10 Instant Pot Recipes For Beginners (2024)

The Instant Pot grew to fame in 2017 and hasn’t slowed down yet. This multi-cooker is most popular for it’s electric pressure cooking mode, but there are many other things that make this the ultimate kitchen appliance. If you’re just opening the box on your new pressure cooker, you may be feeling overwhelmed at all the bells and whistles. But fear not! We’ve rounded up some simple Instant Pot recipes that are perfect for beginners, and will have you loving the appliance like everyone else.

Breakfast

Source: UnsophistiCook.com

1. Hard Boiled Eggs

No more messed up hard boiled eggs! The Instant Pot will give you an entire batch of perfectly cooked eggs every time, and save you the time of waiting for that pot to boil. Speaking from a person who ALWAYS messes them up, this sounds like a dream. Meal prep with simple and toss a whole dozen in and stick to your diet easy peasy.

Get all the details on cooking perfect eggs atUnsophistiCook.com.

Source: PressureCookRecipes.com

2. Steel Cut Oats

Tired of standing around, stirring your pot of oatmeal? Welcome to the Instant Pot, where cooking oatmeal (or steel cut oats as we have here) is a dream. Add water and oats, then set your IP’s timer and walk away. Come back to oatmeal that’s hot and ready, without any stirring, and at the perfect texture and consistency.

Check out all the ways to make steel cut oats in your Instant Pot atPressureCookRecipes.com.

Lunch & Dinner

Source: LeCremeDeLaCrumb.com

3. Pot Roast & Potatoes

Yes, pot roast is so amazing when it falls apart and melts in your mouth, but if you forget to get started early enough in the day, your crock pot just won’t work. This Instant Pot version gets you the same tasty dinner in just an hour and a half! Made with traditional sides like carrots and potatoes, you won’t feel like you’re missing a thing when you make this pressure cooker version and get your dinner in a quarter of the time.

LeCremeDeLaCrumb.comhas this savory recipe and a few more Instant Pot dinners that look to die for!

Source: CookingWithCurls.com

4. Whole Chicken

Forget cooking and basting a whole chicken in your conventional oven for hours at a time. If you cook Instant Pot style, cook time is reduced to 25 minutes and the mess is contained (even better!). You can use the sauté function to get a nice crispy outer layer and then cook your chicken that’s stuffed with tasty veggies in no time flat.

Check out how easy it is atCookingWithCurls.com.

Source: ThatsWhatCheSaid.net

5. Mac and Cheese

Goodbye blue box, hello Instant Pot mac and cheese! This 4-minute cook time recipe will have you feeling fancy and chef-like, and we’re ok with that. Three cups of cheese, some butter, noodles, heavy cream and chicken broth- these are the makings of homemade mac and cheese and something the kids will never turn down. WIN!

Get more delicious recipes, including this one, fromThatsWhatCheSaid.net.

Source: APinchOfHealthy.com

6. “Baked” Sweet Potatoes

One of the most frustrating things about baking potatoes is how long it takes! Sure, you can use a microwave, but we’re talking the baked method here. Meal prep easily by cooking potatoes in your Instant Pot for 18 minutes, eat one right away and then save the rest for lunches. BAM! Healthy potatoes that taste like a treat.

Snag more healthy recipes atAPinchOfHealthy.com.

Source: LivingSweetMoments.com

7. Asian Sesame Chicken

A thick, homemade ginger sauce makes this Asian Sesame chicken feel like you’re eating in a restaurant. With a five minute cook time, there’s really no reason you can’t make this any night of the week. Make rice ahead of time, or try the Pot In Pot method and you have an entire meal ready to go in under an hour, with just 1 pan/pot to clean.

Check out how this recipe is done atLivingSweetMoments.com.

Dessert

Source: FoodNService.com

8. Monkey Bread

Is it a dessert, is it an unhealthy breakfast? Who cares because Monkey Bread is delicious! With only 5 ingredients, one of which is pre-made biscuits, this is a super easy treat to make when you want something warm and toasty. You’ll use mini loaf pans and a quick spin in the Instant Pot to get an ooey gooey bread that would be perfect with some morning coffee!

See the simple recipe atFoodNService.com.

Source: PaintTheKitchenRed.com

9. Chocolate Lava Cake

Though these Lava Cakes require a decent amount of ingredients, they take 10 minutes to cook and will seriously satisfy your sweet tooth. A warm, melted center that includes instant coffee, this dessert may also just give you a little pick me up!

Find the full recipe atPaintTheKitchenRed.com.

Source: PressureCookRecipes.com

10. New York Cheesecake

This final recipe is probably the most fancy, requiring you to make the crust and the cheesecake filling- but even those aren’t rocket science in this dessert. If you’re up for the challenge, this cheesecake will undoubtedly be the creamiest you’ve ever had, especially of your homemade versions.

You don’t have to worry about messing up this recipe,PressureCookRecipes.comhas SO many tips and tricks!

We’ve got a few more Instant Pot posts for you:

10 Instant Pot Recipes For Quick Dinners

8 Delicious Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes

Related Images:

Karly Wood

I'm a born and bred Southern California native and currently the managing editor at Red Tri. I get to share my life with my husband of 13 years and our beautiful, 5-year old daughter. In my free time you'll catch me cheering for the Dodgers, cooking, baking, reading, crafting and probably watching a little HGTV!