If you haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet, you are missing out! And I'm going to tell you why. I've got 14 Instant Pot recipes that are beyond delicious, super easy to make, and will speed up your prep and cook time like never before!
If you're thinking about using an Instant Pot, also known as an electric pressure cooker, because you've heard how AMAZING it is, then you're in the right place. I went out and bought an Instant Pot shortly after they hit the shelves. I was skeptical about this modernized pressure cooker and was not overly impressed with the recipes that came with mine.
So I did my research and dove into what some of the popular food bloggers, real FOODIES, were making and saying about the recipes they've been making. And let me tell you...I was blown away.
Instant Pot Recipes
Below you are going to find 14 irresistible recipes that you can make in your Instant Pot with the reason WHY you should make every single one of these! I guarantee you that these 14 recipes will convince you to buy one...or start using the one you have! If your an avid user one then you have to try these specific recipes.
Here's why...
1. Life Changing Beef Stew
Instant pot beef stew is simple to make. This was the first recipe I ever made in mine and after the first bite, I was SO glad I bought one! Here's why you want to make this recipe:
I madeMy 9 year old daughter made homemade (from scratch) beef stew in 45 minutes with only 6 ingredients on a school night thanks to this kitchen gadget.- This stew is FULL of wonderful beefy flavor.
- My 7 year old who hates all things food right now loved this recipe.
Seriously, it's an amazing recipe, super fast to make, full of flavor, and my entire family loved it.
2. Meaty Italian Pasta Dinner
This was evolved from a Beef Noodle Skillet dinner and you know how most skillet pasta dinners require a lot of monitoring, right? Well, not when it's made using the pressure cooker. This Instant Pot pasta is FULL of flavor and the taste reminds me of a lasagna dish you would order at an authentic Italian restaurant.
3. Pork Carnitas
If you're looking for quick and easy, you're going to love these Instant pot carnitas! When life gets too busy and you didn't have time to plan for dinner, make this Instant Pot carnitas recipe. Pressure cooking gets the pork nice and tender, and shredable, which is exactly what you want with pork carnitas.
4. Easy Chocolate Lava Cake
So you're telling me I can make cake in this thing? Instant pot cake is actually really easy to make. This recipe has an ooey gooey center and it only takes 35 minutes to make these!
5. Creamy Broccoli Mac and Cheese
One of my favorite foods in the entire world is mac and cheese and when I learned I could make Instant Pot macaroni and cheese, I was thrilled! The old fashioned traditional homemade macaroni and cheese recipes you will find take a lot of time and effort. And while the traditional recipes out there are absolutely delish, I typically don't have the time it requires to make it. Mac and cheese in the Instant Pot is the way to go. This recipe is creamy, cheesy, and I'm loving the added broccoli. It's also way less mess for me to clean up.
6. Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
If you're looking for Instant Pot chicken thigh recipes, then look no more! These only take 8 minutes to make! Juicy and fall-off-the-bone, these are made with a brown sugar garlic sauce and are pressure cooked resulting in the most tender chicken!
7. Popcorn
Yeah for popcorn! Who doesn't love popcorn! But Instant Pot popcorn is absolutely delicious and is ready in 5 minutes. That's right...5 minutes!! This popcorn recipe is made with coconut oil, popcorn kernels, butter and salt. You'll use the saute function and in 5 minutes, you'll be able to indulge in one of the best snacks out there!
8. Baby Back Ribs
I love me some pressure cooker ribs and let me tell you, the meat literally just falls off the bone like they have been slow cooking for hours! But when you make Instant Pot BBQ ribs, the cook time is just 25 minutes. It just doesn't get much easier than that!
9. Banana French Toast
Who would have thought you could make French Toast in a pressure cooker and it would turn out really really good? Yeah, not me. Let me go on the record to say I WAS WRONG! This French toast casserole takes 40 minutes to make from prep time to the table. It's full of flavor and the consistency is fantastic! I really enjoy this breakfast casserole on Christmas morning.
10. Chicken Enchiladas
The chicken and the sauce that covers these Instant Pot enchiladas is robust in flavor and incredible savory. You'll use the saute feature for this dish! 40 minutes start-to-finish is all it takes until this succulent dinner is on your table and ready to serve!
11. Greek Yogurt
Making yogurt in a pressure cooker is not complicated. You can make REALLY good yogurt in your pressure cooker! This Instant Pot yogurt recipe is easy, fun, and pretty! It only takes 2 ingredients to make and then you'll top it off with your favorite toppings! And...you'll have some left over for your yogurt starter for next time!
12. Cheesecake Bites
Who would have thought you could make Instant Pot cheesecake? Not me...but this little pressure cooker gadget continues to blow my mind! And you're going to be amazed at how easy it is to make cheesecake bites. You'll use an egg mold to make the graham cracker crust, mix the cheesecake ingredients, and then let the it do its magic. When these are done, they're topped with cherry pie filling. I love that these are mini cheesecake bites because it helps me with portion control!
13. Refried Beans
I typically make homemade pinto beans in my slow cooker and then smash them in a saucepan with a bit of milk and cheese to turn them into refried beans. But this is way easier! Instant Pot refried beans not only have amazing flavor, but the process is really low maintenance. I never would have thought that I could take dry pinto beans and have them cook and made into refried beans in an hour. This recipe is a huge time saver!
14. Oatmeal
I like making a big batch of oatmeal so that I can eat on it for 2-3 days when I don't have time to cook breakfast in the mornings. And let me tell you, Instant Pot oatmeal is so much easier to make and a lot more convenient. You can even double the recipe if you want. This is actually an Instant Pot steel cut oats recipe that has a bit of pumpkin puree to pop the flavor. Who said pumpkin is only for fall? You can enjoy it year round!
And there you have it! Guys, this is your ‘set it and forget it’ machine. If you haven't bought an yours yet, you're missing out, you still can!
Oh...and if you are looking for more recipes, check out my entire Instant Pot Recipe Collection!
I can’t wait to hear which recipes you end up making! Make sure you leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you! You can also sign up for my newsletter!
Update Notes: This post was originally published in November 2018, but was re-published with updated recipes in December 2020.
Shirley
I am contemplating getting this. I have a Pressure Canner, so have a good idea how the pressure works and not afraid to use it. The only thing holding me back is that the Recipees are for 6-8 servings..... Could I use the recipe in a smaller pot and cut recipee down to serve 2-3 servings. What about how long to cook.
Amanda Mason
I don't regret buying my Instant Pot. I love it and I use it all the time. If you cut the recipes down for a smaller serving size...that's fine! Cooking time thought should stay the same!!
Michelle Leslie
Okay I'm sold. I can't believe you can make all that yumminess in an instant pot. That's just crazee cool. Thanks so much Amanda
Amanda Mason
It's one of the best kitchen purchases I've ever made! That and my KitchenAid....I love these 2 appliances!
Miz Helen
What a great collection of recipes for the Instant Pot! Thanks so much for sharing with us at our Thanksgiving Edition of Full Plate Thursday! Hope you have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Amanda Mason
Thanks Miz Helen! I'm so glad you and your readers enjoyed the roundup!!
Natalie
I'm contemplating one of these.....the possibilities are endless!
Amanda Mason
You have no idea!! I've used my Instant Pot for SO many things!!! You will love it!
Nicole King
This round up may finally get me to bite the bullet and finally use my Instant Pot. That’s Beefy Italian Pasta looks so good!
Amanda Mason
You wont regret using it! It's so super userful!
Vic
Hi,
I think your page is great - but it would be very helpful if the links to the different recipes were the direct links to the meal and not just to the main page, making one search around for the specific recipe for ages....
Looking forward to trying out my IP with some of your delicious sounding - and looking - meals..
Vic
Amanda Mason
Hi Vic! Thanks for the note! If you click on the URL for each numbered recipe, it takes you directly to that recipe! I only link to the main page of the blog when I list who the recipe owner is. Try clicking on the link right beside the number...it should take you directly to the recipe! Let me know if you find one that doesn't behave that way!
Erica
I have the Farberware 7in1 pot and it does just as well as the Instant pot as do several other available brands as the GoWise, Power Pro and even one featured at Aldi. They are all basically the same and mine has a two year warranty as opposed to the Instant pot 's one year. Of course one can select whatever model they choose but just wanted to say that Instant Pot is not the only brand available.
Amanda Mason
Good point! I've heard from multiple people that they love their "pressure cooker"!
Angela
I bout the 6 qt pressure cooker, but since I only cook for me, I gave it to my daughter and bought the 2 qt one. Still have not used it because there aren't any 2 qt recipes out there, and I am kinda clueless. Can you help?
Amanda Mason
You should still be able to make most, if not all, of these recipes using the 2 quart Instant Pot. Take a look at the recipe specifics to see what size they use...but you should be good to go with the 2 quart!
Sarah Newman
Yep, totally convinced, ha! Seriously... I WILL get one soon! Thanks!
Amanda Mason
Ha Ha! Glad you are now convinced! Seriously, you will love it!
Megan
I had no idea that the Instant Pot was so versatile! I might need to jump on the bandwagon... 😉
Amanda Mason
SOOOO versatile! It's just been so great to have it! So convenient!!
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes
If only you could find 14 possible places to store it in my teensy kitchen haha! They look so cool though- everyone I know who has an Instapot is obsessed with it!
Amanda Mason
That is the one thing about the Instant Pot that is a downer...It is large and I bought the really big one!! It's so worth it though!! I hope you can find a spot for it!!