10 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Brand New Owners have been hand picked by me, This Old Gal, to get you started on your Pressure Cooking journey.
10 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for New Owners
I hope you have been having fun shopping today and that you bought lots of fun things. If you have come to this page, you probably got a brand new Instant Pot Pressure Cooker! Congratulations.
**** Make sure to complete the “water test,” found on the recipe card below (way down below!), before making your first recipe.
For the best cookbook around, grab a copy of This Old Gal’s Pressure Cooker Cookbook. The recipes are upscale delicious recipes perfect for cozy family dinners and entertaining. Whether you are new to cooking or to pressure cooking, you will cook like a pro with my very detailed step by step directions. I am so thrilled to share some wonderful and easy beginner recipes with you, so let’s get started!
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Tips for New Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker Owners
- Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi Power Pressure Cooker, Power Quick Pot are brand names for multi-cookers, which include a pressure cook function. Most users will use their multi-cooker as a pressure cooker, more than any other cooking function.
- All my recipes are delicious and were written with the new pressure cooker users in mind and all these brands have all the safety features as the Instant Pot brand.
- Make sure you consider the time it takes for a pressure cooker to come up to pressure. It can take 5-20 minutes, depending on the recipe. If a recipe has a lot of liquid, like a soup for instance, the time to come up to pressure will be longer. Think of this akin to waiting for your oven to come up to temperature.
- Always check that you have the cooking pot in the housing of the unit before starting. It is a good idea to put a spatula across the top of the pot, while your inner cooking pot is away from the unit you don’t accidentally start throwing things into the pot to cook.
- Cooking smells will transfer onto the silicone gaskets, so it is important to own several. For very fragrant food, like my very popular Pressure Cooker Indian Butter Chicken {Murgh Makhani}, I keep one silicone gasket. Another one for mild recipes, like my Pressure Cooker Balsamic Ginger Chicken and one for side dishes and dessert recipes like my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (Pressure Cooker) (which has gone viral several times) and my Instant Pot Bourbon Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake (Pake) recipe. The silicone gaskets should be replaced about every six months. They should be washed after each use.
- Recipes can be cut in half, doubled, tripled, etc., depending on the size of your pot. All recipes can be made in any size pot without any adjustments to cooking directions.
10+ Very Easy Instant Pot Recipes
Instant Pot Greek Yogurt (Regular Yogurt too)
Instant Pot Yogurt
Thick Instant Pot Greek Yogurt is so simple to make. My very long tutorial, will have you making perfect thick and creamy Greek yogurt on your first try. Not only will you learn about making yogurt with your Instant Pot, you will also find recipes to use with the whey which you will get from straining the yogurt to make it become Greek yogurt. There are also many suggestions and recipes for sweetening the yogurt, such as Lemon Curd, Berry Compote and more.
1. Pressure Cooker Easy Hard Boiled Eggs
Pressure Cooker Easy Hard Boiled Eggs
My Pressure Cooker Easy Hard Boiled Eggs recipe is called “Easy,” for a reason. Forget the numbers game and learn the easy method.
1a. Instant Pot Egg Bites (Feta Cheese & Red Pepper)
Instant Pot Feta Cheese & Red Pepper Egg Bites
Instant Pot Egg Bites are velvety smooth, light and creamy. Feta cheese, oregano and red pepper give these Starbucks inspired Egg Bites a Greek flair. Pressure Cooker Egg Bites are keto and low carb.
1b. Instant Pot Tomato Tortellini Soup
Instant Pot Tomato Tortellini Soup is the perfect cool weather comfort food. A dump and push recipe, it’s full of flavor and deliciously creamy. The most versatile soup you will ever make!
2. Pressure Cooker Italian Drip Beef French Dip
Pressure Cooker Italian Drip Beef French Dip
Pressure Cooker Italian Drip Beef French Dip is wonderful for large parties, as the meat can be made in advance.
3. Pressure Cooker Summer Picnic Potato Salad
Pressure Cooker Summer Picnic Potato Salad
Pressure Cooker Summer Picnic Potato Salad is quick, easy and ready in less than 30 minutes. My secret ingredient makes this the best Potato Salad around
4. Pressure Cooker Russian Chicken with Rice
Pressure Cooker Russian Chicken with Rice
Pressure Cooker Russian Chicken is a sweet and tangy, juicy chicken dish that is ready in less than 30 minutes. It is a great freezer meal.
5. Pressure Cooker Salsa Lime Chicken with Cilantro Lime Rice
Pressure Cooker Salsa Lime Chicken with Cilantro Lime Rice
Pressure Cooker Salsa Lime Chicken with Cilantro Lime Rice is a one pot recipe for making great tacos, burritos, salads and more.
5a. Drive Thru Tacos & Burritos
Pressure Cooker Drive Thru Tacos
Make your own Pressure Cooker Drive Thru Tacos & Burritos and enjoy them fresh and hot right in your own home, without wondering what lurks in the meat.
6. Instant Pot Zesty BBQ Chicken
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken is zesty and sweet, easily and quickly made in a pressure cooker. Pressure Cooker Zesty BBQ Chicken is perfect for weeknight meals.
6a. Instant Pot BBQ Ribs Sloppy Joes (Pressure Cooker)
Instant Pot Pressure Cooker BBQ Ribs Sloppy Joes
Instant Pot BBQ Ribs Sloppy Joes combine my Carolina Baby Back Ribs and the fan favorite Instant Pot Sloppy Joes for a Memphis barbecue treat.
This Old Gal’s Pressure Cooker Cookbook
My This Old Gal Pressure Cooker Cookbook is available on Amazon!!! Grab a copy for some incredible homemade recipes.
7. Pressure Cooker Macaroni and Cheese with Crispy Bacon Topping
Pressure Cooker Macaroni and Cheese with Crispy Bacon Topping
This Creamy Pressure Cooker Macaroni and Cheese is fully loaded with a Crispy Bacon Garlic Breadcrumb Topping, is comfort food at its best.
8. Pressure Cooker Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana (Italian Soup)
Instant Pot Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Italian Soup
Pressure Cooker Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana (Italian Soup) tastes just like the famous soup you get at the restaurant, but is on your table in less than 30 minutes.
9. Pressure Cooker Super Simple BBQ Pork Spare Ribs
Pressure Cooker Super Simple BBQ Pork Spare Ribs
Pressure Cooker Super Simple BBQ Pork Spare Ribs can be on your table in less than one hour!
10. Pressure Cooker New York Cheesecake
Pressure Cooker Lindy’s New York Cheesecake
Simply the BEST New York Cheesecake around. Instant Pot New York Cheesecake is inspired by Lindy’s Restaurant in New York, known for their famous Cheesecake. This will blow your mind. Really it will!
I guarantee this will be the best cheesecake you have every had in your whole life. 🙂 Many folks in the Instant Pot Community have compared this recipe to other Instant Pot recipes and this version always wins! It’s probably the incredible top layer and the two ingredients used to brighten up the flavor that makes a huge difference.
There are hundreds of more recipes on my site, so take a look around.
Now that your mouth is watering, take a breath, relax and unpack your Instant Pot. Don’t forget to scroll down to see the “Water Test” and more goodies, which will make pressure cooking easy and fun.
Favorite Pressure Cooker Accessories
You will need a few accessories to go with your new Instant Pot. Check out my page of Recommended Accessories. The Cheesecake Pan, Steamer Basket and stainless steel flat bottomed insert pans, are must haves!
Here is what comes with your new Instant Pot:
Instant Pot – What comes in the box
In your box, you will find a stainless steel cooking pot, a trivet for cooking food above the water, a “rice” cup for measuring rice, two utensils (rice paddle and ladle) and a condensation collector.
Your Stainless Steel Cooking Pot must always be inside your Instant Pot casing. Do not pour anything into your Instant Pot, without the Stainless Steel Cooking Pot in place. The condensation collector gets attached to the upper back side of your Instant Pot. It snaps into place.
The first thing to do is a “Water Test.” Scroll down for the instructions. Basically, this Water Test is just to show you how your Instant Pot works, so that you feel confident in making your first recipe.
Have fun! I would love to know all about your first meal. Leave a comment in the box below and let me know what you cooked!
Caring is sharing! If you would like to support This Old Gal, please share this recipe on Social Media, so that I can continue to bring you more wonderful recipes!
If you share a picture of something you make from our blog, tag it with #thisoldgalcooks so we can see it. We might feature it on Instagram! It makes my day when I see you’ve made one of our recipes!
Here is your handy printable recipe:
Instructions
- Add two cups of water to your Instant Pot cooking pot. Check your lid to make sure your Silicone Sealing Ring (Gasket) is in place. That is the clear round ring that fits snugly inside your lid.
- Place the lid on your Instant Pot and line up the arrows. Turn the lid to the right, until it locks in place. Close the Pressure Valve on the lid. It toggles back and forth and is supposed to be loose.
- Press the" Manual" or "Pressure Cook" Button on the front of your Instant pot and then push the "-" Button until the timer says 5 minutes. That's it. In a few minutes, the silver pin will rise, letting you know that your Instant Pot is up to pressure. Your Instant Pot will go from "On," to 5 and count down.
- Once the time has reached 0, you will hear a Beep. Do nothing. The pressure will start to release on its own. This is called Natural Pressure Release ("NPR"). When the silver pin on the lid drops, it means that all the pressure has been released. Turn your Pressure Valve to Open and then open the lid on your Instant Pot.
- That's it. Push the "Off" button. You are ready to cook your first meal.
Nutrition
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Happy Cooking from This Old Gal!
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10 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Brand New Owners
Where do I buy a recipe book for my InstaPot?
Here is the best book, Laura. https://amzn.to/2PK0iKd Jill
Good morning,I am interested in joining your group. I have a cooks Essentials pressure cooker, an Instant Pot, and an Air fryer and I enjoy cooking for my husband ,friends, neighbors,and grands.looking forward to learning more ways to use my newest ,the Instant Pot!
We love the New York Cheese Cake with the fruit compote! Love all the recipes that we have tried of yours.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, Mary. Jill
I saw the picture of the garlic chicken with the bow tie pasta. awesome!!!
Tried the Russian chicken w/rice. Delicious!! I live alone, so making enough to freeze is great.
I like your receipts because you use common items that most people would have in their homes. Thank you.
sorry..recipes not receipts..
Thanks, Sue. Jill
Hi in your Easy Eggs you say to forget about the 5-5-5 and 6-6-6 but you don’t mention what to set the timer to (only to “set the timer”), what am I missing?
“Add some water to your Pressure Cooker cooking pot and then place the basket of eggs inside.
Shut the lid, set the timer and forget about it, until you are ready to remove the eggs.”
Pam. The recipe card is at the bottom of the page. Jill
Brand new IP just out of the box. What is the pressure release valve? ?I’m looking in the manual and see steam release and float valve.
Hi Jessica. Congrats on your purchase. The pressure release value is the knob on the top of lid that toggles. The float value is the silver pin that will pop up when the pot gets to pressure and goes back down when all pressure has been released. Jill
Hi I am a new Instant pot user, I would like to make the Greek yogurt but my ip does not have a yogurt setting. Is there another way to make the yogurt if you don’t have the yogurt button?
Can this pot be plug in all day. I am sure many people will do that. It won’t burn down the house!
I am thinking of getting the 3 quart , I have to start making smaller dinner.
This is the first time I heard about this pot.
Yes, Mari. Mine is always plugged into the wall. Jill
First time making cranberry sauce in the pressure cooker. We used apple cider and truly orange instead of orange juice and orange zest.also added 1/4 teas vanilla extract as it was a Costco size bag of berries(32oz.) By far the quickest, easiest and tasty way of cooking fresh cranberries. Cleanup was a breeze too. Thank you for sharing your recipes!
Where can I get a glass lid for the new 8qrt instant pot? (For a reason able price) Why don’t they sale them from Amazon?
Do you have a jam (blackberry) instant pot receipt? I will be traveling in the an area where there are a lot of wild blackberries and I would love to make some jam.
Was recommended to your sight as I am a new IP cooker.
I just bought a pressure cooker. It isn’t an instant pot but called a Midea, but all the buttons are the same but unfortunately no instructions came with it . I decided to finally try it out today. My daughter gave me this referral so I sent a request to join. I am sure your recipe’s will work in my pot as well. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Regards Andrea
Andrea, the brand of pressure cooker does not matter for any recipe. We all have different brands of ovens and recipes are not specific to the brand of oven you use. Or toasters, or coffee makers, etc. Have fun cooking.
Jill
Just got my Instant Pot yesterday
Hi Marie. Congrats and have fun cooking. Jill
I’m new at this but made the “not refried beans” from the book with the IP, they are delicious with a blob of sour cream, looking for more things to try and that NY cheesecake looks wonderful
Would like to get recipes
You seem to be the Godess in the Instant Pot world. Everyone raves about you recipes and tips I am very new to the Instant Pot and am looking forward to trying your recipes!
Hi Patti~
What a sweet note. Thank you so much. Welcome to the World of Pressure Cooking. I hope that you will enjoy your new IP and have fun cooking.
Jill
Thanks for the wonderful recipes. The first recipe of yours that I made was the New York Style Cheesecake; my husband wished he were all thumbs so he could give it 10 thumbs up! It’s absolutely amazing.
Thank you, Janet. I am glad you both enjoyed the Cheesecake.
Jill
This is a big help for us newbies. My first meal in my InstantPot was Beef Stew. It was delish and a big hit. Served it with Beer Cheese Bread that I baked in the oven\ while the stew was cooking.
Would you mind to share that recipe please. Thanks so much
If you plug in beef stew into the search bar, you will find the beef stew recipe. Jill
Thank you!
Just ordered an IP for my husband for Christmas. Need recipe help!!
Hi! I would love to get your 10 ppcxl recipies. I’m a fairly new owner of the 10qrt ppcxl and just love it so far. Do you recommend putting a little oil in the bottom of the pot first? I made ziti tonight and quite a bit got stuck to the bottom.
Spray your inner pot with PAM. I like olive oil PAM best.
I made a very easy recipe for my first try. Two thawed chicken breasts with a can of cream of chicken and mushroom soup with 1/2 cup of milk and of course a few spices on the chicken. Pushed the poultry button and 10 minutes. Turned out perfect and we put the soup over the chicken and mashed potatoes to eat. I’m pleased with the first try.
I love to cook now thanks to the Instant pot. I just got another one and got two more people to get them.
Love this blog and all in it keep cooking everyone
Can’t wait to get started!
Would love to get the recipes ! New insta pot on its way !
Your link for the accessories isn’t working on my iPad. I’m not sure if it’s just me, all the rest links worked.
Thank you for sharing all your wonderful recipes!
Dina~
I am so sorry. I corrected it. Thank you so much for letting me know. 🙂
Jill
Hi There! Thanks for this article. I’m one of the newbies that you refer to. I just wanted to let you know that your “Recommended accessories” link is broken above. The linked photo is good, but the hyperlinked text is not.
Thanks again!
Hi Cireena~
Thank you so much. I have fixed it. Welcome to the IP World.
Jill
Thanks Jill, for all your wonderful recipes and beautiful instructiones!
Hi Jutta~
You are most welcome. Thank you for the kind compliments. 🙂
Jill