When Should I Use Keep Warm Function
The Instant Pot can be kept on Keep Warm after cooking most foods. In fact, its very handy if you are finished cooking before youre ready to serve food. Some foods like rice, quinoa, or anything that has soaked up a lot of liquid should be monitored or warmed in a more moist environment to prevent dryness or burning. You can select Keep Warm cycle before you start cooking or after.;
How To Use An Instant Pot
Wondering how to use your new Instant Pot? This guide is for anyone using an Instant Pot for the first time or youve owned yours for a while but still have some things to learn. This guide will offer you recipes, tricks, tips, and more for breaking in your new pressure cooker.;
The Instant Pot can be intimidating for a new user, especially if you werent interested in pressure cooking before. You might think the Instant Pot is similar to that steaming, hissing pot on the stove your mom used to use. There are so many buttons and safety warnings. It just seems overwhelming
However, I can guarantee that once you start using it, the mystery and fear will go away. Youll wonder what you ever did without your Instant Pot. I use mine nearly every day and cant imagine my kitchen without it.
Common Questions For Instant Pot Carrots
How long does it take to steam carrots in the Instant Pot?
Set the timer for 2 minutes for fork-tender carrots. Keep in mind that the Instant Pot will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure, so actual cooking time is about 12 minutes.
How do you steam carrots in an Instant Pot without a steamer basket?
Add the carrots to the pressure cooker first, then add the water and any seasonings.
Can you steam food in a pressure cooker?
Yes! The cook time depends on the food or vegetable.
Is pressure cooker bad for health?
Not at all. In fact, studies have shown that pressure cooking can help preserve heat-sensitive nutrients better than other cooking methods.
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Lets Try The Quick Release
Back to our pot of water: Push the steam release valve to the venting position using a long-handled spoon or your finger. Just keep your fingers to the side and away from the top of the knob where the steam vents.
This valve should stay open on its own once you nudge it. The steam will come shooting up and be a little noisy.
Releasing all of the steam can take a minute or more. The more liquid in the cooker, the longer the release will take. With the 3 cups of water, it took mine 45 seconds.
Coco Morante
How To Do An Instant Pot Water Test
Now that you have completed the water test, you are ready to cook in your Instant Pot!
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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 Does The Instant Pot Sous Vide Function Work
The Instant Pot sous vide smart program is a built-in function that works differently than traditional sous vide circulators.
When using the Instant Pot sous vide function, the pot heats to the desired temperature, but there is no circulator inside the pot. Its merely a matter of programming the pot to your desired temperature.
This is less precise than using an immersed circulator, because the water isnt being circulated , and because the pot cant actually measure the temperature of the water.
For this reason, I recommend using a thermometer to check the temperature of the water to ensure it is adequate for the food you are cooking.
Despite this shortcoming, Ive found the built-in smart program sous vide function to work quite well.
However, if you want the ability to precisely control the temperature, and if you prefer to have the water agitated throughout cooking, it would be best to purchase an immersion circulator.
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Instant Pot Ultra Steam Release Valve
Designed for the Instant Pot® Ultra 10-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker.
This product is also compatible with:;
- Duo Plus V2
One Year Limited Warranty
This One Year Limited Warranty applies to purchases made from authorized retailers of Instant Brands Inc. by the original appliance owner and is not transferable.; Proof of original purchase date and, if requested by Instant Brands, return of your appliance, is required to obtain service under this Limited Warranty. ;Provided the appliance was used in accordance with the use & care instructions, Instant Brands will, in its sole and exclusive discretion, either: repair defects in materials or workmanship; or replace the appliance. ;In the event that your appliance is replaced, the Limited Warranty on the replacement appliance will expire twelve months from the date of receipt.; Failure to register your product will not reduce your warranty rights.; The liability of Instant Brands, if any, for any allegedly defective appliance or part will not exceed the purchase price of a comparable replacement appliance.;
Product Registration
Warranty Service
Instant Pot Bean/chili Setting
The Bean/Chili setting button can be used to cook larger dry legumes such as beans and chickpeas in liquid or to cook chili or another type of stew that uses dry beans. The program settings use High pressure and result in different doneness of beans. When cooking beans, always use NR to release pressure after cooking is done. Below is how to use the Bean/Chili setting on Instant Pot.
- Turn the Instant Pot on, it will say OFF to indicate the Stand-By mode. Add dry beans, liquid and salt to the pot. Secure and lock the lid. Select the Bean/Chili button. The default setting is pre-programmed to set the pot to cook at High pressure for 30 minutes. If you press the button again, you can adjust the mode from Normal to Less or More .;
- Less mode 25 minutes at High pressure for a firmer bean texture or to cook black beans, dry lima beans, Navy beans,; black-eyed peas, Adzuki, anasazi, dry peas.
- Normal mode 30 minutes at High pressure for a softer bean texture or to cook red kidney beans, white kidney beans , Pinto beans, black-eyed peas .;
- More mode 40 minutes at High pressure for a very soft bean texture or to cook harder legumes like chickpeas and soybeans .
COOKING TIPS
Ensure dry beans are completely submerged in water. Dried beans double in volume and weight after soaking or cooking. To avoid overflow, please do not fill the inner pot more than to the ½ mark to allow for expansion.
Note: You can also use the Multigrain setting to cook most beans.
Also Check: How Long To Cook Chicken Tenders In Instant Pot
Traditional Sous Vide Circulators
Most often, sous vide circulators are used to maintain water temperature.
These devices, which look similar to an immersion blender, have a metal coil that heats the water, and they also function to circulate the water, so all of the water is the same temperature. This helps to prevent the water nearest the circulator being hottest, while water away from the circulator could be colder.
Traditional circulators can be attached to a pot of water and programmed to the desired time and temperature.
The Instant Pot company makes an immersion circulator, which can be clipped to any large container or even the insert pot of the Instant Pot, if its 6-quart size or larger.
Anova makes another popular immersion circulator.
How To Use The Instant Pot As A Steamer
Im not talking about pressure steaming here, but;simply using the Instant Pot as a countertop steamer. I know people that live in NYC, and they live in some tiny spaces. Some barely have kitchens, and some lack them completely. This is where the Instant Pot shines again, versatility. No stove, no stockpot, no problem. This post shows you how easy it is to steam vegetable on your countertop in 15 to 20 minutes flat.
Pour 2 cups of water into your Instant Pot. Set to saute, and adjust the heat level to more. The water will reach a simmer in 5 to 6 minutes.
The water reached 203°F after 6 minutes without the lid on. The water will reach temperature a minute or so faster if you leave the lid on while preheating.
The optional Instant Pot glass lid;has a small vent hole at the top that releases some steam. The power of the steam in the pot also causes the lid to rattle ever so slightly, the same way some slow cookers do.
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Instant Pot Porridge Setting
The porridge setting on the Instant Pot can be used to cook oatmeal using old-fashioned oats and steel-cut oats, rice porridge and congee or porridge-like dishes that use a mixture of grains that expand in liquid. Ideally, you should use natural release when cooking high-starch foods that expand or a combination of 5-10 minutes natural release and quick release to follow. Below is how to use the Porridge setting on Instant Pot.
- Turn the Instant Pot on, it will say OFF to indicate the Stand-By mode. Add the grains, liquid and spices or fat if you wish. Secure and lock the lid. Press the Porridge button. The default setting is pre-programmed to set the pot to cook at High pressure for 20 minutes. If you press the Porridge button again, you can adjust the mode from Normal to Less or More.
- Less mode 5 minutes at High pressure this is suitable for cooking rolled oats and risotto-like porridge or rice porridge with slightly firmer to bite texture.;
- Normal mode 20 minutes at High pressure use for steel-cut oat porridge or rice porridge with a slightly softer texture and for making congee.;
- More mode 30 minutes at High pressure use for a porridge/congee that contains a mixture of beans or tougher grains.;
If desired, use the / + buttons to further customize the time. The cooking time may be adjusted at any time during pressure cooking.;
Here are some suggested water to rice/oats ratios for porridge and oatmeal dishes:
More Instant Pot ‘basics’ Recipes From The Blog
- Steamed Broccoli in Instant Pot: Cooking broccoli in the Instant Pot is so quick, easy, and nutritious! Ready in only 15 minutes.
- Instant Pot Pasta: Informative how-to guide explaining the pasta cooking time formula, pasta-to-liquid ratio and pressure release technique.;
- Cooking Beans in Instant Pot: Most tender beans using an Instant Pot, with or without soaking.
- How to Cook Lentils: Perfectly cooked lentils every time with these tips and tricks.
- Instant Pot Quinoa: A foolproof method for making Instant Pot Quinoa that is virtually hands-off.;
- Basmati & Jasmine Rice: A fail-proof recipe to make fluffy Basmati rice and Jasmine rice two ways.
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How Many Different Instant Pots Are There
Good question. If you’re counting all of Instant Pot’s devices including appliances outside pressure cookers, there are a lot. If you’re only counting pressure cookers, it’s still pretty confusing. Instant Pot added a slew of new cookers in 2019 and again in 2020.
Here’s how to compare each Instant Pot model:
- Functions: Pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, warming, sautéing
- Sizes: 3 quart, 6 quart, 8 quart
- New lid with safe steam valve features: No
Why Steam Carrots Or Veggies In The Instant Pot
I love steaming carrots in the Instant Pot for so many reasons, such as:
- Using the pressure cooker is basically hands-off! Virtually all you do is add your carrots, seasonings, and water to the Instant Pot, then forget them until they’ve cooked.
- This method is so fast! After you’ve peeled your carrots, they take under 15 minutes to cook.
- Cooking carrots in the Instant Pot is completely customizable. Add your favorite spices for the perfect side or to use in another recipe.
- Your carrots will end up evenly cooked and perfectly tender every single time!
Checkout other easy and delicious Instant Pot Basics Recipes!
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Why Do Hard Boiled Eggs Turn Green
Cooking eggs too long or at too high a temperature causes a reaction between the iron in the yolk and the sulfur in the white, according to the Incredible Egg website. Hence, a green ring forms between the yolk and white. This shouldn’t happen when you use the 5-5-5 method to cook eggs in the Instant Pot.
How To Cook With The Instant Pot
Many recipes follow the same type of cooking instructions, though things like rice, pasta, eggs, and yogurt will be different. For most recipes, you will follow these basic steps:
The above steps can vary quite a bit, depending on the recipe, but most of what I cook in my Instant Pot follows that sequence.
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The Ultimate Guide To Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables
Published Updated August 26, 2021 By Meeta Arora | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Along with all of the amazing meals and desserts you can cook in the Instant Pot, there are tons of simple things you can do with it as well. Whether it be carrots, asparagus, green beans, or pumpkin, you can perfectly steam almost any vegetable in the Instant Pot!
So why cook your veggies in the Instant Pot?
- It helps retain nutrients. Boiling veggies, often carrots and broccoli, tends to result in them being drained of their nutritional value. Using the Instant Pot means you can choose specific times and settings for different vegetables, allowing you to properly cook the veggies, but still keep them healthy!
- It’s super quick!;Many of these recipes take under 15 minutes.
- It’s a no-fail, dump & go process. You don’t need to monitor the veggies as they cook, or worry about over/under cooking! Hassle-free, perfect for those of you with super busy schedules.
- In case the above points didn’t convince you enough, take it from me; you’ll get perfectly cooked veggies every time!
Cook starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn, or cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, with ease. It’s as simple as adding a cup of liquid, adding your veggies, sealing the lid and forgetting about them!
Also be sure to check out how I steam a vegetable medley in the Instant Pot at the bottom of this post!
Instant Pot Soup Setting
The default Instant Pot soup setting is pre-programmed to set the pot to cook at HIGH pressure for 30 minutes. The soup program brings contents of the pot to a slow simmer and results in a clear broth due to lack of boiling motion. Below is how to use the Soup/Broth setting on Instant Pot.
- Turn the Instant Pot on, it will say OFF to indicate the Stand-By mode. Add all ingredients, seasonings and liquids to the pot and stir. Secure the lid on top. Press the Soup button. It will say Normal, 30 minutes at High Pressure. If you press the Soup button again, you can adjust the mode from Normal to Less or More .;
- Normal mode 30 minutes at High pressure recommended for soups with meat.
- Less mode 20 minutes at High pressure recommended for soups without meat.;
- More mode 4 hours at High pressure recommended for soups that require longer cook times such as rich bone broths. Release the pressure naturally.;
Use the / + buttons to further customize the time. The cooking time may be adjusted at any time during pressure cooking.;
INSTANT POT SOUP COOKING TIPS
We find that most vegetables, including potatoes, dont need the full 20 minutes at High pressure and will often overcook and get too soft, so for most vegetable-based soups, 5 to 10 minutes at High pressure is usually enough.
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