If you want no-fuss dinners that are absolutely delicious, this instant pot round up is for you.
Has the Instant Pot changed your life yet? It absolutely changed mine! I didn’t think it was possible for one kitchen appliance to make such a big impact into my life, and yet this one completely has. It’s a one-pot-wonder that sears, braises, steams, and simmers to perfection. Even better than all of that – it makes dinner quick and easy! If you’re new to Instant Pot cooking, you’ll find a lot of recipes out there. We think these are the best Instant Pot recipes so you can to get started making quick and easy weeknight dinners.
All of these recipes feature nutrient-dense, superfoods (like sweet potatoes) that normally take forever to cook in the oven. But, with the Instant Pot, that hour-long cook time for a sweet potato just turned into 15 minutes! This device is like a kitchen miracle worker. The best Instant Pot recipes turn your favorite foods into quick-cooking versions without sacrificing flavor.
Take the beef barbacoa bowls for example (which, you’ll read about in a minute). Normally, it would take hours of braising the beef on the stovetop for it to get tender and shreddable. Not only does that take a long time, but it also heats up your kitchen. On a hot summer day, that’s the last thing I need! Instead, the Instant Pot’s pressure cooking setting creates a steamy, extra-hot environment for the beef. You end up with perfectly shreddable beef in a fraction of the time.
The other cool thing about the best Instant Pot recipes? They take advantage of the Saute function. Using this setting, you can sear meat or cook down onions before you move into the pressure setting. As a result, you dirty one less dish than you would if you were using a slow cooker. You can also use the Saute function to simmer soups or melt cheese (like the final recipe on our list).
Okay, enough loving on the Instant Pot! Let’s dig right in and look at the 7 best Instant Pot recipes. These recipes will save you a ton of time in preparing weeknight meals. As a bonus, they’re delicious and healthy, too!
Best Instant Pot Recipes
1. Instant Pot Shrimp and Grits
Have a hankering for southern comfort? Get your fill without the guilt, while also ensuring you don’t spend countless hours in the kitchen. This recipe features protein-rich shrimp, low-fat cheddar, and a punch of fantastic flavor from fresh cilantro and smoked paprika.
The result of this comforting option to add to your best instant pot recipes for quick and easy dinners all week is a meal that the whole family will love, and one that may seem like you’ve been working hard to create, but requires so little hands-on work!
2. Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa
If you want some serious flavor, you’ve got to try this instant pot beef barbacoa using grass-fed beef shoulder. Popular in Mexican cooking, barbacoa is beef, lamb, or another meat that has been slowly cooked with seasonings, and is generally shredded to fill tacos, burritos, and more.
You can keep it healthy and clean by topping on your salad, or serving by itself with a side of veggies. Plus, the amount that the recipe makes ensures it’s a great leftover for other quick and easy dinners.
The rub includes a mouth watering mix of paprika, chili powder, garlic granules, onion powder, oregano, cumin, and cayenne. And the savory sauce is a combination of diced tomatoes, hot green chiles, onion, garlic cloves, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup or raw honey, cumin, and paprika.Â
3. Instant Pot Korean Beef Tacos
Add this recipe to your instant pot recipes for quick and easy dinners if you’re craving Mexican and Korean all in one bite! Even if you didn’t know you wanted the combo, you’ll be glad you found this delicious dish, as it’s a unique take on your typical taco plate, and will introduce you to a whole new world of flavors.
The recipe features oh so tender, fall-apart, juicy meat that’s stuffed into super soft tortillas, and topped with kimchi (fermented cabbage), chopped cilantro, chopped peanuts, and spicy mayo.
The sensational beef can be utilized over and over. Top on your salad, add to your rice bowl, or grab a fork and indulge at your leisure!
4. Instant Pot Loaded Baked Sweet Potato
For hands-off sweet potatoes that are absolutely loaded with delicious flavor, make this instant pot loaded sweet potatoes recipe. You’ll get a sweet and nutty flavor that takes a typically unhealthy recipe and turns it into a clean eating superfood powerhouse.
The recipe is loaded with heart-healthy olive oil and walnuts, flavorful and nourishing spinach, and a sweet and satisfying addition of dried cranberries.
You can make a big batch and eat as a snack, or serve as a side with a quick and easy piece of grilled fish or chicken that makes for a perfect meal on super busy nights.
5. Instant Pot Steamed Artichokes
Eating artichokes is like eating lobster. Why you may ask? Because as incredibly buttery, savory, and delicious as they are, they both require so much work to eat! But you never shy away, because the taste in your mouth after all that work is just way too rewarding, right?
This great addition to add to your best instant pot recipes for quick and easy dinners is extremely easy to make, with a result that’s full of great flavor.
The recipe makes about a half dozen artichokes that can be eaten whenever you crave a wonderfully healthy superfood. To prep, you trim the fresh artichokes, then place the steamer basket in your instant pot, add some water, garlic, and a bay leaf, then rub some fresh lemon juice on the outside of the artichokes, and finally place your artichokes in a single layer in the steamer basket.
6. Instant Pot Corn on the Cob with Chipotle Sauce
Love corn on the cob? Then you’ll totally love this kicked up version.
The recipe takes your summer favorite to the next level by making a no-fuss, flavorful dish that will keep you away from standing over the hot grill or stove, and spending more time enjoying the sun, backyard pool, and friends.
All you need to make this recipe is tangy chipotle sauce, protein-packed Greek yogurt, chipotle peppers, lime juice, and cilantro.
Is your mouth watering yet?
7. Instant Pot Pasta with Sausage, Spinach, and Tomatoes
In the mood for Italian fare without the guilt or work? Then you just have to add this meal to your best instant pot recipes for quick and easy dinners.
Can you believe you can make a pasta dish completely in an instant pot? Featuring savory, succulent, and fresh sausage, spinach, and tomatoes, it’s a simple dish with ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Talk about budget friendly! And besides, who needs a trip to the grocery story when you’re already short on time?
You’ll fill up with a cheesy, creamy meal that’s flavorful and surprisingly comes in at just 300 calories per serving. Now that’s something to celebrate.
These recipes will make you rethink what it means to eat well with little to no time on your hands. So, go ahead and let these best instant pot recipes inspire you to make quick and easy dinners all week!
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