Instant pot seems to be the kitchen appliance that has everyone talking. This appliance can seemingly do it all, a slow cooker, rice cooker, and pressure cooker all rolled into one.
It also boasts that the cook time is much less then standard appliances. What is it and what are the best things to cook in Instant Pot?
It is an appliance that can pressure cook, sauté, slow cook, steam, make yogurt and offers a way to warm food.
There are instant pots that have a lower, more affordable cost and others that come with all the bells and whistles.
| Instant Pot | Product Information | Check Price |
|---|---|---|
Top
Top | Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker | Check Price |
Top
Top | Instant Pot Duo Crisp Pressure Cooker 11 in 1, 8 Qt with Air Fryer | Check Price |
Top
Top | Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus Pressure Cooker 10 in 1, 6 Qt, 48 One Touch Programs | Check Price |
Here are a few good ones if you are looking to get one:
Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1, 8 Quart, 16 One-Touch Programs
- For large families, 6+ people. Item dimensions is 14.88 x 13.90 x 10.39 in inches
- Instant Pot Ultra electric pressure cooker is the next generation in kitchen appliances. A central dial with a simple turn and press provides added precision in program selection and adjustment
- Power supply: 120V – 60Hz
The Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1, 8 Quart has lots of space for good food and great recipes. It is one that has lots going for it. It can even be set to your altitude automatically.
It has both dial and a digital display that lets you select a program and pressure cooking. You can customize it as you need to.
It also has a cooking delay, warming feature, and clear alerts you can turn on or off.
It comes with a steam rack, spoon for serving, a soup spoon, and a cup for measuring.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best for beginners | Read the directions carefully |
| Cooks fast and saves time | Read warming feature |
| Plenty of recipes can you do | |
| Best Things to Cook in Instant Pot Reviews |
Instant Pot Air Fryer + EPC Combo 8QT Electronic Pressure Cooker, 8-QT
- The Instant Pot That Air Fries: The hottest new multi-cooker from the makers of the all-time bestselling Duo series, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a pressure cooker and air fryer with 2 convenient, removable lids
- Dishwasher Safe Stainless-Steel Cookware: Cook for up to 8 people with the premium quality (18/8) stainless-steel inner pot; Healthy and BPA/PFOA/PTFE-free
- Family Meals Fast: The powerful 1500W heating element reduces preheating time and cooks up to 70% faster — from frozen to golden in minutes
The Instant Pot Air Fryer is the hottest new multi-cooker from the makers of the all-time bestselling Duo series.
So many instant cookers have lots of functions and various programs but this one has something different.
It is also able to be an air fryer. It has a separate lid that has a heater and fan in combination with a basket to hold food allowing good airflow.
It makes awesome food like wings, other fried foods and even grilled cheese.
It is an 8-quart size so you can put a whole chicken in the pot. The air fryer top lets you roast, bake and even dehydrate food.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The instant pot that air fries | Read the directions carefully |
| Best for beginners | Have a minor noise |
| Plenty of recipes can you do | |
| Best Things to Cook in Instant Pot Reviews |
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker 6 Quart, 10 Programs
- The best gets even better: Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus is the latest evolution of the all-time bestseller Instant Pot Duo series; With 20 plus enhancements, it is the fastest in the class, the easiest to use for new users and the most customizable for experienced Instant Pot owners
- Biggest display yet: The bright bold display is angled to make it easy to read from a distance; The new cooking progress indicator shows clearly where you are in the cooking cycle
- Advanced safety protection: UL certified, 11 plus built in safety mechanisms, including automatic pressure and temperature control, overheat protection and more; Cooks for up to 6 people; Accessories include stainless steel steam rack with long handles and an extra sealing ring
The Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 9-in-1 has a sleek look with a great LCD screen.
Lots of info on what the pot is doing and its programs. The programs do cakes, eggs, soup, meat, yogurt and so much more.
The sterilized function is perfect for busy parents who need to sterile baby bottles or for those who want to prepare canning jars.
Cooks can not go wrong with this 9 in 1 6 quart instant pot.
It also comes with a steam rack, serving and soup spoons and a cup for measuring. Lots of great features for a great price.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cooks fast and saves time | Have a minor noise |
| Best for beginners | Read the directions carefully |
| Plenty of recipes can you do | |
| Best Things to Cook in Instant Pot Reviews |
Best Things to Cook in Instant Pot
Eggs
As a cook, you cannot get simpler than cooking eggs. Making hard-boiled ones is easy with an instant pot.
They come out cooked to perfection and easy to peel in just minutes. Put whole eggs in the steamer basket and lower into the pot with 1 cup of water.
Then close the pot and the vent valve before you press the “manual” button.
Have the pressure on high and set the time for the type of egg you prefer. Poached is 1 minute, soft boiled 4 and hard-boiled is 5.
Once the timer goes off then release the pressure and remove eggs with tongs and cool quickly, so they stop cooking.
You can eat right away or put them in the fridge. Either way, they are going to be easy to peel when you are ready.
Winter Treats
When it is cold an instant pot is perfect for soup, stock and chili. They are easy to make using the sauté function along with the pressurized cooking.
Stock – For this Instant pot recipe all you need to do is use the sauté function to brown the meat then switch to pressure cooker for your stock making.
Sauté on hot with chicken carcasses and a tablespoon of oil, then use 100ml of liquid to scrape up the extra bits.
Put chicken back in with chopped veggies (onion, carrots, celery and 4 garlic), 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp peppercorns, a bit of salt and add the herbs you like.
Add ten cups of water, close the pot, seal it, cook on high for an hour.
When it is ready, vent, strain, cook and skim the fat off. Your stock is ready.
Soup – Making some chicken noodle soup is always a great thing to have at hand.
This Instant pot recipe requires you to salt some chopped carrots, onions and celery then cook them in some butter with the sauté function.
Add some garlic and thyme and sauté a bit more. Add 8 cups of broth, 2 cups of chopped chick and dried noodles.
Turn off sauté, close and seal the pot, press “soup”. Set time at 4 minutes. When ready, release pressure with the valve and its ready.
Chilli – Use 2 lbs of ground meat, onion, garlic and all your usual spices and dry pinto beans then make sure to add 1 large can of diced tomatoes with liquid and 2 cups of broth/stock.
Use sauté for meat, onion, garlic, spices with a little oil.
Remove from pot then add tomatoes to deglaze. Add meat back with everything else and do two cycles of “beans”.
Release the valve and enjoy it. There you have it another easy Instant pot recipe!
Chicken
Roasting a whole chicken always makes for a great dinner. Doing it with an instant pot is simple. Instant pot chicken is fairly simple; get a bird, season with salt and pepper.
Using the sauté function and brown it in oil. Deglaze the pot with a cup of stock and put fresh herbs in the cavity of the bird.
Place it in the pot on top of the insert. Cook on High for 6 minutes for each pound of chicken plus an extra 2 minutes.
Let the pot cool then release steam naturally for at least 15 minutes. If it still has pressure after than release with valve. Your instant pot chicken is ready for carving.
Final Thoughts
Instant pots have taken cooking to a new simplistic level without reducing the quality of the food that cooks are making.
These are great appliances that make life easier while providing great meals for busy people.
Instant pots can make almost any meal you want. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and snacks. Simply pick a recipe and meal plans for the week will fall in to place easily.
