40 Instant Pot Dinners That Make Perfect Weeknight Meals
Sometimes you’re up for getting chef-y in the kitchen. Other times, not so much. That’s why Instant Pot dinners are such a lifesaver. At the end of a busy day, the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen before you can actually sit down to eat. The Instant Pot gets rid of that problem in one of two ways, both of which are genius. You can either pop everything into the pot in the morning and let it slow cook all day while you’re taking care of business, and everything will be ready when you walk in the door after a hectic day. Other times, if you can spare 15 or 30 minutes after work, you can prep everything right then and use the pressure cooker feature to get food ready fast. Either way, you win.
Whether you’re an experienced Instant Pot pro or you just got one as a gift and have no idea what to do with it, don’t worry. These healthy Instant Pot recipes are pretty hard to mess up—as long as you can follow the directions, which are intended to be low lift, you’ll likely end up with a delicious result. And maybe you’ll even find yourself getting inspired to come up with some Instant Pot recipes of your own.
A note about the word healthy here: We know that healthy is a complicated concept. Not only can it mean different things to different people, but it’s a word that’s pretty loaded (and sometimes fraught), thanks to the diet industry’s influence on the way we think about food. At SELF, when we talk about food being healthy, sure we’re talking about foods that are nutritious, filling, and satisfying. But we’re also talking about foods that help you connect with your culture, promote joy, and simply taste delicious. We selected these recipes with all of that in mind while also trying to appeal to a wide variety of nutritional needs and taste buds.
All right, are we ready to dive into the tasty goodness? Great. Here are 40 mouthwatering and healthy Instant Pot dinners worth trying tonight (or anytime). Add ’em to your cook-it list!
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Lindsay Cotter via Cotter Crunch1Tortilla Chicken Chili Verde from Cotter Crunch
This green chicken chili isn’t just a cinch because it cooks up in the Instant Pot. It’s also easy thanks to the fact that you’re getting big flavor from simple store-bought ingredients like jarred green salsa and canned chilis.
Get the recipe here.
Dana and John Schultz via Minimalist Baker2Warming Red Lentil Sweet Potato Soup from Minimalist Baker
This protein-packed purée strikes the perfect balance between sweet and earthy, courtesy of the sweet potatoes and red lentils. And unlike most lentil stews, you can get this one on the table in 40 minutes (with just 10 minutes of work on your part).
Get the recipe here.
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Lindsay and Bjork Ostrom via Pinch of Yum3Everything Greek Pork Pitas from Pinch of Yum
What happens when you toss pork shoulder, an onion, garlic, oregano, and garlic powder in the Instant Pot for 45 minutes? You get a magically delicious filling for Greek-inspired pita sandwiches. Don’t skip the tzatziki topping—it’s worth it.
Get the recipe here.
Denise Bustard via Sweet Peas and Saffron4Easy Instant Pot Lasagna from Sweet Peas and Saffron
Oh, yeah, you can totally make lasagna in the Instant Pot. The secret is laying your ingredients in a cake pan, which you place on top of the Instant Pot trivet. And when you see how easy it is, you won’t want to do it any other way.
Get the recipe here.
Alex Overhiser via A Couple Cooks5Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili from A Couple Cooks
The secret to making this fast-cooking bean-and-veggie chili taste like something special? Adding freshly grated garlic plus an extra hit of cumin and chili powder right at the end, so the flavors are extra bold.
Get the recipe here.
Jessica Beacom and Stacie Hassing via The Real Food Dieticians6Instant Pot Chicken Sweet Potato Curry from The Real Food Dieticians
Creamy coconut milk plus spices like curry powder, cumin, and turmeric form the base of this meal-in-a-bowl curry packed with cubed chicken breast, hearty sweet potato, chopped bell pepper, and frozen green beans.
Get the recipe here.
Lee Hersh via Fit Foodie Finds7Instant Pot Korean Beef Bowls from Fit Foodie Finds
Chuck roast turns meltingly tender and shreddable when you slow cook it, while a spicy soy-maple sauce makes the whole thing infinitely craveable.
Get the recipe here.
Erin Clarke via Well Plated8Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala from Well Plated
Simmering your sauce ingredients (warming spices, tomato sauce, coconut milk, and loads of garlic and ginger) with bite-size pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breast gives you slow-cooked flavor and makes the chicken perfectly tender.
Get the recipe here.
Alexis Kornblum via Lexi's Clean Kitchen9Instant Pot Pasta E Fagioli from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
This rustic tomato-based soup recipe packs beans, veggies, whole wheat pasta, and turkey or chicken sausage, so it’s seriously satisfying. If you want to keep it meat-free, try a plant-based sausage or add extra beans instead.
Get the recipe here.
Dana and John Schultz via Minimalist Baker10Roasted Red Pepper Chickpea Curry from Minimalist Baker
This creamy, plant-based curry gets loads of flavor from roasted red peppers, diced tomatoes, coconut milk, and curry powder, which come together in the Instant Pot to make a sweet-savory sauce for chickpeas and diced sweet potato.
Get the recipe here.
Maria Lichty via Two Peas and Their Pod11Slow Cooker Enchilada Quinoa from Two Peas and Their Pod
Perhaps you’d never say no to veggie enchiladas except that they’re a lot of work to make. This yummy mix of quinoa, black beans, veggies, enchilada sauce, and plenty of cheese gives you the same flavor payoff for way less effort.
Get the recipe here.
Lindsay and Bjork Ostrom via Pinch of Yum12Spicy Peanut Soup With Sweet Potato + Kale from Pinch of Yum
Creamy, spicy, and packed with peanut-y goodness, this is the plant-based stew to try when you’re looking for something other than lentils or black beans. Just be sure to stir in the P.B. at the end of cooking, per the Instant Pot recipe instructions.
Get the recipe here.
Lindsay Cotter via Cotter Crunch13Instant Pot Stew with Sausage and Quinoa from Cotter Crunch
If you ever needed a healthy Instant Pot dinner that doubled as fare for a chilly outdoor hangout, this would be it. The hearty pork or chicken sausage, nutty quinoa, creamy white beans, and colorful carrots and peas are super warming and filling. Of course, it’s also good for a night in front of the TV.
Get the recipe here.
Denise Bustard via Sweet Peas and Saffron14Instant Pot Cauliflower Korma from Sweet Peas and Saffron
You’ll need to assemble a decent number of ingredients for this spiced tomato simmer sauce and cauliflower number (made creamy with a combo of coconut milk and cashews, yum). But after that, the Instant Pot really does all the work for you.
Get the recipe here.
Michele Rosen via Paleo Running Momma15Honey Mustard Chicken in the Instant Pot from Paleo Running Momma
These chicken thighs look juicy and comforting and like the kind of thing that spent all day cooking, right? Well, they did. But because that flavor party happened in the Instant Pot, you didn’t have to stick around for it to happen.
Get the recipe here.
Erin Clarke via Well Plated16Instant Pot Beef Stew from Well Plated
Putting out a wish for some warm, cozy vibes? This beef-based recipe channels all of those things, but only needs you to spend 10 minutes prepping your ingredients.
Get the recipe here.
Jennifer Lee via Kirbie's Cravings17Instant Pot Pepper Steak from Kirbie’s Cravings
Here’s an Instant Pot take on Chinese pepper steak, the popular dish seasoned with soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and plenty of black pepper. It’s pretty satisfying all on its own, but a quick pot of rice to soak up the sauce only makes things better.
Get the recipe here.
Chelsie Craig via Bon Appétit18Instant Pot Pork Carnitas from Bon Appétit
Here’s a really solid recipe for delicious carnitas that doesn’t require a ton of effort on your part. Set out the tortillas, some pico de gallo, guac, and juicy lime wedges, and you’re set.
Get the recipe here.
Chungah Rhee via Damn Delicious19Instant Pot Pho from Damn Delicious
Traditional pho broth simmers away for hours to get that deep, rich flavor. But you can get the same intensity from the Instant Pot in an hour flat.
Get the recipe here.
Kristen Boehmer via Kristen Boehmer20Instant Pot Balsamic Chicken from Kristen Boehmer
Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and garlic come together to make a sticky, tangy-sweet sauce for juicy chicken thighs that tastes like more than the sum of its parts. Serve it over quinoa, pasta, mashed potatoes, or even next to a baked sweet potato and you’ve got dinner.
Get the recipe here.
Ali Ebright via Gimme Some Oven21Tuscan White Bean, Sausage, and Kale Soup from Gimme Some Oven
You know that Italian-style white bean soup you can get as a starter at your favorite neighborhood Italian joint? This is just like that, but maybe even better.
Get the recipe here.
Jennifer Lee via Kirbie's Cravings22Instant Pot Spaghetti from Kirbie’s Cravings
These noodles in a beefy tomato sauce take around 30 minutes to cook, which isn’t much longer than you’d need for the stovetop. Except with this Instant Pot version, you can dump everything into the appliance and forget it so you can just chill for half an hour.
Get the recipe here.
Denise Bustard via Sweet Peas and Saffron23Moroccan Instant Pot Lentils from Sweet Peas and Saffron
These spiced lentils and veggies are a meal prepper’s dream, as the flavor only gets better after a few days in the fridge. Have them for dinner as a stew with fluffy pita for dunking, then pack up the leftovers for lunch with cooked brown rice, quinoa, or couscous.
Get the recipe here.
Chungah Rhee via Damn Delicious24Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast from Damn Delicious
This mouthwatering pot roast gets its savory heat from dry onion soup mix and pepperoncini. Which probably wasn’t what you were expecting, but trust us, it’s 100% worth a try. Especially since your hands-on time is only 20 minutes.
Get the recipe here.
Olivia Ribas via Primavera Kitchen25Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken from Primavera Kitchen
You’d never know it by looking at (or tasting) these saucy olive- and tomato-infused chicken thighs, but they come together in 20 minutes flat. Shred up the leftovers (you’ll have plenty) and tuck them into a wrap or pita for lunch the next day.
Get the recipe here.
Alexis Kornblum via Lexi's Clean Kitchen26Instant Pot Thai Peanut Chicken from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
Diced chicken breast gets a tasty Thai-inspired treatment with peanut butter, lime, coconut milk, and chili paste. And it’s fast. You can literally throw this whole thing together (plus a pot of noodles or rice!) in less time than it would take for takeout to show up.
Get the recipe here.
Ali Ebright via Gimme Some Oven27Mexican Vegetable Beef Soup from Gimme Some Oven
Tender steak, creamy potatoes, and fresh veggies all slow cooked in a rich, satisfyingly spicy tomato-chile broth? Sign us up, please.
Get the recipe here.
Kim Lee via Kim's Cravings28Maple Dijon Crock Pot Pork Chops from Kim’s Cravings
This is what you make when you’re hosting a dinner party and want something special...but don’t actually have time to cook. The maple-dijon sauce is rich and with just the right amount of acidity (thanks, apple cider vinegar!), so the bone-in pork chops come out ultra juicy and flavorful.
Get the recipe here.
Maria Lichty via Two Peas and Their Pod29Slow Cooker Black Bean Tortilla Soup from Two Peas and Their Pod
This hearty black bean soup recipe has it all: loads of garlic and peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes, corn, lime, and all the Tex-Mex spices. But the baked tortilla chips on top really bring it home.
Get the recipe here.
Rachel Gurk via Rachel Cooks30Instant Pot Lemon Pasta With Chicken from Rachel Cooks
A fresh and light pasta dish that can be made in one pot? Sign us up. Feel free to sub in a different green veggie of your choice, or even swap the ground chicken for turkey, bacon, or sausage, whatever hits the spot for you.
Get the recipe here.
Chrissa Benson via Physical Kitchness31Instant Pot Turkey Bacon Ranch Meatloaf from Physical Kitchness
This turkey meatloaf features power-couple ranch and bacon. Seriously, they’re a winning combo no matter what the main meal includes, so you know it’s going to be good.
Get the recipe here.
Robyn Conley Downs via Real Food Whole Life32Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Chicken from Real Food Whole Life
If you love a good spinach artichoke dip, you won’t be disappointed by this creamy and delicious meal that incorporates all of those savory flavors you love—plus, a solid dose of protein from chicken. It also happens to be dairy-free.
Get the recipe here.
Jenny Park + Teri Lyn Fisher via Spoon Fork Bacon33Beef Ragu and Polenta from Spoon Fork Bacon
This Italian meat sauce goes great over polenta, but you can also throw it on top of your favorite pasta if you’d prefer.
Get the recipe here.
Anjali Shah via The Picky Eater34Lentil Cauliflower Curry from The Picky Eater
This spiced stew is vegan, gluten-free, and makes for some pretty damn good leftovers. It also gives you a great opportunity to use up any and all veggies in your fridge that are about to go bad.
Get the recipe here.
Averie Sunshine via Averie Cooks35Loaded Zuppa Toscana from Averie Cooks
A copycat version of the Olive Garden classic, this soup is packed with bacon, sausage, potatoes, Parmesan, and cream—plus lots of good Italian seasonings and, of course, garlic. Feel free to toss in a little extra of that last one if that’s your MO.
Get the recipe here.
Jacky via Pressure Cook Recipes36Instant Pot Lemon Chicken from Pressure Cook Recipes
Everyone in the family will love this Instant Pot take on the classic Chinese takeout dish. The caramelized and zesty honey lemon garlic glaze will make this chicken recipe one you’ll want to make over and over again.
Get the recipe here.
Carrian and Cade Cheney via Oh Sweet Basil37Instant Pot Italian Chicken Soup from Oh Sweet Basil
To make this savory soup even easier to prepare, buy a rotisserie chicken to throw in instead of cooking the meat yourself. Serve with a fresh, hot loaf of crusty bread to soak up every last ounce of the perfectly seasoned broth.
Get the recipe here.
Layla Atik via Gimme Delicious38Instant Pot Chicken Tacos from Gimme Delicious
All you need is five ingredients to make perfectly seasoned and moist shredded chicken. Then, pile it into soft tacos and top with all your favorite accoutrements for an effortless and delicious taco night.
Get the recipe here.
Sylvia Fountaine via Feasting at Home39Butternut Risotto With Leeks from Feasting at Home
The only bad thing about risotto is how long it takes to make. This recipe eliminates that issue, requiring only 15 minutes of active time before the Instant Pot does its thing. So you can enjoy a delicious meal without standing over the stove all night.
Get the recipe here.
Chungah Rhee via Damn Delicious40Instant Pot Chicken Nachos from Damn Delicious
Once you’ve got your salsa-infused shredded chicken all simmered and ready to go (thanks, Instant Pot!), all that’s left to do is top your nachos, bake, and eat.
Get the recipe here.
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