If you’re new to cooking with an Instant Pot, getting started can seem tricky. But with these 23 easy beginner-friendly recipes, you’ll be making meals in no time. Each recipe is simple to follow, saving you time and effort while still delivering great flavors. Whether you’re looking for something quick or want to try new ideas, these dishes are perfect for anyone just starting out.
Lemon Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken tortilla soup is quick and simple to make in the Instant Pot, blending chicken, beans, and spices into a flavorful, hearty dish. The pressure cooker makes it easy to get a filling meal without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s a great option for a comforting soup that comes together in no time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Tomato Lime Chicken
Tomato lime chicken is fresh and flavorful, thanks to the Instant Pot’s ability to bring out the best in the tomatoes and lime. The pressure cooker locks in moisture, keeping the chicken juicy while infusing it with a burst of flavor. It’s a light yet satisfying dish that’s ready fast.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Pulled Pork
Pulled pork becomes quick and simple when made in the Instant Pot, turning a slow-cooked classic into a fast and easy meal. The pressure cooker makes the meat tender and easy to shred, saving both time and effort. It’s a perfect meal for a no-fuss dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Chicken Paprikash
Chicken Paprikash comes together quickly in the Instant Pot, with paprika adding a rich smoky flavor to the dish. The pressure cooker ensures the chicken stays tender while creating a savory, comforting sauce. This hearty meal is ideal for a busy weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Shredded BBQ chicken is made quick and easy in the Instant Pot, locking in the BBQ flavor and tenderizing the chicken to perfection. The pressure cooker helps break down the chicken, making it simple to shred for tacos, sandwiches, or a filling meal. It’s an effortless way to enjoy a flavorful dish.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Lemon garlic chicken is full of bright, fresh flavors, made even easier in the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker keeps the chicken juicy while infusing it with zesty lemon and savory garlic. It’s a simple dish that tastes like it took much more effort to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are smooth and creamy in the Instant Pot, turning this classic side dish into a quick and easy favorite. The pressure cooker takes the guesswork out of cooking potatoes, delivering perfectly fluffy mashed potatoes every time. It’s an ideal way to make mashed potatoes without the usual hassle.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Tomato Basil Bisque
Tomato basil bisque is creamy and comforting, made easily in the Instant Pot with just a few ingredients. The pressure cooker helps blend the flavors of tomato and basil, creating a smooth, rich soup in no time. It’s a simple yet delicious dish that comes together quickly.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Instant Pot Chicken Stock
Making homemade chicken stock is simple with the Instant Pot, cutting down the cooking time dramatically. The pressure cooker extracts deep flavors from the chicken bones, creating a rich and flavorful broth. It’s a great way to make stock in a fraction of the time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stock
Cinnamon Apples
Cinnamon apples are a quick and sweet treat made in the Instant Pot, perfect for dessert or a breakfast topping. The pressure cooker softens the apples and adds a warm cinnamon flavor with little effort. It’s a satisfying dish that’s ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
French Onion Soup
French onion soup, usually slow-cooked for hours, comes together in a fraction of the time thanks to the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker caramelizes the onions and blends them with broth, creating a deep, savory flavor. It’s a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic, comforting dish.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup
Tomato Soup
Tomato soup is smooth and creamy, made easy in the Instant Pot with just a few ingredients. The pressure cooker helps blend the tomatoes and spices, creating a flavorful soup in no time. It’s a simple dish that’s perfect for a no-fuss, homemade meal.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup
Chicken Curry
Chicken curry, full of bold spices, is made quick and easy with the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker keeps the chicken tender while blending the spices into a rich, flavorful sauce. It’s a comforting dish that comes together in no time with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Chicken and Rice Soup
Chicken and rice soup is a hearty meal that’s ready fast in the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker cooks the chicken and rice together, blending the flavors into a comforting, filling dish. It’s an easy way to enjoy a wholesome soup without hours of cooking.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup
Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Creamy chickpea tomato soup is made simply in the Instant Pot, blending tomatoes and chickpeas into a rich, satisfying dish. The pressure cooker creates a creamy, flavorful soup with minimal work. It’s a great option for a quick, hearty meal when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken tikka masala is a flavorful dish made easily with the Instant Pot, keeping the chicken tender and the sauce creamy. The pressure cooker helps blend the spices quickly, making this dish simpler than it seems. It’s a fast way to enjoy the bold flavors of this classic meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli cheddar soup is creamy, cheesy, and made effortlessly in the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker melts the cheese and cooks the broccoli in just minutes, creating a comforting dish. It’s a simple recipe that takes almost no time but delivers a big flavor.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Potato Corn Chowder
Potato corn chowder is creamy and comforting, made easy in the Instant Pot with minimal prep. The pressure cooker blends the flavors of potatoes and corn into a rich, satisfying soup. It’s a quick meal that feels hearty and filling without a lot of work.
Get the Recipe: Potato Corn Chowder
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Risotto with peas and lemon is creamy and smooth, made quick and easy in the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker cooks the rice perfectly, creating a silky texture without constant stirring. It’s a simple way to make a dish that usually requires a lot of attention.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Carnitas
Carnitas are made tender and flavorful in the Instant Pot, cutting down on the usual slow-cooking time. The pressure cooker creates juicy, flavorful meat that’s perfect for tacos, burritos, or just as a main dish. It’s a quick and easy way to make a traditionally slow-cooked meal.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Beer Cheese Soup
Beer cheese soup is rich and creamy, made effortlessly in the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker melts the cheese and blends it with beer and spices to create a comforting dish. It’s an easy way to make a hearty, flavorful soup with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup
Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup
Instant Pot baked potato soup is creamy and hearty, made even easier with the pressure cooker. The Instant Pot combines potatoes, bacon, and cheese into a rich, filling soup in no time. It’s a perfect meal when you want something comforting without all the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Lentil soup is healthy and satisfying, made quick and simple with the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker softens the lentils and blends them with spices, creating a flavorful dish. It’s a great option for a hearty, flavorful meal that doesn’t take long to make.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup