20 Must Have Instant Pot Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What's the first thing I should cook in my 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).

✔️ Size: There are three different sizes of Instant Pot: 3-quarts, 6-quarts and 8-quarts. The most popular — and the one favored by our Lab and test kitchen pros — is the 6-quart option.

Benefits of a 3-quart Instant Pot: Last but not least, the 3-quart Instant Pot (a.k.a. the Mini), is a top pick when cooking for one or two people or if you have an especially small kitchen. Every model is available in the 6-quart size, but not all models are available in the 3- and 8-quart sizes.

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.

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.

Yes, cooking in a pressure cooker is healthy as it uses steam to cook food, the insulated and sealed body does not allow the water to evaporate thus preserving the nutrients in the food. Pressure cookers do not require oil to cook making them even healthier.

If you're looking to save counter space or don't want to spend a lot of money on separate appliances, then an Instant Pot could be worth the expense. However, if you're only going to use one or two functions of the Instant Pot, it's worth considering if separate devices would be more cost-effective.

The Instant Pot, for its part, is not dead. Cornell Capital has brought in a restructuring crew, and the brand's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing allows it to continue doing business while it seeks relief from its debts.

The average lifespan of an Instant Pot ranges from 2-5 years, but it can last longer depending on how often it's used and how well-maintained it is. So it's safe to say Instant Pots aren't commonly being replaced, and may even be a one-time purchase.

Is a 6-quart pressure cooker big enough? ›

What size should I get? 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.

If you're sticking to side dishes and meals for up to three people, Instant Pot recommends the 3-quart size. The 6-quart size is the most popular and recommended for feeding up to six people. The 8-quart model is the next most-popular size and is recommended for large families or to meal prep food for the week.