What should I make first in my new Instant Pot?

When it comes to breaking your Instant Pot in, it's a good idea to start with some basic foods and simple meals you're already familiar with, then slowly expand your Instant Pot repertoire from there. Try making staples like eggs, sweet potatoes, rice, or lentils using just the pressure cooker function.

What does the 6 in 1 Instant Pot do?

Instant Pot LUX80 8 Qt 6-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, sautee, steamer and warmer all in one easy to use appliance.

What is the best and easiest Instant Pot?

The Best Overall pick Instant Pot Duo Plus 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker was immediately our favorite. Conquering our cooking tests with ease and precision, this model is functional and affordable. Our experts were impressed by how many purposes it serves and how easy it was to use and clean it.

Does meat have to be covered in liquid in Instant Pot?

While you may cover meat almost completely for a conventional braise, use just enough liquid for the cooker to reach pressure – during pressure cooking the meat will release it's own juice and braise in that flavorful liquid, instead.

Is Instapot worth it?

Yes, the Instant Pot is widely considered an effective and versatile pressure cooker. Many users find it worth the price due to its convenience, time-saving features, and ability to perform various cooking functions in one appliance .

What is the best meat to cook in a pressure cooker?

You can still pressure cook leaner pieces – like eye of round and top sirloin – but these work best if they've been stuffed, shredded or rolled (with other ingredients). Best cuts of beef to use: Chuck steak, Round Roast, Shoulder, Pot roast, Ribs, Brisket, Oxtail .

Do I need to brown meat before pressure cooking?

Brown it Pressure cooked food doesn't brown so it's worth doing this at the start of cooking before adding liquid and putting the lid on . Meat looks and tastes more appetising with a little browning. Onions, garlic and spices also benefit in the flavour stakes from pre-cooking.

Should meat be covered with water in pressure cooker?

No, just enough to keep moist while cooking - add more if you need to but usually the meat releases liquid as it cooks and it is not necessary to add more liquid.

Does food have to be covered with liquid in pressure cooker?

Pressure cookers can use much less liquid than the amount required for boiling or steaming in an ordinary saucepan. It is not necessary to immerse food in water . The minimum quantity of water or liquid used in the recipe to keep the pressure cooker filled with steam is sufficient.

Does the meat have to be covered in a pressure cooker?

The heat/steam/pressure is perfectly capable of cooking the meat, so there's no need to submerge food in the liquid . For example, ribs are best when on a trivet up above the liquid. It will cook regardless.

6 Must-Have Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners (2024)

Did you just get a new Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and you’re not sure where to begin? I’ve gathered 6 must have Instant Pot recipes for beginners like me! These are basic recipes that will simplify your meal prep and save you tons of time!

I have several friends who own and love their Instant Pots, so after much research and finding a great deal we went ahead and purchased one. If you’re hearing about the Instant Pot for the first time, I’ll give you a little overview:

The Instant Pot is a multi-functional electric pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté and more! I purchased the 6-quart Instant Pot IP-LUX60 6-in-1. The model I owndoes not have all of the functions of the 7 in 1 Instant Pot. If I were to buy this again,I would have purchased the 7 in 1 for the extra features (like yogurt making).

[As a member of Amazon and other affiliate programs, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. All images were used with permission.]

Why I Bought an Instant Pot:

TIME SAVER!

This instant pot can cook an entire chicken in just 30 minutes. White rice takes just 8 minutes and beans cook in just10-15 minutes for soaked beans or 35-40 for dry beans!

RICECOOKER

I’m terrible at making rice, I’m too impatient and my rice often turns out watery, or too starchy. I’ve been able to make perfect rice in my new Instant Pot!

SIZE

I love having a slow cooker but ours is HUGE. I hate dragging it out and I’m prone to burning food in it, likely because there is too much empty space in the large pot. The Instant Pot is a more compact size and fits in the corner of our counter easily. I can also tuck it away in the cupboard!

PRICE

I found my Instant Pot on Amazon for a great price. These go on sale often, so keep watching for a great deal! I think the Instant Pot is worth every dime, I’ve already used it 5 times since it arrived last week.

LESS MESS

With the Instant Pot I can sear my meat, sauté onions and garlic or cook ground beef right in the pot. Then I simply dump in the rest of the ingredients and cook it all in the samepot!

SAFE

When I hear “pressure cooking” I get a little freaked out, I picture an exploded pot with rice all over the walls. This electric pressure cooker has 10 safety measures that ensure that using the pot is safe!

PURCHASE YOUR Instant Pot!

6 Must-Have Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners (1)

If you’re new to using your Instant Pot, like me then you’re probably looking for a place to start. Below are some easy recipes to help you get started using your Instant Pot. I’ve gathered 6 recipes to get you started today!

Oatmeal in the Instant Pot:

6 Must-Have Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners (2)

For a quick breakfast, Laura from Hip PressureCooking.com has excellent clear instructions on how you can make oatmeal in your Instant Pot. She also has a handy chart to help you figure outhow to cookdifferent types of oatmeal. Once you know how to make the basic oatmeal you can try her Strawberries and Cream Rolled Oatmeal Recipesit looks delicious.

Baked Potatoes in the Instant Pot

6 Must-Have Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners (3)

My husband and son love potatoes. Ever since living in Ireland for 2 years my husband is a happy man if hecan eat potatoes every single day! I love that I can bakepotatoes in the Instant Pot! Chelseafrom MakeRealFood.com shares how she cooks up Baked Potatoes in the Instant Potin no time!

Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot

6 Must-Have Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners (4)

Boiled eggs are a big part of mylow-carb life and once I saw how perfect hard boiled eggs in the Instant pot turned out I was sold! Weekly meal prephas always been a bigkey to my healthy eating and this recipe is going to save me so much time and frustration! Jennifer at PreDominantlyPaleo shows you how she cooksperfect, easy to peel hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot.

Perfect Rice in the Instant Pot

6 Must-Have Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners (5)

Oh Rice! We love to eat itbut I hate cooking it. When I make rice itnever quite turns out perfect. I’m not the most patientcook and my rice either turns out too chewy, watery or is too sticky! Laura has2 great ways to cook rice in the Instant Pot, she also shares a super handy chart to help you cook the perfect pot of rice! There might be hope for me yet!

Frozen Meat in the Instant Pot

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I’m excited to try cooking frozen meat in our Instant Pot. This will be aHUGE time saver and Laura has great instructions on how cook frozen meat in the Instant Potthe right way!

Chicken Stock in the Instant Pot

6 Must-Have Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners (7)

When our children were much youngerI was always boiling chicken bones on the stove. I used homemade chicken broth all of the time! I’ve since found life to be too busy and I’ve started buying canned broth or using… gasp…bullion cubes! It’s just not the same. The flavor and nutrients in homemade bone broth are hard to beat! Barbara at PressureCookingToday.com has clear and detailed instructions on how to make your own homemade chicken stock in the Instant Pot.

6 Must-Have Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners (8)

Want 5 more great recipes for your Instant Pot? Check out 5 Instant Pot Recipes for Back-to-School (or just very busy nights!)

Now that you have your Instant Pot,you’ll want to add in a few accessoriesto help you make the most of your new pressure cooker. Click the image below to see my favorite accessories to use with my Instant Pot.

10 Useful Instant Pot Accessories:

It can be overwhelming when you buy a new kitchen gadget and there are hundreds of recipes online, I hope these recipes help you get started using your Instant Pot with confidence!