19 Easy (Real Food) Instant Pot Recipes for Hesitant Beginners (2024)

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19 easy instant pot recipes for beginners using all real food ingredients. Now you have no more excuse – go forth and become an instant pot expert! I believe in you!

19 Easy (Real Food) Instant Pot Recipes for Hesitant Beginners (1)

It’s the last week of Instant Pot July, and it’s been an awesome month of talking shop about our favourite new tool: the magical Instant Pot. In the months leading up to this, I really fell hard for my IP, and now declare it to be my most valuable small appliance in my kitchen. It’s just so darn convenient!

Since I get asked so frequently, here are the models thatI recommend:

The one I have: Instant Pot Duo80 7-in-1 8qt for families of four or more, especially if you like to batch cook, or even just cook once and eat leftovers for a few days. (My sanity is 100% reliant on tactics such as this.)

The smaller, 6qt version if you have 3 or less people in the household, or if you hate leftovers: Instant Pot Duo60 7-in-1 6qt.

But friends – I’ve had my Instant Pot for seven months now. If there’s one thing I’ve heard over and over again from others in regards to their IP, it’s the fear of getting started! If you’re a newbie who’s hesitant about taking the plunge, welcome to your official hand-holding as you finally dive in.

The Instant Pot can seem intimidating, to be sure. It’s big and scary, and unless you’re already used to a stovetop pressure cooker, using it will mean learning a brand new cooking technique. I know how overwhelming that can feel.

Which is why it’s a darn good thing it’s pretty much idiot-proof.

And I say that with as much love as possible. If *I* could figure it out, anyone can! (Says the creative-minded writer with ZERO natural ability in the concrete/hands-on/kinesthetic/technology world. And yes, a kitchen appliance with buttons counts as technology, ha!)

Whetheryou just got an Instant Pot recently, or you’ve had it sitting there for months staring at you intimidatingly, or even if you’re already on your way to IP expert status, here is a compilation of some of the best basic recipes that are super easy to make in your shiny Instant Pot BFF. (Or soon-to-be BFF, anyway.)

First, a few words of advice fromothers. Go read these articles, and then come back and pick a recipe from the list that sounds good to you.

THEN MAKE IT. Today. Like, now.

I know you can do it – I believe in you. *Insert motivational cat poster, sappy believe-in-yourself pop ballads, and my best cheerleader impression.* (And apologies for that last one. It was obviously unhelpful, and I should have predicted that.)

Best Tips & Tricks Articles:

4 Things I Learned About My Instant Pot in the First 6 Months | Red & Honey

So Your Instant Pot is Still in the Box… How to Get Over the Hump and Finally Cook Something| Traditional Cooking School

Instant Pot Tips and Tricks 101 | Once a Month Meals

10 Basic Instant Pot Techniques | Kitchen Stewardship

Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash | Attainable Sustainable

Instant Pot Cauliflower Rice | Kitchen Stewardship

Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chili | The Humbled Homemaker

Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken| Red & Honey (right here!)

Instant Pot Lemon Pudding Cups | Traditional Cooking School

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup | Dr. Karen S. Lee

Instant Pot Apple-Cranberry Steel Cut Oats | Kitchen Stewardship

Instant Pot Rice Pudding | Traditional Cooking School

Instant Pot Bone Broth Tutorial | Phoenix Helix

Instant Pot Baked Potatoes | Make Real Food

Instant Pot Best Ever Chili| Red & Honey (right here!)

Instant Pot Italian Lentil Dinner | Kitchen Stewardship

19 Easy (Real Food) Instant Pot Recipes for Hesitant Beginners (2)

Instant Pot Potato Salad with Magical Bacon Superpowers| Red & Honey (right here!)

Instant Pot Mac n’ Cheese | Kitchen Stewardship

Instant Pot Applesauce | Don’t Mess With Mama

How to Cook a Frozen Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot | Red & Honey (right here!)

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs | The Prairie Homestead

How to Cook Frozen Ground Beef in the Instant Pot | Kitchen Stewardship

Instant Pot Herb Chicken Lunchmeat| Red & Honey (right here!)

Umami Instant Pot Pot Roast | Pressure Cook Recipes

Instant Pot Yogurt | Kitchen Stewardship

There you have it! 19 super easy Instant Pot recipes for beginners that you can easily add to your repertoire to start feeling like an IP rockstar. After this, you’ll be well on your way to Instant Pot expert.

Now – go forth and fall in love with your Instant Pot. It’ll love you right back and you’ll both live happily ever after.

Related: Quick Healthy Meals Ultimate Guide (101 Tips, Recipes, and Strategies)

Happy cooking!

19 Easy (Real Food) Instant Pot Recipes for Hesitant Beginners (3)

19 Easy (Real Food) Instant Pot Recipes for Hesitant Beginners (2024)

FAQs

What is the best easy use Instant Pot? ›

Yes, You Still Need an Instant Pot—and This Is the Best One
  • My Favorite Instant Pot. Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 6-Quart Pressure Cooker. ...
  • Best for Beginners. Instant Pot RIO 6-quart Multicooker. ...
  • Most Advanced. ...
  • Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5-Quart with Ultimate Lid Multi-Cooker and Air Fryer.
Jun 27, 2024

Which Instant Pot for beginners? ›

Beginner-Friendly: Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1. Fingerprint-Resistant: Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1. Quietest: Instant Pot Duo Plus with Whisper-Quiet Steam Release. Does It All: Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer 11-in-1.

What do you cook for the first time in an Instant Pot? ›

Try making staples like eggs, sweet potatoes, rice, or lentils using just the pressure cooker function. Then move on to a recipe that uses both the sauté and pressure cooker functions, like Kalua pork, or spaghetti with meat sauce (hands down my favorite Instant Pot recipe).

Is there anything you can't cook in an Instant Pot? ›

Among them are dairy and fried foods, as well as burgers and steaks. These foods are not Instant-Pot-friendly for a multitude of reasons. And while Instant Pots are a useful tool when baking cheesecake, custard, or mousse, it's definitely not the best method for other types of desserts.

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.

Which is better, a crockpot or an Instant 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.

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

Instant Pots are more versatile with multiple cooking functions, but traditional pressure cookers are simpler and usually more durable.

What are the disadvantages of an Instant Pot? ›

  • Need more time to come to pressure.
  • Reaches pressure in the 10-11psi range. This is a distinct disadvantage because most published pressure cooker recipes require 15psi.
  • Bulkier, which is an issue if you have limited counter top space.
May 9, 2024

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.

Can I overcook in the Instant Pot? ›

It is a pressure cooker, so it's going to cook everything WAY faster than you are accustomed to. So know, it is very easy to overcook in the pressure cooker. Be sure to try out lower times than you think you need.

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.

Should Instant Pot float up or down? ›

The float valve is designed to be pushed up once there is sufficient pressure inside the cooker.

What ingredients should never go in a pressure cooker? ›

Just like in a slow cooker, most dairy products such as cheese, milk and sour cream will curdle in an Instant Pot, no matter if you use the pressure cooking setting or the slow cooking setting. Add these ingredients after the dish cooks or avoid making the recipe in the Instant Pot altogether.

Why shouldn't potatoes be cooked in a pressure cooker? ›

Potato. Mostly we boil potatoes in a pressure cooker, but like rice, potatoes also contain a lot of starch. This is the reason why boiling or cooking in this pressure cooker is not considered good for health. If you still plan to use cooker for the same, add a lot of water and wash them thoroughly post cooking.

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.

Easy Instant Pot Recipes You Will Love! | Learn ...tasteandsee.comhttps://tasteandsee.com ›

What I love about Cooking With the Instant Pot: · Instant Pots are great for time savings. · Instant Pots are very easy to use. · Instant P...
Best Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners are easy Instant Pot recipe favorites that include pantry staples, soups, pasta and chicken recipes.
I'm not much of a speciality appliance girl. In fact, despite my love for cooking, I actually own very few speciality appliances or kitchen gadgets. This is...

What is the difference between Instant Pot duo and pro? ›

However, there are some differences between them. After comparing both models, we found out that the Duo Crisp model comes with extra features such as an integrated slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer basket, etc. The new features of the Instant Pot Pro Crisp include hotter temperatures and a sleeker look.

Which Instant Pot has the most functions? ›

Instant Pot 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker

This has familiar buttons for pressure cook, rice/grain, steam, sauté, slow cook, yogurt, bake, and even sous vide. It also has a whopping 28 customizable programs for things like chicken and pasta.

What is the most popular Instant Pot size? ›

The 6-quart option is Instant Pot's most popular size, as it does the job for most home cooks. It's versatile and not too big, making it the correct size when cooking for three to five people.

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