Learning to use an Instant Pot doesn’t have to be tricky. With the right recipes, it’s as simple as adding ingredients, pressing a button, and letting it do the work. These dishes take the guesswork out of cooking, so beginners can make meals that turn out right every time.
Chicken Curry. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Making a hearty soup doesn’t have to be complicated, especially with an Instant Pot doing the work. Chicken, beans, and spices come together in minutes, creating a rich, flavorful dish that tastes like it simmered all day. It’s a great choice for beginners who want a filling meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Lemon Garlic Chicken
A flavorful chicken dish doesn’t have to take hours when the Instant Pot can do it in a fraction of the time. The chicken stays juicy while the lemon and garlic soak in, creating a bright, savory taste that feels restaurant-worthy. It’s an easy way for beginners to make a meal that looks impressive but takes almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken
Tomato Soup
A smooth, creamy soup is easier than it sounds when the Instant Pot handles the cooking. Tomatoes and spices blend together quickly, creating a rich, velvety dish that tastes like it was made from scratch. It’s a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want homemade comfort without the hassle of stirring for hours.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup
Pulled Pork
Getting tender, flavorful pulled pork doesn’t have to mean waiting all day for it to cook. The Instant Pot locks in the juices while breaking down the meat, giving it the same smoky, slow-cooked taste in a fraction of the time. It’s a simple and foolproof way for beginners to make a crowd-pleasing meal without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Meatballs and Sauce
A homemade meal with deep flavor doesn’t have to take all night. The Instant Pot cooks the meatballs to perfection while letting the sauce soak in, creating a rich and comforting dish. It’s a quick and easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a classic meal without the usual wait.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Tomato Basil Bisque
A creamy, flavorful soup is just minutes away with the Instant Pot doing the work. Tomatoes and basil blend together into a smooth, rich bisque that tastes like it came from a fancy café. It’s a great option for beginners who want something warm and satisfying with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Chicken Curry
Making a bold, flavorful curry doesn’t have to be complicated when the Instant Pot does the heavy lifting. The chicken turns tender while the spices mix into a rich sauce, creating a dish that tastes like it took hours to make. It’s a perfect Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a comforting meal without a long prep time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Getting tender, saucy BBQ chicken is easier than ever with the Instant Pot. The chicken soaks up all the smoky flavors while cooking quickly, making it juicy and full of taste in no time. It’s a simple recipe for beginners who want a flavorful dish without standing over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Cinnamon Apples
A warm, sweet treat is just minutes away with this simple Instant Pot recipe. The apples soften while soaking up the cinnamon, creating a comforting dessert that tastes homemade. It’s a quick and easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something sweet without a lot of effort.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup
A thick, creamy soup doesn’t have to take all day to make. The Instant Pot blends cheese, bacon, and potatoes into a rich, hearty dish that’s packed with flavor. It’s an easy choice for beginners who want a satisfying meal without a complicated cooking process.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup
Chicken Paprikash
A rich and flavorful chicken dish doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen. The Instant Pot makes the chicken tender while thickening the paprika sauce to perfection, creating a dish that’s bold and satisfying. It’s a foolproof option for beginners looking for an easy way to make a comforting homemade meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash
French Onion Soup
A deep, savory broth with caramelized onions is easier than ever with the Instant Pot. The pressure cooking speeds up the process, drawing out all the rich flavors in a fraction of the usual time. It’s a simple way for beginners to enjoy a classic soup without standing over the stove for hours.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup
Beer Cheese Soup
A rich, cheesy soup that tastes like it came from a pub is easy to make in the Instant Pot. The cheese melts into the beer, creating a creamy, flavorful broth in minutes instead of hours. It’s a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something warm and satisfying without extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup
Chicken Tikka Masala
A creamy, flavorful dish that tastes like takeout is simple with an Instant Pot. The chicken absorbs all the spices while the sauce thickens into a rich, smooth base, creating a dish full of bold flavors. It’s a great option for beginners who want a comforting, homemade meal without the guesswork.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala
Tomato Lime Chicken
A bright, zesty chicken dish is easy to make when the Instant Pot does the work. The chicken stays juicy while the tomato and lime soak in, creating a fresh, vibrant flavor. It’s a simple choice for beginners who want a light but satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Carnitas
Getting tender, flavorful carnitas doesn’t have to mean slow cooking all day. The Instant Pot makes the pork juicy and perfectly seasoned in a fraction of the time, locking in all the rich flavors. It’s an easy Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want a classic dish without the long wait.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Potato Corn Chowder
A creamy, hearty chowder is simple when the Instant Pot takes care of the cooking. Potatoes and corn come together into a rich, comforting soup that’s full of flavor. It’s a great choice for beginners who want something filling without a complicated process.
Get the Recipe: Potato Corn Chowder
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Creamy, flavorful risotto doesn’t have to mean standing over the stove stirring forever. The Instant Pot cooks the rice to the perfect texture while blending in peas and lemon for a bright, fresh taste. It’s a quick and easy way for beginners to enjoy a restaurant-style dish at home.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
A hearty, filling soup is easier than ever when the Instant Pot does the work. Lentils absorb all the spices while cooking quickly, creating a rich, nutritious meal in no time. It’s a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something healthy and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes don’t have to be a hassle to make. The Instant Pot cooks them perfectly, taking out all the guesswork and making mashing easy. It’s a foolproof recipe for beginners who want a simple side dish that turns out right every time.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
A cheesy, creamy soup is just minutes away with the Instant Pot. The broccoli cooks until tender while the cheese melts into a rich, velvety broth, creating a soup that’s packed with flavor. It’s a great Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something warm, hearty, and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
A thick, flavorful soup is simple when the Instant Pot does the cooking. Chickpeas and tomatoes blend into a smooth, rich dish that’s packed with great taste. It’s a great option for beginners who want something filling and satisfying with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Honey Bourbon Chicken
A sweet and savory chicken dish is quick to make when the Instant Pot does the work. The sauce thickens while the chicken stays tender, creating a rich, flavorful meal in no time. It’s an easy recipe for beginners who want a delicious dish without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Honey Bourbon Chicken
Instant Pot Chicken Stock
Homemade stock is simple when the Instant Pot speeds up the process. The pressure pulls all the deep flavors from the chicken bones, creating a rich, flavorful broth without hours of simmering. It’s a great way for beginners to make fresh stock with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stock
Chicken and Rice Soup
A warm, comforting soup is easy to make when the Instant Pot handles the cooking. The chicken and rice blend together into a hearty dish, creating a meal that’s filling and full of flavor. It’s a simple Instant Pot recipe for beginners who want something satisfying without spending all day in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup