The Instant Pot turns lengthy cooking projects into weeknight wins, you get tender meats, well-developed sauces, and deep flavors in a fraction of the time. These recipes showcase how many directions you can take pressure cooking: from barbecue to braises, pasta to pork, and even confit. Whether you’re looking for rich short ribs, saucy pulled pork, creamy pasta, or global flavors like adobo and pho, this collection gives you go-to meals that work under pressure. With just one pot, you can build complexity without fuss, freeing up time for sides or a quick cleanup. Here are descriptions of each dish to get your mouth watering:
Instant Pot Short Ribs
Beef short ribs go in with aromatics, broth, red wine, and seasonings. After high-pressure cooking, the meat comes off the bone soft, while the braising liquid reduces into a rich, glossy sauce. Serve over mashed potatoes, polenta, or rice to soak up every drop. Deep, savory, and indulgent without hours in the oven.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Short Ribs
Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
Chicken chunks simmer in a sweet-savory sauce made with bourbon, soy, garlic, and brown sugar. The pressure cooker concentrates flavors, giving the sauce stickiness and depth. Serve over rice or alongside greens to balance the richness. A dessert-like glaze on protein.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
Instant Pot Crab Boil
Seafood, corn, potatoes, and sausage (if you like) cook together in a seasoned broth. The pressure gives everything a steamed, flavorful finish — vegetables and shellfish soak in the seasoning. Drain, toss, and serve with melted butter or garlic sauce. A one-pot “low country style” feast without the long boil.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Crab Boil
Instant Pot Blackened Chicken Alfredo
Chicken is seasoned with blackened spices and seared, then cooked with pasta and creamy Alfredo sauce. The pasta absorbs flavor while pressure steam builds creaminess. It finishes under “Saute” to thicken the sauce. Rich, spicy, and perfect when you want pasta that doesn’t require a separate sauce pot.
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Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
This Filipino classic braises chicken thighs in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns. The Instant Pot accelerates the melding of tangy, salty, and savory notes. Serve with rice to balance the acidic sauce. Elegant in flavor yet simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
Instant Pot Brisket
The beef brisket gets pressure-cooked with stock, tomatoes, onions, and spices until fork-tender. The braising liquid concentrates, letting you reduce or thicken it post-pressure. Slice or shred and serve with sides or bread. Rich, comforting, and far faster than traditional methods.
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Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein
Pork pieces cook with broth, soy sauce, and aromatics, then pasta or noodles get added to finish in the same pot. The noodles absorb the savory sauce, soaking in flavor. Tossed with vegetables or scallions for texture. A no-fuss, all-in-one noodle dish with protein built in.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
Pork shoulder cooks until tender, then you finish it under broil or in a skillet to crisp the edges. The slow-simmer-like cooking under pressure gives fall-apart texture first, then the finishing step adds caramelization. Serve in tacos, bowls, or burritos.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza
Chicken cooks in barbecue sauce, then gets shredded and layered over French bread with cheese. You can finish the assembly under the oven or air fryer. It’s pizza-ish but built from protein first, bread second. Comfort dish with BBQ flair.
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Instant Pot Picadillo
Ground beef simmers with tomatoes, bell pepper, raisins, olives, and spices. The pressure helps meld sweet and savory elements fast. Serve over rice, in tacos, or with plantains. A Latin classic made easier.
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Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
Ribs cook under pressure with liquid and spices, then you finish them under a broiler or grill to crisp the exterior. The meat becomes fall-off-the-bone tender inside. Finish with BBQ sauce if you like. Rich, smoky, and fast.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
Instant Pot Ham
A ham hocks or ham roast braises in a sweet-savory liquid until tender and flavorful. The pressure cooker locks moisture in. After cooking, reduce the liquid for glaze or sauce. Great for holiday meals or big breakfasts.
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Instant Pot Pho
Beef bones and aromatics pressure-cook to build a clear, flavor-packed broth in far less time than traditional simmering. Add rice noodles, thin beef slices, herbs, and lime. You get pho complexity in a fraction of the time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pho
Instant Pot Buttery Lemon Chicken Pasta with Zucchini and Squash
Chicken cooks in a lemon-butter sauce with zucchini, squash, and pasta. Everything finishes together in the pot so the pasta absorbs the sauce. The result is creamy and vibrant with citrus brightness. No separate sauce to manage.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Buttery Lemon Chicken Pasta with Zucchini and Squash
Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Pork shoulder cooks until it shreds easily, then gets tossed in barbecue sauce. Serve on small buns with pickles or coleslaw. Perfect for sliders or small sandwiches. Simple, messy, satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs cook quickly with seasoning and small amounts of liquid, then shred easily. Use the meat in tacos, bowls, sandwiches, or salads. A basic prep recipe that becomes the building block for many meals.
Get the Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Thighs
Instant Pot Coconut Pork
Pork cubes simmer in coconut milk with garlic, ginger, and seasonings. The creamy sauce saturates the meat. Serve over rice or with vegetables. Tropical, rich, and slightly exotic in flavor.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Coconut Pork
Instant Pot and Chicken and Potatoes
Chicken pieces and potatoes cook together with seasonings and broth. The potatoes absorb flavor and the chicken stays tender. Everything comes out ready to serve. Hearty, simple, and efficient.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot and Chicken and Potatoes
Instant Pot Duck Confit
Duck legs slow-cook under pressure in fat or oil with aromatics. The meat becomes super tender while retaining flavor. After cooking, crisp the skin under broiler or in a pan. Decadent result with far less active time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Duck Confit
