Learning to use your Instant Pot can feel tricky at first, but it doesn’t have to be. This list of 35 simple recipes shows you exactly what to do, step by step. You’ll find fast dinners, easy sides, and even a few desserts that don’t take much work. Each one is made for beginners who want solid results without the stress. If you’re just getting started, this is a smart place to begin.
Chicken and Rice Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
French Onion Soup
Grab a spoon and dig into a soup that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant. The Instant Pot helps caramelize the onions fast and gives you a rich broth without standing over the stove. It’s a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something bold but still simple to make.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup
Cinnamon Apples
Treat yourself to warm, cinnamon-spiced apples that feel like something homemade. The Instant Pot softens the fruit perfectly and brings out the flavor with hardly any work. This is one of the easiest Instant Pot recipes for beginners who want a dessert that’s quick and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Chicken Curry
Try a dish full of warm spices and juicy chicken that’s ready in less time than you’d think. The Instant Pot blends the flavors together and makes the chicken nice and tender with very little effort. This is a delicious Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Get that barbecue taste without the grill or extra cleanup. The Instant Pot keeps the chicken juicy and soaks it in sauce until it’s ready to pile into sandwiches or wraps. It’s an easy-to-make Instant Pot recipe that’s perfect for beginners craving something fast and filling.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Pulled Pork
Skip the smoker and still get pork that falls apart and melts in your mouth. The Instant Pot speeds up the cooking and locks in flavor with no hassle. This is a foolproof Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a meal that works for tacos, sliders, or bowls.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Chicken Stock
Use up leftovers and make your own rich stock that’s better than store-bought. The Instant Pot pulls all the flavor out of bones and veggies in a short amount of time. This is a smart Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want to try something useful and low-effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stock
Lentil Soup
Fill your bowl with thick, hearty soup without spending the whole day chopping. The Instant Pot cooks the lentils fast and blends the spices into a rich, tasty mix. This is one of the best Instant Pot recipes for beginners who want something healthy and easy.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Soup
Chicken and Rice Soup
Keep dinner simple with this warm, comforting chicken and rice soup. The Instant Pot cooks the meat and rice together quickly without turning anything mushy. It’s an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a meal that feels homemade without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup
Potato Corn Chowder
Spoon up a creamy chowder full of soft potatoes and sweet corn in every bite. The Instant Pot blends everything into a thick, filling soup with hardly any prep. This is a go-to Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a cozy meal with no tricky steps.
Get the Recipe: Potato Corn Chowder
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Throw a few ingredients together and end up with a soup that tastes like it simmered all day. The Instant Pot cooks the chicken, beans, and broth fast without losing any flavor. It’s a reliable Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a full dinner with barely any cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Tomato Soup
Pour yourself a bowl of smooth tomato soup that feels simple but tastes rich. The Instant Pot blends the tomatoes and spices until everything comes together into a creamy mix with no fuss. This is a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something easy, classic, and ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup
Baked Potato Soup
Warm up with a thick and creamy soup that’s loaded with soft potatoes and rich flavor. The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting by cooking everything fast and blending it smooth without needing extra pans. This is one of the easiest Instant Pot recipes for beginners who want something that tastes like comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato Soup
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Brighten up your dinner with juicy chicken flavored with garlic and a fresh squeeze of lemon. The Instant Pot keeps the meat moist and helps the seasoning soak in without adding more steps. Save this as a go-to Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something light but full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken
Chicken Tikka Masala
Get restaurant-style flavor without spending hours in the kitchen or dealing with a long list of steps. The Instant Pot blends the creamy sauce and keeps the chicken tender while cutting the cook time in half. This is a bold and tasty Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want to try something different but still easy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala
Meatballs and Sauce
Roll together a batch of tender meatballs and let the Instant Pot cook them right in the sauce. Everything comes together in one pot, so it’s fast to make and even faster to clean up after. This is one of the best Instant Pot recipes for beginners who want something filling and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Honey Bourbon Chicken
Add a little sweet and savory to your dinner without much effort or cleanup. The Instant Pot helps the sauce turn thick and sticky while keeping the chicken juicy and tender. It’s a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something that feels special but isn’t hard to make.
Get the Recipe: Honey Bourbon Chicken
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Get a bowl of cheesy soup that’s smooth, rich, and loaded with broccoli in every bite. The Instant Pot softens the vegetables and melts the cheese into something creamy without any hassle. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a warm, no-stress meal that’s hard to mess up.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Make creamy risotto without stirring a pot for half an hour or guessing when it’s done. The Instant Pot cooks the rice just right while the peas and lemon add something fresh and bright to the mix. It’s a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want to make something that feels fancy but isn’t hard to pull off.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Carnitas
Serve up pork that’s tender, juicy, and packed with flavor with barely any work. The Instant Pot handles the cooking so you can shred it easily for tacos, bowls, or sandwiches. This is a smart Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something that tastes slow-cooked without waiting all day.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Mashed Potatoes
Get smooth and fluffy mashed potatoes without boiling water or dealing with extra pots. The Instant Pot cooks the potatoes fast and helps them mash up perfectly every time. This is a basic but useful Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a classic side that always works.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Beer Cheese Soup
Stir up a bowl of thick, cheesy soup with just the right kick of beer flavor. The Instant Pot melts everything together quickly, so the texture comes out smooth without constant stirring. This is a solid Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something rich without a long list of steps.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup
Tomato Lime Chicken
Give your chicken a flavor boost with tangy lime and savory tomato in every bite. The Instant Pot makes the meat tender and blends the sauce so everything comes together fast and easy. This is a bold Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something different that’s still simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Chicken Noodle Soup
Stick with a classic that never gets old and always hits the spot. The Instant Pot cooks the noodles just right and makes sure the chicken stays tender without falling apart. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something familiar that’s ready in less time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken Paprikash
Add a smoky, peppery flavor to your chicken without making the recipe too complicated. The Instant Pot cooks the meat fast and helps the sauce turn thick and rich with very little effort. This is one of those foolproof Instant Pot recipes for beginners who want something different but easy to handle.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash
Tomato Basil Bisque
Blend up a smooth soup that’s creamy, rich, and full of fresh tomato flavor in every spoonful. The Instant Pot gets it all done quickly without needing to babysit the stove. This is an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a homemade meal without too much work.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Chickpea Tomato Soup
Make a thick, filling soup with chickpeas and tomatoes that tastes like it simmered all day. The Instant Pot helps everything cook fast and makes the texture just right with no extra steps. This is a good Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a hearty meatless option that still feels satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Tomato Soup
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
Cook up this flavorful Filipino dish without needing to marinate or use special tools. The Instant Pot brings out the sweet and savory glaze and keeps the chicken nice and tender. This is a simple and tasty Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want to try something new without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
Chicken Shawarma
Load up your plate with chicken that’s full of warm spice and juicy in every bite. The Instant Pot does all the hard work and leaves you with meat that’s ready for wraps, bowls, or rice. This is a flavorful Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something fast and easy to change up their dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Shawarma
No-Base Instant Pot Lemon Cheesecake
Make a creamy cheesecake with a light lemon tang that comes together without a crust or oven. The Instant Pot bakes it quickly and keeps the texture smooth with very little prep. This is a beginner-friendly Instant Pot dessert that feels fancy but only takes a few simple ingredients.
Get the Recipe: No-Base Instant Pot Lemon Cheesecake
Applesauce
Turn fresh apples into warm, sweet applesauce without peeling, stirring, or waiting long. The Instant Pot softens everything fast and helps the flavor come through with no extra sugar needed. This is a quick and easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want to make something simple and homemade.
Get the Recipe: Applesauce
Instant Pot Roast Beef and Gravy
Cut into tender roast beef that’s full of flavor and covered in rich, savory gravy. The Instant Pot locks in the juices while making the beef soft enough to pull apart with a fork. This is a smart Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a comfort meal without any hard steps.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Roast Beef and Gravy
Instant Pot Cajun Rice and Sausage
Get bold Cajun flavor in a one-pot meal that’s packed with smoky sausage and seasoned rice. The Instant Pot makes it fast and blends the spices so every bite has a kick. This is a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something filling and full of flavor without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cajun Rice and Sausage
Char Siu
Skip the long prep and make tender, flavorful char siu pork with almost no effort. The Instant Pot gets the meat ready fast, and you can finish it in the air fryer or grill to get that classic glaze. This is a smart pick for beginners who want an easy way to make something that tastes like takeout.
Get the Recipe: Char Siu
Beef Stew
Spoon up a hearty beef stew that tastes like it simmered all day but takes way less time. The Instant Pot makes the meat soft and blends the broth into something rich and savory without any fuss. This is a go-to Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a warm, satisfying dinner with very little work.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stew
Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
Make a flavorful meal fast with juicy chicken and rice cooked in bold Mexican spices. The Instant Pot brings everything together in one pot, so cleanup is easy, and the texture comes out just right. This is a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something tasty, filling, and simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice