Let the Instant Pot do all the hard work.
The Instant Pot and other pressure cookers are great appliances to add to your kitchen if you don't have much time to cook but still want to eat healthy, homemade food.
Most Instant Pot recipes require minimal effort, dirty up very few dishes, and allow you to steam and cook food in very little time, especially in comparison with typical oven or stove top methods. Here are some great, healthy recipes you can make in your pressure cooker. (And if I missed your favorite, leave it in the comments!)
This cauliflower curry is ready in just 15 minutes, and the recipe is as easy as tossing all the ingredients together in an Instant Pot and cooking on high pressure for five minutes.
Get the recipe: 15-Minute Cauliflower Curry
Did you know that you could cook sweet potatoes in an Instant Pot? Once they're ready, top them with rice and beans, a fried egg, hummus, or guacamole. Sweet potatoes are high in fiber and vitamin A, so they're a great base no matter what you choose.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Place the salmon on a rack in the Instant Pot above a cup of water (making sure the salmon and water don't touch), add a couple of slices of lemon for more flavor, and cook on high pressure for three minutes. Serve with a lemon-dill sauce and a salad, and dinner is ready.
Get the recipe: Salmon With Lemon-Dill Sauce
This keeps five days in the fridge and up to a month in the freezer, so you can make a big batch and save for later. Maximize the nutrition by adding protein- and fiber-rich toppings like nuts or chia seeds or fresh berries.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Oats
5. Turkey Chili
Joe Lingeman / thekitchn.com
Is there anything more comforting than a great chili on a cold winter night? One of the greatest things about this recipe is that you can freeze the leftovers for up to three months, so you can enjoy a bowl of turkey chili whenever you're craving it, even if you have zero time to spare in the kitchen.
Get the recipe: Turkey Chili
This is crustless and closer to a frittata than a quiche, but equally yummy! It's a great way to use up any leftover veggies you might have in the fridge.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Crustless Quiche
7. Classic Pot Roast
You can make this pot roast in an Instant Pot or a slow cooker, whatever you're in the mood for. One thing is sure, though: It'll be delicious either way.
Get the recipe: Classic Pot Roast
These creamy egg bites are super customizable, and you can basically fill them with whatever you're in the mood for (frozen veggies, cheese, sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, etc.).
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Egg Bites
9. Instant Pot Broccoli
Lemon and Parmesan cheese turn plain broccoli into an amazing side dish that pairs well with just about everything.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli
All the flavors of tikka masala in a filling vegan meal? Sign me up.
Get the recipe: Cauliflower Tikka Masala
11. Instant Pot Yogurt
What can't you do in an Instant Pot? Genuinely asking, because you can make yogurt in them too!
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Yogurt
12. Coconut Shrimp Soup (Tom Kha)
Ghazalle Badiozamani / food52.com
Tom Kha is traditionally made with chicken, but this shrimp version makes the soup shine even brighter.
Get the recipe: Coconut Shrimp Soup (Tom Kha)
Meal prepping for the week is great. Meal prepping for the week in just 30 minutes is even better.
Get the recipe: Greek Chicken and Rice
A super-yummy one-pot meal, ready in under 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Thai Lemongrass Chicken
15. Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
You'll only need five ingredients to make these babies: bell peppers, rice, ground turkey, taco seasoning, and cheese.
Get the recipe: Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
A super-quick and easy soup for your next busy weeknight — and it goes from prep to plate in about 20 minutes flat.
Get the recipe: Golden Turmeric Lentil Soup
17. Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Copycat
Thanks to your pressure cooker, you can re-create your fave Olive Garden meal in 35 minutes and with minimal effort. You'll get protein from the sausage, plus your daily dose of greens from the kale.
Get the recipe: Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Copycat
Taco Tuesdays have never been so simple and delicious. The versatile filling also works over greens or as lettuce wraps.
Get the recipe: Cilantro Lime Pulled Chicken Tacos
19. Bone Broth
Joe Lingeman / thekitchn.com
Making bone broth usually takes up to 48 hours — and the beef smell that takes over your house can stick around for a few extra days after that. With this Instant Pot method, you can get the same result in way less time.
Get the recipe: Bone Broth
Your new go-to weeknight dinner could very well be this extra-comforting, vegan soup ready in just 40 minutes.
Get the recipe: Warming Red Lentil Sweet Potato Soup
This cozy winter meal requires only a handful of ingredients: cabbage, corned beef brisket, carrots, pearl onions, parsley, and bay leaves.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
A classic butternut squash soup ready in 30 minutes. Who can top that?
Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Soup
This recipe makes for a ton of food, which is great if you're looking to meal-prep and freeze part of it for later.
Get the recipe: Moroccan Instant Pot Lentils
You can actually use frozen ground turkey for this recipe or swap for beef or even soyrizo if you want to.
Get the recipe: Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps
25. Fish Stew With Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers
This dish brings the best flavors of the Mediterranean diet to your plate.
Get the recipe: Fish Stew With Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers
Spaghetti squash is a great low-carb base for lots of recipes. You can cook it in a pressure cooker in just 20 minutes and customize it however you want.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
Artichokes are both healthy and delicious, but they can be intimidating to prepare. This pressure cooker method is super straightforward, and you'll have delicious, steamed artichokes ready in just 25 minutes.
Get the recipe: Steamed Artichokes
You'll need to sauté the chicken thighs in batches first before pressure-cooking them for just five minutes. These will come out super tender and golden, with a nice lemon-thyme flavor.
Get the recipe: Lemon Chicken Thighs
Flavored with red pepper flakes and smoked paprika, this soup will warm your body and soul.
Get the recipe: Pasta Soup With Shrimp
You can eat this applesauce on its own or mixed in with yogurt, or even use it as a natural sweetener in baked goods.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Applesauce
If you like chicken biryani, you'll love this distant cousin, which is a bit lighter but just as flavorful.
Get the recipe: Indian Chicken Pulao
The perfect recipe for your next family brunch — plus, it reheats well if you need to rely on leftovers.
Get the recipe: Breakfast Casserole
For this low-carb favorite, you can use ground turkey or pork instead of chicken, and any type of mushrooms you'd like if you can't find shiitakes.
Get the recipe: Egg Roll in a Bowl
34. Chipotle Chicken Bowls With Cilantro Lime Quinoa
The chicken is the only thing you'll actually cook in the Instant Pot. You can serve with quinoa, rice, or any other grain, and feel free to get creative with the toppings and use whatever you have in your kitchen.
Get the recipe: Chipotle Chicken Bowls With Cilantro Lime Quinoa
A super-heartwarming vegan dinner that you'll want to make over and over again. The secret ingredient that elevates the whole thing? Green curry paste.
Get the recipe: White Bean Green Curry
36. Chicken Cacciatore With Zucchini Noodles
Ghazalle Badiozamani / food52.com
You can serve it with zoodles, like they do in the recipe, or with good old pasta, if that's what you're craving. To easily boost the protein, swap in pasta made from chickpeas or lentils.
Get the recipe: Chicken Cacciatore With Zucchini Noodles
