Analysis And Test Results
We scoured spec sheets while researching more than 50 different pressure cookers in our quest for the most convenient weeknight meals possible. Once we found the models most likely to serve our readers well, we purchased them for testing. To identify the absolute best one for your home, we’ve prepared over 300 meals while meticulously evaluating each pressure cooker’s user-friendliness, cooking, and cleaning attributes.
Best Instant Pot Recipes With Chicken
Whether you want a tasty dinner with chicken breasts, whole chook, wings or frozen poultry, these are some of the most popular Instant Pot chicken recipes. We have separate roundups for individual types of poultry meat if youre interested in one of these in particular: chicken breast recipes, chicken thighs, frozen chicken recipes, whole chicken, wings, turkey.
What Is The Best Model Of Instant Pot To Buy
After weeks of rigorous testing, I determined that the best Instant Pots on the market include three models. The Instant Pot Pro Plus 6-Quart Smart Multi-Cooker is the best overall option for most buyers: Its reliability, app-enabled perks and safety features are all must-haves. But for those with a few more dollars to spend, be sure to check out the Instant Pot Pro Crisp And Air Fryer 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker And Air Fryer. This upgraded pick offers air-frying capabilities . Finally, if youd prefer something with fewer bells and whistles or are on a budget, I suggest the original Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker, V5. Its a solid option under $100, and its also nice for anyone short on space: Theres a smaller 3-quart size available.
Recommended Reading: How To Use Instant Pot Accessories
Best Budget Stovetop Pressure Cooker: T
The T-fal Clipso is a breeze to use. In our tests, the Clipso pressurized very quickly. As with all stovetop models, you bring up the heat to your desired setting, and once steam begins to release through the valve, its time to reduce the heat and set your timer. We quickly found the sweet spot and noted that the pot held its pressure nicely throughout the cooking time, with little need for turning the heat up or down.
Like the electric pressure cookers, all the stovetop models performed well in our recipe tests, although some earned more points for better consistency, texture and faster cook time. So while the Kuhn Rikon beat out the T-fal when it came to making beans, risotto and stew, for about $155 less, the T-fal still did an admirable job.
The model comes with a steam basket and tripod and is dishwasher safe when you remove the gasket and pressure valve. It comes with a 10-year warranty against defects or premature deterioration and, for other parts, a one-year warranty is included. And we appreciate the side handles on the pot that allow for easy maneuvering. But what sets the T-fal apart from other models is its unique lid. Designed for one-hand use, the lid clamps down on the pot with jaws that lock into place with the press of a button. Once youre done cooking and the pressure is released , the lid opens by pressing the top of a large knob. As a safety feature, the lid will not open until all pressure is released.
Can You Make Bread In An Instant Pot
An Instant Pot doesnt have the hot, dry environment thats typically used for baking standard loaves of bread. However, there are specialty types of baked goods, like steamed buns, that can be cooked in an Instant Pot. Its also possible to bake cakes, but they will have a different exterior and texture since they will be steamed rather than baked. However, for the models of Instant Pot that can hold a precise low temperature of about 90 degrees, the Instant Pot can be used for proofing bread dough.
Don’t Miss: How To Cook Beef Stew In Instant Pot
Things To Consider Before Purchasing The Best Instant Pot Brand
Searching for the best instant pot brand? Before you buy a particular model, there are a few things you should know about them.
You have purchased an Instant Pot and now want to make sure that you don’t end up buying one of those brands that will only disappoint. Here’s what to look for when you are considering which brand to go with.
1. The size
I have an 8qt 6-in-1 model by Instant Pot, but this brand has different sizes available depending on your needs. You may find that having a smaller or larger model is better suited for your family size and what you typically cook in the kitchen. Keep in mind that the bigger the Instant Pot, the more expensive it will be.
2. Functionality
The more functions your brand of choice has the better suited it may be for you and what you like to cook. One of my favorite features about mine is that I can brown and sauté in it . I also choose mine because it has a yogurt-making option.
3. Price
There’s no doubt about it, Instant Pots can be pricey . However, keep in mind that this is an investment since you will be using it multiple times a week.
You’ll end up saving money on take-out or going out to eat because you will have the tools you need to make a home-cooked meal in a snap.
4. Small vs Large Instant Pot Brand
5. Customer Reviews
Look at customer reviews on Amazon before buying your brand new Instant Pot for price comparisons, what features are most important to you, durability, and more.
How To Choose A Pressure Cooker
Simple stovetop cookers use the heat source of your stove and need a bit of attention as youll need to adjust your burner to maintain proper pressure, while newer electric versions do the job automatically .
While folk wisdom holds that pressure cookers are dangerous, accidents are in reality rare . All the pressure cookers we tested come with multiple safety features and lids that lock into place, and are designed so that all pressure must be released before the lid can be removed . Some models spit out a bit of moisture as steam condenses, but many of the electric versions include condensation collectors that catch any water before it drips onto your counter.
For extra versatility, many of the models come with trivets and steamer baskets, and some of the electric models even offer air fry lids, and ship with extra sealing rings for use in different types of recipes. Some featured nonstick inner pots, which can be great for easy cleanup, but stainless pots will likely be more durable over time. The electric versions were all intuitive to use, even given the multiple functions they offered, although some did require a few extra referrals to the user manual. All allow you to manually adjust the cooking time, but our favorites were models that included cooking progress bars and auto steam release. Sometimes we worried whether those without progress indicators had actually started pressurizing.
Recommended Reading: Instant Pot Pulled Port
Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast
We took the viral, melt-in-your-mouth Mississippi pot roast and made it in an Instant Pot® multi-cooker, cutting the overall cook time by more than half. The ranch seasoning and sliced pepperoncini provide just the right amount of spice and tang. The result is a flavorful, fork-tender dish you can make any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast
Instant Pot Duo Plus With Whisper
The Instant Pot Duo gets a major upgrade in this latest iteration. Not only do you get a sleek, stainless steel finish, you get 25 smart programs. One significant difference between this version and the original is that the Instant Pot Duo Plus with Whisper Quiet Steam Release trades sous vide cooking capability for a cake making feature.
Now let’s get into the obvious difference between this model and the regular Duo Plus: the steam release. Instant Pot’s latest technology and design allow the machine to diffuse steam more quietly than ever. It also gives you the option to use a remote button so you can open the cooking pot at a distance for extra safety. But is it worth buying this one over the original Duo Plus? There’s actually just a $20 difference between the two models, so we’d say the advanced steam release technology and aesthetics of this version make it worth itbut if you’re really into sous vide-cooking, we’d stick with the original Duo Plus.
Year released: 2021Cooking functions: Pressure-cooking, rice-cooking, slow-cooking, yogurt-making, steaming, sautéing, food-warming, cake making and sterilizingSizes available: 6- and 8-quart Instant Pots
Read Also: Bj’s Instant Pot
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash With Marinara
This might be the easiest way to cook spaghetti squash pierce a whole squash all over with a fork, then cook it in a pressure cooker until perfectly tender. It cooks in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven, and there’s no need to struggle with cutting the sturdy squash beforehand.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash with Marinara
The Winning Three Recipes
Oh my gosh, HOW TO DECIDE? This was unbelievably hard, and being that all these recipes are already extremely well-rated and popular, I think you could make any of these and be very happy with your choice.
We deliberated on this for a long time, reviewing our notes and ratings and calling back to mind all the taste-testing wed been doing.
In the end, we landed on three recipes that just really spoke to us:
- Honorable Mention: Zuppa Tuscana
The base of our decision was how the recipes tasted, but we did also consider the amount of work involved with each recipe and, combining both the taste and ease factors and considering how likely wed be to actually make them at home.
There are several others on this list that Krista mentioned shed make again, and same goes for me. But if we listed them all for you, wed just list the whole list again!
It was so super fun to try the best of Instant Pot recipes from around the internet. Thank you to the authors of these recipes for keeping us all well-fed with your delicious creations!
Readers: This is a new type of post for us! Tell us what you think! What was helpful, and what were you wishing for more of? It took several weeks to put this together, but we had so much fun doing this and would love to do more of it in the future.
And most importantly: which Instant Pot recipes do you think we need to try next?
Read Also: How To Use Delay Start On Instant Pot
Confused By The Different Electric Pressure Cooker Models We Break It Down To Help You Find The Best Instant Pot For Your Kitchen
I distinctly remember the rappity-pop-pop, rappity-pop of my grandmothers old pressure cooker rattling away on the stove in her kitchen. While I associated the sound with her soon-to-be delectable homemade rice pudding, I steered clear until that final hissing of steam trailed off. Shed be tickled to discover todays craze for pressure-cooking and the safety and convenience of electric pressure cookers.
Although there are several different manufacturers of multi-functional electric pressure cookers, the Instant Pot brand has cornered the market on popularity so far. But the number of models, functions, bells and whistles can be overwhelming. How do you know which model is right for you? Take a look at some of the basic differences to determine which is the best Instant Pot for you.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
for this popular recipe from Two Sleevers.
What we loved:
- The sauce is really, really, really good, and the leftovers get even better.
- Youll have extra sauce to save for another recipe later. Butter paneer, anyone?
- No sautéing! Thank goodness.
- Urvashi includes lots of detailed notes to help you be successful and get as close to traditional as you want !
Also Check: How To Cook Pork Chops In The Instant Pot
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Traditionally, this dish takes hours to cook in the oven. Our Instant Pot® version is ready in a fraction of the time and is made entirely in the pot hello, easy clean-up! The chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender and the tomato sauce has the perfect smoky kick, thanks to the bacon.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
What To Consider Before Buying An Instant Pot
Size
Do you have a large family or are you cooking solo? Size truly does matter when it comes to choosing the best Instant Pot. The most popular size is the 6-quart option, but some models offer 3-quart, 5-quart and even 8-quart options. Smaller sizes are more budget-friendly and take up less space on the counter, but larger sizes are great for cooking a family meal. We tested out all of our Instant Pot recipes using the 6-quart option and found it to be the perfect medium.
Editors Tip: Remember that the volume size is the absolute maximum capacity for your pot. When youre dealing with piping hot foods you should only fill your Instant Pot 3/4 full. For example, if youre looking to make a 3-quart recipe like our delish Pressure-Cooker Potato Soup, we recommend using a 6-quart Instant Pot. Though you can always learn how to cut down a recipe, here.
Functionality
As previously stated, the Instant Pot offers much more than a traditional pressure cooker. However, some Instant Pots have more settings than others. Regardless of the model, youll be able to pressure cook, saute, slow cook, steam, make ricethe list goes on. Just think of how many gadgets you can replace in your kitchen with a single Instant Pot. Thats a score for all of us who are low on storage space!
Price
Editors Tip: If youre buying an Instant Pot second-hand, make sure youre buying the latest version of that particular model.
Here are a few other smart money-saving ideas to consider.
Also Check: How To Use Instant Pot Steamer
How We Selected The Best Instant Pot
We try our hardest to review all of the products we feature in our Small Appliance buying guides, and we are currently in the process of reviewing a number of the best Instant Pots in our guide. A few have already been extensively reviewed by our team of expert testers, and you can click through to find out how well they performed when we tried them out in our own homes.
The Best Instant Pots
Whether youre someone whos looking for an easier way to prepare meals or would like to have fewer appliances cluttering up your cabinets, an Instant Pot can be a great investment. If youre in the market for an Instant Pot, weve rounded up some of the best Instant Pot models out there based on highly rated reviews. And if youre someone who is looking for more homemade meal ideas, then youre in luckmany Instant Pot models also come with a free app that includes nearly 2,000 Instant Pot recipes. and IP Reddit communities are also great resources for IP chefs and new buyers.
Recommended Reading: Instant Pot Air Fryer 6 Qt Reviews
Meal Prep Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
Cook a couple of pounds of chicken at the start of the week, shred it up, and you have the base for an infinite number of quick and easy meals. This version of the meal prep staple is so flavorful, you don’t need to do much– or really anything– to dress it up. But if you want to, we have plenty of ideas.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chili
Should You Buy Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11 In 1
For individuals who wish to enjoy delicious, nutritious cuisine without spending hours in the kitchen, we are excited to share the Crisp name with this new Instant Pot Duo product.
This multicooker and air fryer is an excellent choice for families and individuals who enjoy cooking a lot. It has all the basic cooking features you need to cook various foods from meats to vegetables and more.
The DUO Crisp may be an excellent option if you dont have an Instant Pot or if you want another one for any reason. Instead of requiring the use of an air fryer, you would be able to make French fries and fried chicken in the Instant Pot, and it would use less space than an air fryer and lid in use at the same time.
Read Also: Instant Pot Replacement Seal
Instant Pot Sunday Sauce
Your Sundays are now free! No more standing over the stove babysitting Sunday supper. This sauce is fully loaded with pork, beef, sausage and meatballs, and is sure to become a family tradition that won’t leave you short on time to relax and enjoy Sunday Funday.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Sunday Sauce
We’ve Rounded Up The Best Instant Pot Recipes That 2022 Had To Offer These Classics Will Make Their Way Into Your Meals For The Year Ahead
Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
Psst! Youll also love these top Instant Pot Black Friday deals if youre shopping around holiday season.
Read Also: Instant Pot 4 Quart
How To Choose An Instant Pot
When it comes to choosing the right Instant Pot determining the size is step one. Instant Pot models run from smaller compact versions that can easily be stored on a counter or in a cabinet to larger heavy-duty choices that can replace other kitchen appliances in your home. If you have a bigger family that you cook for daily you may want to opt for a larger eight-quart Instant Pot model. On the other hand, if you live alone or share an apartment and dont want to sacrifice countertop or cabinet space then a more compact three-quart model should do the job. The most popular models are the six-quart models which fall right in the middle.
Before you buy an Instant Pot you should also consider the type of cooking and meal prepping youll use it for, as many Instant Pots are multicookers with a wide variety of cooking functions. For example, options such as the Instant Pot Ultra 80 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker and Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker double as a sterilizer that parents may find particularly helpful. Others, such as the Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker , have the ability to make cakes, which may be ideal for a dessert person who likes to bake a lot. This model is also a great fit for those who want more customization when making food. Some Instant Pots have programmable cooking functions, Wi-Fi connectivity, and, not to mention, Instant Pot accessories that you can buy separately, so consider the best option to fit your needs.
