Ready to give Instant Pot a try? Start with these simple recipes.
17 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners
Updated on May 11, 2024
1/16
Pressure-Cooker Celebration Brussels Sprouts
Total Time
35 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe hits all the flavor points and makes a fantastic side throughout the year. Plus, you've got to love a dish that requires minimal effort and doesn't take up oven space. You can always omit the bacon if you need a vegetarian option. —Lauren McAnelly, Des Moines, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 204 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 375mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 5g fiber), 6g protein.
Ready for something more advanced? These Instant Pot tricks aren’t in the user’s manual.
2/16
Pressure-Cooker Autumn Apple Chicken
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fill the whole house with the aroma of chicken with apples and barbecue sauce. This is a meal you won’t want to wait to enjoy. —Caitlyn Hauser, Brookline, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken thigh with 1/2 cup apple mixture: 340 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 458mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fruit.
3/16
Pressure-Cooker Lemon Red Potatoes
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Butter, lemon juice, parsley and chives enhance this simple side dish. I usually prepare these potatoes when I'm having company. Since they cook in the pressure cooker, there's plenty of room on the stove for other dishes. —Tara Branham, Austin, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 150 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
4/16
Best Deviled Eggs
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Herbs lend amazing flavor to these deviled eggs, which truly are the best you can make! The recipe includes tasty variations that feature bacon, chipotle peppers and crab.—Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed egg half: 73 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 81mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
Don’t miss our best instant pot recipes of 2021.
5/16
Pressure-Cooker Carrot Cake Oatmeal
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This warm breakfast cereal made in the pressure cooker is a great way to add some veggies in the morning and keep a healthy diet! For extra crunch, I garnish individual servings with ground walnuts or pecans.—Debbie Kain, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 197 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 46mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein.
6/16
Pressure-Cooker Black Bean Chicken Nachos
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my favorite local restaurants, Zeppelins, has the best chicken nachos. Its famous dish inspired me to create my own, with the added convenience of using the pressure cooker. I recommend fresh cilantro because it makes the dish pop with flavor. —Natalie Hess, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (calculated without chips): 280 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 708mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 8g fiber), 27g protein.
7/16
Pressure-Cooker Cherry & Spice Rice Pudding
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I live in Traverse City, which calls itself the cherry capital of the world. What better way to celebrate our wonderful orchards than by using plump, tart dried cherries in my favorite desserts? This pressure-cooked rice pudding recipe always turns out wonderful. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 202 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 64mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
8/16
Pressure-Cooker Truly Tasty Turnip Greens
Total Time
25 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These savory greens are a hit at every church dinner. Adjust the seasonings as you please to make the recipe your own. .—Amy Inman, Hiddenite, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 63 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 903mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
9/16
Pressure-Cooker Mexican Beef Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves this stew, and I'm happy to make it since it's so simple! Serve the dish with cornbread to make the meal even more filling. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 172 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 453mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 lean meat.
10/16
Pressure-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I own and operate a busy farm. There are days when there's just no time left for cooking! It's really nice to be able to come into the house at night and have dinner ready in just a few minutes. —Aggie Arnold-Norman, Liberty, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 207 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 787mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 medium-fat meat.
11/16
Pressure-Cooker Char Siu Pork
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I based this juicy pork on Asian influence in Hawaii. It's tasty as is, in a bun or over rice. Use leftovers with fried rice, ramen and salads. —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 392 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 981mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein.
12/16
Pressure-Cooker Marinated Mushrooms
Total Time
20 min
Servings
5 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a terrific healthy addition to any buffet spread. Mushrooms and pearl onions seasoned with herbs, balsamic and red wine are terrific on their own or alongside a tenderloin roast. —Courtney Wilson, Fresno, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 43 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 138mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
13/16
Pressure-Cooker Winter Fruit Compote
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
You can make this colorful and easy fruit relish up to a week in advance. It's an outstanding accompaniment to turkey, chicken or pork throughout the holiday season. —Esther Chesney , Carthage, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 161 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 32mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein.
14/16
Pressure-Cooker Lentil Pumpkin Soup
Total Time
22 min
Servings
6 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Plenty of herbs and spices brighten up my hearty pumpkin soup. It?s just the thing we need on nippy days and nights. —Laura Magee, Houlton, WI
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 210 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 463mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 starch, 1 lean meat.
15/16
Pressure-Cooker Cranberry Apple Red Cabbage
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was looking for something new, I started playing with flavors and came up with this very tasty dish. My German grandmother would be impressed, I think! The colorful side is just right with pork. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 144 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 296mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein.
16/16
Pressure-Cooker Apple-Cranberry Grains
Total Time
35 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These assorted pressure-cooker grains are perfect together. A hearty breakfast is ready fast in the morning, making this healthy recipe a favorite in my home. —Sherisse Dawe, Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 286 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein.
