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The Instant Pot has quickly become a kitchen favorite because it takes the guesswork out of pressure cooking. With the push of a button, you can make tender meats, comforting soups, and even desserts — all while the pot does the work for you. These recipes are perfect for busy nights when you want big flavor without spending hours at the stove.
One thing to keep in mind is that Instant Pot recipes include a few extra minutes for the cooker to come to pressure and to release it afterward. Even with that time factored in, most meals are still easier and more hands-off than their stovetop or oven counterparts. You can walk away while it cooks — no stirring or hovering required — and come back to a delicious meal ready to serve.
Tips for Getting the Most from Your Instant Pot
- Factor in pressure time. Recipes may list a 10-minute cook time, but remember to add the time it takes to build and release pressure.
- Hands-off cooking. Once sealed, the pot needs little attention, letting you prep sides or relax.
- Use natural vs. quick release wisely. Natural release is best for soups and large cuts of meat, while quick release works for vegetables and pasta dishes.
- Batch cooking. Make big batches of beans, rice, or stock to portion and freeze for later meals.
- Stovetop pressure cookers. While stovetop versions can cook a bit faster, they require more monitoring of heat and pressure. The Instant Pot is fully electric and regulates itself, making it easier for most home cooks.
Instant Pot Main Dish Recipe List
1
Instant Pot Cassoulet
The Instant Pot pressure cooker transforms dried beans into a silky, stew-like base without soaking, while the optional crispy chicken skin adds a gourmet finishing touch to this hearty chicken, bean, and sausage cassoulet.
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2
Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
Using the Instant Pot makes this classic beef stroganoff much easier, giving you all that rich, comforting flavor in a fraction of the usual time.
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3
Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
These Instant Pot baby back ribs turn out tender, juicy, and full of smoky flavor in a fraction of the time it takes to cook them in the oven or on the grill.
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4
Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
Instant Pot beef and broccoli gives you all the flavor of your favorite takeout dish with simple, fast preparation. It’s a comforting, restaurant-style meal that’s easy enough for weeknights and satisfying enough for company.
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5
Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches
French dip sandwiches are fast and easy to prepare and cook in the Instant Pot pressure cooker, and they make a fantastic family meal. They’re great for game day gatherings and visiting friends and relatives, too!
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6
Instant Pot Beef and Farfalle Dinner
This beef and farfalle dish is a good weeknight option when you want something warm, comforting, and satisfying without a long ingredient list. The bowtie pasta keeps its shape beautifully, and the tomato sauce thickens just enough to coat every piece.
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7
Instant Pot Pork Chops
These juicy Instant Pot pork chops cook quickly and come out tender and flavorful every time. Simply season and sear the chops, then pressure-cook them in a savory sauce.
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8
Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken
This easy Instant Pot chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and garlic is dead simple to prepare and cook. Scatter some Parmesan cheese over the finished dish.
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9
Instant Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches
The Instant Pot makes tender Italian beef sandwiches in under 1 hour! Top these fabulous sandwiches with giardiniera, pepperoncini, and sliced provolone cheese.
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10
Instant Pot Burgers
If the grill is not an option and you’d rather not stand over a hot skillet, the Instant Pot is a great alternative for making juicy, flavorful burgers.
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11
Instant Pot Beef and Beer Stew (Carbonnade)
This Instant Pot beef and beer stew—also known as a Flemish carbonnade—delivers deep, hearty flavor in a fraction of the stovetop time.
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12
Instant Pot Chicken Mulligatawny Soup
This Instant Pot chicken mulligatawny soup is a bold and comforting dish with roots in Indian cuisine.
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13
Spicy Instant Pot Chicken Wings
These spicy Instant Pot chicken wings are perfect for game day, parties, or anytime you’re craving something bold and flavorful. Serve them with celery sticks to balance the heat and add freshness.
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14
Instant Pot Wine-Braised Chicken Thighs
This Instant Pot chicken recipe is another quick and easy meal for the pressure cooker. The chicken is cooked with bacon, garlic, white wine, and vegetables.
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15
Instant Pot Cock-a-Leekie Soup
Cock-a-leekie soup is a traditional Scottish dish made with chicken, prunes, and leeks. This Instant Pot version takes just minutes to prep and cook.
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16
Instant Pot Country Captain Chicken
Country captain chicken is a Southern dish with the Indian flavors of curry, raisins, and spices. The Instant Pot makes it quick and easy!
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17
Instant Pot Jambalaya
Instant Pot jambalaya is a perfectly seasoned mixture of chicken, spicy sausage, rice, tomatoes, and seasonings. It’s always a hit!
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18
Instant Pot Boneless Beef Short Ribs
These Instant Pot short ribs are ready in no time. Pair the short ribs with pasta, potatoes, or rice for a hearty meal.
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19
Instant Pot Pulled Chicken
Pulled chicken is an excellent way to enjoy delicious barbecue sandwiches, and the Instant Pot makes preparation and cooking effortless.
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20
Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken
Skip the takeout and make this lighter, faster version of General Tso’s chicken right in your Instant Pot! With just a few minutes of prep—chopping chicken, mincing aromatics, and mixing a bold, savory-sweet sauce—you’ll have a restaurant-style dish on the table in under 30 minutes.
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21
Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana
Zuppa Toscana is a hearty, creamy Tuscan soup that contains sausage, potatoes, and kale. Instant Pot makes this soup a breeze to prepare and cook!
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22
Instant Pot Korean Beef Short Ribs
These easy Korean short ribs are loaded with flavor, and they take only 30 minutes to cook in the Instant Pot pressure cooker. You can't go wrong with this main dish!
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23
Instant Pot Baked Ham
Save time in the kitchen with this Instant Pot baked ham recipe. Tender and mouthwatering results in a fraction of the time.
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24
Instant Pot Beef Tips
Savory beef tips are a snap to fix in the Instant Pot. Just brown them, add a few more ingredients, and press a button!
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25
Instant Pot Taco Meat
This Taco Tuesday, fill your tortillas with Instant Pot taco meat! The ground beef cooks quickly and prep is a snap!
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26
Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs
If you don’t have an Instant Pot or similar pressure cooker, this honey sesame chicken is a great reason to purchase one! The Asian-flavored dish is made with boneless chicken thighs and is ready in less than 40 minutes!
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27
Instant Pot Taco Soup
This taco soup is loaded with flavor. Taco seasoning, ranch dressing mix, and ground beef make it flavorful and hearty.
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28
Instant Pot Split Chicken Breasts (Bone-In)
If you avoid bone-in chicken breasts because of cooking time, use your Instant Pot to cook them. Follow this simple recipe for tender, juicy chicken breasts.
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29
Instant Pot Lamb Shanks
Savor Instant Pot red wine-braised lamb shanks, a quick and comforting dish perfect for weeknight meals and elegant enough for a dinner party.
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30
Instant Pot Korean Beef
Try this amazing Instant Pot Korean Beef recipe. With its tender beef, spicy flavors from gochujang paste, and aromatic seasonings, it’s a dish that will wow your taste buds.
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31
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
Fix Southern style baked beans in record time with your Instant Pot. These saucy, smoky pinto beans are hearty and flavorful!
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32
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
Try this Instant Pot chicken adobo recipe for a quick, flavorful meal that captures the essence of Filipino cuisine.
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