5 InstantPot Recipies To Try When You Are Under Pressure

Whether you are busy, stressed or just don’t want to cook, an InstantPot is your best friend. Fast, easy and delicious meals are made simple by this kitchen appliance that will quickly become your go-to cooking tool. Check out these recipes for guaranteed delicious meals that are perfect for when you’re under pressure!

1. Buffalo Chicken

This is one of my personal favorites and a definite go-to meal if I am in a hurry and don’t know what to make for dinner. Serve over sweet potatoes (oddly delicious) or as a more traditional meat/potato/veg meal. Don’t forget the ranch on top! (Recipe based on the modified version from the chef’s newly released recipe book)

Ingredients

4 medium sweet potatoes
3 boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
1/2 cup of Red’s buffalo sauce
1/3 cup coconut oil/ghee/butter
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoon white vinegar
1/4 cup celery/carrots (if you want)
Ranch to top (can make your own if you have more time, see full recipe)

Instructions

-Preheat oven to 400° F. Poke holes in potatoes and bake until tender, about 40 minutes.

-Meanwhile, make the chicken. In a bowl, melt ghee/coconut oil or butter and add cayenne pepper and white vinegar, mix. Place chicken in the InstantPot, pour the sauce over and add carrots and celery if you want.

-Seal the InstantPot and select Manual High Pressure and cook for 10 minutes.

-Release the pressure, then shred the chicken before serving over/with baked potatoes with ranch and fresh cilantro to top.

2. Baked Potato Soup

Nothing is more comforting than soup and this amazing baked potato soup is creamy and delicious. This recipe is healthy but doesn’t take any shortcuts on flavor and creaminess. The best part? It can be easily into a vegan dish!

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups diced yellow or white onion
8 cups peeled, diced potato (about 3 large russet potatoes)
1 cup raw cashews
6 cloves garlic
6 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
garnishes: chopped green onion, diced tomato, paleo bacon, chipotle-lime cashew cream

Directions

-Heat olive oil on sauté mode of Instant Pot for about 5 minutes. Once the oil is hot, add the onions and cook for about 10 minutes.

-Add the potatoes, cashews, garlic, chicken stock, and nutritional yeast; stir to combine.

-Set Instant Pot to soup/stew mode, making sure the vent is closed. Once cooked, release pressure.

-Using an immersion blender (or regular blender), carefully purée the hot soup until completely smooth. Be careful not to over-blend or soup will become gummy. Add the salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.

3. Classic Mac and Cheese

There is never a bad time for mac and cheese and thanks to this easy and quick recipe, you can have a yummy bowl of the classic in no time! The recipe makes enough to share but we won’t tell if you keep it all for yourself!

Ingredients

1 pound elbow macaroni
Kosher salt
One 12-ounce can of evaporated milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cups shredded mild or medium Cheddar
Water as directed

Instructions

-Combine macaroni, 4 cups of water and salt and set to pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.

-Release the pressure, remove the lid and set to low saute setting.

-Stir in butter, evaporated milk, and a 1/4 cup of water.

-Slowly add in cheese until it is completely melted. Serve!

4. Pork Carnitas

Looking for a recipe that gives you great leftovers? These carnitas can be used for tacos, nachos or in bowls for a satisfying meal! Serve fresh from the InstantPot or place under the boiler for the more traditionally crisped style.

Ingredients

1 (4-5 pound) lean boneless pork roast, cut into 2-inch chunks (with excess fat trimmed off)
fine sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
1 batch mojo sauce (see below)
for serving: chopped fresh cilantro, diced white or red onion, and/or fresh salsa

Mojo Sauce:

1 cup beer (or chicken stock)
1 head of garlic, cloves separated, peeled and minced
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper

Instructions

-In a medium bowl, whisk together Mojo sauce until combined

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-Turn InstantPot on saute setting, add oil and brown pork.

-Pour in Mojo sauce, then seal the InstantPot and set to pressure cook on high for 30 minutes.

-Release the pressure, shred the pork and serve (you can also place under broiler to crisp meat before serving.)

5. Lava Cakes (Yes dessert can totally be a meal)

Feel like having something sweet? Try this recipe the next time you have a girl’s night or for one of those days when you don’t feel like adulting and skip dinner for dessert!

Ingredients

1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, plus more for the ramekins
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (or use chips)
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
3 large eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon bourbon or vanilla extract
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Flaky sea salt, for serving
Ice cream for serving

Instructions

-In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate. Meanwhile, butter four small ramekins.

-Add the confectioners’ sugar and salt to the chocolate mixture and whisk until cool. Add in the eggs, followed by the bourbon and flour.

-Split the batter into the four ramekins, cover each with aluminum foil.

-Pour 2 cup of water into the InstantPot. Place the steamer rack at the bottom of the pot. Stack the ramekins on the rack (three on the bottom with the fourth-placed on top in the center.)

-Cook on high pressure for 9 minutes, manually release the pressure.

-Using tongs, remove the ramekins from the pot and let them sit for 3 minutes before removing the foil and flipping each cake to a serving plate. Serve with ice cream.