Are you ready to stop cooking hard meals every night? If you just got an Instant Pot, or maybe yours is still in the box, this list is for you. We gathered 27 of the easiest recipes you can make in the pressure cooker, including quick main courses, a tasty side dish, and even a simple dessert. These simple dishes are great for anyone new to the kitchen, and they turn out so good that you might want to double the batch because they really do disappear fast.
Shredded BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Tomato Lime Chicken
Give chicken a bright, tangy flavor with tomato and lime without spending too much time in the kitchen. The Instant Pot cooks the meat evenly while blending the sauce quickly, so every bite is juicy and flavorful. This is an easy-to-follow Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a fresh, tasty dinner without complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Chicken Tikka Masala
Make creamy, spiced chicken with bold flavor without dealing with a long recipe. The Instant Pot keeps the chicken tender while blending the sauce perfectly in minutes. This is a delicious Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want restaurant-style flavor that’s simple to pull off.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala
Pulled Pork
Turn pork into tender, shreddable meat without hours of cooking or extra equipment. The Instant Pot locks in all the flavor while cooking the pork quickly, so it’s juicy every time. This is a foolproof Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want versatile meat for tacos, sliders, or bowls.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Chicken Noodle Soup
Keep dinner comforting with classic chicken noodle soup that’s ready without extra effort. The Instant Pot cooks the noodles and chicken just right while keeping the broth flavorful and satisfying. This is a simple Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a familiar meal fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Make juicy BBQ chicken without firing up the grill or watching it for hours. The Instant Pot keeps the meat tender while soaking it in sauce so it’s ready for sandwiches, bowls, or wraps. This is a beginner-friendly Instant Pot recipe that delivers rich, slow-cooked flavor with minimal work.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Meatballs and Sauce
Roll tender meatballs and let them cook in a flavorful sauce without juggling multiple pans. The Instant Pot combines everything evenly while saving time and cleanup. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a hearty, filling meal that comes together quickly.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Tomato Soup
Pour a bowl of smooth, creamy tomato soup without extra pots or long cooking times. The Instant Pot blends the tomatoes evenly and brings the flavors together in minutes. This is a simple Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a classic soup ready fast.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup
Beer Cheese Soup
Make creamy, cheesy soup with a subtle beer flavor without standing over the stove. The Instant Pot melts the cheese and blends all the flavors evenly for smooth, rich results. This is a solid Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a comforting, easy-to-make meal.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup
French Onion Soup
Cook rich, flavorful French onion soup without constant stirring or long simmering. The Instant Pot caramelizes the onions and blends the broth into a deep, smooth flavor in a fraction of the time. This is a bold Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want an impressive but simple dish.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup
Chicken Curry
Prepare a warm, flavorful chicken curry without spending hours in the kitchen. The Instant Pot blends spices and cooks the chicken perfectly, keeping it tender and juicy. This is a tasty Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a quick meal packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Honey Bourbon Chicken
Add sweet and savory flavor to chicken without extra steps or long cooking times. The Instant Pot thickens the sticky sauce while keeping the meat juicy and tender, so every bite is balanced and flavorful. This is a quick and easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a special-tasting meal that’s simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Honey Bourbon Chicken
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Make cheesy broccoli soup that’s smooth, creamy, and full of vegetables without any extra fuss. The Instant Pot softens the broccoli and melts the cheese perfectly while cooking everything evenly. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a warm, comforting meal that comes together fast.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Mashed Potatoes
Get smooth, fluffy mashed potatoes without boiling water or using multiple pots. The Instant Pot cooks the potatoes evenly and makes mashing simple and consistent every time. This is a classic Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a reliable side that’s quick and easy.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Baked Potato Soup
Make creamy potato soup loaded with tender potatoes and flavor without juggling several pots. The Instant Pot softens the potatoes and blends the ingredients evenly for a thick, satisfying texture. This is one of the easiest Instant Pot recipes for beginners who want comforting, homemade soup fast.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Combine simple ingredients into a hearty soup that tastes like it simmered all day. The Instant Pot cooks the chicken, beans, and spices quickly while keeping the flavors balanced and rich. This is a reliable Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a filling meal that comes together without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Tomato Basil Bisque
Create a creamy tomato bisque packed with fresh flavor without extra hands-on time. The Instant Pot cooks everything evenly and blends the ingredients into a smooth, rich soup quickly. This is a simple Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want homemade flavor without a lot of work.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Make creamy risotto without constant stirring or worrying about texture. The Instant Pot cooks the rice perfectly while keeping the peas tender and the lemon bright, creating a balanced dish. This is a clever Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a meal that feels fancy but is easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
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 without extra steps. This is a smart Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something different but easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash
Cinnamon Apples
Turn apples into a warm, sweet treat that’s soft and flavorful without much work. The Instant Pot softens the fruit evenly and brings out its natural sweetness in minutes. This is a beginner-friendly Instant Pot recipe for anyone who wants a quick, homemade dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Lentil Soup
Make a thick, hearty lentil soup that’s full of flavor without extra prep or long cooking times. The Instant Pot cooks the lentils evenly while blending the spices into a rich, satisfying soup. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a healthy, filling meal ready fast.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Soup
Chicken Stock
Turn leftover bones and vegetables into a rich, flavorful stock without hours at the stove. The Instant Pot extracts all the taste quickly and evenly while keeping the process low-effort. This is a practical Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a useful base that makes future meals easier.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stock
Carnitas
Make pork that’s tender, juicy, and packed with flavor without long cooking times. The Instant Pot cooks the meat fast and keeps it easy to shred for tacos, bowls, or sandwiches. This is a smart Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want slow-cooked flavor without spending all day in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Potato Corn Chowder
Spoon up a thick, creamy chowder filled with tender potatoes and sweet corn in every bite. The Instant Pot blends the flavors quickly and cooks everything evenly for a satisfying texture. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a cozy, filling meal without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Potato Corn Chowder
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 turning anything mushy while keeping the broth flavorful. This is a beginner-friendly Instant Pot recipe for anyone who wants a homemade-feeling meal without a lot of effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup
Chickpea Tomato Soup
Make a hearty, filling soup with chickpeas and tomatoes that tastes like it simmered all day without standing over the stove. The Instant Pot blends everything evenly and cooks it quickly, so the texture is perfect. This is a simple Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a meatless meal that’s satisfying and easy.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Tomato Soup
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Brighten dinner with juicy chicken seasoned with garlic and a fresh squeeze of lemon without extra steps. The Instant Pot locks in moisture and helps the flavors soak in evenly for fast, tasty results. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a simple meal that tastes like it took hours.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken
Char Siu
Get tender, flavorful char siu pork without long prep or complicated steps. The Instant Pot cooks the meat quickly while keeping it juicy, and finishing under the broiler or air fryer adds the perfect glaze. This is a smart Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want restaurant-style pork with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Char Siu