20 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners (2024)

Do you own an Instant Pot? I’m still on the fence about whether or not to get one. As much as I hear my friends raving about them, I’m sure it won’t be long before I break down and give it a try.

I’ve also seen some pretty delicious looking meals people have made with their Instant Pot – from Instant Pot soups and stews, chicken and dumplings, and Philly cheese steaks, to Instant Pot tamales and shrimp scampi – so I decided to ask around and look around for recipes that would be good for an Instant Pot newbie.

I’m going to tuck these away for later because I’m pretty sure there will be an Instant Pot in my future.

If you recently got an Instant Pot or are thinking of getting one,consider some of the recipes below to get your feet wet.

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Spaghetti with Meat Sauce from The Typical Mom
Perfect place to start is with a classic recipe like spaghetti, right? This recipe looks SO EASY as you just cook the meat, throw in everything else, and walk away. Perfect for beginners like me! Definitely saving this one for later.

Mongolian Chicken from Peas and Peonies
Flavorful Mongolian chicken for dinner? Yes PLEASE! Get dinner on the table in under 30 minutes with this recipe. (I love how detailed this recipe is too – great for those just getting started with an instant pot!)

Asian Sesame Chicken from Living Sweet Moments
Sesame chicken is ready to serve in under 5 MINUTES with this recipe! I love quick recipes, especially ones as delicious as this. This would be great for busy nights when you need dinner done fast.

Apple BBQ Ribs from Aileen Cooks
BBQ food is a popular one in our house so I am definitely eyeing this for dinner once I have an instant pot! Super simple with not much prep at all. And RIBS done in under an hour?! Yes please.

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Beef Stroganoff from Bacon is Magic
This recipe looks so mouth-watering! It’s such a classic that our family loves so an easy recipe in the instant pot like this one is definitely on our radar!

Hawaiian Chicken from Pink When
Pineapple and barbecue sauce make for an incredible combo, don’t you think? This recipe is pretty close to a dump recipe as it only includes 3 ingredients. Talk about easy!

BBQ Pork Chops from Must Have Mom
If you’re not a fan of pineapple, this is another delicious recipe to try with me. BBQ pork chops make a perfect dinner idea! Add some potatoes to the dish and you’ll be set!

Chicken and Dumplings from Southern Family Lifestyle
It’s amazing that chicken and dumplings can be made in only 20 minutes. These are made with canned biscuits so the process is very easy to do! Easy dinner that is as filling as chicken and dumplings? Sounds like a perfect evening! Sounds like a great recipe for leftovers too!

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Chicken Enchilada Casserole from Wondermom Wannabe
While this can be made in the slow cooker, it looks so easy in the instant pot! Only 5 minutes of prep and have it ready to serve in 25 minutes. No fancy cooking skills required either, so that’s always a plus!

Goulash from I Don’t Have Time for That!
I love a good goulash recipe as most do so of course I need this recipe for the instant pot! This is a great recipe when you’re constantly being asked for spaghetti too. All you have to do is brown the meat and set everything to cook. Easy!

Lemon Pepper Chicken with Broccoli & Tomatoes from Reuse Grow Enjoy
You can’t go wrong with chicken and veggies! Whip up this recipe with relative ease and get dinner done in record time. It’s even a great recipe for those on whole30 or the paleo diet.

Meatball Subs from Tips from a Typical Mom
2 ingredients makes this pretty easy! Ultimate comfort food, easy to make, and it is done quickly. Perfect for busy nights or even as a fun lunch idea when the whole family is home.

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Macaroni and Cheese from CopyKat Recipes
For those afternoons when you are dreaming of a creamy bowl of mac and cheese – this is perfect. Not to mention how crazy the kids will go for this one! Happy kids and an easy recipe is the best combo.

Salmon with Chili-Lime Sauce from Savory Tooth
If you love a bit more flavor to your dishes, this salmon recipe is heavenly. The flavor is delicious, you can use frozen fish if needed, and it’s done in only 20 minutes!

Honey Sesame Chicken from Thrifty Jinxy
The prep for this recipe is so minimal it makes this the easiest recipe on this list! Mix a few things and let the instant pot do its job. I’m sure this is perfect for those just getting used to the instant pot.

Kalua Pork from Cooking with Curls
Pork that practically falls off the bone is the best. Pack it into a sandwich in the form of an easy recipe and I’m all about it. The flavors of this recipe, the simplicity of it, and the comfort food status makes it the perfect candidate for our house!

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Mexican Rice from Ginger Casa
Start easy with this Mexican rice recipe! Go about your evening cooking the main attraction and your rice will cook on the sidelines. What a great way to learn how to use your instant pot!

Shredded Mexican Chicken from Rebooted Mom
Mexican chicken would pair great with Spanish rice, don’t you think? This would be great in a burrito, in a bowl with some other ingredients, or even in a sandwich. You could really stretch this recipe for a variety of uses.

Buffalo Chicken Tacos from Kalyn’s Kitchen
These sure look like they have some kick but it sure looks flavorful! Perfect for those Taco Tuesdays that you need to mix up a bit. Leftovers of these would be pretty tasty too!

Taco Pie from By Pink
We love tacos but have so many of them that sometimes I need to get creative. This recipe looks not only simple, but so tasty! There’s quite a bit of prep but I don’t mind as long as it’s both easy and worth my time. That certainly seems to be the case here!

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20 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners (2024)

FAQs

What is the best first thing to cook in an 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 foods should not be cooked in an 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.

What is the best easy use Instant Pot? ›

Instant Pot Pro

The Instant Pot Pro is the best Instant Pot you can buy right now. It sets out to replace ten kitchen appliances including a pressure cooker, slow cooker, saute pan, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, and warmer, and has 28 cooking modes for preparing different dishes.

What is the most popular Instant Pot model? ›

In general, the Instant Pot Duo seems to be the most popular, because it offers excellent value — it's the most affordable model but still cooks seven ways and has basic, intuitive controls. The Duo also offers the Duo Crisp model that can also air fry.

Can I put frozen meat in an Instant Pot? ›

It is safe to cook frozen food in a pressure cooker because it uses pressure to move food through the "Danger Zone" quickly. As a result, you don't run into the issues that you would find by cooking frozen food in a slow cooker, where it can stay too long in the Danger Zone and could become unsafe.

Can you put frozen chicken in an Instant Pot? ›

Meat, like chicken or salmon, can go straight from the freezer into the Instant Pot. The reason? A pressure cooker, like the Instant Pot, quickly brings food to a safe temperature. This is different from a slow cooker, which can allow frozen foods to sit at an unsafe temperature for prolonged periods of time.

What should you never put 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.

Why don t chefs use Instant Pot? ›

They are most commonly used in industrial settings to quickly prepare meat or stocks. However, in most scenarios, Elite Chefs avoid using pressure cookers because they provide less control over the final dish. Chefs often prefer slow cooking techniques that accentuate and pull out the flavors of the food.

Which Instant Pot for beginners? ›

Beginner-Friendly: Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1

The Duo Nova is best for: anyone who's extra cautious about cooking with pressure (or kitchen safety in general).

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.

Is an Instant Pot worth having? ›

They are a real space saver — If you have a compact kitchen or cupboards already full of small appliances, the Instant Pot will certainly save you on space. Say goodbye to having a bunch of appliances on your countertop (that you'll probably never use), as the Instant Pot has it all.

What is better than an Instant Pot? ›

Stovetop pressure cookers are still great options, they just take a little more finesse and know-how to use. They can reach higher pressure and temperatures than electric multicookers, like the Instant Pot, making them useful for home canners.

How long do Instant Pots last? ›

If you're using your pressure cooker on a daily basis and investing in regular maintenance, it may last you up to five years. On average, though, most pressure cookers perform well for up to three years. After that, it's time to consider investing in a replacement.

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

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.

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