5 Expert Instant Pot Tricks
HOW TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH THE INSTANT POT
Are you new to all things Instant Pot and pressure cooking? Need some amazing tried and true recipes to get comfortable with this amazing appliance? You are in the right place! Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners coming right up!
There are a few tragic statements that I hear Instant Pot owners make that I would like to tackle today. Statements like:
- “I have an Instant Pot but I never use it because I don’t know how to use it.”
- “I’ve never even gotten it out of the box.”
- “I use it maybe once a week for rice.”
Oh, my breaking heart!
From someone who uses her pot daily, that just kills me. There is sooooo much potential in this appliance, and with the right recipes, I’m sure everyone can fall in love with it.
However, my journey started the exact same way! Mine sat in a box for several months, untouched. It wasn’t until a phone call with my mom over how to make mashed potatoes in an old school stovetop pressure cooker, that I decided, “okay, it’s time.”
I unboxed it and started researching recipes.
Ten years ago there weren't a lot of recipes for electric pressure cookers on the internet so my journey began with a lot of trial and error (lot’s of BURN signals, under/overcooked food, etc). Yet still, I was fascinated by it, so I carried on.
Nowadays, there are a plethora of Instant Pot recipes available and the potentials of pressure cooking are being discovered more and more every day.
If you feel you’re in the Beginner stages of mastering the Instant Pot, I would love to help you feel like the pressure cooking pro I know you want to be.
Before I hand you your “Recipes to Make Over the Next 30 Days” assignment, let’s get you armed with a few tips to ensure success.
- WATER TEST: To ensure your pot is in good working order, it’s best to perform the very simple water test. My friend Barbara does an excellent job explaining How to do an Instant Pot Water Test.
- Quick Release vs Natural Release: After the food has finished cooking, a recipe will ask for either a Quick or Natural Pressure Release. A quick release is done by flipping the pressure release knob to an open position to allow all of the steam to escape. A natural release means you leave the pressure release knob in a sealed position, and wait for the pressure inside the pot to release on it’s own. Sometimes a recipe will call for allowing the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes or so, then follow with a quick release.
- Required Liquid Amount: In general, pressure cookers need about 1 cup of water to create enough pressure to seal the pot. Be sure and read the manual for your pressure cooker, since some suggest otherwise. The liquid needs to be thin like water (juice, broth, etc) since thicker liquids like tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, etc tend to burn on the bottom of the pot unless they are diluted. Food like meat and fruit that release liquid as it heats up, may not need a full cup of liquid.
- Fill Line: Do not fill the pot more than ⅔ of the way. For foods that expand or create a lot of foam like beans and rice, only fill the pot ½ full.
- Pressure Release Knob: Don’t be scared of releasing the pressure. This can always be a bit intimidating the first few times, but the hot steam only sprays upwards. If your hand is to the side of the knob, you will not get burned. If it makes you nervous, you can use a wooden spoon to flip the knob.
- Accessories: There are many accessories that can really maximize what you can do in a pressure cooker, but don’t feel overwhelmed with buying any right away. Simply start with a few recipes that don’t require any special gadgets, then when you’re ready to go to next-level pressure cooking, check out my post on what I consider to be the Must Have Instant Pot Accessories.
- Find Reliable Recipes: Poorly written recipes will ruin your love for the Instant Pot before it ever has a chance to bloom. Stick with tried and true recipes, then as you feel more comfortable with the ins and outs of pressure cooking, feel free to get creative and more adventurous.
To help you get started on the right foot, I’ve gathered together a few recipes for you to try. These recipes don’t require any special equipment and are generally quite simple, all while still tasting absolutely amazing!
(Click through to skip to each recipe)
- Instant Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
- Instant Pot Chili Lime Chicken Tacos
- Pressure Cooker Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup
- Instant Pot Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl
- Instant Pot Pot Roast
- Instant Pot Mexican Inspired Healthy Crack Chicken
- Pressure Cooker Creamy Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Pressure Cooker Pumpkin Spice Steel Cut Oats
- Pressure Cooker White Chicken Chili
- Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup
Recipe #1: INSTANT POT CHICKEN CORDON BLEU PASTA
This one pot pasta with chicken and ham is cheesy, creamy heaven! No need to babysit, there is no foamy overflows in pressure cooking!
Total Recipe Time: 30 min
Click here to Instant Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta full recipe
Back to all Instant Pot Beginners recipes
Recipe #2: Instant Pot Chili Lime Chicken Tacos
This shredded chili lime chicken is incredibly easy as well as versatile. Tacos, salads, quesadillas, enchiladas . . . you name it!
Total Recipe Time: 30 min
Click here to Instant Pot Chili Lime Chicken Tacos full recipe
Back to all Instant Pot Beginners recipes
Recipe #3: Pressure Cooker Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup
My favorite soup for the past 10 years, just toss everything in the pot and walk away. Loaded with veggies and tender chicken.
Total Recipe Time: 30 min
Click here to Pressure Cooker Creamy Chicken Enchilada Sou full recipe
Back to all Instant Pot Beginners recipes
Recipe #4: Instant Pot Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl
Have you made quinoa in the pressure cooker yet? It’s wonderful! This recipe includes a flavorful lemon garlic chicken to really take it to the next level.
Total Recipe Time: 30 min
Click here toInstant Pot Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl
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Recipe #5: Instant Pot Pot Roast
The infamous TIDBITS Pot Roast, passed down to me by my sister’s in-laws. There is no one, and I mean no one, who hasn’t swooned over this pot roast!
Total Recipe Time: 3 hours
Click here to Instant Pot Pot Roast
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Recipe #6: Instant Pot Mexican Inspired Healthy Crack Chicken
This is a healthier version of the trendy “crack chicken” and it will definitely become your new back-pocket recipe. Tender, Mexican spiced chicken that can be used in a variety of ways.
Total Recipe Time: 45 min
Click here to Instant Pot Mexican Inspired Healthy Crack Chicken
Back to all Instant Pot Beginners recipes
Recipe #7: Pressure Cooker Creamy Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal
This is a basic oatmeal recipe, but will become your new best friend on busy mornings! Let the oatmeal cook itself while you get ready.
Total Recipe Time: 25 min
Click here to Pressure Cooker Creamy Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal
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Recipe #8: Pressure Cooker Pumpkin Spice Steel Cut Oats
Steel cut oats are such a hassle on the stovetop. The Instant Pot makes them so simple! You’ll want to make this pumpkin spice version year round.
Total Recipe Time: 25 min
Click here to Pressure Cooker Creamy Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Back to all Instant Pot Beginners recipes
Recipe #9: Pressure Cooker White Chicken Chili
Easy, peasy White Chicken Chili with an extra creamy, veggie loaded base. Bring on the toppings and turn it into a chili bar!
Total Recipe Time:40 min
Click here to Pressure Cooker White Chicken Chili
Back to all Instant Pot Beginners recipes
Recipe #10: Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup
Another wonderful “throw everything in the pot and walk away” recipe. This creamy Cauliflower Soup is heart warming and healthy too!
Total Recipe Time: 30 min
Click here to Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup
Back to all Instant Pot Beginners recipes
What do you think? Are you up to the challenge?
The Instant Pot has, without question, made my role as Primary Chef Mom much easier. Being comfortable with an electric pressure cooker means endless easy, quick, and amazing meals in your very near future!
So jump right in with these recipes by your side and if you have any questions or need a little hand-holding, leave a comment below and I’ll be sure to get back to you!
Have fun!
MORE BEGINNERS INSTANT POT GUIDES:
- Top 30 Easy Instant Pot Recipes
- Best Healthy Instant Pot Soup Recipes
- Pressure Cooker Basic Recipe Ideas
