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100+ Cheap and Easy Instant Pot Dinner Ideas that will Save You a Ton of Time

May 10 By //  by Simple Made Pretty Editor

This post may contain affiliate links or a sponsored post.

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As a busy mom, I use my Instant Pot at least 3 times a week and having go-to recipes for those last-minute dinner ideas has been a huge time saver! The Instant Pot prepares dishes up to 70% faster to support your busy lifestyle and to help you save time, I put together this list of 100+ Cheap and Easy Instant Pot Dinner Ideas that will Save You a Ton of Time as a quick reference! So bookmark this page and Pin to your Instant Pot Pinterest board!

In case you’re curious (or in a hurry):

✅ This specific Instant Pot popular with my readers.

Wow! There are so many different Instant Pot recipes in this post! I added a few of these Instant Pot Meal ideas to our meal plan and my family loved them! My kids are picky eaters but they asked for seconds! You have to try some of these Instant Pot Dinner ideas if you are new at using an Instant Pot!

We’ve been using an Instant Pot for the past couple years and I’ve been a bit obsessed with trying new recipes in it! As soon as I received mine, I got rid of the old crockpot because this one has a slow cooker function (but who really wants to cook slowly anyway, lol).

 

100+ Cheap and Easy Instant Pot Dinner Ideas that will Save You a Ton of Time

Still don’t know what an Instant Pot is? The Instant Pot is a pressure cooker with 7 different kitchen appliances rolled into one! Here are few kitchen appliances that the Instant Pot replaces:

  • Pressure Cooker
  • Slow Cooker
  • Rice Cooker
  • Steamer
  • Saute
  • Yogurt Marker
  • Warmer

So once you get an Instant Pot in your kitchen, you can confidently get rid of the other stuff it replaces 🙂

But before we get started on these new ah-mazing recipes you will make in your Instant Pot, let’s go over a few of my favorite Instant Pot accessories so you can make the most out of yours!

Get these to make the most out of your Instant Pot!

An extra Instant Pot Sealing Ring

The sealing ring might start to get the seasonings remain in it after a while.

It may not bother you, but having that extra ring or 2 available if you are making several IP meals per day is super helpful.

Use one for sweets and the other for savory meals.

 

 

✅ This IP Sealing Ring comes in a 2-pack!

 

Silicone Lid Cover

This silicone lid cover is useful when you want to store your meal in the frig or you have an extra inner pot (see below) and are making more than one meal at a time.

 

✅ This IP Silicone Lid Cover has top reviews!

 

 

Steam Rack Basket

This steam basket fits perfectly into the Instant Post and you can use it with or without the trivet. Allows you to easily steam vegetables (potatoes, corn, broccoli, etc) or eggs without a huge mess.

 

✅ This Steam Rack Basket is a must-have for your Intant Pot!

 

 

Springform Loaf Pan

This Springform Loaf Pan is a perfect fit to bake bread, cakes, and cook meatloaf in your Instant Pot.

✅ Bake your favorite desserts in your IP with this Loaf Pan!

 

 

 

Springform Cake Pan

This Springform Cake Pan works well for baking cheesecake, cakes, and meatloaf.

✅ Instant Pot Cheesecake never looked so easy with with this Cake Pan!

Bundt Cake Pan

Use this bundt cake pan to make cakes or bread on your Instant Pot.

 

✅ Bake cakes and breads in your Instant Pot every day with this Bundt Cake Pan!

 

 

 

Instant Pot Silicone Mitts

These silicone mitts were made for the Instant Pot. Easily pull the inner pot out while still hot with these grippers.

 

✅ Keep IP burns at bay with these Silicone Mitts!

 

 

Instant Pot Glass Lid

This Glass Lid comes in handy when using the slow cooker option on your Instant Pot and helps you see what’s going on in your pot 🙂

✅ Slow cook or store your meals with this Glass Lid for your IP!

 

 

 

Extra Inner Pot

An extra Inner Pot comes in handy when you use your Instant Pot a lot or you want to keep one pot and rings to use for sweets and one for savory foods.

 

✅ Make multiple meals with an Extra Inner Pot!

 

 

 

Plastic Containers (for Freezer Meals)Betty Crocker Easy Seal Round Storage Containers, 72 oz.

I use these round plastic containers from the Dollar Tree to do batch Instant Pot freezer meal planning. Almost all of the meals below can be prepared in these plastic containers, placed in the freezer, then pulled out when you are ready to cook in the Instant Pot. Just make sure not to include any milk/cheese products if freezing. This round container allows frozen contents to fit perfectly in the pot. Just add a bit more time to the recipe instructions if starting from frozen.

✅ Frozen meals fit perfectly in your IP when you use these containers to freeze your meals!

 

 

A few other tips when following the below recipes:

Quick Release

Quick Release means to switch the pressure valve to “venting” position and let all the air spray out fast. Once the air has been released, you can remove the lid. If you have any previous knowledge of pressure cookers, you will know to stay away from that pressure release and you can’t just pop the lid off without letting it release somehow… which takes us to the other option, which is natural release. I use rapid release when the meal I’m making doesn’t require extra cooking time (so not to over-cook).

Natural Release

Natural Release means let it set until the pressure is naturally released and don’t move the valve from the “sealing” position. If the recipe does not specify how long to let naturally release, a good rule of thumb is 15-20 minutes.

Pressures

The Instant Pot makes it easy by pushing a button with the 14 different smart programs. Depending on what you are cooking, all you have to do is select the appropriate button for Soup, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Sauté/Simmer, Rice, Multigrain, Porridge, Steam, Slow Cook, Keep-Warm, Yogurt, Manual, and Pressure Cook. 

Manual & Pressure Cook

I’ve found very few recipes that will instruct to use the manual or pressure cook option but it’s good to use when you are making something that doesn’t quite fall into the other categories.

Instant Pot User Manual

If you’re like me, you might want to open that Instant Pot box and plug it in to start using right away but be sure to read your user manual first. Every model is slightly different so depending on which model you purchased, you may need to alter the accessories mentioned above. We have this Instant Pot and the above items work for our model.

100+ Cheap and Easy Instant Pot Dinner Ideas that will Save You a Ton of Time

Now that you know the basics and have some supplies ready, you can start making tons of meals using your Instant Pot. Get started with some the below dinner recipes to have dinner made in no time!

Main Meals

Instant Pot Taco Meat from My Heart Beets

Instant Pot Taco Meat by Ashley of MyHeartBeets.com

Rotisserie Chicken in the Instant Pot from A Pinch of Healthy

All you need is about 45 minutes to have this amazing tender, juicy Instant Pot whole "rotisserie" chicken. Your whole family will LOVE it! | APinchOfHealthy.com

Instant Pot Honey Glazed Ham from Dana Vento

ham, baked ham, at home home, diy recipe, honey, honey glazed, honey glazed ham, brown sugar, brown, sugars, honey, pineapple, pineapple tidbit, easy to make, recipe, recipes, food, food blogger, diy food, fast, easy, instant pot, electric pressure cooker, steaming, rack, water, cloves, foodies, easy ham recipe

Mongolian Beef in the Instant Pot from Aunt Bees Recipes

Instant Pot Mongolian Beef | Aunt Bee's Recipes

Instant Pot Pad Thai Chicken Rice Bowls from Wonder Woman Wannabe

Hard Boiled Eggs (for a quick meal or egg salad sandwiches) in the Instant Pot from 365 Days of Slow Cooking

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs Recipe--easy to peel hard boiled eggs without the gray ring around the yolk, made in your pressure cooker in a total time of 26 minutes.

Chicken Pho in the Instant Pot from The Sophisticated Caveman

Paleo Faux Pho

Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers from Easy Living Today

 

Deli Sandwich Meat in the Instant Pot from Meal Plan Addict

Instant Pot Chili from The Typical Mom

Smokey Beef Brisket in the Instant Pot from Brea Getting Fit

beef brisket

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala from The Kitchn

Meatloaf in the Instant Pot from I save A to Z

Pressure Cooker Meatloaf Recipe:

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken from Skinny Taste

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Easy Salsa Shredded Chicken – just TWO ingredients: salsa and chicken plus some spices makes a delicious juicy chicken that can be used in tacos, over rice, salads and more! Weight Watchers Smart Points: 2 Calories: 125 #whole30

Chicken Marsala in the Instant Pot from What the Forks for Dinner

Pressure Cooker Chicken Marsala 5

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks from Gwen’s Nest

BBQ Chicken Drumsticks that pack a flavorful punch in the Instapot or in your oven! Paleo & THM friendly

Indian Butter Chicken in the Instant Pot from Jay’s Sweet N Sour Life

Instant Pot Hamburger Stroganoff from Julie’s Eats and Treats 

Instant Pot {Pressure Cooker} Hamburger Stroganoff ~ Our Favorite Meal Now in the Instant Pot! Only One Dish to Clean and You Have an Easy Dinner Recipe!

Beef Gyros in the Instant Pot from 365 Days of Slow Cooking

Instant Pot Beef Gyros--Tender pieces of beef with soft onions, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, creamy cucumber yogurt sauce all wrapped up in soft, melt in your mouth pita bread. The beef is cooked until tender in your electric pressure cooker in less than an hour.

BBQ Ribs in the Instant Pot from Heather Likes Food

These Instant Pot BBQ ribs are the perfect recipe to make to break in your Instant Pot! They are so easy to make and taste like they've been slow-roasting for hours. Tender, fall-off-the-bone perfection!

Instant Pot Kalua Pork from Cooking with Curls

Instant Pot Kalua Pork with cabbage | cookingwithcurls.com

Pot Roast in the Instant Pot from Adventures of a Nurse

2

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup from No. 2 Pencil

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup -Tender chunks of chicken in a rich homemade chicken broth with big hearty veggies.

Chicken and Dumplings in the Instant Pot from Southern Family Fun

Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken from Once a Month Meals

Try this Instant Pot chicken recipe for saucy Honey Bourbon Chicken! It's a quick and easy family dinner that is sure to become a fast favorite. via @onceamonthmeals:

Italian Meatballs in the Instant Pot from Kitschen Cat

Pressure Cooker Meatballs-2

Instant Pot Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs from Mommy’s Home Cooking

These 20- Minute Instant Pot Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs are perfect when you want a fast, family-friendly meal in a jiffy. These are crazy good and so easy. Serve over your favorite bowl of rice, quinoa, or steamed veggies. https://mommyshomecooking.com

 

Side Dishes

Chick Pea Curry in the Instant Pot from Cooking You Love

Instant Pot Chickpea Potato Curry is a delicious, satisfying vegetarian dish. This is an easy to make Indian curry. Chickpeas and potatoes are pressure cooked and simmered in tomato puree and are served with hot India bread Bhatura or poori.

Instant Pot Gluten Free Mac and Cheese from Real Food RN

Instant Pot Gluten Free Mac and Cheese | Real Food RN

in the Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes from A Pinch of Healthy

When I show you how I make "baked" sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot, you may never make them any other way again. They are so easy and delicious and ready in less than thirty minutes! | APinchOfHealthy.com

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob from Pressure Cooking Today

Pressure Cooker Corn on the Cob:

Basmati Rice in the Instant Pot from This Old Gal

Pressure Cooker Perfectly Cooked Pot In Pot Rice

Instant Pot Cauliflower Rice from Food and Sunshine

Instant Pot No Rice Cauliflower Rice - No 'Ricing' Required! (Paleo, AIP, Gluten Free) with Fried Rice Variation

Spanish Brown Rice in the Instant Pot from Country Girl Cookin

Instant Pot Spanish Brown Rice (THM-E)

Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash from Nom Nom Paleo

Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo http://nomnompaleo.com

Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

 

 

Instant Pot Potato Salad from Pressure Cooking Today

Quick Pressure Cooker Potato Salad Recipe

 

Here’s 50+ Vegan Instant Pot Recipes from Fat-Free Vegan

Whether you use a traditional pressure cooker or an electric one like the Instant Pot, these low-fat vegan recipes will be fast and delicious.:

 

These 100+ Cheap and Easy Instant Pot Dinner Ideas will Save You a Ton of Time while making healthy, delicious meals your family will enjoy. When I find an amazing Instant Pot recipe that my family enjoys, I add it to my meal planning notebook and refer back to it often. Feel free to use the print option in the social sharing bar on the side on my blog or Pin to your favorite recipe Pinterest Board for reference!

✅ Don’t forget to check out this specific Instant Pot which is most popular with my readers.

Meal Planning Printables

Lastly, to be the most successful meal planner and cook in your home, grab this bundle of printable meal planning cheat sheets and checklists.

Meal Planning 101: Create a Cheat Sheet

The Meal Planning Bundle includes:

  • ONE (1) Cheat Sheet with Dinner Ideas for Mon-Sun (each day is a different meal category to simplify things even more!)
  • ONE (1) Detailed Menu Planner Form (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Snacks – Mon-Sun)
  • ONE (1) Dinner Only Menu Planner Form (Mon-Sun)
  • ONE (1) Cheat Sheet with Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch, and Snack Ideas (use as a reference when meal planning)
  • ONE (1) Pantry Staples Cheat Sheet (use as Inventory Checklist when making your shopping list)
  • ONE (1) Meal Planning Checklist (To-Do list for the beginner meal prep and meal planner)

✅ Download the Meal Planning Bundle Printables HERE!

Get instant access to the only printables you need to master meal planning today!

Now you know what you need in the kitchen to make meal planning, prepping, and cooking so much easier!

The Ultimate Healthy Meal Planning Bundle

Are you making your life more difficult than it needs to be?

If you’ve ever stood in front of your fridge, hoping that this time when you opened the door, you’d find thawing meat, or maybe a little inspiration, or even – miracle of miracles! – a ready-made meal, I totally get where you’re coming from.

There’s one thing I can think of that will help… meal planning.

When you know what’s for dinner every day, you’ll be more efficient, less stressed, and you’ll have more margin in your life. While meals won’t throw themselves together, you might be surprised at how much easier (and even enjoyable) it feels.

You probably already know that, but do you want a way to make it even easier?

The Healthy Meal Planning Bundle 2019 is on sale now and it will help you put healthier meals on your table, in less time, with less stress.

With over 1000 recipes, a clickable index, ready-made meal plans (with grocery lists), nutritional information for every recipe, and more, the Healthy Meal Planning Bundle is designed to save you from the pain of the frantic, pre-dinner hour. 😉

–>>Pick up your copy of the Healthy Meal Planning Bundle today!

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I have the Healthy Meal Planning Bundle myself and it’s full of amazing recipes and info that has already helped my family with healthy meals and eating better ????

–>>Go here to get the Healthy Meal Planning Bundle

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Life’s too short to waste! Why not learn how to streamline your routines and use productivity tools to your advantage – all so you can free up the time to do more of what you love? That’s exactly what the Ultimate Productivity Bundle is all about: 46 eBooks, eCourses, and printables to find more margin, reach your goals, and rock your to-do list.

—>>Get the Ultimate Productivity Bundle here

Pin it for later…

Wow! There are so many different Instant Pot recipes in this post! I added a few of these Instant Pot ideas to our meal plan and my family loved them! My kids are picky eaters but they asked for seconds! You have to try some of these Instant Pot Dinner ideas if you are new at using an Instant Pot!

You might also like…

This list of kitchen supplies and products helped me with my meal prepping and meal planning struggles. I was a meal planning beginner and needed some ideas. Her blog is so helpful with other meal planning tips!

 

 

This kale salad dressing recipe is the best I've ever tasted! I can make this kale salad in 5 minutes are less and the dressing is so much healthier than store-bought dressing! I make this salad for parties and holiday dinners and it's always a hit! All the ingredients can be found at Aldi which makes it a cheap but healthy recipe!

 

I've been doing meal planning all wrong! I missed these important steps and that's why I always failed at Meal planning. You should read this post if you are starting meal planning for beginners!

 

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack recipes with meal plan so you can start clean eating for less than $70 a week for a family of 4 (without using coupons)!

 

 

 

Make a different soup every day for a month! Here are 31 days of healthy frugal soups (slow cooker and freezer friendly) for simple meal planning!

 

It's never too early to start teaching your children how to make meals in the kitchen.

Psssssttt… Want more inspiration delivered directly to your inbox? Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter! We provide simple ideas for Organizing, Time Management, Handmade Projects, Crafts, Home Decor and more!  Hurry up and sign up here! 

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links or a sponsored post. All opinions are always 100% mine and I don’t partner with any product or company that I don’t use and love. Please see our Full Disclosure for more information.

Mel Sig

Filed Under: Meal Planning

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  1. 115 Ways to Start Living a Simple, Happy Life - Simple Made Pretty says:
    February 19 at 10:23 am

    […] Make one-pot meals – Reduce clean up by making an entire meal in one pot.  Here are 100 one-pot (Instant pot) meals for some ideas. […]

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