Using Saute Function After Cooking
The Sauté function is also useful for finishing the dish after pressure cooking is done. Once the pressure has been completely released, open the lid and then press Sauté button again. Press the button again to cycle through Less or More for lower or higher temperature.
Use it for:
- Simmering the sauce or broth in the dish that needs to evaporate and reduce or thicken.
- Adding more fragile or no-cooking-required ingredients like baby spinach, fresh tomatoes, fruit, cheese, milk or cream.
- Thickening sauce with butter, cream or flour.
How To Cook Dry Beans In The Instant Pot
My goal for the next few months is to share 1-2 Instant Pot recipes a month. Many reader friends are new Instant Pot owners, and I want to help you feel confident using your new appliance.
For many meals, the Instant Pot isnt necessarily a faster way to cook . The appeal of the Instant Pot for these meals is the hands-off time it provides the cook.
Now there are a number of recipes that shorten the overall cooking time when you make them in the Instant Pot. Soup is one meal that takes less time to make in the Instant Pot than on the stove-top or in the slow-cooker. This chicken and rice soup is the perfect example. Raw chicken, uncooked rice, and veggies are fully cooked into a creamed soup in under 30 minutes.
Beans are another great example of a meal that can be made quickly in the Instant Pot.
Dry beans are a very time-consuming ingredient to prepare and cook. First, theres the soaking step, which does help with digestion . Then, after about 12 hours of soaking, the beans are ready to be cooked for hours in the slow-cooker or on the stove-top. The Instant Pot just laughs at this laborious task and says, Let me show you just how quick and easy it can be to cook dry beans.
Does It Need To Be Sealed To Work
Yes, your instant pot needs to be sealed before it can work properly. Technically, you can still switch it on and set it to cook, but it wont work correctly because of the process it uses. Instant pots, just like other pressure cookers, use intense heat and pressure for cooking meals. That is why it is far faster than regular cookers or stoves.
If the instant pot isnt sealed when you set it to cook your food, pressure will escape, and it will take a far longer time to cook your food or sometimes not at all. The sealing of your instant pot ensures the heat and pressure stays inside long enough for the food to be tenderized and cooked.
A common mistake with newcomers to instant pots is forgetting to set the valve in a sealing position. Before long, air will escape from the sealing ring area after the pot has gotten to pressure. An easy way to take care of this cancelling the cooking time and setting the valve in a sealing position instead of a vented setting.
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I Have A Favorite Recipe Can I Make It In An Instant Pot How
To adapt a recipe such as a stew or baked dish to the Instant Pot, you should make sure the recipe includes at least a cup of liquid. You can get away with less if the ingredients you are cooking will release some liquid.
For meat, reduce the cook time by one to two thirds. Cut pasta cook times in half. Add any dairy ingredients or thickeners at the end of cooking to prevent scorching. Dont fill the Instant Pot more than 2/3 full. Decide whether a natural release or quick release is better for the recipe if it can overcook, use quick release, but if the liquid is likely to clog up the steamer, natural release may be better. Finally, consult your Instant Pot manual on cook times for proteins and other ingredients. This will help you ballpark your cooking time. Good luck!
How To Cook Frozen Tortellini In The Instant Pot
To simply cook plain tortellini by itself, add the frozen tortellini to the insert pot of the Instant Pot.
Youll want to add at least 1 cup of water in order for the pot to achieve pressure. Ive cooked as much as a 19-oz bag with just 1 cup of liquid.
You can also cook a smaller amount of tortellini, but youll still need at least 1 cup of liquid.
Unlike when cooking dry pasta in the Instant Pot, you dont have to fully submerge the frozen tortellini in liquid.
Select a high pressure cook time of 1-2 minutes, depending on your preference of how firm the pasta is after cooking. I generally use a 2 minute cook time.
After the cook time is complete, perform a quick release of pressure and drain off any remaining liquid.
If you notice starchy water spewing from the vent , simply perform an intermittent release of pressure by alternating between opening and closing the vent in short intervals, allowing about 30 seconds to pass between each opening of the vent.
Once the pasta is drained, you can add your favorite saucemarinara sauce, roasted pepper and tomato sauce, alfredo sauce, or bolognese sauce are all great options!
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Never Open The Instant Pot While Its In Manual / Pressure Mode
Once you close the lid and select the Manual / Pressure mode, be sure the pressure value is set to Sealing. That will ensure the pressure cooking feature will work. You have 10 seconds to press the Cancel mode to stop cooking. After that, the;Instant Pot is;coming to pressure and if you open the lid youll be hit with a face full of steam. Its actually difficult to open the lid while its cooking for that reason thats why the Instant Pot is so intuitive. So once you close that lid, let it cook for the full time youve set.
Instant Pot Is Not Instant
One of the most common questions I see in the Instant Pot communities is: What brand of Instant Pot should I buy? This question actually does not make sense because Instant Pot is a name of a brand.
What people actually mean is: What brand of an electric pressure cooker should I buy? However, Instant Pot brand is now one of the most popular on the market so it became almost synonymous to saying electric pressure cooker.
Now, is Instant Pot instant? No! BIG NO! But naming the brand Not too quick but faster than average cooking pot wouldnt be a good marketing decision so its called Instant Pot.
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Is The Instant Pot Worth It
Besides the just-mentioned lead bit, people generally do consider their Instant Pots to be game-changers. If it doesn’t seem like your kind of thing, though, you’ve got options: though crock pots and pressure cookers might seem the same, they can yield entirely different results and might be more up your alley. Find some recipes utilizing those here.
Whats The Difference Between An Instant Pot And A Regular Pressure Cooker
Modern electric pressure cookers and Instant Pots are very similar and function by using electricity to pressure a metal insert inside the cooker with a locking lid. Stovetop pressure cookers do not have an internal heat source or use electricity, but instead, use the heat from a stovetop burner.
In many ways, they do the same thing and function in the same way. Instant Pot is basically a brand name for a certain type of pressure cooker.
But with regular pressure cookers, there are actually 2 different kinds.
The modern pressure cooker plugs into a wall socket and functions very similarly to an Instant Pot. The other kind of pressure cooker is the old-school kind your grandmother may have had which sits on a stovetop burner as its heat source.
Another key difference between the Instant Pot and other modern pressure cookers is the inner pot.
On the Instant Pot, this is made of stainless steel, whereas many other brands have an insert with a non-stick coating. Like virtually all pans with non-stick coating, this eventually scratches off and will have to be replaced.
The Instant Pot can also sauté and function like a Crock-Pot which most other pressure cookers cannot do. So its ultimately more versatile than other modern pressure cookers and much safer than old-school stovetop pressure cookers.
Just click the link to read it now on my site.
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Instant Pot Tips And Tricks You Need To Know
Updated | By Tracey Black | Affiliate disclosure
Got an Instant Pot? You dont want to miss these top 10 tips and tricks. Learn how to use the Instant Pot properly to make quick, delicious meals.
Are you new to cooking with the Instant Pot? Or maybe youve had your Instant Pot for a while, but dont know how to use all the buttons?
Ive got you covered. I was in your shoes, but eventually learned how to use it all and want to share with you. Ive had mine for nearly a year now, and its hands-down my favorite kitchen appliance. We used it 2-3 times a week.;Ive got a bunch of delicious, gluten-free Instant Pot recipes you can easily make tonight.
The Instant Pot Meal Plan Jumpstart
You can also use dry, shelf-stable tortellini in the Instant Pot.
Fresh, refrigerated tortellini would not be my first choice to cook in the pressure cooker, because it is more delicate and would be more likely overcook and fall apart. If thats what you have on hand, you could try a 0 minute cook time, followed by a quick release, to hopefully keep it from getting too soft!
Also check out my instructions for how to cook frozen ravioli in the Instant Pot!
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Turning Fear Into Addiction
My three favorites!
It often does not take long before a person once afraid of the Instant Pot becomes a full blown fan. Next thing you know, you could be buying pots of all sizes, plus a Duo Crisp, plus an Instant air fryer!;;Arent they all pretty?!?! Maybe you will start a blog!;
OK, seriously now. Dont be scared of your Instant Pot! Jump in and give it ago!
Instant Pot Yogurt Setting
The Yogurt button is a non-pressure cooking Smart Program made for easily fermented dairy and non-dairy recipes. The setting modes Less, Normal and More are used for different times of fermentation or for boiling the milk. Below are some basic steps and setting options for making yogurt using the Yogurt setting button.;
PASTEURIZING/HEATING MILK
- Add milk to the inner pot. A minimum of 4 cups of milk is recommended for a 6-quart Instant Pot . Secure and close the lid. Make sure to press the quick-release button down until it clicks and locks into the Vent position. On Duo Classic, turn the steam release hand to point to Venting. Do this before you select the settings and make any adjustments.;
- Select Yogurt setting. The default mode is Normal. Press Yogurt again to cycle to the More option. The display indicates boiL. After 10 seconds the cooker begins heating. This setting mode can be used to pasteurize the milk but is also there for heating the milk before adding in the starter culture. When pasteurization/heating completes, the display indicates End.;
ADDING STARTER CULTURE
FERMENTING YOGURT
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Change The Inner Pot Or Lid As Needed
The;Instant Pot comes with a stainless steel inner pot.;You could get a second inner pot;too. Cook food in one pot and keep to the side or store leftovers. Then use the second pot to cook another dish. The same goes with the lid. You can get a glass lid to use when for Slow Cooker or Saute function.
Ignore The Max Fill Line
The max fill line on your Instant Pot insert isn’t designed for pressure cooking. It’s designed for the slow cook setting . When you use the pressure cook setting, fill the pot no more than two-thirds full. And if you’re cooking foods like beans, rice or any other dehydrated food that will expand while cooking, only fill halfway. Any more and you’ll clog the valves and have leaky seals.
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Not Everything Is Better In An Instant Pot
You wouldn’t cook everything in a slow cooker or on the grill, so you can’t expect the same of your Instant Pot. There are some obvious things, like fried foods, which won’t stay crisp in the moist environment of the pot. But the number one item to avoid is steak. A nice New York strip steak will emerge from your IP steamed, gray and rubbery. For anything best served medium-rare with a good sear, stick to the grill or a smoking hot pan.
Is The Instant Pot Dangerous
Short answer: No. Its a highly engineered electric pressure cooker with a ton of safety features. Long answer: Look, any kitchen appliance can be dangerous if you reallywork at it. And yes, it is a high-pressure steam chamber after all. But an electric pressure cooker like the Instant Pot is safer than a stovetop model, which has no safety or shutoff mechanisms. If you read your instruction manual, you should be A-OK. Of course, always keep hands and faces away from venting steam.
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Instant Pot Multigrain Setting
This setting is best suited to cooking tougher, whole grains like brown and wild rice, farro, millet and steel-cut oats; it can also be used to cook dry beans and a mixture of grains and legumes. We find that this is one of the most confusing functions for people because some of the recommended manual cooking times for grains dont match the pre-programmed setting times, so its hard to know when to use this function. Below is how to use the Multigrain setting on the Instant Pot.
- Turn the Instant Pot on, it will say OFF to indicate the Stand-By mode. Add the grains, liquid and seasoning if you wish. Secure and lock the lid. Press the Multigrain button. The default setting is pre-programmed to set the pot to cook at High pressure for 40 minutes. If you press the Multigrain button again, you can adjust the mode from Normal to Less or More.
If desired, use the / + buttons to further customize the time. The cooking time may be adjusted at any time during pressure cooking.;
If cooking dry beans, ensure they are completely submerged in water; the same if youre making a mixture of grains and beans.;
Are There Other Instant Pot Accessories That Are Worth Buying
Why yes, your Instant Pot can be accessorized. A slow cooker lidis essential if you plan to use this function. Another stainless steel insert comes in handy if you are making multiple Instant Pot recipes in one session. Same goes for an extra sealing ring. The silicone springform pans are perfect for baking and making casseroles.;
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Always Check The Sealing Ring
The lid of your Instant Pot has a silicone sealing ring inside, and this is responsible for sealing the lid and locking-in the steam pressure. This silicone ring should be properly seated along the metal ring that is in the lid, but because its exposed to heat during the cooking cycle it can sometimes move out of place or get stuck.
Its important to check the silicone ring every time you use your Instant Pot, to make sure its properly placed and has a little wiggle room to expand. I usually grab it with my fingers and wiggle it all around the lid to make sure its not stuck anywhere.
Adjusting For Softer Or Firmer Pasta
I recommend starting with the formula above for the first time you make pasta in your Instant Pot. Then the next time, if you want a bit more bite, subtract a minute from the cook time. If you want it softer, add a minute until you get your perfect texture.;
After a few times making pasta, youll know the perfect timing to cook your brand of pasta to your preferred taste.
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Get Your Printable Pdf Version Here
One of the best features of your Instant Pot is it’s ability to cook that dinner you forgot to take out, and still eat before 9 pm! Now, with these tips, you can avoid a few cooking from frozen fails… because I have sure had a few!;
So, there you have it, my best tips and tricks for how to cook from frozen in your Instant Pot!
Ready to get started with some Instant Pot Freezer Meals – start with these Weeknight Ribs!
Tips For Cooking Chicken In The Instant Pot
- In order for the 6 quart Instant Pot to work, it needs a minimum of 1 cup of liquid. If you have an 8 quart Instant Pot, it needs at least 1 1/2 cups of liquid.
- Because chicken breast is so easy to overcook, we always use the quick release method. Quick release is when you turn the pressure release valve to open or venting at the completion of the cooking cycle. This forces the steam to release from the Instant Pot quickly.
- Do not stack chicken when cooking in the Instant Pot. It will cook unevenly. This is especially true for frozen chicken. Try to spread it out evenly along the bottom as much as you can.
- Use a meat thermometer like;the one we recommend here to determine doneness. All poultry must cook to the safe temperature of 165°F internally . But, you dont want to cook it longer than that and get dried out.
- If cooking chicken from frozen, make sure to read our post about how to prepare and cook freezer meals in the Instant Pot. Seriously, dont skip it.
- If you have more questions about the Instant Pot, swing by and browse Instant Pot 101.
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