the cook time. This is the type of beginner Instant Pot recipe that showcases exactly why people love this appliance so much.

This recipe does require you to switch between the Sauté and Manual setting, but that’s simple enough. In about 45 minutes, this wonderful meal will be ready to bring to the table. That’s something your entire family will appreciate!

3. Instant Pot Apple Cider Glazed Chicken

Imagine it: You just got home after a long day of work, and you really wished you had the time to cook a whole chicken. Don’t fret; you can still curb your cravings! Yes, you can whip up an entire chicken in 18 to 30 minutes using the Instant Pot! The result is a perfectly juicy, tender chicken.

Simply use the Sauce button to brown the chicken on all sides before cooking it using the Poultry button. 18 minutes will cook a 3-pound chicken, 24 minutes for a 4-pound chicken, and 30 minutes for a 5-pound chicken. It’s so easy, and the Instant Pot cuts down the cook time down drastically.

4. Instant Pot Healthy Chicken and Spinach Ramen Noodle Bowl

Are you searching for a healthier way to make your favorite restaurant’s ramen noodle bowl? This dish is flavorful, simple, and absolutely delicious.

You should expect about ten minutes of cook time, plus another 10 minutes to cook the noodles once the pressure is released. The Instant Pot should release naturally after about 15 minutes, but then you can manually release any remaining pressure. It’s that easy to make a dish you will absolutely love.

5. 5-Ingredient Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

If you’re in the mood for home-cooked mac and cheese, then look no further than this easy recipe. You won’t believe just how delicious this recipe is until you try it for yourself. Whether you are trying to please the picky eater in your house, or simply want a yummy bowl of this ooey-gooey goodness for yourself, this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe won’t let you down.

Just how easy is it? Combine all the ingredients and use the High-Pressure Manual setting for five minutes. When the time is up, the steam will continue cooking the dish for the next ten minutes. Stir and enjoy with your family and friends. Does it get any easier than that?

6. Instant Pot Skinny Spaghetti

Who doesn’t love spaghetti? This classic meal is always such a crowd pleaser, but what if I told you it could be made even easier? You’ll appreciate the simplicity and fast clean-up of cooking in one pot. Plus, you’ll have this meal on the table in a matter of minutes.

We start with the Sauté setting to get a little color on the turkey sausage. Then, the manual method is used for eight minutes and you’ll be ready to eat as soon as the pressure is released. The result is a hearty spaghetti dish that packs in both flavor and nutrients.

7. Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Stew

Rich and creamy beans swimming in a savory sauce; what more could you ask for? This is the type of dish that makes everybody feel warm and cozy on the inside. Simply put, you need this recipe in your life!

As far as beginner Instant Pot recipes go, this one has to be on your must-try list. It only takes 5 minutes on Saute and 15 minutes on the Manual setting. It tastes great today, but it tastes even better tomorrow as leftovers!

8. Instant Pot Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken

Bring on the flavor with this incredible recipe! You’ll absolutely love the amazing blend of flavors that tastes like you’ve been cooking all day. Don’t worry; your secret is safe with me. I won’t tell anyone you used the Instant Pot as a shortcut!The cook time for this meal is only 25 minutes. It’s so simple, even a novice cook can pull this one off.

9. Instant Pot Asian Sticky Rice

Rice is one of those side dishes that goes with almost any meals. It can sometimes be a little tricky getting the perfect texture, though. Sometimes it’s too mushy or too hard, and that can really ruin a meal! If you’re looking for a beginner Instant Pot recipe that will make any meal a little better, then you’ll definitely want to try this Instant Pot Asian Sticky Rice recipe.

This recipe is ridiculously easy. Just add the ingredients to the Instant Pot and allow it to cook for four minutes. Then, let the rice remain in the Instant Pot for an additional ten minutes and the steam will continue to cook the rice to perfection. So delicious!

Absolutely tasty! Choose from any of these beginner Instant Pot recipes to get started on your new cooking journey. You will never look back.

For more delicious recipes like these, check us out on Facebook and Instagram. We’re always posting more recipes and health tips for our readers.

9 Beginner Instant Pot Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (2024)

FAQs

What's the first thing I should cook in my Instant Pot? ›

When it comes to breaking your Instant Pot in, it's a good idea to start with some basic foods and simple meals you're already familiar with, then slowly expand your Instant Pot repertoire from there. Try making staples like eggs, sweet potatoes, rice, or lentils using just the pressure cooker function.

What not to use in Instant Pot? ›

6 Things You Should Never Cook in an Instant Pot
  1. Creamy Sauces. If there's one food group you should avoid in the Instant Pot, it's dairy. ...
  2. Fried Chicken. The best fried chicken is crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside and perfectly golden brown. ...
  3. Cookies. ...
  4. Burgers. ...
  5. Pie. ...
  6. Steak.

Which Instant Pot for beginners? ›

Instant Pot Duo Plus 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker

Easy to clean and super straightforward, this appliance is suitable for beginners and pros.

What size Instant Pot is best for meal prep? ›

Generally, a meal cooked in a 6-quart model feeds three to six people. Benefits of an 8-quart Instant Pot: The 8-quart models, on the other hand, are ideal when you're feeding a large family, cooking for a party, or cooking in batches for your weekly meal prep.

What is the 5 5 5 method for Instant Pot? ›

The 5-5-5 method involves the following: 5-minute cook time. 5-minute natural pressure release. 5-minute ice bath.

Do you brown meat before putting in Instant Pot? ›

Brown or Sauté Ingredients:

Many recipes, such as my Instant Pot Pot Roast, call for browning meat or sautéing vegetables before pressure cooking. Instead of dirtying another pan on the stove, you can do this right in your Instant Pot.

What is the disadvantage of Instant Pot? ›

Con– The Instant Pot uses steam under pressure to cook food and not everything is meant to be cooked in the Instant Pot. I attempted a crustless quiche which turned out well but it was too wet and moist to my liking and I prefer to cook it in the oven with dry heat.

What should never be cooked in a pressure cooker? ›

Foods containing dairy, like milk, cream, or yogurt, should not be pressure-cooked. The high heat and pressure can cause dairy products to curdle or separate, ruining the texture, taste and flavour of the dish. Cooking fried foods is a strict no no, when it comes to pressure cookers.

What is the best meat to cook in a pressure cooker? ›

You can still pressure cook leaner pieces – like eye of round and top sirloin – but these work best if they've been stuffed, shredded or rolled (with other ingredients). Best cuts of beef to use: Chuck steak, Round Roast, Shoulder, Pot roast, Ribs, Brisket, Oxtail.

What is the difference between an Instant Pot and a pressure cooker? ›

An instant pot and a pressure cooker are both cookers that use pressure to cook food. They are similar because they have a sealed jar with a valve that releases the tension. The main difference is that an instant pot has an added feature that allows it to be used as a slow cooker, rice cooker, and steamer.

Is Instant Pot better than crock pot? ›

If you are interested primarily in slow cooking, you should buy a dedicated slow cooker. They're more reliable with a range of slow-cooker recipes than an Instant Pot. We found Instant Pot multicookers specifically could not successfully slow-cook dense, high-volume recipes such as beef stew or pot roast.

Are instant pots worth it? ›

Is it worth buying an Instant Pot? Yes, we do think an Instant Pot is worth it, particularly for pressure cooking. There's a reason it's one of the most popular kitchen appliances out there.

Is air fryer or Instant Pot better for meal prep? ›

Although both can take the fuss out of cooking some meals, these two appliances have many differences. Air fryers help crisp up food that you may otherwise cook in a deep fryer, while Instant Pots cook meals that need a liquid element like stews, soups and rice.

What is the most popular Instant Pot size? ›

The 6-quart Instant Pot (in any series) is the most popular size by far, and it's the one we recommend for most folks. It offers plenty of capacity for weeknight dinners, soups and stews, a pot of beans, or even a whole chicken, yet it doesn't take up a crazy amount of counter or shelf space.

What do you cook in a pressure cooker for beginners? ›

Robin Shreeves joins Laurel Randolph in compiling this list.
  1. Pressure Cooker Chicken Stock. ...
  2. Instant Pot Easy-Peel Hard Boiled Eggs. ...
  3. Instant Pot Chicken. ...
  4. Instant Pot Oatmeal with Apples and Cinnamon. ...
  5. Pressure Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Meat. ...
  6. Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto. ...
  7. Fast, No-Soak Instant Pot Beans. ...
  8. Instant Pot Rice.

What is the rule of thumb for Instant Pot? ›

A good rule of thumb when using things like beans, rice, grains or pasta is to only fill your Instant Pot® to the ⅓ mark. What is this? Your other ingredients can then be added on top, but remember not to fill any higher than the ⅔ mark!

How much liquid do you need in the bottom of an Instant Pot? ›

Your Instant Pot needs liquid to work. If there's not enough, your pot won't be able to create enough steam to build pressure. About 1 cup is the minimum amount of liquid, so if you're cooking a recipe that will absorb water, like rice or beans, you'll need even more.

How do you layer food in Instant Pot? ›

Here are a few tips to help you avoid the burn and cook your meals hassle-free! Layer Your Ingredients – The best way to avoid the burn with an Instant Pot is to layer your ingredients properly. Add in all the liquid ingredients first and the more dense ingredients to the top.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carmelo Roob

Last Updated:

Views: 5738

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carmelo Roob

Birthday: 1995-01-09

Address: Apt. 915 481 Sipes Cliff, New Gonzalobury, CO 80176

Phone: +6773780339780

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Gaming, Jogging, Rugby, Video gaming, Handball, Ice skating, Web surfing

Introduction: My name is Carmelo Roob, I am a modern, handsome, delightful, comfortable, attractive, vast, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.