64 Of Our Best Instant Pot Recipes That Are Total Game Changers

Not sure what to make? We will help you make a decision in an *instant.*

An Instant Pot is magical — it slow cooks, pressure cooks, can make rice, steams, and even sautés! We rounded up some simple and time-saving Instant Pot recipes that are also absolutely delicious. Whether you're short on time, hungry, or just impatient, these recipes are for you.

1. Instant Pot Shrimp Paella

Averie Cooks / Via averiecooks.com

This colorful dish is sponsored by saffron, paprika, red peppers, limes, and — the star of the show — shrimp. If shrimp isn't your thing, swap it out for another protein you have in your fridge; it's NBD. This paella recipe only takes half an hour to make, but it'll probably be gobbled up instantly!

Recipe: Instant Pot Shrimp Paella

2. Instant Pot Thai Curry Noodles

Averie Cooks / Via averiecooks.com

Is it just me or are you also salivating? Don't fret, with an instant pot, these Thai curry noodles will be yours in no Thai-me. Even better, this dish is vegan and gluten free, so it's the perfect food to serve at your next dinner party. Throw in some tofu if you're looking for more protein.

Recipe: Instant Pot Thai Curry Noodles

3. Instant Pot Harissa-Spiced Rice

Alexandra Cooks / Via alexandracooks.com

Spice up your life with some scrumptious rice, sprinkled with harissa. To complement the heat of the harissa, add some sweetness with orange zest and dates. This recipe has an out-of-this-world flavor profile you won't want to miss. 

Recipe: Instant Pot Harissa-Spiced Rice

4. Instant Pot Chicken Tinga

Alexandra Cooks / Via alexandracooks.com

Craving some chicken Tinga? With your instant pot it's simple: for the Tinga, all you need is onion, olive oil, chipotle in adobo sauce, canned tomatoes, chicken, and cilantro. In 30 minutes, this delish dish could be yours. To spruce up your left overs, add a tortilla and make chicken Tinga tacos!

Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Tinga

5. Instant Pot Country Chicken

A Family Feast / Via afamilyfeast.com

This delicious chicken dish takes just over an hour to make. Combine three pounds of chicken with baby red potatoes, onions, green peas, celery and carrots to create an *instant* classic.

Recipe: Instant Pot Country Chicken

6. Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

Damn Delicious / Via damndelicious.net

Instant pot pulled pork? You must be pullin' my leg! In just over an hour, these bad boys could be yours. All it takes is some pork shoulder, chicken stock, barbecue sauce, hella spices, and a little bit of patience. It's worth the wait!

Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

7. Instant Pot Chicken Nachos

Damn Delicious / Via damndelicious.net

When you think of instant pots, nachos isn't typically the first thing that comes to mind. But these decadent nachos — topped with sour cream, guacamole, and cilantro — will prove that instant pot nachos + nachos are the perfect tag team!

Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Nachos 

8. Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

The Kitchn / Via thekitchn.com

This thick, creamy chili recipe is a total game changer. Top it with some avocado and greek yogurt for a chef's kiss!

Recipe: Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

9. Instant Pot Short Ribs

The Kitchn / Via thekitchn.com

Not gonna lie, this recipe takes some work — but it's so worth it! With red wine, tomato paste, and garlic in the mix, how could it be bad?

Recipe: Instant Pot Short Ribs

10. Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Joe Lingeman / Via thekitchn.com

If you've never cooked pasta in an Instant Pot before, you're missing out. In many recipes — like this one — the noodles cook directly in the sauce, giving you an end result that's packed with flavor from the inside out.

Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

11. Instant Pot Pasta Primavera

foodfaithfitness.com

Loaded with vegetables — plus an extra boost of protein from using chickpea noodles instead of traditional ones.

Recipe: Instant Pot Pasta Primavera

12. Creamy Cajun Chicken Alfredo

number-2-pencil.com

Dinner-wise, is there anything better than creamy, dreamy chicken Alfredo? (Nope!)

Recipe: Creamy Cajun Chicken Alfredo

13. Instant Pot Ground Beef and Pasta

damndelicious.net

This only pressure cooks for five minutes — and prep is super minimal.

Recipe: Instant Pot Ground Beef & Pasta

14. Veggie-Packed Mac 'n' Cheese

Joe Lingeman / Via thekitchn.com

Featuring the green trinity: broccoli, spinach, and pesto.

Recipe: Veggie-Packed Mac 'n' Cheese

15. Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken

Joe Lingeman / Via thekitchn.com

To upgrade the jarred sauce, you'll also toss in fresh garlic, parsley, and parm.

Recipe: Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo With Chicken

16. Instant Pot Beef and Potato Stew

budgetbytes.com

This breaks down to just about $2 per serving — and makes enough for six.

Recipe: Instant Pot Beef & Potato Stew

17. Instant Pot Chicken and Potato Soup

cottercrunch.com

To make this ring in at under $10, stick to just one type of potatoes (instead of two) and use canned corn instead of fresh.

Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken & Potato Soup

18. Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

ketodietapp.com

High in protein and potassium.

Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

19. Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

gimmesomeoven.com

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free — and something everyone will love.

Recipe: Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

20. Instant Pot Potato Corn Chowder

thereciperebel.com

Hearty and comforting — and makes for great leftovers.

Recipe: Instant Pot Potato Corn Chowder

21. Chicken Taco Soup

Dear Crissy / Via dearcrissy.com, Dear Chrissy / Via dearcrissy.com

Top your bowl with diced jalapeño, sliced avocado, and some tortilla strips for crunch.

Recipe: Chicken Taco Soup

22. Instant Pot Pasta Soup

eatwell101.com

For those times when you can't decide between pasta and soup. 😋

Recipe: Instant Pot Pasta Soup

23. Instant Pot Coconut Chicken Curry Stew

Joe Lingeman / The Kitchn

Spinach is in season right now — and this hearty stew packs a full two cups of it.

Recipe: Instant Pot Coconut Chicken Curry Stew

24. Beef and Barley Soup

Little Spice Jar / Via littlespicejar.com

Cold nights call for piping hot bowls of this hearty soup loaded with tender beef, chewy barley, and lots of veggies.

Recipe: Beef and Barley Soup

25. Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup

sweetpeasandsaffron.com

If you recently got an Instant Pot and aren't quite sure where to begin, this super-nourishing soup is a great starting point. It's nutritious and very hands-off, letting you sit back and witness the magic of your new IP.

Recipe: Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup

26. Instant Pot Sweet Potato Soup

instantpoteats.com / Via instantpoteats.com

This has plenty of protein, fiber, and healthy fats from the sweet potato, black beans, and avocado.

Recipe: Instant Pot Sweet Potato Soup

27. Instant Pot Vegan Lasagna Soup

veganricha.com

Lasagna! Soup! Can't think of anything more comforting, tbh. Especially when you add some garlic bread on the side.

Recipe: Instant Pot Vegan Lasagna Soup

28. Instant Pot Cashew Chicken

fitfoodiefinds.com

The simple sauce — which includes soy sauce, garlic, and ginger — comes together quickly and packs a ton of flavor.

Recipe: Instant Pot Cashew Chicken

29. Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

therecipecritic.com

Works equally well with fresh or frozen chicken — and makes enough for six servings.

Recipe: Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

30. Easiest Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

gimmesomeoven.com

Serve this piled onto your ~vessel~ of choice — like tortillas or lettuce wraps.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

31. Whole30 Indian Saag Chicken

40aprons.com

A paleo and Whole30-compliant take on saag paneer, this chicken version is super rich and satisfying.

Recipe: Whole30 Indian Saag Chicken

32. Crispy Chicken Carnitas

littlespicejar.com

Just throw all the ingredients into the IP and let the juicy chicken cook itself. When it's done, toss in the oven for a few extra minutes so it gets extra brown and crispy.

Recipe: Crispy Chicken Carnitas

33. Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes

lecremedelacrumb.com

A classic crowd-pleaser, and rightfully so.

Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

34. Instant Pot Ramen

rasamalaysia.com

Your favorite college staple, bulked up with eggs, chicken, and other goodies.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Ramen

35. Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Cooking Classy / Via cookingclassy.com

Just toss the chicken + veggies into your IP on its slow cooker setting — and load up the final product with your favorite toppings.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

36. Instant Pot Carnitas

fitfoodiefinds.com

The secret to super flavorful meat here? A quick DIY spice rub — that includes chili powder, paprika, and cayenne — which you'll coat the pork in first.

Recipe: Instant Pot Carnitas

37. Six-Minute Shrimp Boil

damndelicious.net

Old Bay makes everything better.

Recipe: Six-Minute Shrimp Boil

38. Beef and Bacon Chili

paleorunningmomma.com

This freezes really well, so feel free to make extra!

Recipe: Keto Beef & Bacon Chili

39. Cod with Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers

instantpoteats.com

This works with fresh or frozen cod fillets, and the briny, Mediterranean-style broth adds a ton of flavor.

Recipe: Cod with Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers

40. Stuffed Peppers

The Recipe Critic / Via therecipecritic.com

You can substitute ground beef for turkey or, if you want a meatless meal, use black beans or quinoa. Get the recipe.

41. Instant Pot Pinto Beans with Chorizo

budgetbytes.com

This quick and easy recipe never disappoints.

Recipe: Instant Pot Pinto Beans With Chorizo

42. French Dip Sandwiches

slowcookergourmet.net

Sandwiches, ranked: 1. French Dips. 2. All other sandwiches.

Recipe: French Dip Sandwiches

43. Vegan Instant Pot Tacos with Smoky Lentils and Rice

acouplecooks.com

The meat-free filling — of brown rice, lentils, and spices — is super versatile and also makes a great base for meal prep bowls.

Recipe: Vegan Instant Pot Tacos With Smoky Lentils & Rice

44. Instant Pot Vegan Chili

fitfoodiefinds.com

This is high in protein and fiber — and freezes super well.

Recipe: Instant Pot Vegan Chili

45. Instant Pot Golden Lentil and Spinach Soup

kitchentreaty.com

Vegetarian and vegan-friendly — and cooks up in all of 12 minutes.

Recipe: Instant Pot Golden Lentil & Spinach Soup

46. Vegan Chickpea Curry

chefdehome.com

Packed with protein.

Recipe: Vegan Chickpea Curry

47. Instant Pot Lentil Curry

wellplated.com

Don’t be fooled by its modest appearance — this lentil dish is plenty vibrant, thanks to ingredients like ginger, garlic, turmeric, and curry powder.

Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Curry

48. Vegetarian Portobello Pot Roast

gimmesomeoven.com

A plant-based meal that even carnivores will love.

Recipe: Vegetarian Portobello Pot Roast

49. Vegetarian Tikka Masala

fullofplants.com

This version swaps out chicken for cauliflower — and tastes amazing.

Recipe: Vegetarian Tikka Masala

50. Instant Pot Vegan Gumbo

cottercrunch.com

High in protein and fiber — and goes from prep to plate in about 30 minutes.

Recipe: Instant Pot Vegan Gumbo

51. Pizza Noodle Casserole

thecreativebite.com

Feel free to toss in your favorite pizza toppings to customize this easy pasta recipe to fit your taste.

Recipe: Pizza Noodle Casserole

52. Five-Ingredient Mac and Cheese

littlespicejar.com

Macaroni + butter + cheese + milk + spices = the easiest macaroni and cheese you'll ever make.

Recipe: Five-Ingredient Mac and Cheese

53. Chicken Pot Pie Soup

40aprons.com

The best part about this recipe? It's super rich yet completely dairy-free, thanks to a can of coconut milk.

Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

54. Korean Chicken Meatballs

thebewitchinkitchen.com

Serve these meatballs over rice, fresh greens, or quinoa for a hearty dinner that comes together in no time at all.

Recipe: Korean Chicken Meatballs

55. Honey Balsamic Chicken

eatwell101.com

Sweet, savory, and ridiculously easy to make.

Recipe: Honey Balsamic Chicken

56. Salsa Chicken

wholesomelicious.com

Tender chicken cooked in flavorful salsa — what could be better?

Recipe: Salsa Chicken

57. Yellow Dal

mykitchenlove.com

Hearty lentils over warm rice = the ultimate cold night dinner.

Recipe: Yellow Dal

58. Creamy Cajun Pasta

spicysouthernkitchen.com

This recipe calls for one tablespoon (!) of Cajun seasoning, so feel free to use a bit less if spicy food isn't your thing.

Recipe: Creamy Cajun Pasta

59. Chicken Tacos

wineandglue.com

The best part about this recipe? it only takes three ingredients and 30 minutes to come together. A serious win-win.

Recipe: Chicken Tacos

60. Green Chile Chicken Chowder

allthenourishingthings.com

A hearty base of cauliflower cream (aka cauliflower cooked in bone broth) gives this soup a rich texture without feeling heavy.

Recipe: Green Chile Chicken Chowder

61. Chicken Burrito Bowl

number-2-pencil.com

Load this into tortillas for a simple BYO taco night that's made entirely in the Instant Pot.

Recipe: Chicken Burrito Bowl

62. Pressure Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

J. Kenji López-Alt / seriouseats.com

All the flavor of a classic all-day sauce in a fraction of the time.

Recipe: Pressure Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

63. Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup with Sausage and Kale

foodiecrush.com

The soup simmers low and slow for four hours, then the tortellini is dropped in near the end so it doesn't overcook. 

Recipe: Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup with Sausage & Kale

64. And finally, Coconut Lime Quinoa

unsophisticook.com

You'll make this using the rice cooker function. Before serving, just top with your favorite meat or veggies.

Recipe: Coconut Lime Quinoa

This article contains content from Melissa Jameson and Jesse Szewczyk. It was compiled by Kelly Rissman.