36 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes If You're Trying To Eat A Bit Better This Year (2024)

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!)

pinchofyum.com

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

minimalistbaker.com

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

platingsandpairings.com

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

minimalistbaker.com

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

36 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes If You're Trying To Eat A Bit Better This Year (2)

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

wholesomeyum.com

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

36 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes If You're Trying To Eat A Bit Better This Year (3)

recipetineats.com

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

sweetpeasandsaffron.com

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

fullofplants.com

All the flavors of tikka masala in a filling vegan meal? Sign me up.

Get the recipe: Cauliflower Tikka Masala

11. Instant Pot Yogurt

36 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes If You're Trying To Eat A Bit Better This Year (5)

damndelicious.net

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)

36 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes If You're Trying To Eat A Bit Better This Year (6)

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)

eatinginstantly.com

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

halfbakedharvest.com

A super-yummy one-pot meal, ready in under 30 minutes.

Get the recipe: Thai Lemongrass Chicken

15. Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers

36 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes If You're Trying To Eat A Bit Better This Year (7)

sweetpeasandsaffron.com

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

thegirlonbloor.com

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

36 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes If You're Trying To Eat A Bit Better This Year (8)

damndelicious.net

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

thegirlonbloor.com

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

36 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes If You're Trying To Eat A Bit Better This Year (9)

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

minimalistbaker.com

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

skinnytaste.com

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

gimmesomeoven.com

A classic butternut squash soup ready in 30 minutes. Who can top that?

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Soup

sweetpeasandsaffron.com

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

sweetpeasandsaffron.com

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

36 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes If You're Trying To Eat A Bit Better This Year (10)

kitchenconfidante.com

This dish brings the best flavors of the Mediterranean diet to your plate.

Get the recipe: Fish Stew With Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers

saltandlavender.com

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

gimmesomeoven.com

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

damndelicious.net

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

eatwell101.com

Flavored with red pepper flakes and smoked paprika, this soup will warm your body and soul.

Get the recipe: Pasta Soup With Shrimp

sweetpeasandsaffron.com

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

skinnytaste.com

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

sweetpeasandsaffron.com

The perfect recipe for your next family brunch — plus, it reheats well if you need to rely on leftovers.

Get the recipe: Breakfast Casserole

thegirlonbloor.com

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

36 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes If You're Trying To Eat A Bit Better This Year (11)

skinnytaste.com

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

fullofplants.com

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

36 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes If You're Trying To Eat A Bit Better This Year (12)

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

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    36 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes If You're Trying To Eat A Bit Better This Year (2024)

    FAQs

    What foods should not be cooked in an Instant Pot? ›

    In fact, there are a handful of foods that just shouldn't be pressure-cooked. Among them are dairy and fried foods, as well as burgers and steaks.

    Is Instant Pot good for healthy eating? ›

    Cooking in an “instant pot” or pressure cooker is a great method for preparing your food on many levels — including the nutritional level, according to registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD. “Instant pot recipes are absolutely healthy as long as what you put in the recipe is healthy,” she says.

    Is Instant Pot good for losing weight? ›

    I don't eliminate any food groups, I just eat real food in modest portions. As Brittany started cooking with the Instant Pot, she saw her weight drop. She lost 19 pounds in January 2017, 46 pounds by April 1, and 125 pounds by the end of the year.

    Is cooking in a pressure cooker healthy? ›

    Is pressure cooking safe? So far, science says yes. Even though some studies suggest that pressure cooking isn't the best way to preserve nutrients in food, no research exists to suggest that pressure cookers of any model or brand pose health risks.

    Why potatoes should not be cooked in pressure cooker? ›

    Mostly we boil potatoes in a pressure cooker, but like rice, potatoes also contain a lot of starch. This is the reason why boiling or cooking in this pressure cooker is not considered good for health. If you still plan to use cooker for the same, add a lot of water and wash them thoroughly post cooking.

    What is the best meat to cook in a pressure cooker? ›

    You can still pressure cook leaner pieces – like eye of round and top sirloin – but these work best if they've been stuffed, shredded or rolled (with other ingredients). Best cuts of beef to use: Chuck steak, Round Roast, Shoulder, Pot roast, Ribs, Brisket, Oxtail.

    Why does Instapot have Prop 65 warning? ›

    The Duo Nova is PTFE and PFOA free. This model does come with a Prop 65 warning, as a small amount phthalates are present in the power cord. The food contact materials are standard stainless steel and aluminum. All Instant Brand products are compliant to all FDA standards.

    What are the disadvantages of a pressure cooker? ›

    Because pressure cooking is an enclosed form of cooking, there is no contact with air. Therefore, some nutritionists argue that the ingredients may remain uncooked from within which can hamper your digestion on being consumed. Almost all cooking methods, including pressure cooking, have their own pros and cons.

    Does pressure cooking bone broth destroy nutrients? ›

    A pressure cooker will save you batch time and get you 75% of the nutrition benefits of bone broth. That being said, it will lack the additional nutrients and minerals which require long and slow simmer times to harvest from the bones and animal parts.

    Which instant food is good for weight loss? ›

    • Grocery & Gourmet Foods. Breakfast Cereal. Indian Snacks. Quinoa. Mixed Nuts. Chia Seeds.
    • Ready to Drink Meal Replacement Shakes.
    • Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements.

    Can I eat instant oats for weight loss? ›

    Studies show that oats and oatmeal have many health benefits. These include weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease. Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. They're a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

    Which pressure cooker is most healthy? ›

    Considering everything, stainless steel cookers are a better choice when compared to aluminium cookers as they overcome all the drawbacks of aluminium cookers. 1. They are a healthier choice for cooking food as they do not react and leach while preparing salty and acidic foods.

    Which is better a pressure cooker or air fryer? ›

    If you want to make soups and stews, go for an Instant Pot. On the other hand, to prepare crispy treats, choose an air fryer. Other factors that you should to consider before selecting any new specialty appliance are power consumption and your budget.

    Is it better to slow cook or pressure cook? ›

    Yes, slow cookers are a healthier way to cook food. This is because they use a low temperature to cook food, which unlike other styles of cooking, reduces the risk of destroying the nutrients in food when cooking at higher temperatures.

    What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a pressure cooker for cooking? ›

    Advantages of pressure cooking include reduced cooking times and retention of nutrients, plus it's a great way to make energy-efficient, one-pot meals. The downsides include problems with foods that have different cook times and not being able to check the progress of the food cooking.

    Is pressure cooking meat safe? ›

    That temperature is where bacteria bloom. Pressure cooking, on the other hand, cooks the meats in less than fifteen minutes in most cases. That means that any bacteria don't have hours to grow. Just keep in mind that when you do use frozen meats in your pressure cooker, use more liquid.

    Does pressure cooking cause acrylamide? ›

    aluminium- does not produce any acrylamide nor.

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