What Should You Not Cook In An Instant Pot
Even though theres an abundance of things that you can make with an Instant Pot, there are also a handful of ingredients that cant handle the pressure very welllike pasta, dairy, and crispy foods.Delicate pasta can easily overcook and disintegrate dairy products can curdle or separate and crispy things can get soggy. Often, you can avoid the issue by waiting to add certain ingredients until all the other parts have cooked. For instance, you can finish off a soup with a generous dose of cream, or use the sauté function to crisp bacon, then set it aside, and finally add it back to your dish at the end.
Meanwhile, youll want to be careful when cooking more delicate proteins or veggies so that you dont turn them into totally overcooked mush. You can generally achieve that by following the recipe instructions regarding the timing and settings.
Finally, some dishes are just not Instant Potfriendlyanything that requires some serious searing or crisping is probably best made using another method.
Tips For This Instant Pot Chili Recipe
- Be sure that you dont stir in the beans and tomatoes before pressure cooking. If you stir them in you are more likely to get the burn message.
- Depending on which chili powder you use and how spicy you like your chili, you can adjust the amount of chili powder. I use a milder chili powder and find 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons to be the perfect amount for a mildly spicy chili.
- You can add more vegetables to this chili recipe. Try chopped green bell pepper, chopped or shredded carrot, or cubes of sweet potato.
- This Instant Pot Chili is thick right after pressure cooking, but if you want it even thicker you can simmer it using sauté mode for a few minutes.
- This chili tastes even better on the second and third day. You can store leftover chili in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. This chili freezes really well.
- Want to make this in the slow cooker? Try my slow cooker chili recipe.
Find more of the best Instant Pot ground beef recipes here!
How To Store Soup
- Divide the soup into containers and let it cool down. Store airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheat until very hot.
- Follow the above instructions for the freezer. Label the containers and store them once cooled down completely. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight, in a microwave or directly in the pot over low-medium heat.
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Healthy Instant Pot Recipes For All Diets
We have stepped up our healthy Instant Pot recipes game on Fit Foodie Finds over the last few years with dozens of new recipes featuring all types of meals. Our Instant Pot recipes are balanced meals that are made with simple and real ingredients that dont sacrifice classic flavors.
While we dont follow certain diets on Fit Foodie Finds, a lot of our IP recipes are naturally gluten-free and vegetarian. We have Instant Pot recipes that suit most diets:
- gluten-free
- vegetarian
The Instant Pot is a great appliance for everyone, but especially for those trying to live a healthy lifestyle because it makes meal-prep a breeze AND you dont have to use your oven .
So there you have it, the rest is history! Give your first Instant Pot recipe a go with one of these delicious Instant Pot recipes !
Creamy Instant Pot Pasta
This healthy Instant Pot recipe has become a fan favorite! Can you cook pasta in a pressure cooker without it turning to mush? Turns out, you can! This Instant Pot pasta mixes a marinara sauce with creamy goat cheese. Its so seriously flavorful and a perfect easy weeknight dinner recipe: it’s as simple as throwing a few ingredients in the pot and cooking for 5 minutes.
Read Also: How Much Water In Instant Pot For Ribs
Whole30 Instant Pot Recipes
These Whole30 Instant Pot Recipes are perfect for dinner tonight. Naturally paleo and so yummy, your instant pot will make Whole30 even easier!
This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Clickhere to read my policy. This post was originally shared in Jan of 2019 but has since been updated.
If you love your instant pot youll love these 20 Whole30 Instant Pot Recipes! All of these recipes are paleo, gluten free, dairy free and simple to make.
If youve done a Whole30 before you know that you cook ALOT. And spend a ton of time in the kitchen.
Using your instant pot can definitely help save you time when it comes to meals!
This instant pot is great because:
- you can cook for a large group or a meal prep
- it has all the features you need in an instant pot
- Improved venting system
Healthy Instant Pot Recipes Youll Want To Cook Over And Over Again
Instant Pots have dominated the home cooking scene for years for good reason: There are just so many tasty and healthy Instant Pot recipes that you can make with the beloved gadget. This nifty appliance is capable of doing a lot, from whipping up dinner on a moments notice to being a key player in meal prep planning. The Instant Pot is perhaps most well known for its pressure-cooking function, which uses large amounts of pressure to cook everything from meat to vegetables more quickly than normal. But this device has also got a bunch of other cool functions that make it even more of a kitchen ninja.
Well expound on the Instant Pots rapid cooking capabilities in a minute, though. First, lets talk about the other benefits of adding delectable, filling, easy, and healthy Instant Pot recipes to your repertoire. Beyond the fact that its a heck of a timesaver in that it cuts down on cooking time, Instant Pots can also make cleanup way faster and easier. You wont end up with a sink full of dishes when everything is made in just the one pot.
The tool is also extremely handy on hot days when youd rather not turn on the oven or stove, because as a small and insulated device, its not going to release a ton of heat into your kitchen.
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Benefits Of Cooking With An Instant Pot
- Quick & Hands-Free. An Instant Pot turns time-consuming recipes into quick and easy ones. Better yet, you dont have to stand over the stove while your recipe cooks. One of my favorite time-saving, hands-off hacks is this easy Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes recipe.
- Great for Last-Minute Meals. Since you can cook frozen meat in an Instant Pot, its an excellent tool for making meals at the last minute .
- Year-Round Recipes. The Instant Pot is a tool you can from season to season. Whether you want healthy summer Instant Pot recipes or winter Instant Pot recipes , you can easily find something to make.
- Sauté and Cook. The Instant Pot provides the opportunity to both sauté and pressure cook in the same vessel .
Why Youll Love This Vegetable Soup Recipe
- Its easy to make. Once you chop and sauté the vegetables, the Instant Pot does the rest.
- The recipe is easily adapted to use other veggies, so its perfect for cleaning out your refrigerators crisper drawer.
- It reheats wonderfully. The leftovers are perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
We like to serve this Instant Pot vegetable soup with dinner rolls, yeast rolls, crackers, cornbread, or whole wheat bread and honey butter. Or pair a bowl of vegetable soup with a green salad for a classic soup and salad combination.
Looking for more ways to use your Instant Pot? Try these healthy Instant Pot recipes. If youre new to Instant Pot cooking, learn how to use an Instant Pot in my simple guide for beginners.
Also Check: What To Do If Instant Pot Says Burn
Paleo Spaghetti Squash Shrimp
Not to blow our own trumpet, but we have some pretty good recipes in our archives, and they include some great Instant Pot choices. This spaghetti squash shrimp recipe is healthy, delicious, and low carb. You make the spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot and then pull together the rest of the recipe in no time at all.
Mexican Red Beans And Quinoa
Cook 20 minutes
Total 25 minutes
This plant-based medley provides multiple , including quinoa and the kidney beans, Gorin says. As Harvard University points out, quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it provides all nine essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own. Whats more, quinoa is a standout health-wise, providing nutrients such as 118 mg of magnesium and 77.7 mcg of folate per cup, notes the USDA. This dish also includes plenty of spices for a flavorful kick. Plus, it takes only five minutes max to prep, and less than 20 to cook. One-quarter of this recipe from Awe Filled Homemaker offers 368 calories, 17 g of fat , 48 g of carbs, 13 g of fiber, and 13 g of protein. Optional: Serve with a squeeze of lime juice, fresh cilantro, avocado, and shredded cheese.
Read Also: How Long Do You Cook Frozen Chicken In Instant Pot
Healthy Instant Pot Dinners That Make Perfect Weeknight Meals
Sometimes you’re up for getting chef-y in the kitchen. Other times, not so much. Thats why Instant Pot dinners are such a lifesaver. At the end of a busy day, the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen before you can actually sit down to eat. The Instant Pot gets rid of that problem in one of two ways, both of which are genius. You can either pop everything into the pot in the morning and let it slow-cook all day while you’re taking care of business, so everything’s ready when you walk in the door after a hectic day. Other times, if you can spare 15 or 30 minutes, you can prep everything right then and use the pressure cooker feature to get food ready fast. Either way, you win.
Whether you’re an experienced Instant Pot pro or you just got one as a gift and have no idea what to do with it, don’t worry. These healthy Instant Pot recipes are pretty hard to mess upas long as you can follow the directions, which are intended to be low lift, you’ll likely end up with a delicious result. And maybe youll even find yourself getting inspired to come up with some Instant Pot recipes of your own.
All right, are we ready to dive into the tasty goodness? Great. Here are 30 mouthwatering and healthy Instant Pot dinners worth trying tonight . Add ’em to your cook-it list!
How To Make Sweet And Sour Chicken In The Instant Pot
This one pot meal is ready with just 10 minutes of prep!
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Healthy Instant Pot Recipes Under 450 Calories
Instant Pots are a handy kitchen tool they help you save precious time in the kitchen and can be used to make everything from hearty soups to overnight oats. These 15 recipes feature up to 50 grams of protein for 450 calories or less per serving.
1. INSTANT POT CHICKPEA TIKKA MASALA | MYFITNESSPALS RECIPES
Nutrition :Calories: 317 Total Fat: 5g Saturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 685mg Carbohydrate: 60g Dietary Fiber: 10g Sugar: 6g Protein 11g
6. INSTANT POT CHICKEN RAMEN | MYFITNESSPALS RECIPES
Nutrition :Calories: 360 Total Fat: 14g Saturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 170mg Sodium: 612mg Carbohydrate: 11g Dietary Fiber: 3g Sugar: 1g Protein: 50g
11. FAST AND EASY INSTANT POT OATS | LENTINE ALEXIS FOR MYFITNESSPAL
Nutrition :Calories: 204 Total Fat: 4g Saturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 3mg Sodium: 345g Carbohydrate: 34g Dietary Fiber: 4g Sugar: 6g Protein: 10g
13. INSTANT POT HOT WINGS | MYFITNESSPALS RECIPES
Nutrition : Calories: 269 Total Fat: 18g Saturated Fat: 5g Monounsaturated Fat: 7g Cholesterol: 86mg Sodium: 286mg Carbohydrate: 6g Dietary Fiber: 0g Sugar: 4g Protein: 20g
Nutrition : Calories: 347 Total Fat: 16g Saturated Fat: 6g Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 154mg Sodium: 170mg Carbohydrate: 1g Dietary Fiber: 0g Sugar: 0g Protein: 46g
Originally published March 2020, updated with additional recipes
Is It Better To Slow Cook Or Pressure Cook
Slow cookers are much better for cooking root vegetables and tough cuts of meat because the long, low-temperature cooking process is great for adding moisture and breaking down fat. It is not recommended that you cook leaner meats in a slow cooker, but they can be prepared no problem in a pressure cooker.
Recommended Reading: Paleo Instant Pot Recipes
Tips For Making Instant Pot Spaghetti
- Use either white or whole wheat spaghetti in this recipe Ive tested it with both with good success. I recommend cooking whole wheat spaghetti for 5 minutes . Cook white spaghetti for 7 minutes .
- You can use either ground beef or ground turkey in this recipe.
- When you use a full pound of meat in this recipe, the dish is heavy on the meat. You can use half a pound of meat instead of a full pound if you like less meat in your pasta. Either buy 1/2 pound from the butcher or save the other half pound from a one pound package to make tacos.
- Ive tested this recipe without the meat and it worked great! To make vegetarian spaghetti, put the water in the pot first, then the seasonings, then pasta, then sauce on top. Do not stir and pressure cook as directed.
- Use a good quality marinara sauce that you love the flavor of, as that will impact the flavor of the finished dish.
- Do not stir after adding the spaghetti or sauce. You will arrange the spaghetti in alternating directions to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
- Be sure to do a quick release right away when the cook time finishes so the pasta doesnt over cook.
- When you first open the Instant Pot, the sauce will look thin. Give it a stir and let it rest for 3-5 minutes and it will be perfect!
Instant Pot Sweet And Sour Chicken Faqs
How long do you put chicken in the Instant Pot?
Normally, you would cook chicken in the instant pot for more than a couple of minutes. However, since were cutting the chicken up into 1 chunks, it cooks super quickly. Two minutes per side during the browning process, two minutes of pressure cooking, and a couple of minutes while the sauce is thickening. Thats it!
Can you overcook chicken in the Instant Pot?
In theory, yes. However, it is quite difficult to overcook the chicken in the instant pot. The moist environment creates tender, juicy bites of chicken. If you follow the instructions, your chicken should be just fine!
How to store:
Leftover Sweet and Sour Chicken will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm on the stove or in the microwave until heated through.
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Can You Cook Noodles In A Pressure Cooker
When you cook pasta in a pressure cooker, you dont have to watch it or monitor the heat underneath the pot.It cooks quickly and unattended in a pressure cooker. Also, you can cook pasta directly in a sauce in a pressure cooker, which saves you having to do one more step in a recipe and one more pot to clean up.
What Can You Cook In An Instant Pot
Animal proteins , grains, beans and legumes, various veggies, yogurt, desserts, hard-boiled eggs, oatmeal, stews, curries, casseroles, and more can all be beautifully cooked in an Instant Pot.
Many busy home chefs particularly love this little appliance because Instant Pot dinners drastically reduce the cooking time for dishes that typically have to simmer for a long timelike beef stew, pulled pork, bolognese sauce, chicken stock, and slow cooker chicken recipes. But you can also make pretty much any meal or meal prep component that youd ordinarily cook on the stovetop.
Dont forget, though, that pressure cooking is just one of the Instant Pots many functions . The slow-cooking, sautéeing, and steaming functions are equally versatile for making delicious Instant Pot meals, while more specialized settings will make specific cooking tasks a cinch. Because why do one thing when you can do them all?
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How To Make Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
This recipe is so simple and the results are so delicious! Here is a quick overview of the recipe steps. You can find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post.
