Is that shiny Instant Pot still in the box? Lots of people feel nervous about using pressure cookers, but they’re easier than you think. This list holds 35 simple recipes that are perfect if you’re just starting out. You can make every single one of these recipes without feeling nervous about messing up. Get ready to cook like a pro!
Chicken Tikka Masala. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Warm up a classic chicken noodle soup that’s ready without extra effort. The Instant Pot cooks the noodles just right while keeping the chicken tender and juicy, so every bite is satisfying. This is one of those easy Instant Pot recipes for beginners that makes a comforting meal fast and simple.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Brighten dinner with juicy chicken infused with garlic and a fresh squeeze of lemon for flavor. The Instant Pot locks in moisture and helps the seasonings soak in evenly, making it both fast and flavorful. This is a perfect Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a simple meal that tastes like it took hours to make.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken
Pulled Pork
Make pork that’s tender and easy to shred without spending hours in the kitchen. The Instant Pot cooks it quickly while locking in all the rich flavors, so the meat is juicy every time. This is a foolproof Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want versatile pork for tacos, sliders, or bowls with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Combine a few ingredients and get a soup that tastes like it simmered all day without standing over the stove. The Instant Pot cooks the chicken, beans, and spices quickly while keeping every flavor in place. This is a reliable Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a hearty, full meal that comes together easily.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken Tikka Masala
Make creamy, flavorful chicken with bold spices without needing a long list of steps. The Instant Pot blends the sauce perfectly while keeping the chicken tender and juicy, so it’s ready fast. This is a delicious Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want restaurant-style flavor without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala
Mashed Potatoes
Get smooth, fluffy mashed potatoes without boiling water or using multiple pots. The Instant Pot cooks the potatoes evenly and makes them easy to mash into creamy perfection every time. This is one of those simple Instant Pot recipes for beginners that takes a classic side to the next level with very little effort.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Chicken Curry
Make a warm, flavorful chicken curry that’s ready faster than expected. The Instant Pot blends the spices while cooking the chicken perfectly, keeping it juicy and full of flavor. This is a tasty Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a spiced meal without complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Chicken Paprikash
Add smoky, peppery flavor to chicken while keeping the recipe simple and hands-off. The Instant Pot cooks the meat quickly and thickens the sauce to a rich consistency with minimal effort. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a unique dinner that’s simple to pull off.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash
Chicken Stock
Turn leftover bones and veggies into a rich, flavorful stock without hours on the stove. The Instant Pot pulls all the flavor out quickly while keeping the process low-effort and straightforward. This is a smart Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want to make something useful that can enhance many future meals.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stock
French Onion Soup
Make rich, deeply flavored French onion soup without needing to stir constantly over the stove. The Instant Pot caramelizes the onions and blends the broth into a smooth, savory base in a fraction of the time. This is a bold Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something impressive but simple to make.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup
Lentil Soup
Start dinner with a thick and hearty lentil soup that’s full of flavor without extra work. The Instant Pot cooks the lentils quickly and blends the spices evenly, so every spoonful is rich and filling. This is a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a healthy, satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Soup
Baked Potato Soup
Make a creamy potato soup that’s loaded with soft potatoes and flavor without juggling multiple pots. The Instant Pot softens the potatoes and mixes everything into a smooth, rich soup in no time. This is one of the easiest Instant Pot recipes for beginners who want comfort food that’s simple and fast to make.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato Soup
Cinnamon Apples
Turn apples into a warm, sweet treat with cinnamon and minimal effort. The Instant Pot softens the fruit evenly and brings out its natural sweetness quickly. This is a beginner-friendly Instant Pot recipe for anyone who wants a fast, homemade dessert without extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Beer Cheese Soup
Serve up a creamy cheese soup with a subtle beer flavor that’s smooth and rich. The Instant Pot melts the cheese evenly and combines all the flavors without standing over the stove. This is a solid Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a bold, comforting dish without complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup
Potato Corn Chowder
Spoon up a chowder that’s thick, creamy, and packed with tender potatoes and sweet corn. The Instant Pot mixes and cooks everything perfectly, so the flavors come together fast. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a cozy, satisfying meal without any fuss.
Get the Recipe: Potato Corn Chowder
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Make creamy risotto without constant stirring or guessing when it’s done. The Instant Pot cooks the rice perfectly while the peas and lemon add a fresh, bright flavor to the dish. This is a clever Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a dish that feels special but is simple to pull off.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Tomato Basil Bisque
Blend together a smooth, creamy tomato bisque full of fresh tomato flavor without babysitting the stove. The Instant Pot cooks everything evenly and brings the soup together quickly. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a homemade meal that’s simple, fast, and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Carnitas
Make pork that’s tender, juicy, and packed with flavor without spending hours cooking. The Instant Pot cooks the meat fast while keeping it easy to shred for tacos, bowls, or sandwiches. This is a smart Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want the taste of slow-cooked pork with hardly any effort.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Get cheesy broccoli soup that’s creamy, smooth, and full of vegetables in every spoonful. The Instant Pot softens the broccoli and melts the cheese together perfectly without extra stirring. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a comforting, no-stress meal that’s hard to mess up.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Chicken and Rice Soup
Keep dinner simple with a comforting chicken and rice soup that’s ready fast. The Instant Pot cooks the chicken and rice together without making anything mushy, so every bite is just right. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a homemade-feeling meal without a lot of work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Make juicy BBQ chicken without firing up the grill or spending hours watching it cook. The Instant Pot keeps the chicken tender while soaking it in sauce, so it’s ready to pile into sandwiches, bowls, or wraps. This is a foolproof Instant Pot meal for beginners who want that rich, slow-cooked flavor in a fraction of the time.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Chickpea Tomato Soup
Make a hearty, filling soup with chickpeas and tomatoes that tastes like it simmered all day. The Instant Pot blends everything perfectly and cooks it fast without extra steps. This is a beginner-friendly Instant Pot dish for anyone who wants a satisfying meatless meal without fuss.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Tomato Soup
Honey Bourbon Chicken
Add a sweet and savory touch to chicken without extra work or long cooking times. The Instant Pot thickens the sticky sauce while keeping the meat juicy and tender. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something flavorful that feels special but is simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Honey Bourbon Chicken
Tomato Lime Chicken
Give chicken a bright, tangy flavor with tomato and lime without spending hours in the kitchen. The Instant Pot cooks the meat evenly while blending the sauce quickly for maximum flavor. This is a versatile Instant Pot meal for beginners who want a fresh-tasting dinner without complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Tomato Soup
Pour yourself a bowl of smooth, creamy tomato soup that’s quick and easy to make. The Instant Pot cooks the tomatoes evenly and blends the flavors without extra pots or stirring. This is a simple Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a classic dish ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup
Meatballs and Sauce
Roll up tender meatballs and let the sauce cook them perfectly without multiple pans. The Instant Pot keeps everything together, so the flavors mix while saving time and cleanup. This is a beginner-friendly Instant Pot recipe that makes a hearty, flavorful dinner fast.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Applesauce
Turn fresh apples into warm, naturally sweet applesauce without peeling, stirring, or waiting long. The Instant Pot softens the apples quickly and enhances the flavor with minimal effort. This is a smart Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a simple homemade treat in no time.
Get the Recipe: Applesauce
Instant Pot Steak Burrito Bowls
Make a full, satisfying burrito bowl in one pot without extra pans or steps. The Instant Pot cooks the steak and rice evenly while keeping all the flavors balanced. This is an easy Instant Pot meal for beginners who want a complete, flavorful dinner with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Steak Burrito Bowls
Char Siu
Skip the long prep and get tender, flavorful char siu pork with almost no effort. The Instant Pot cooks the meat fast, and it can finish under the broiler or air fryer for a perfect glaze. This is a smart Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want restaurant-style pork without a long process.
Get the Recipe: Char Siu
Beef Stew
Spoon up a hearty beef stew that tastes like it simmered all day but cooks in a fraction of the time. The Instant Pot makes the meat soft and brings the broth together into a rich, savory mix with little hands-on work. This is a reliable Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a warm, satisfying meal without stress.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stew
Instant Pot Cajun Rice and Sausage
Make a bold one-pot meal with smoky sausage and seasoned rice without extra pans. The Instant Pot brings all the flavors together quickly and keeps the sausage juicy in every bite. This is a satisfying Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a filling, flavorful dinner that comes together fast.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cajun Rice and Sausage
Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
Cook juicy chicken and seasoned rice together in one pot without fuss. The Instant Pot blends all the spices and keeps the meat tender while the rice cooks perfectly. This is a clever Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a tasty, complete meal that’s simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
No-Base Instant Pot Lemon Cheesecake
Make a smooth, creamy cheesecake with a bright lemon flavor without needing a crust or oven. The Instant Pot cooks it evenly while keeping the texture silky and light. This is a beginner-friendly Instant Pot dessert that feels special but is easy to put together.
Get the Recipe: No-Base Instant Pot Lemon Cheesecake
Chicken Shawarma
Pack your plate with chicken that’s juicy and full of warm, savory spices without complicated steps. The Instant Pot does all the cooking while keeping the meat tender for wraps, bowls, or rice dishes. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want bold flavor without long prep.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Shawarma
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
Cook a sweet and savory Filipino chicken dish without marinating or extra tools. The Instant Pot brings out the flavor and keeps the chicken moist and tender in less time. This is a simple Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something new but easy to handle.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo