5-Star Instant Pot Recipes You Have to Try

Imagine having the power to create restaurant-quality dishes at home with minimal effort and time. This is exactly what Instant Pot delivers, transforming regular ingredients into 5-star meals with the press of a button. Whether you're a culinary novice or a seasoned chef, these Instant Pot recipes will revolutionize your cooking experience, offering a blend of convenience, flavor, and health benefits.

Why Choose Instant Pot for Your Kitchen?

The Instant Pot, an electric pressure cooker, combines multiple kitchen appliances into one device. It functions as:

• A pressure cooker
• A slow cooker
• A rice cooker
• A steamer
• A sauté pan
• A yogurt maker
• A warmer

This versatility not only saves kitchen space but also cuts down on the time and effort required to make delicious meals. Here are some compelling reasons to embrace the Instant Pot:

• Speed: Prepare dishes that traditionally take hours in a fraction of the time.
• Energy Efficiency: Uses less electricity than conventional ovens.
• Nutrient Retention: Pressure cooking helps retain nutrients that might be lost in other cooking methods.
• Safety: Equipped with multiple safety mechanisms.

Top 5 Instant Pot Recipes to Elevate Your Dinner Game

1. Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Transform your chicken with this mouthwatering recipe:

• 1 kg chicken thighs (skinless, boneless)
• 3 tbsp honey
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp ginger (grated)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¹⁄₂ cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Set Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add oil and brown chicken thighs on both sides, then remove.
2. In the same pot, add garlic and ginger, cook for 1 minute.
3. Pour in soy sauce, honey, broth, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Add chicken back into the pot. Close lid, set to manual high pressure for 8 minutes.
5. Once cooked, perform a quick release, open lid, and optionally thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry.

🍯 Note: For a thicker glaze, you can reduce the sauce on sauté mode after cooking the chicken.

2. Instant Pot Beef Chili

Make chili with deep, developed flavors:

• 500g ground beef
• 1 onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 can kidney beans (drained)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Using sauté function, brown beef in the pot, breaking it up as it cooks. Remove and set aside.
2. Add onions and garlic, cook until softened. Return beef to pot.
3. Add beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and broth.
4. Close lid, set to manual high pressure for 15 minutes.
5. Once cooking is complete, let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest.

3. Coconut Curry Lentils

Create a comforting curry in minutes:

• 1 cup lentils (rinsed)
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garam masala
• ¹⁄₂ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Set to sauté mode, add oil, then onions, and cook until translucent.
2. Add garlic, curry powder, turmeric, cumin, garam masala, and pepper flakes, stirring for 1-2 minutes.
3. Pour in lentils, coconut milk, and 1 cup of water or vegetable broth.
4. Cook on manual high pressure for 12 minutes.
5. Once done, do a quick pressure release.

4. Lemon Herb Chicken Breast

A fresh and zesty take on chicken:

• 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• ¹⁄₂ cup chicken broth
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 3 sprigs rosemary
• 3 sprigs thyme
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Set Instant Pot to sauté, add oil, and brown chicken on both sides. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pot, add garlic, lemon slices, and herbs. Sauté briefly.
4. Place chicken back in the pot, pour broth over, lock the lid, and set to manual high pressure for 6 minutes.
5. Quick release pressure, remove chicken, and spoon over some cooking juices.

5. Instant Pot Risotto

Indulge in creamy, restaurant-style risotto:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• ¹⁄₂ cup white wine
• ¹⁄₂ onion (finely chopped)
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• ¹⁄₄ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Set pot to sauté, melt butter with oil, add onion and cook until translucent.
2. Add garlic, sauté for 30 seconds.
3. Pour in rice, stirring to coat with oil.
4. Add wine, cook until mostly evaporated, then add broth.
5. Seal pot, set to manual for 7 minutes at high pressure.
6. Natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
7. Stir in Parmesan, season, and garnish with parsley.

Summing up these recipes, it's clear that the Instant Pot isn't just a time-saving device; it's a gateway to culinary excellence. The pressure cooking retains moisture and flavor, making dishes tender and delicious in ways that might surprise even the seasoned cooks among us. These 5-star recipes provide a diverse range of flavors, from the aromatic herbs and citrus of the Lemon Herb Chicken to the rich complexity of Beef Chili, all achievable with the simplicity of Instant Pot cooking.

Can I use frozen meat in an Instant Pot?

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Yes, the Instant Pot can cook frozen meat safely, though it will take longer to come to pressure and cooking time might increase slightly. Ensure you adjust your cooking times accordingly to avoid undercooked food.

How do I avoid the Instant Pot burn notice?

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To prevent the burn notice, always scrape the bottom of the pot to ensure no food is sticking before pressure cooking. Also, use enough liquid, and avoid thick sauces or mixtures that can settle and burn on the base.

What is the difference between natural release and quick release?

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Natural release allows the pressure to drop naturally over time, which is ideal for dishes like stews, keeping them tender. Quick release involves manually releasing the pressure, used when you want to stop cooking quickly or for delicate foods to avoid overcooking.