35 Easy Instant Pot Recipes To Cook in 2025

Reaching for Instant Pot recipes is the weeknight dinner hack you’ve been waiting for. The last thing any of us wants after a long workday is to have to come home and spend hours in the kitchen — but, luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way.

With an Instant Pot, all you have to do is add the ingredient to the pot, and several hours later you’ll have a week’s worth of meals. Sounds great, doesn’t it? 

But as convenient as they can be, you might still be wondering what you can actually make in an Instant Pot. The short answer: almost anything! This versatile appliance can turn out countless delicious meals, and these 35 Instant Pot recipes are just the beginning.
 

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• The 35 Best Instant Pot Recipes
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The 35 Best Instant Pot Recipes

1. Instant Pot Meatballs

This versatile Instant Pot recipe transitions perfectly from meal prep to office party. Whether your spaghetti is missing a little something or you’re looking for potluck ideas, these classic Italian-style Instant Pot meatballs are a quick and crowd-pleasing recipe that doesn’t require intensive prep or fancy ingredients.

All you’ll need to make them is ground beef, Parmesan cheese, egg, breadcrumbs and a variety of spices. The meatballs can then be coated in regular or spicy marinara sauce. There couldn’t be a simpler way to use that extra ground beef. Just assemble the meatballs, throw in the Instant Pot and you’re good to go!

2. Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

You can’t beat hard-boiled eggs for a high-protein snack on the go, so if you’re looking for healthy snack or breakfast food ideas, this Instant Pot recipe is a perfect pick. What’s more, you really only need three things — eggs, ice water and salt — and you’ll have endless options.

Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs can be eaten as-are, chopped up for a cobb salad or turned into deviled eggs, among other uses, and make a great addition to your meal prep plans. This is a winning Instant Pot recipe if your goal is to minimize prep while maximizing potential.

3. Instant Pot French Onion Soup

This warm winter Instant Pot recipe is savory, easy and cheesy. Beef broth, onion and herbs make for a hearty Instant Pot French onion soup. Best of all, you can just leave this tasty soup in the Instant Pot and let simmer to perfection while you’re going about your day. Once ready, simply pop some cheese on slices of bread and grill them, then serve the Instant Pot soup and place the bread on top.

Soups are favorite Instant Pot recipes because many require minimal prep and supervision. They’re also unbelievably versatile and most are super nutritious. This French onion soup recipe is especially great if you’re craving warm, cheesy comfort food but don’t have the time to invest in a labor-intensive meal.

4. Instant Pot Artichokes

You may imagine soups and casseroles when you think of Instant Pot recipes, but this handy appliance can make great side dishes, too. Take this recipe: would you ever have thought of making artichokes in an Instant Pot?

All you’ll need to make perfect Instant Pot artichokes are artichokes, butter and water. This recipe offers a great way to incorporate a new healthy vegetable into your everyday diet and takes only 20 minutes to prepare in an Instant Pot.

In the springtime, when artichokes are coming into season and the warming weather calls for lighter meals, this Instant Pot recipe will add much-needed variety to your dinner rotation.

5. Instant Pot Lasagna Soup 

If you have everything you need to make lasagna except time, we raise you this recipe for Instant Pot lasagna soup. With all the same ingredients, this delicious soup will satisfy your Italian cravings but without all the work of layering and baking a proper lasagna. 

Simply add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot and let it do it's work. This is one of the best Instant Pot recipes if you want an easy dinner or meal prep idea.

6. Instant Pot Chicken Tacos  

One of the best perks of Instant Pot is that you can make recipes in bulk. This recipe for Instant Pot chicken tacos is a crowd-pleasing family-style meal that even the pickiest kids will love. 

Cook shredded chicken in a spicy tomato sauce, and you’ve got yourself a family dinner food idea that couldn’t be simpler to put together. You can also make this Instant Pot recipe solo for a great weekly meal prep. 

To make this Instant Pot recipe, you’ll need only chicken breast, tomato sauce, seasoning and taco additions like tortillas, cheese and avocado.

7. Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup 

The most time-consuming thing about preparing this creamy autumn soup is frying sage leaves to garnish it. That should tell you how simple this recipe for Instant Pot butternut squash soup is to prepare. Moreover, this is an especially great Instant Pot recipe to reach for in the fall if you’re trying to cook more foods in season.

To prepare, you’ll simply simmer the seasoning and broth, then blend with the butternut squash. It couldn’t be less complicated, and you’ll have a stash of comforting, cheap and healthy meals to enjoy. 

8. Instant Pot Pork Roast

Sometimes, all it takes to have a delicious roast on your table is a good spice rub and a few hours in the Instant Pot. This Instant Pot recipe will give you a tender, moist pork roast that you won’t have to babysit for hours.

To make Instant Pot pork roast, you’ll need a pork shoulder roast, spice rub, vegetables, broth and various other ingredients to taste. While this one takes a few more ingredients than some of the other options on this list, it pays off with a tender and versatile source of protein that you’ll be glad to have leftovers of. 

9. Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup 

You don’t need to make a trip to Panera Bread to enjoy a warm bowl of Instant Pot broccoli cheddar soup when this recipe is so easy. All you’ll need to do is steam vegetables in the Instant Pot, purée them with an immersion blender and mix in the cheese. Could it be any easier to end up with a week’s worth of comforting meals? Highly unlikely. 

10. Instant Pot Collard Greens 

The secret to Instant Pot collard greens is cooking the vegetables with turkey for a meaty, aromatic flavor. And while an Instant Pot might not be mentioned in your Southern grandma’s collard greens recipe, this Instant Pot recipe is actually a great way to enjoy the classic side dish without much hassle.

Simply toss your vegetables into an Instant Pot with vinegar, chicken stock and a turkey wing, and you’re good to go. 

11. Instant Pot Salmon 

Salmon is beloved among meal preppers for its nutritional profile and make-ahead potential, but did you know you can make this superfood in an Instant Pot? This recipe for Instant Pot salmon produces perfectly buttery, flavorful salmon every time. What’s more, most of the ingredients will already be in your kitchen.

To prepare this Instant Pot recipe, simply rub salmon with a mix of herbs, spices and butter before cooking in a foil packet over green beans (or asparagus when in season). You’ll have a complete meal with killer nutrition stats in only 10 minutes.

12. Instant Pot Carrots

This might just be the simplest side dish you could make. With nothing but carrots, butter, maple syrup and some seasoning, you have yourself an Instant Pot recipe that makes the perfect vegetable side for any special occasion meal or even weeknight dinner.

To make Instant Pot roasted carrots, you’ll need to peel and slice carrots, then toss them in a mixture of butter and seasonings to taste. Finally, cook the seasoned carrots in a foil packet. In only a few minutes, you’ll have perfect roasted carrots without the hassle of watching the oven. 

13. Instant Pot White Chicken Chili 

Chili is perhaps the quintessential Instant Pot recipe. If you’ve ever been to a Super Bowl party, you’ve probably seen at least four Instant Pots of the stuff belonging to people who had the exact same idea about what to bring! 

That said, the tomato-based beef chili you’re picturing isn’t the only Instant Pot recipe for chili, and this variation is a great reminder of how varied this staple can be. 

Instant Pot white chicken chili doesn’t use a tomato base, instead, it uses chicken broth, white beans and green chiles. It also uses shredded chicken in place of beef for a much lighter dish.

Don’t let yourself think you’re sick of chili until you’ve tried this variation that switches up the flavor profile while keeping the appeal of an easy, hearty Instant Pot recipe. 

14. Instant Pot Jambalaya

Cajun spice up your life with this Instant Pot recipe for a flavorful, crowd-pleasing Instant Pot jambalaya. It’s surprisingly easy to make this New Orleans classic, featuring rice, sausage, chicken, shrimp and vegetables, in an Instant Pot.

The result? A spicy, filling Instant Pot recipe that reheats well. Neither a soup or a casserole, jambalaya is a great choice for the winter months when a little heat is the thing you need most. 

15. Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup 

Chicken tortilla soup is a meal-prep star: it’s full of protein and fiber, can be as spicy or as mild as you like and lasts a while in the fridge. It also has a wonderfully vibrant flavor that won’t leave you feeling like eating healthfully is a chore.

This Instant Pot recipe takes most of the hard work out of preparing it, so keep this one in your back pocket for your meal prep needs. To make Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup, you’ll need chicken, broth, black beans and various spices, plus onions, garlic and green chiles.

Finally, you’ll need some tortillas when it comes time to serve. Additional toppings like cheese, avocado and sour cream are highly recommended for the full chicken tortilla soup experience. 

16. Instant Pot Beets 

Beets might not be on your normal meal-prep radar, but why not branch out into new culinary realms with this recipe for easy Instant Pot beets? All you’ll need to do is clean and cook the beets; after they’re finished in the Instant Pot, they’ll be easy to peel and slice. Then, you can incorporate them into a salad or eat them alone as a side dish.

Though you might not be sure where to start, beets are an unsung root vegetable that takes very little effort to prepare and serve. So, let this easy Instant Pot recipe motivate you to try them.

17. Instant Pot Baked Potatoes

There are few culinary blank canvases more delightful than the baked potato: you really can do just about anything with it. So if you want to prepare food for the week ahead but you’re not sure what you’ll be craving, consider making Instant Pot baked potatoes. 

It couldn’t be simpler and baked potatoes make both a great workday lunch food idea and can be used in a huge variety of ways depending on how you’re feeling throughout the week. It’s also an incredibly simple Instant Pot recipe.

Baked potatoes require nothing more than water, potatoes and salt to make. Once cooked and covered with a light brushing of oil, they go in the oven for around 10 minutes and you have potatoes that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. All you have left to do is decide what toppings you’d like. 

18. Instant Pot Short Ribs 

It doesn’t have to take all day to have a nice rack of ribs. This Instant Pot recipe for Instant Pot short ribs is deceptively simple: you’ll just need to apply a spice rub and rotate occasionally so they get a nice golden sear all the way around. 

Rather than the typical American barbecue ribs, this Instant Pot recipe makes an Italian-style version. This makes these ribs a perfect topping for pasta or gnocchi, both of which are also easy and quick to prepare. 

19. Instant Pot Bone Broth 

Not only is soup a great Instant Pot choice, but you can make every part of it in the Instant Pot — even broth. Collagen-rich Instant Pot bone broth is healthy and savory enough to eat on its own, but it also makes a perfect base for many of the soup-adjacent Instant Pot recipes on this list. 

To prepare bone broth in your Instant Pot, you’ll need beef bones, onions, carrots, celery and various herbs and spices. Then, it’s as simple as throwing it all into an Instant Pot with water and leaving the ingredients to simmer.

The result? A soup base, a broth for stews like keto beef stew, a healthy hot beverage or anything else you’d like this versatile kitchen staple to be. 

20. Instant Pot Baked Beans  

You could buy a can of baked beans at the supermarket. You do always have the option of heating up the pre-made stuff and calling it a day. But when you could have delicious baked beans made at home in far less time than you’d expect, why would you buy them at the store? 

Easy Instant Pot baked beans deliver flavor and freshness that the canned kind just can’t match, and you really don’t have to work as hard for it as you’d think. Your ingredients are simple: beans, broth, bacon and onion, plus barbecue sauce, ketchup and brown sugar. 

Your procedure is even simpler: just chop the onion and bacon and then throw all the ingredients in. You can also easily make it meat-free by leaving out the bacon and using vegetable stock over a meat broth. After a few hours, you’ll have the best-baked beans of your life. There’s an Instant Pot recipe for everything, so why go canned? 

21. Instant Pot Potato Soup

Soup is a wonderfully versatile food: it can be light, healthy and packed with nutrients, but it’s equally great as a comfort food. This Instant Pot recipe for creamy, cheesy Instant Pot potato soup falls into the latter category — it’s a hearty, comforting soup that will warm you to the bone. 

The simple ingredients of this Instant Pot recipe are mostly no different than the ones you’d want to have on hand if you were eating a whole baked potato, with the exception of a few spices and a hearty broth.

Including potatoes, onions, bacon, cheese and sour cream, there’s nothing fancy or hard to find on the ingredients list. It’s also easy to make vegetarian by simply leaving out the bacon and using a vegetable-based broth. 

22. Instant Pot BBQ Chicken  

If you crave the smoky flavor of barbecue but grilling isn’t an option, why not try Instant Pot BBQ Chicken? This beautifully simple Instant Pot recipe requires only barbecue sauce, chicken drumsticks and seasoning, and you’ll hardly have to lift a finger once it’s in the Instant Pot. 

For an even more authentic barbecue flavor, try using liquid smoke. While it’s not strictly necessary, it really elevates the flavor of this Instant Pot recipe, giving it a smoky kick that’ll make you believe you spent hours at the grill without any of the effort.

23. Instant Pot Rice Pudding

You probably don’t associate Instant Pot recipes with dessert, but one of the quintessential Instant Pot recipes is this sweet treat. Rice pudding is super easy to make in an Instant Pot, so if you’re craving sweets but don’t have time to start a baking project that could last hours, Instant Pot rice pudding is here for you. 

You’ll need arborio rice, raisins, vanilla and cinnamon along with eggs, butter and sugar to make this Instant Pot recipe. It only takes about 35 minutes to make and is best when served with raisins and pecans, though the toppings are up to you. 

24. Instant Pot Minestrone Soup  

This beloved pasta-and-vegetable soup is always a good idea, especially when you have an Instant Pot recipe that makes it incredibly simple to prepare. Chopping veggies and setting a timer are about as complicated as this Instant Pot recipe gets, and you’ll only need simple ingredients. 

Pastina (a small type of pasta that comes in various shapes), celery, tomato, carrots and zucchini are the traditional base, though you can throw in any vegetables you like. Simply let simmer and enjoy a stress-free bowl of delicious minestrone soup. 

27. Instant Pot “Baked” Ziti 

Okay, we know: it’s not really baked if it wasn’t made in an oven. Nevertheless, this Instant Pot recipe makes a pretty convincing copycat. In only about a half-hour, and with nothing more than tomatoes, seasoning, ziti (or any tube-shaped pasta) and cheese, you’ll have what looks like a painstakingly handmade pasta casserole that took almost no time to prepare. 

This is a great Instant Pot recipe for weeknight dinners when you’ve got to please the crowd but don’t have much time to do it. It’s also highly customizable, for example, you can easily make a five-cheese ziti al forno (without the “forno”) in your Instant Pot. 

26. Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Just by simmering chicken with tomatoes, herbs, chicken stock, garlic and vegetables, you can have an Italian classic with flavors that explode in your mouth in no time.

This Instant Pot recipe seems complicated, but all you really have to do is pressure-cook the chicken in a bath of fragrant herbs and vegetables to get a meal that tastes way more time-consuming than it really is.

27. Instant Pot Mac and Cheese  

In a way, it only makes sense that Instant Pot recipes for mac and cheese would abound: it’s a simple and unfussy dish that’s almost always prepared in huge quantities, so why wouldn’t there be a mac and cheese kitchen hack involving an Instant Pot? 

You’ll find countless Instant Pot recipes out there, no matter what kind of mac and cheese you’re thinking of, including those with different flavors and types of mini pasta like conchigliette.  

From Gouda mac and cheese to pumpkin mac and cheese or any other favorite recipe — almost every variation works in an Instant Pot. So if you’re looking for an Instant Pot recipe to feed and please a crowd, this all-time favorite is always a good bet. 

28. Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

If you’re not very familiar with Filipino food, make this Instant Pot recipe your introduction. Not only is chicken adobo tangy, savory and flavorful, but it can easily be made in less time than you’d think thanks to this Instant Pot recipe. 

You’ll simply need chicken, garlic, onion, soy sauce and vinegar, plus bay leaves and seasoning, and the whole cooking process takes less than 40 minutes. What easier way could there be to sample a new cuisine or revisit a beloved favorite? 

29. Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo

There’s nothing much to this Instant Pot recipe, except a delicious end result. Just take the building blocks of a traditional fettuccine Alfredo (or opt for a plant-based or keto Alfredo sauce), drop them in an Instant Pot and start it up. In around half an hour, you’ll have a classic comfort food. 

Whether you’re stressed, busy or a little sad, comfort-food occasions often mean that you want something that doesn’t take too much energy to prepare; Instant Pot fettuccine Alfredo perfectly fits the bill. 

30. Instant Pot Hummus 

Hummus? Yes, you read that right! This might be one of the unlikeliest Instant Pot recipes out there but if you’re looking for an easy way to save on snacking or are after quick brunch food ideas for your next gathering, you can make hummus in an Instant Pot for an impressive appetizer that really didn’t take all that much effort. 

Use the Instant Pot to prepare the garbanzo beans, then blend with oil, tahini and salt, plus any other flavorings or spices you may want. No one will believe you when you let it slip that you used an Instant Pot recipe — feel free to spend a moment basking in your cleverness for thinking of it. 

31. Instant Pot Oatmeal 

Even breakfast can be outsourced to the Instant Pot. In this Instant Pot recipe, 20 minutes will turn oats and water into perfect oatmeal that you can top any way you’d like. You can also add extra ingredients if desired, such as adding pumpkin purée and a few spices to make pumpkin oatmeal. 

It’s hard to imagine an easier breakfast — this Instant Pot recipe requires very little more effort than pouring a bowl of cereal. It’s a perfect, stress-free way to start your day. 

32. Instant Pot Kalua Pork 

Even the ultimate slow-roasted meal is doable with an Instant Pot recipe. No roasting a pig on a spit here! With nothing more than pork, salt, bacon, water and cabbage, you can have delicious Kalua pork within only two hours. Try this Instant Pot recipe for a potluck or when you’re craving that slow-cooked flavor without the commitment.  

33. Instant Pot Butter Chicken  

Developing a takeout habit can get pretty expensive, so instead of ordering Indian food from your favorite restaurant, recreate a classic dish with this Instant Pot recipe.

Use your Instant Pot to pressure-cook chicken in a creamy, spicy tomato-based sauce, and you have a pretty great copycat version of the takeout kind. This Instant Pot recipe is easy to double and makes a great option for weekly meal prep, too — just portion it into meal prep containers with rice and you’re good to go. 

34. Instant Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches  

Provolone, peppers and Instant Pot beef combine to create a dippable sub sandwich that’ll no doubt enter your regular Instant Pot recipe rotation as soon as you bite into it. 

Simply season beef and combine with broth in the Instant Pot, and you’re well on your way to having this Instant Pot recipe ready to serve on a hero roll. It’s as close to a New York Italian joint as any Instant Pot recipe will get you.

35. Instant Pot Pork Carnitas 

You might think making carnitas is the territory of taquerias and people who have time to painstakingly slow-roast meat, but there’s an Instant Pot recipe to prove you wrong. Seasoned pork butt roasts for about an hour in the Instant Pot and comes out perfectly soft and tender.

The cooked meat makes an ideal addition to nachos, sandwiches, tacos and more. The best Instant Pot recipes make some of the most time-consuming and labor-intensive foods accessible, and this Instant Pot recipe is the poster child. 

Learn To Cook Quick and Easy Meals

Having Instant Pot recipes under your belt can definitely boost your culinary confidence. But with online cooking classes, it’s easy to take those newfound skills even further without leaving your home.

If you’d rather learn with a chef in person, you can also find cooking classes near you that specialize in quick, easy and tasty recipes. Whichever option you go for, an expert chef will take you step-by-step through new recipes while offering a few tips and tricks along the way.

An Instant Pot is a powerful tool to have in your kitchen repertoire, and that’s because many of the dishes you love but don’t have time to make are actually easy to replicate once you have an Instant Pot recipe in hand. 

The best Instant Pot recipes will help you to prepare almost any dish you love with a fraction of the work. So while these 35 Instant Pot recipes are a great start, don’t stop there — it’s always worth checking out whether someone has come up with an Instant Pot recipe for your favorite dish.

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.