Easy Instant Pot Recipes are quick and easy for all meals of the day. They also are perfect for easy weeknight dinners!
Instant Pot and pressure-cooking recipes have become wildly popular online and on Pinterest over the past few years.
If you own an Instant Pot, you get it.
If you don’t, you may be scratching your head wondering what the fuss is about.
The pressure cooker function of the Instant Pot multi-cooker cranks out delicious recipes; making lives easier by the meal.
Jump to:
What is an Instant Pot?
An Instant Pot is an electric counter top multi-cooker; meaning it has multiple cooking functions all in one device.
When people refer to an ‘Instant Pot recipe’, generally they mean the pressure cooking function.
Remember the screaming stove-top pressure cookers our mother’s used? The Instant Pot is self-contained, electric and requires little monitoring.
Why Use an Instant Pot?
Once the lid is locked you can be on with other activities until the recipe is finished.
Almost any recipe you can think of can be cooked in the Instant Pot.
The food nutrients in pressure cooked food remain higher than in other forms of cooking.
Cooking cycles are often shorter thanks to the pressure cooking.
Recipe Examples
- A recipe like short ribs can be reduced from hours to mere minutes!
- Pot roast? Fast and flavorful in the Instant Pot.
- Comfort food like Beef Stew? So tender and juicy in the Instant Pot.
Instant pot recipes are especially great for busy families (or couples!).
Between school, work, and the chaos of busy weekends… you’ll love these easy Instant Pot recipes you can throw together quickly!
Which Size Instant Pot to Use
To clarify, Instant Pot is an actual brand of multi-cooker which includes a pressure cooking function.
‘Instant Pot’ has become a reference to all electric pressure cookers however.
3-Quart, 6-Quart or 8-Quart
Currently Instant Pot makes multi-cookers in 3-quart, 6-quart and 8-quart volumes.
I use a 6-quart model and have found it to be ample. If you have a larger family the 8-quart may be a better size.
NOTE: most recipes are developed for 6-quart models since that was the original volume of the Instant Pot.
When adapting for a smaller or larger Instant Pot the cooking time generally does not need to be changed but the volume of liquid may.
Here is a conversion guide that may be helpful.
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Delicious Easy Instant Pot Recipes
The recipes on this list were selected to a few criteria:
- They are truly EASY. Are an Instant Pot beginner? Or just want some simple delicious recipes? This list of easy Instant Pot recipes will be a great collection for you.
- They span Instant Pot recipes for all meals of the day.
- They are naturally gluten-free or can be easily adapted (notations on adaptations next to the recipe description).
For all the Boulder Locavore Instant Pot recipes, check our Instant Pot Recipes.
On To the Recipes…
More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
Click the recipe title in green to access the recipes.
Easy Instant Pot Lasagna Pasta {Big Bears Wife}
Could you imagine making lasagna in the Instant Pot?
This ‘toss together and stir‘ recipe turns a regular pasta recipe into a copy cat lasagna with ease. While there’s a little prep involved, it only takes 5 minutes cooking time!
PERFECT for those nights where you get home a little later than expected and want a hearty meal.
Gluten-free adaptation: swap regular pasta for oven-ready gluten-free lasagna noodles.
Instant Pot Crack Chicken {A Mom’s Impression}
There is no question where this recipe gets its name!
Cream cheese, cheddar cheese, hot sauce and more make an addictive, irresistible chicken recipe.
Perfect on a hamburger bun for an easy, delicious dinner recipe.
Instant Pot BBQ Pork Chops {Must Have Mom}
If you’re a big BBQ fan, you will love this recipe.
It’s so easy and packed full of flavor. A quick broil at the end give the perfect pork chop texture!
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup {Fearless Dining}
This vegetable soup full of wholesome ingredients and fantastic textures.
It features shredded chicken packed with loads of flavor, making it a must try soup recipe!
Instant Pot Quinoa {Happiness is Homemade}
Quinoa is a protein-packed grain that is great as a side dish or recipe ingredient. It’s naturally gluten-free too.
It only takes 2 minutes to cook and is very full of flavor!
NOTE: This recipe calls for bone broth but chicken broth or vegetables broth could also be used.
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Soup {Wholesome Yum}
If you’re looking for something low carb, creamy and delicious this is the recipe for you.
The mouth watering flavors of buffalo chicken are rolled into a soup for one of most irresistible easy Instant Pot recipes!
Instant Pot Shredded Mexican Chicken {Girl and the Kitchen}.
This recipe for shredding chicken is a great Instant Pot staple recipe.
The recipe really breaks it down perfectly to get the ideal result. This pressure cooker chicken is juicy and flavorful.
The Mexican-style is perfect for tacos, sandwiches, salads, in soups and more!
Gluten-free adaptation: use gluten-free Tamari instead of soy sauce.
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Jacqueline Debono says
I still don’t have an Instant Pot but it’s top of my wish list! There are so many great recipes in this list! Going to pin it for later (when my Instant Pot arrives!)
Tisha says
LOVE THIS! I’m always looking for new Instant Pot recipes! Great collection
Laura Reese says
This looks like a great recipe.
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I had no idea you could do so much with the Instant Pot. I’ve only made a few things in mine so far, but I guess I need to get it out and get busy.
Toni Dash says
I started slow too Lisa. When I learned you could make cheesecake in it I think my mind was officially blow.
Tara says
Yum! All these recipes make me want to get an Instant Pot! I would especially love to try the Smoked Paprika & Garlic Chicken Legs.
Chelsea says
Those instant pot mashed potatoes are amazing!! This is such an awesome helpful post. Thanks SOOO much for sharing!
Rachael Yerkes says
yesss! love all of these! Instant pot recipes for the win!
lauren kelly says
I am saving this for sure! I just got an IP! What a fantastic collection!
Julie says
The instapot lasagna recipe is one of my favorites! Thanks for sharing all of these! Can’t wait to try them.
Jeanette says
I LOVE my instant pot! There is so much you can make in it! I will be doing a lot of these recipes!