What Can You Do With An Instant Pot Cooker

Must Try

Is The Instant Pot A Healthier Way To Cook

INSTANT POT vs. SLOW COOKER – Which should YOU get??

That depends on what you mean by healthy. Does the Instant Pot help you cook with less oil and fat because the flavors become stronger naturally through the high steam cooking process? Yes! Pressure cooking also helps make grains and legumes more digestible. It just helps you cook more and cook better, which many people feel is important to eating and feeling their best.

Overall Instant Pot Cooking

This is a breakdown of the most used Instant Pot accessories in my kitchen. These are great for general, every day cooking in your Instant Pot.

Tempered Glass Lid

The glass lid makes a great addition when using the Saute, Slow Cook or Keep Warm function. It has a steam release vent to prevent too much condensation on the underside of the lid and was designed to fit the 6QT LUX, DUO or Smart models.

I especially like it when sauteing onions, but you can also use it to cover the pot when making yogurt or fermenting batter or dough.

As an added bonus, it is Dishwasher Safe and can be used on the stainless steel inner pot in the oven up to 425 degrees F.

The silicone lid is great when you want to store leftovers or soup in the fridge. It also makes an easy transport to parties and potlucks when I dont want to bring my entire Instant Pot.

It creates an airtight, spillproof, watertight seal that is both BPA free and Dishwasher safe.

Silicone Mini-Mitts

These heat-resistant mini mitts are more flexible than the full-on silicone gloves, so it makes it much easier to pop them on and off. I honestly did not think I would use them as much, but it turns out, I use them every day even for oven cooking!

What Size Instant Pot Should I Buy

The size of the Instant Pot you need depends on how many servings you plan on making. If you usually prepare food for two people or fewer, a smaller, four-quart size may be all you need. However, a six-quart Instant Pot is a good size because it can fit a whole chicken or make enough stew or chilly to share. For families of four or more, an eight-quart instant pot is the best option.

Don’t Miss: How To Steam Kale In Instant Pot

The First 10 Meals You Should Make

So, you just got an Instant Pot. Whats next? Dont be that person who bought the pot but hasnt opened it, letting it sit in the box for months. Part of this is lack of time or just the intimidation factor. It can be a little scary when you keep hearing about the first time someones released the pressure valve.

Instant Pot Recipes Made Simple

Cooking Methods You Can Do With an Instant Pot

Do you wish you could find one-pot meals that are simple and easy to make and your family will love?

Youre about to find out how simple it is to make healthy, one-pot meals with your Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker with my cookbook Instant Pot Recipes Made Simple. You can download it instantly to your phone, computer or e-reader, so its portable and can go with you anywhere!

With this book, youll get:

  • Tried-and-true recipes the whole family will love including pot roast, spaghetti, tacos, carnitas, soups, and easy breakfast meals
  • Instant Pot starter guide on how to use the buttons, tips and tricks, and more
  • Printable shopping lists for ingredients
  • Step-by-step video lesson on how to use your Instant Pot, pressure cooker safety, and some of my favorite tips and tricks
  • Two-week meal plan that you can put into action for no-stress weeknight dinners

Recommended Reading: How To Thaw Ground Beef Quickly

Different Models Of Instant Pot

When it was first launched, there was just one classic model called Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1. It came with an outer pot with button controls and a display screen on the front, the 6-quart stainless steel inner pot and the special lid with steam release handle and the pressure valve.

In the last few years, the Instant Pot company has released multiple new versions and sizes. We have Duo Plus, Nova, Viva, Ultra, and Max to name a few and most of them come in 3 popular sizes 6-quart , 3-quart and 8-quart . There is even a 10-quart version for extra-large batches of cooking. You can see the full range of Instant Pot multicookers on the official website here.

Each new model came with more functions and buttons, more sophisticated display screens and finer adjustment possibilities. The makers have also made some improvements to the lid, so the steam-release handle changed to a simple knob button on later versions.

However, as confusing as all these new models may seem, they all do exactly the same thing cook food under pressure in a controlled, safe environment. In our opinion, the newer models like Ultra and Max seem much more intimidating and overwhelming with bright digits and hi-fi buttons, so we prefer to stick with the classic models. All our website recipes are cooked in a 6-quart Instant Pot Duo or Instant Pot Duo Nova.

Precautions During Making Instant Pot Fried Chicken

  • Make the all-purpose flour and cornflour coating perfectly on all sides of the chicken and remove extra dry crust by shaking them.
  • Before dip, the chicken pieces in the hot oil, check the temperature by food thermometer or dip a small portion of dough in the oil. Try to maintain the temperature at approximately 350°F.

I hope, now you can make this healthy insta pot pressure fried chicken recipe in your kitchen easily. Please let us know, after making this dish, how was your cooking experience?

Some Related Chicken Dishes

Recommended Reading: Costco Tamale Cooking Instructions

Can You Do Canning In An Instant Pot

  • Save

If youre already a fan of canning and the proud owner of an Instant Pot, then its time to explore the wonderful world of pressure canning and bath canning.

Each type of canning is better suited to a particular food group, fruiting fantastic results either way. Acidity largely determines which method you use, but more on this soon.

Lets take a close look at canning in an Instant Pot and how you can start preserving all your favorite foods.

Whats Up With All Those Knobs And Buttons

How to Use an Instant Pot – Instant Pot 101 – Beginner? Start HERE!

I know, there are so many. Good news! You can ignore most of them. I use my Instant Pot nearly every day, and Ive never touched the Rice, Porridge, or Soup buttons. I do, however, make rice, porridge and soup in my IP all the time, just by programming it manuallywhich you need to know in any case.

For now, were focusing on the buttons you need for most pressure cooking recipes. If it helps, just get masking tape and cover up those other buttons so that you only focus on the buttons needed for our test drive:

  • On the Instant Pot Duo: the Low Pressure and High Pressure buttons, the +/- Cooking Time buttons, the Manual button, and the Keep Warm/Cancel button.
  • On the Instant Pot Ultra: Cancel and Start buttons and the central knob

Alison Conklin

Read Also: How Long To Cook Pre Cooked Ribs In Instant Pot

Chicken Wings That Are Finer Licking Good

Chicken wings are always a finger-lickin good choice that is totally worth the mess. For game day, barbecue parties and just preparing a super delicious dinner alongside a few simple sides. No matter what your craving, spice tolerance or sauce versus spice preference is, weve got an Instant Pot chicken wing recipe for you in todays roundup. Break out the napkins!

This vegan and gluten-free friendly Instant Pot chickpea stew is a delicious main meal full of Moroccan-influenced spices and flavors. Serve it over rice, couscous or with some crusty bread.

Learn more about the Instant Pot on their official website.

If you have any additional questions, ask away! If youre ready to purchase your Instant Pot, you can find the recommended model for beginners here.

A Summary Of My Instant Pot Review

Clearly, I am still a fan. A huge fan. And a bigger one than when I reviewed it more than three years ago. I love that it really does save me time. It helps me with meal prep. And it makes a few dishes that just taste better than other methods. While I certainly dont use all the functions on this small appliance, the ones I do use make it worth the real estate it takes up in my small kitchen. If you told me three years ago that I was going to be such a huge fan, Im not sure I would have believed you. But now it makes me wonder: How much more will I love it in three more years when I have a toddler?

How long have you had your Instant Pot? Do you love it as much as I love mine?

Kelli is the Food Editor for Plan & Prep content for Kitchn. She’s a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.

Recommended Reading: Instant Pot White Bread Recipe

How Do I Get Into This Thing When Its At Pressure

Now you need to release the pressure. There are two ways:

  • Natural release: That means you do nothing but wait. The more food in the Instant Pot, the longer it takes for the pressure to come downas long as 30 minutes if you have, say, a big batch of chili. In a lot of recipes, this time is actually part of the cooking time, and the recipe will specify natural release in the instructions. Think of it as carryover cooking. Youll use natural release with dried beans, a lot of soups and stews, most meats, steamed desserts, and long-cooking vegetables.
  • Quick release: With this method, you use the quick release valve and steam shoots up out of it. Once again, the more food in your Instant Pot, the longer it takes for the steam to release. Youll use quick release for quick-cooking foods like tender vegetables and seafoods.

How Do I Make Meatloaf In The Instant Pot

The First 7 Things You Should Cook in Your 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.

Recommended Reading: How To Cook Frozen Tamales In Instant Pot

What Are All The Parts That Come In The Instant Pot Box

Heres a little cheat sheet to the essential parts.

The sealing rings are an especially important part of the Instant Pot design. They press into the sealing ring rack inside the lid to create a firm seal. When cleaning the Instant Pot these should be removed and cleaned separately in warm soapy water.

How Do I Cook Chicken Thighs In The Instant Pot

Set the steamer rack/trivet in the bottom of the pressure cooker, season 2 pounds of skin-on, bone-in thighs with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and place on trivet. Add 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water. Seal the lid and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes, then quick release. To get a good crispy skin, preheat the broiler, remove the chicken to a baking sheet skin-side up, and broil skin-side up until its golden-brown, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Read Also: Instapot Frozen Ribs

Does Snopes Say The Instant Pot Explosion Is True

Snopes does not have any verified reports of Instant Pot explosions. They only have a report, labeled true, of a recall on a specific model which was having overheating issues.

Of course, you already know you cant believe everything you read on the internet.

Lots of rumors go around the internet and the Snopes website tends to fact check all the popular rumors, myths, and legends. In searching Snopes for Instant Pot explosion stories, only one story comes up and its NOT regarding explosions.

That story was about a rumor about Instant Pot meltdowns. In that case, it was the Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker, which is from the same manufacturer but is not a pressure cooker, which had a recall for overheating issues.

The recall was in March of 2018 and the company responded swiftly replacing any defective units.

Their official statement included We believe the problem only affects batch-codes 1728, 1730, 1731, 1734, and 1746. To verify the 4-digit batch code, locate the silver label on the underside of the product. The batch code is the 4-digit number located at the bottom right of the label.

CBC Ottawa

Filling It Over Max Level

26 Things to NEVER DO with your Instant Pot! – Instant Pot Tips for Beginners

This is very common and also a major reason an instant pot explodes. People tend to fill the pot over the max level.

If you fill it over the max level there are chances of some food which expands while they cook to get clogged or trap the steam releasing valves which might release in excess pressure and explosions.

Don’t Miss: How Long To Cook Pre Cooked Ribs In Instant Pot

How To Make Instant Pot Lamb Chops

You are going to be wowed when you taste how wonderful these pressure cooker lamb chops turn out. They couldnt be any easier and are some of the best Ive ever eaten.

First Step: Prepare the marinade by whisking the brown sugar, ground ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and sambal paste in a bowl.

Second Step: Use a resealable plastic bag and add the lamb chops to it. Then cover them with half of the marinade.

Third Step: Keep the rest of the lamb chop marinade for later.

Fourth Step: After sealing the plastic bag, massage the closed bag, so the marinade really gets mixed into the lamb chops.

Fifth Step: Place the bag of marinading lamb chops in the fridge from 4-24 hours, depending on your preference.

Sixth Step: When its time to begin cooking, turn the Instant Pot to the saute setting and add 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil. Once its hot, add the lamb chops.

Seventh Step: Sear each side of the lamb chops for 2 minutes each. Dont forget to do both sides.

Eighth Step: Place the remaining marinade sauce and 1/2 cup of broth into the pressure cooker.

Ninth Step: Put the Instant Pot on manual high pressure, close the valve, and cook for 2 minutes for medium lamb chops.

Tenth Step: Allow the pressure cooker to do a natural release for 15 minutes, then you can do a quick release to finish releasing pressure.

Eleventh Step: Remove the meat from the pressure cooker and allow them to rest.

Twelfth Step: Coat the chops with sauce to taste.

Fourteen Step: Serve and enjoy!

Cuisine:

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.

Recommended Reading: Frozen Ground Beef In Pressure Cooker

Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth

Crisp, golden desserts are not going to happen in your multicooker. Instead, as cookbook author Jessie Sheehan wrote for us, focus on items that benefit from cooking with steam: The Instant Pot excels at baking up luscious, custards and puddings, cakes with a dense, moist crumb think sticky toffee pudding or dense snacking cakes , creme brulee, rice pudding, flan, clafoutis, chocolate pots de crème, lemon pudding cake, and cheesecake and bread pudding. As she points out, desserts contained in a 7-inch cake pan work well, as do those you can make in individual ramekins.

Does dulce de leche eaten with a spoon count as dessert? In my book, it does. Homemade dulce de leche is within easy reach with the Instant Pot. See the instructions in Alfajores .

Yogurt Making Sauting And Other Uses

How to cook perfect rice in an electric pressure cooker ...

True to its name, the multicooker can do more than just pressure cook and slow cook. Depending on your model, it may also feature several settings for preparing yogurt, rice or poultry, as well as sautéeing.

  • Yogurt Setting

    How you use this function will vary based on the recipe and your model. Most yogurt functions will heat the pot at 180 degrees to 200 degrees, which kills any errant bacteria in the milk, and helps the yogurt to thicken. Then it keeps the milk at 110 degrees for several hours, during which time it ferments. Consult your manual for exact instructions.

  • Saute Setting

    The sauté function works like a burner on your stove, heating the inner pot from the bottom up, and allowing you to brown meats and vegetables, and to simmer sauces to reduce them.

    The sauté function on most cookers has several levels, from low to high, allowing you to adjust the heat. If yours doesnt, and the food is turning too dark too quickly, turn off the machine for a few minutes to bring down the heat. Then, if necessary, turn it back on. Its not a perfect solution, but it works well enough. Or, you can always brown the ingredients on the stove in a skillet, then transfer them to the pot for the remainder of the cooking. Note that when sautéing, the multicookers lid should always be off.

  • Don’t Miss: Can Instant Pot Go In Dishwasher

    Latest Recipes

    More Recipes Like This