There are so many ways to use an Instant Pot! This tool is the very definition of the word multi-tasker. You can make soups, quinoa, oatmeal, eggs, spaghetti squash: you name it! All with this handy and relatively inexpensive tool. Move over, rice cookers! The Instant Pot has got you beat. Here’s a list of the best Instant Pot uses we’ve discovered, from pasta to sweet potatoes to quinoa! All of the recipes below we tested with our Instant Pot 6 Qt Pressure Cooker. Scroll below the recipes to find a bit more on how to use an Instant Pot, including important notes on the sealing ring. Now, let’s get started!
And now…our best Instant Pot uses! (In no particular order.)
Instant Pot cook times
If you’re new to using an Instant Pot, read this! Or at least, skim it. When you first look at Instant Pot recipes, you’ll be amazed. 1 minute cook time? This is impossibly quick! And you’re right. It actually is impossible. That’s because you have to factor in two cook times: Pasta RecipesInstant Pot Spaghetti Creamy Instant Pot Pasta (shown here). Oatmeal Recipes Easy Instant Pot Oatmeal Apple Cinnamon Pressure Cooker Steel Cut Oats Rice Recipes How to Cook Rice in an Instant Pot White Rice Jasmine RiceBasmati RiceBrown Rice Soup Recipes Instant Pot Split Pea Soup Instant Pot Potato Soup Easy Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup Instant Pot Lentil Soup Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup Recipe Instant Pot Minestrone Dried Beans Recipes Instant Pot Chickpeas Instant Pot Black Eyed PeasInstant Pot Pinto BeansInstant Pot Black Beans Vegetables Recipes Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Instant Pot Acorn Squash Instant Pot Beets Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes Steamed Vegetable Recipes Instant Pot Broccoli Instant Pot Green Beans with Lemon Instant Pot Cauliflower Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan Lentils Recipes Instant Pot LentilsSmoky Instant Pot Lentils and RiceInstant Pot Tacos Mashed Potato Recipes Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes Whole Grains Recipes Instant Pot Quinoa Instant Pot Farro Instant Pot Bulgur Wheat It takes a little getting used to. But after you use your Instant Pot for a few recipes, you’ll be able to accurately predict how long it will take TOTAL.
Caring for the Instant Pot sealing ring
Inside the lid of the Instant Pot is a plastic ring called the sealing ring. This ring helps to make the seal that lets the pot get up to high pressure. The sealing ring can take on flavors that were cooked in the pot, especially if they are very strong (like cumin). Here’s how to care for your sealing ring so that it won’t transfer those flavors to other food:
Clean it: Remove the sealing ring after cooking and fully clean it with soapy water.Store it exposed to air: When storing the Instant Pot, store the lid upside down so the ring is exposed to air. This allows the sealing ring to air out between uses.Deep clean if necessary: If your sealing ring has a strong odor, soak it in vinegar for a few hours.Buy extra sealing rings: If you use your Instant Pot often, consider purchasing extra sealing rings. We have 3 extra Instant Pot sealing rings and use 2 for savory recipes and 1 for sweet recipes.
