How To Use Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

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How Do I Check The Food Inside While Its Cooking

How to Use Instant Pot as a Pressure Cooker

YOU CANT. If this makes you freak out, join the club. But youve gotta get used to it and stop worrying. You cannot check the food mid-cycle. Yes, it can be scary to not be able to see whats happening. It means relearning some of your instincts as a cook. Fortunately the precision and predictability of cooking in an electric pressure cooker means that you dont have to check and adjust the way you do when cooking on the stovetop.

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 Do I Make Pork Tenderloin In The Instant Pot

This recipe takes about 35 minutes, including 10 minutes of prep time.

Make a dry rub: Place 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, and 3/4 teaspoon onion powder in a small bowl and stir. Pat 2 pork tenderloins dry and sprinkle the spice mixture on top. Press Sauté and add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and stir it to coat the insert. Brown the tenderloins 4 to 5 minutes per side, and transfer to a plate.

Add 2 cloves minced garlic and 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth to the pot. Scrape up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Press Cancel and place the tenderloins in the broth. Seal lid, and cook on HIGH for 1 minute. Natural release for 5 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure. Check pork temp: If its not 145°F, replace lid and cook in the residual heat for 2 more minutes.

Remove tenderloins. Whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl until the cornstarch is dissolved. Press Sauté, then whisk mixture into the cooking liquid and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes. Cut the pork into 1/4-inch-thick slices and serve.

Also Check: How To Make Tamales In An Instant Pot

How To Freeze Chopped Butternut Squash

  • Line a sheet pan with nonstick foil or a Silpat liner. Scatter cooked or uncooked cubes of squash on the pan and place it in the freezer. Once frozen, put them in a freezer-safe ziplock.
  • For cooked squash, let it thaw in the fridge. For uncooked squash, you can throw them frozen into the Instant Pot and cook for 9 minutes with a quick pressure release.

Which One Is Right For You

Instant Pot IP

The version you like best comes down to how you like to cook. I would say that the Instant Pot has an edge on the traditional pressure cooker, though. The ease of use is a huge factor to consider.

If you want to be more hands-on with the cooking process, the traditional pressure cooker offers a lot of benefits, in a smaller package.

If youre more interested in a set it and forget it machine that doesnt have to be used on the stove-top, plus the additional safety features and general peace of mind, then the Instant Pot is your better choice.

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All Right But Whats So Great About Pressure Cooking

It cooks food extra-fast and reliably. Pressure cooking can cook foods that normally take a long time very quickly. Heres the basic science: A pressure cooker like the Instant Pot creates a high-pressure steam chamber. Over about 10 minutes, the pressure inside the sealed pot is raised through heat. At high pressures, the boiling point of water shifts higher, which means that you can cook and boil food at higher temperatures and more quickly. The high pressure also forces water into food, helping it to cook faster but also creating more complex, deeper flavors. A pressure cooker does magical things like cook tough but flavorful cuts like pork shoulder into tender, melting carnitas in an hour flat instead of the usual four to five hours.

Who Invented The Instant Pot And When

PhD, engineer, entrepreneur, and all-around angel of the kitchen, Robert Wang. We have him to thank for finally really popularizing pressure cooking with Americans. He and his team invented the original model in 2009, and the first commercially available Instant Pot was released in 2010. He is known for being obsessive about listening to his customers and even !

Read Also: What Is C7 On Instant Pot

Can You Put Frozen Meat In A Pressure Cooker

It is possible to pressure-cook smaller cuts of frozen meat and frozen poultry. You can also easily pressure-cook frozen vegetables. To pressure-cook thick pieces of frozen meat like beef or pork roasts, it will take up to one-third more than the normal cooking time, and the results will not taste very good.

How To Use The Instant Pot For Beginners

How To Use The Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Learn how to use the Instant Pot with step-by-step instructions and photos for manual or smart program pressure cooker settings, how to sauté foods, and how and when to select a natural release or quick release options. Plus, we cover some Instant Pot FAQs and general tips to make your learning curve as the Instant Pot beginner less steep. Lets get started!

Looking at your shiny new Instant Pot box and wondering where to start? Dont panic! This wonderful kitchen gadget might seem intimidating but its actually very friendly once you get to know it. Lets unpack the box, its time to learn how to use the Instant Pot.

As part of our Instant Pot For Beginner series, we have also covered what the Instant Pot is and how it works with its key features and cooking stages. Make sure to check them out!

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Theres Pressure All Around Us

Before we dive into pressure cooking, a note on pressure and air in general. All around us is air which constantly presses downwards on us resulting in a pressure in the air of approximately 1 bar. This is a normal pressure and we wouldnt be able to live under far higher or lower pressures. Up in the mountains, pressure is lower, resulting in lower concentrations of oxygen. Down in the sea, the pressure is a lot higher, due to the water and our bodies would collapse under that pressure.

The pressure in the air determines the boiling temperature of water as well. If the pressure is low, water boils at a lower temperature. If the pressure is high, water boils at a higher temperature. If youve ever tried to boil an egg high up in the mountains you may have realized that you need to cook it for a lot longer to get the same consistency as would when cooking at sea level!

Want More Practice Bring It Back To Pressure

Try it again with the same hot water. This time, press Manual and then adjust the 30 minute default time by pressing the button, then press the + button to go up. Lets do 10 minutes.

You may notice how, if you press Manual and take too long before pressing the other buttons, the cooker will just beep on its own and proceed for 30 a minute pressure cooking time. If you need to re-start, just press Cancel/Keep Warm and start over.

Since the water is in your cooker is already almost boiling to begin with, the cooker will come to pressure a lot faster than it did the first timewithin a minute or so. Itll hiss, then the hissing will abruptly stop as the pressure indicator button goes up. If the hissing just keeps on going, its probably because you left the valve in the venting position instead of sealed. Just use your spoon handle to nudge it back.

What next? Same as before: the cooker beeps, the readout will say 10, and then it will switch to LO:00. You can do quick or natural release, whichever floats your boat.

Coco Morante

Read Also: Clean Instant Pot Lid

How To Wash Your Instant Pot

When you’re doing dishes after dinner, be sure to remove and thoroughly clean the sealing ring to ensure it doesn’t hold onto flavors. You can do this quickly by hand-washing using a mild detergent.

For a deeper clean, add a cup of water, a cup of white vinegar, and a few lemon peels to the clean inner pot and run the unit on Steam for two minutes. Release the pressure naturally and let the lid and ring air dry.

But Isnt Instant Pot Just A Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Duo Nova 8 Quart Multi

Yes, the Instant Pot is a pressure cooker. But there is a big difference between the two in terms of how they function and how easy they are to use for the typical home cook.

Lets take a look at what a pressure cooker can do:

When cooking something on the stove top, the water boils at 212 degrees and stays at that temperature, but inside a pressure cooker the water can build up to 250 degrees, which allows the food to cook much faster.

  • Cooks food in 70% less time than on the stove top.
  • Great for cooking foods that take a long time, like pot roasts, whole chicken, brisket and dried beans.
  • Breaks down the tough fibers in meats much faster for tender roasts and briskets in half the time.

Both a traditional pressure cooker and an Instant Pot do those same basic things. The difference comes down to how convenient they are to use.

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How To Do A Pressure Cooker Quick Release

After the cooking cycle finished, carefully move the venting knob from Sealing Position to Venting Position to quickly release the pressure inside the pressure cooker.

Usually it takes a few minutes to release all the pressure. Wait until the Floating Valve completely drops before opening the lid.

The steam shooting out maybe intimidating at first. Using a wooden spoon or wear oven mitt/silicone glove to move the Venting Knob may help. You will get used to it

Whats the advantage?

Whats the catch?

  • Not suitable for food with large liquid volume or high starch content . Food content may splatter out from the Pressure Release Valve.
  • Foamy food may clog the Pressure Release Valve.
  • Food, especially beans may break apart due to the sudden change in pressure/temperature.
  • If the recipe is designed for Natural Pressure Release, the food may come out undercooked.

How Do I Make Curry In The Instant Pot

Well, there are of course hundreds of thousands of dishes that fall under the general umbrella of curry. Many of them are great to make in the Instant Pot, as it helps cook meat and vegetables quickly and melds the flavors.

Here is one recipe for Kerala-style chicken coconut curry in the Instant Pot. It takes about an hour, and heres the full recipe. To make curry, select Sauté and heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add 1 piece of peeled and minced fresh ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 2 large thinly sliced yellow onions. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes until the onions are softened and lightly browned. Add 3 tablespoons of garam masala. Add 1/4 cup of your favorite curry paste and cook for 1 minute. Add 2 large sliced tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes until they have broken down. Add 2 1/2 to 3 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces, 3 teaspoons of kosher salt, and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Mix to combine, seal the lid, and cook on HIGH pressure for 10 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally when finished. Serve with rice and yogurt.

Read Also: Instant Pot Reheat Tamales

The Display Says Burn What Does That Mean

Suddenly big BURN letters are across the screen of your Instant Pot. This just means you didnt have enough liquid in your Instant Pot. The pot often displays this if its overheating to prevent food from, well, burning. Quick-release any pressure in the pot, add more liquid, and restart your cook time.

Be sure to have at least one cup of liquid surrounding the other ingredients or added to a thick sauce to prevent burning. Its usually recommended that cream-based ingredients and thickeners be added after pressure cooking to avoid burning.

How To Use A Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Programmable Pressure Cooker

Before using your Instant Pot, always make sure:

  • the inner pot does not have any dents or scratches
  • the rubber ring around the inside of the lid is intact and free from tears
  • the pressure release valve is clean and free from debris

After youve checked these things, its time to move on to cooking! Just follow the steps below:

  • Put your ingredients in the pot, including a liquid. When pressure cooking, its important that you always include at least 1 cup of liquid in your recipe. This liquid is used to build up steam. It can be water, broth, etc.
  • Put the lid on. Make sure to turn the lid to secure it to the pot.
  • Move the pressure valve to the sealed position. This is important to ensure that the pot pressurizes.
  • Select the mode and the amount of time. The Instant Pot has several different modes: soup/broth, meat/stew, bean/chilli, poultry, rice, multigrain, porridge, steam, slow cook, sauce, yogurt and pressure cook. You can also change the pressure level or set a delay start if needed.
  • When done cooking, wait for the pressure to release. You can allow the pressure to naturally release, which will happen automatically when the time is done. Or you can do a quick release by turning the pressure release valve to the unsealed position.
  • After the pressure has been released, you can open the lid and enjoy! If you are not eating right away, the Instant Pot also has a keep warm function until you are ready.
  • Read Also: Instant Pot Beets Cooking Time

    How Do I Make Meatloaf In The Instant Pot

    This recipe is a double-whammy: It makes meatloaf and mashed potatoes at the same time! It takes a little more than an hour, and you do it with pot-in-pot cooking.

    Combine 2 pounds of ground beef, 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup of whole milk, 1 small, grated yellow onion, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt in a large bowl. Shape the mixture into a 6×4-inch loaf. Place it in a 6-inch round cake pan, then place 2 pounds of peeled and quartered Yukon gold potatoes in the pot with 2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt. Place the steamer rack over the potatoes and put the meatloaf pan on the steamer rack. Lock the lid, set to HIGH pressure for 35 minutes.

    Meanwhile, heat oven to 400ºF. Combine 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons of packed light brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of mustard. Naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes then quick release the rest. Remove the meatloaf, brush with the ketchup glaze, and bake 8 to 10 minutes. While baking, add 1 cup of half-and-half and 4 tablespoons of butter to the potatoes and mash.

    Instant Pot And Pressure Cooker Pros & Cons

    The DUO60 6 qt 7-in-1$89 on Walmart

    Through our research, the Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 is the best Instant Pot model in 2021 .

    It includes 14 smart preset programs, 6.5 Quart size/capacity, a stainless steel steaming rack, and 7 functions.

    The 7-in-1 instant pot can speed up your cooking process by 2-6 times, and keeps the food warm for up to 24 hours, thanks to the automatic keep warm mode.

    Also, it has 12 preset temperatures, which means you can expect some consistent cooking.

    Its not the most versatile model, but its the best return for your money and costs 50% less than the newest Ultra 10-in-1.

    However, there are only 2 colors to choose from, black and silver.

    Best Stovetop Pressure Cooker Calphalon 6-quart Pressure Cooker

    Calphalon 6 qt stovetop pressure cookerbest price on Walmart

    Calphalon 1859693 is a high-end electric pressure cooker that is extremely easy to use. You can lock it with the touch of a button, and it reduces the cooking time by over 50%.

    You can use this power pressure cooker on all kinds of stovetops, including induction, and it is stovetop and dishwasher-safe.

    Also, using the pressure indicator, you can determine the cooking time easily.

    Also Check: What To Do If Your Instant Pot Says Burn

    Choose Similar Ingredients To Another Pot

    One of the easiest ways to adjust a pot-in-pot recipe is to choose a recipe that uses similar ingredients and base your cook time off of that. For example, if you want to make a Snickers Cheesecake, I recommend starting with my Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake recipe and adapting it to your candy of choice.

    I Get The Sense The Instant Pot Has Become Really Popular I Feel A Little Bit Left Behind

    Instant Pot

    Yes! The Instant Pot has become wildly popular over the past five years, thanks to great deals on Amazon, a strong user community, and a company that really listens to its fans. About a fifth of American households own one! Thats wild. In over 10 years online weve never seen anything change the cooking landscape quite like it. But dont worry: Late adopters are welcome! Its never too late to join the Instant Pot cult.

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