Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli cheddar soup is always a crowd-pleaser! Make your own with this simple and scrumptious Instant Pot recipe.
Fresh broccoli florets are smothered in a creamy cheese broth for a soup combination thats out of this world. Youll flip when you try a bite of your own, homemade soup.
Another classic off of Olive Gardens soup, salad, and breadstick menu that you can make in your own kitchen. Dont be swayed by the fancy name!
This recipe couldnt be simpler! Obviously, this soup has plenty of pasta!
What better way to fill you up and keep you cozy on a long winters night?
Is Instant Pot Safe
Weve all heard the horror stories of pressure cookers exploding, and the truth is if you do not use a pressure cooker properly, traditional stove top or electric, they can cause injury. After all, you are dealing with up to 15psi of very hot steam.
However, Instant Pots are manufactured with 10 or more safety mechanisms, depending on the model. Instant Pots are all UL/ULC certified safe for residential use. In many cases you can even leave your Instant Pot unattended.
Just make sure you are reading the User Manual and doing the initial test run before the first use.
For more info, check out this post: Is Instant Pot safe?
The Most Useful Accessories For The Instant Pot
Once you have an Instant Pot, youll realize that you can get so much more out of it with a variety of accessories. They expand the possibilities of what you can do, from being able to cook two dishes in one to making a cheesecake. There are also extra official Instant Pot accessories worth getting.
One great accessory youll realize you dont know how you lived without is the Instant Pot Air Fryer lid, which fits atop most 6-quart models . It comes with a steamer basket and tray, allowing you to use the Pot to air fry small portions of food, like chicken fingers, French fries, pork chops, and more. Its small but for making kids lunches for school in the morning, for example, or if you have the time to fry small batches at a time, its perfect.
Extra silicone sealing rings are a good idea for the Pot: one thing youll notice is the rings do pick up the odours of items you cook, and its tough to get out. Getting different coloured ones is useful so you can use one colour for savoury meals, for example, and one for desserts. Instant Pot also offers a nice glass lid that you can use when cooking on any mode but pressure, great for making popped corn, slow cooking beef, and more, so you can watch the cook inside.
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Best For Singles: Instant Pot Duo Mini 3
Amazon
Capacity: 3 quarts | Dimensions : 11.8 x 10.5 x 11 inches | Weight: 8.6 pounds | Programs: 11
With the larger sizes, buyers planning to cook primarily for themselves may wind up with more leftovers than theyd prefer. Thats why the Instant Pot 3-quart Duo Miniwhich packs all of the perks of the standard Duo into a compact packageis such a phenomenal choice for solo diners.
Since it’s less than a foot tall and weighs about 8 pounds, the small size makes it simple to store no matter what size kitchen you have. But it doesnt hold back on functions. It has all but two of the same program features as the larger Duos, and its just as easy to clean.
Capacity: 6 quarts | Dimensions : 13.2 x 12.2 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 11.5 pounds | Programs: 13
The benefits of smart technology center around convenience. With the push of one app icon or a verbal command to Alexa or Siri, you can accomplish a wide swath of tasks. And, if you decide to purchase a smart multi-cooker like the Instant Pot Smart WiFi model, then you can add cooking a satisfying meal to the list of easy-to-complete necessities.
Other Stovetop Pressure Cookers We Tested
$259.95 at
With a strong and sturdy stainless steel pot and a lid that easily locks into place, we were big fans of the Vitaquick. For one, its large blue pressure indicator is easy to see, with two white ring markings: one ring means its at low pressure, two means its at high pressure. Other great features: a removable handle that makes cleaning a snap , clear measuring markings on the inside of the pot that mean you dont need to dirty extra dishes, and a handy helper handle to carry it without fear of dropping the thing. The materials are high quality and we appreciated the added safety feature of a lid with a button that turns green and clicks when its locked into place. We also really liked the steam release function in the handle that requires just the push of a button to begin rapid release, and that it comes with a lifetime warranty. So what kept it from winning? The Kuhn Rikon did just a bit better job on the risotto and costs a little less. But the Vitaquick was a very close runner-up.
$299.95 at
$69.84 at
Also Check: How To Work Instant Pot Duo
Straight To The Point
The best Instant Pot is the Instant Pot Pro. It performs well and has nice features like a steam release switch and handles on its cooking pot. Our budget-friendly pick is the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1.
Instant Pot has become synonymous with a type of electric appliance more correctly known as a “multi-cooker” . Similar to how Xerox has become the de facto term for copy machines, Instant Pot has become the most well-known electric multi-cooker, even though plenty of other companies make electric multi-cookers, too. While we don’t think Instant Pots should be considered in a vacuum , the fact of the matter is there are so many Instant Pot models that we think it’s worthwhile to sort through them. This review, then, is our look at everything Instant Pot offers to help you weigh those options, but it’s only part of the larger question of what kind of pressure or multi-cooker you should buy, which we answer in a separate review.
Recently Discontinued Instant Pots
As its product line has grown and evolved, Instant Brands has retired some of its older models.Instant Pot Viva: Discontinued in the U.S.The Instant Pot Viva began as a QVC exclusive and was later sold through other retailers. The Viva has since been discontinued in the United States but this 6-quart model is still available in Canada.
Duo Nova Instant Pot: 10-quart Size DiscontinuedWhile you can still get a Duo Nova Instant Pot in 3-, 6-, and 8-quart sizes, the 10-quart Instant Pot Duo Nova has been discontinued.
Instant Pot Nova Plus: Discontinued
The Nova Plus was a Costco Instant Pot exclusive that is no longer available. The Nova Plus was similar to the Duo but had the blue LED screen of the Duo Plus.
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus: Discontinued
The Duo Evo Plus was an upgrade on the standard Duo and has been discontinued by Instant Pot. It had an upgraded blue LED display panel like the Duo Plus and a sleeker interface.
Instant Pot Lux: Discontinued
This early Instant Pot lacked many of the features you can get in even the most basic models available in 2022. The Lux has been discontinued by the brand, though you can sometimes still .
Instant Pot Smart Wi-Fi: DiscontinuedThis Wi-Fi-enabled 6-quart Instant Pot has been discontinued and replaced by the Instant Pot Pro Plus 6-quart Smart Multi-Cooker.
Instant Pot just got delivered? Put it to use with one of these Instant Pot recipes:
Read Also: Duo Air Fryer Instant Pot
The Best Instant Pots
Whether youre someone whos looking for an easier way to prepare meals or would like to have fewer appliances cluttering up your cabinets, an Instant Pot can be a great investment. If youre in the market for an Instant Pot, weve rounded up some of the best Instant Pot models out there based on highly rated reviews. And if youre someone who is looking for more homemade meal ideas, then youre in luckmany Instant Pot models also come with a free app that includes nearly 2,000 Instant Pot recipes. and IP Reddit communities are also great resources for IP chefs and new buyers.
Quick Instant Pot Recipes Ready In 30 Minutes
Pulled Chicken with Tomatoes, Vinegar, and Brown Sugar Pasta e Fagioli with Ground Beef and Fresh Basil Instant Vortex Air Fryer Best Chimichurri Chicken Instant Vortex Air Fryer Trout with Roasted Eggplant and Red Pepper Salad Instant Vortex Dual Basket Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers and Tortilla Chips with Mango Salsa Chocolate Strawberry Cake
4. Instant Pot 7 Inch Springform Pan Melanie Cooks. 5. Instant Pot Cheesecake with Strawberries Easy & Homemade. 6. 25 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners TwentyFive Things. 7. Instant Pot Lasgana with a Springform Pan. 8. Instant Pot Lasagna in springform pan.
Read Also: How To Steam In An Instant Pot
The 83 Best Instant Pot Recipes
17. Instant Pot Beef Stew. Cut short half the cooking time making this Soul-satisfying classic American Beef Stew in your Instant Pot. 18. Pressure Cooker Turkey Legs Tender, flavorful, & satisfyingly-meaty turkey legs with a classic turkey gravy on the side. 19. Juicy Instant Pot Meatloaf.
Heres the skillet, slow cooker, sheet pan, and Instant Pot chicken recipes that keep the steps and ingredients short. Classic Chicken Provencal. 85 mins. Easy Burrito Casserole. 65 mins. Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken with Potatoes, Tomatoes, and Capers. 58 mins. Southwest Skillet Chicken with Beans and Corn. 35 mins.
24. Sumptuous Instant Pot Pork Chops Gonna Want Seconds. 25. Instant Pot Smothered Pork Chops. .We designed this recipe to make a great deal of taco filling due to the fact that 1) that filling up is yummy enough for crowds, and also 2) it ices up well for fast, microwave dishes in the months or weeks ahead.
Cooking by the seat of my pants, I decided to include my butternut squash in this potato mash session. Ingredients starting at 9:00 clockwise, butternut squash, chicken bone broth, Frozen garnish, chicken drippings with fat also frozen, salt, cream cheese and butter at 6:00 oclock.
Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes, then allow a natural pressure release . * Remove lid once pressure gauge has fallen, then stir in sour cream and parsley. Let sit a couple of minutes to thicken, then serve and enjoy! 52. level 2.
Instant Pot Max / Ultra
Sizes: 6 quart
Functions: In addition to the regular Instant Pot functions, the Max has a function for sous vide cooking and pressure canning. However, I have read some worrisome reviews that claim that the Max may not reach temperatures high enough to destroy potentially harmful bacteria during pressure canning.
- The Max is the most expensive Instant Pot.
- The Max is heavier than the Duo and Ultra by 2 pounds.
- It has a sleek design and an LCD display with a touch screen.
- You can control the steam venting using the touch screen, and even program the steam release before you start the cooking cycle.
- The Max has a higher wattage and can therefore achieve higher pressure . This does not mean that it can reach pressure faster, though. The higher pressure may affect the cook times, meaning that you might not be able to use the same cook times given for recipes tested in the most common Instant Pot, the Duo.
- It has a feature called NutriBoost, which is essentially a self-stirring function to help with even cooking when cooking broth, rice and beans.
- The Max has a bigger learning curve, so it may not be ideal for beginners to Instant Pot cooking.
Also Check: How To Cook Frozen Roast In Instant Pot
What Size Is Best
When we were first deciding which second pot to purchase, we debated between which size pot to get should we get a larger 8-quart for our growing family? A smaller 3-quart to make quick sides and desserts? Or simply get another 6-quart because our 6-quart is so great for our family?
We decided on two 6-quarts and Ive been so happy with this decision!
I have an extra stainless steel insert, which means that I have three inserts that are interchangeable between my two Instant Pots. For our family with five small children, two 6-quarts are perfect for everyday use. I can make chili in one pot and baked potatoes in the other. Two different soups for dinner. Cook roast in one and proof bread in the other. And really so much morethe options are endless.
For day-to-day use, my recommendation for most families is two 6-quarts. The six-quart is just so versatile and practical. However, an 8qt is great larger pieces of meat, bigger batches of soup/stock, etc. In the past few months, Ive pulled my larger 8qt out to process apples to make applesauce, to make chicken stock with two chicken carcasses, and to simmer a big pot of spiced cider for a party.
In the end, you need to decide how often you want to make large batches of food, versus the everyday convenience of the mid-size Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Duo Best Overall & Most Popular
Ive chosen the Instant Pot 60 7-in-1 as my pick for the best Instant Pot for its basic features, easy operation, size, and price. Not only can you do all of the common things like slow cook, steam rice, or sauté, but this is the least expensive option for making yogurt. A great option for home cooks that want to step up their cooking and learn some great tips and tricks.
The Instant Pot Duo features 14 built-in programs, including both manual and pressure cooking, steaming, soup/broth, rice, etc. This Instant Pot also features settings for sautéing, slow cooking, warming, and up to 24 hours of delayed start.
Pros
- 7-in-1 works as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steam, sauté/searing, yogurt maker & warmer
- Easy to read LED Display, with large buttons
- Delay start for up to 24 hours
- More adjustable settings than lesser models
Cons
- Only operates on high pressure
- Larger sizes are very heavy and most likely require dedicated counter space
Available Sizes & Specs
- Mini 3 quart: 11.4 x 10.0 x 11.2 inches 8.60 lbs.
- 6 quart: 13.4 x 12.2 x 12.5 inches 11.80 lbs.
- 8 quart: 14.8 x 13.2 x 14.0 inches 15.79 lbs.
Also Check: Instant Pot Air Fryer Kohl’s
Best Instant Pot 202: Our Top 6 Multi
Find the best Instant Pot for your kitchen, with the help of our reviews of the Duo, Pro, Crisp, and even a few alternatives from Ninja
Choosing the best Instant Pot can be overwhelming. After all, it’s an expansive line, with a range of functions and capacities to choose between. That includes the Duo, Pro, and Crisp lines, all of which have various differences that will make them more suited to some users than others. So, which is the best Instant Pot for you?
We’ve been busy reviewing all the best Instant Pots over the past few months to bring you our top picks, and we’ve also included a few alternatives from Ninja, which have in-built crisper lids as well as pressure cooking functions. A lot of Instant Pots come with crisper lids too, meaning they will double up as the best air fryers, as well as steaming or pressure cooking any food you could hope to make.
One of the major perks of owning an Instant Pot this time of year is the sealed-in, compact design. On a hot day, the last thing you want to do is pour over a hot stove, but the best Instant Pot will do all the cooking for you, and it will prevent your kitchen from overheating while it works. And when your meals are done, you can expect to put all removable parts in the dishwasher to take all the effort out of mealtimes. For our top picks of the six best Instant Pots, keep on reading.
Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket
Okay, so your Instant Pot is already locked and loaded in your cart and you know youre also probably going to be doing a whole lot of steaming. Lucky for you, Instant Pot already makes handy mesh steamer baskets with raised feet to keep your food an adequate distance from the boiling water and handles that make for easy lifting.
Also Check: Can You Fry In An Instant Pot
Which Model Is Better For Me
Now that were at the final conclusions section, let me tell you a bit about my view when it comes to these two Instant Pots. First, I want to highlight that I like them both – each product has its own features, and its great users have that many options.
On the other hand, it can also get confusing if you dont understand the differences. After all, they sort of look the same and cook food using steam pressure, right?
Well, if you look closely, there are differences, and Im here to highlight them.
As such:
Choose the Duo Nova if
- You are a beginner at cooking with an electric pressure cooker
- You prefer the simpler-looking control panel
- You dont want to invest too much
Choose the Duo Plus if
- You want access to more advanced cooking functions
- You can handle the larger control panel
- You want to try cooking Sous Vide
- You dont mind the slightly bigger price
In the end, the conclusion is rather simple: if you are a beginner and dont want to dive in too deep into the world of electric pressure cookers, I recommend starting with the Nova. On the other hand, if youre experienced or simply want more advanced functions, try the Duo Plus. Both products have great features and will help reduce kitchen clutter and messiness.
