Instant Pot Recipes

There’s something about a hearty pot roast that instantly makes the house feel cozy. But as a busy mom, I don’t always have hours to babysit a roast in the oven all afternoon. That’s exactly why this Instant Pot Pot Roast has become one of my favorite easy family dinners.

It has all the comfort-food flavor of a traditional Sunday pot roast — tender beef, savory broth, soft potatoes, and carrots. But made in a fraction of the time thanks to the Instant Pot. It’s the kind of meal that feels comforting without requiring a full day in the kitchen.

Even better? The leftovers are amazing for busy weeknights, meal prep lunches, or quick dinners after sports practice and activities.

Why Use an Instant Pot for Pot Roast?

If you’ve ever wondered whether an Instant Pot is really worth it for recipes like pot roast, the answer is absolutely yes.

Here’s why busy families love using the Instant Pot for this recipe:

• Faster cooking time: Traditional pot roast can take 4–8 hours. The Instant Pot gives you fork-tender beef in about 90 minutes.
• Hands-off cooking: Once everything is in the pot, the pressure cooker does the work for you.
• Tender meat every time: Pressure cooking helps break down tougher cuts of beef like chuck roast into juicy, flavorful bites.
• One-pot meal: Meat, potatoes, carrots, and broth all cook together for easy cleanup.
• Perfect for busy weeknights: You can prep dinner quickly and still serve a comforting homemade meal.

For moms juggling school pickups, sports, homework, and everything in between, this recipe is a lifesaver.

Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including natural release time)
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1.5-pound beef chuck roast, cut in half
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 large onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1/2 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 8.5 oz baby carrots
• 1-pound russet potatoes, cubed

How to Make Instant Pot Pot Roast

Step 1: Sear the Roast

Turn your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Once heated, add olive oil and sear the roast on all sides until browned. This step adds so much flavor to the final dish.

Remove the roast and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Onions and Garlic

Without removing the oil, add the diced onions to the Instant Pot. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized.

Add the garlic and stir well. Press the cancel button to turn off sauté mode.

Step 3: Build the Flavor

Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste to the pot. Stir everything together well.

Place the roast back into the broth mixture and top with fresh thyme sprigs.

Step 4: Pressure Cook the Roast

Seal the Instant Pot lid and make sure the pressure valve is closed.

Cook on high pressure for 1 hour. Once cooking is complete, allow a natural release for 5 minutes before manually releasing the remaining pressure.

Step 5: Add the Vegetables

Open the lid and add the carrots and potatoes. Stir gently so the vegetables are coated in the flavorful broth.

Seal the lid again and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.

Allow another 10-minute natural release before manually releasing the remaining pressure.

Step 6: Shred and Serve

Transfer the roast to a cutting board and shred with two forks.

You can either return the shredded beef to the Instant Pot and mix everything together, or arrange the roast, potatoes, and carrots on a serving platter for a classic family-style dinner.

Tips for the Best Instant Pot Pot Roast

Choose Chuck Roast

Chuck roast works best because it becomes incredibly tender under pressure cooking.

Don’t Skip the Sear

Browning the meat first creates deeper flavor and gives the broth a rich taste.

Cut Potatoes Evenly

Uniform potato pieces help everything cook evenly.

Let It Naturally Release

Natural release keeps the meat tender and juicy instead of tough.

Is This Pot Roast Low Carb?

This recipe is lower in carbs than many traditional pot roast recipes because it skips flour, cornstarch, and thick gravy. For an even lower carb option, you can swap the potatoes for:

• Cauliflower
• Turnips
• Radishes
• Extra carrots and celery

What to Serve with Pot Roast

This Instant Pot pot roast is already a complete meal, but if you want to round out dinner, try serving it with:

• Side salad
• Roasted green beans
• Steamed broccoli
• Dinner rolls for the kids
• Mashed cauliflower for a lower carb side

Storage & Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

This recipe reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or busy school nights.

Why This Instant Pot Pot Roast Stays on Repeat

If your family loves comfort food but your schedule doesn’t always allow for slow-cooked meals, this Instant Pot Pot Roast is the perfect solution. It’s hearty, cozy, easy to make, and packed with flavor — exactly the kind of dinner busy moms need in their recipe rotation.

Whether you’re serving it on a chilly weeknight or making it for Sunday dinner, this easy Instant Pot pot roast recipe is one your family will ask for again and again.

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If you’ve never made carnitas in your Instant Pot, get ready to be obsessed! This recipe turns simple ingredients into the most tender, juicy, and flavorful pork. Think perfectly crisp edges that taste like they came straight from your favorite taco spot. It’s a total weeknight win: minimal prep, big flavor, and ready in under an hour. Whether you throw it into tacos, burrito bowls, or just eat it straight from the pan (no judgment here!), these Instant Pot Carnitas are pure ✨magic✨.

Why Use The Instant Pot for Carnitas?

Traditional carnitas are slow-cooked for hours to get that tender, pull-apart texture. But the Instant Pot makes it happen in a fraction of the time. Pressure cooking locks in moisture and flavor, while still giving you that melt-in-your-mouth pork. It’s the perfect shortcut for busy weeknights without sacrificing any of the rich, authentic flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Instant Pot Carnitas recipe is about to become a weeknight favorite. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients and ready in under an hour. And, it’s the easiest way to bring bold, authentic flavor to your taco night.

• Quick + easy: Minimal prep and ready in about 50 minutes.
• Flavor-packed: The mix of citrus, spices, and pressure cooking makes the pork melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
• Versatile: Perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, or even salads.

What You’ll Need

You don’t need anything fancy to make these Instant Pot Carnitas. Just a few pantry staples and some citrus to bring it all to life. You’ll need a good cut of pork shoulder, a splash of oil for searing, and simple seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and oregano. Fresh orange juice and lime juice add that signature tangy-sweet flavor that makes carnitas irresistible. And of course, your Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting. Leaving you with tender, fall-apart pork in no time.

Easy Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe

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Looking for a quick and easy way to make creamy, dreamy mashed potatoes? Look no further than your Instant Pot! This Instant Pot mashed potatoes recipe is a game changer. Perfectly fluffy, rich, and full of flavor, all in a fraction of the time it takes to make them the traditional way. Whether you’re preparing for a big holiday meal or just want a simple side dish, this recipe will save you time and hassle while delivering a delicious result every time. Let’s dive in!

Why use the Instant Pot?

Using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker to make mashed potatoes offers several key benefits. First and foremost, it drastically reduces cooking time. What would typically take 20-30 minutes on the stovetop can be done in just 10 minutes in the pressure cooker. The sealed environment helps retain moisture, resulting in perfectly tender potatoes every time. No need to constantly watch over them. Plus, the Instant Pot’s “set it and forget it” feature frees up your hands for other tasks. Which makes it a huge time-saver, especially when preparing for a large meal. The end result? Rich, creamy mashed potatoes with minimal effort and cleanup! A definite go-to method for busy cooks (or just busy moms!).

What you’ll need for this recipe

To make Instant Pot mashed potatoes, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. First, potatoes (any variety will work, but Yukon Golds are a favorite for their creamy texture). You’ll also need butter, milk, garlic, parsley, sour cream, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. You’ll also need your trusty Instant Pot or pressure cooker to speed up the cooking process. That’s it! With these basic ingredients, you can create a delicious, hassle-free side dish in no time.

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

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Rich, creamy, and comforting, Beef Stroganoff is a classic dish that’s perfect for cozy dinner. Traditionally, it can take time to prepare. Enter the Instant Pot! With this easy recipe, you can enjoy the flavors of this beloved dish in a fraction of the time. Ground beef is simmered in a savory, creamy sauce with mushrooms and onions. Thus, creating a meal that’s as hearty as it is delicious. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a quick weeknight dinner, this Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff will become your new go-to for a satisfying, no-fuss meal that tastes like it’s been simmering all day long.

But why use an Instant Pot?

Using the Instant Pot to make meals is a game-changer for busy home cooks. It combines multiple cooking functions—pressure cooking, sautéing, slow cooking, and more—into one appliance, saving both time and effort. The pressure cooking feature significantly speeds up cooking times, making it possible to prepare meals like stews, soups, and even roasts in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. Additionally, the Instant Pot locks in flavors, tenderizes meat quickly, and allows for hands-off cooking, so you can set it and forget it while it does the work. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or prepping a comforting meal for family and friends, the Instant Pot makes it easy to enjoy homemade, flavorful dishes with minimal cleanup.

What you’ll need to make this satisfying meal

To make a delicious and comforting Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients. They come together to create a rich, creamy dish. From tender beef and savory onions, to hearty egg noodles and a smooth sour cream sauce. This recipe is both satisfying and easy to prepare. Here’s a quick list of what you’ll need to get started on this flavorful, one-pot meal.

• ground beef (the leaner the better, but 85/15 works just fine)
• salt and black pepper
• vegetable oil
• amedium sized onion
• garlic
• tomato paste
• beef broth
• butter
• mushrooms (portabella are preferred, but whatever mushroom you have on hand will work)
• cornstarch
• cold water
• sour cream
• egg noodles

How to make Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff

Now that you’ve made a delicious and flavorful dish, it’s time to dig in! Enjoy on a busy weeknight or for a cozy weekend meal. Whenever you make this meal, enjoy the perfectly cooked combinations of beef, mushrooms, and a savory sauce. Thankfully leaving you with minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction. Whether you’re a seasoned Instant Pot user or just getting started, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. So, grab your Instant Pot and get ready to indulge in a comforting, homemade meal that’s both quick and delicious!

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Have you ever committed to bringing something to a party or cookout and then completely forgotten about it? *Raises hand* I have done this several times. In those moments when I’m in a pinch, I need one thing — an easy AND delicious cookout side I can throw together in a hurry. This Instant Pot Potato Salad recipe is both easy and delicious.

Why use the Instant Pot?

I get asked this question a lot. For me, the Instant Pot serves a dual purpose. First, they are quick. Second, you can use an Instant Pot for almost anything! In this particular scenario, the Instant Pot comes in handy because the entire dish takes about 20 minutes to cook. So even if you’re not bringing the potato salad to a last minute picnic, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need to throw something together in a pinch. If you haven’t purchased an Instant Pot, you can find my favorite here.

What you’ll need to make Instant Pot Potato Salad

Besides your Instant Pot (or other electric pressure cooker, like a Chef IQ), you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 8 potatoes
• water
• salt
• 4 eggs
• white onion
• mayo
• mustard
• pepper
• paprika
• dill

That’s it! As I mention in the recipe below, you may want to add more paprika, dill, and salt at the end. My kids prefer the potato salad a little more bland, as where I prefer a lot of paprika and dill.

How to make Instant Pot Potato Salad

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Today marks the first day of yet another busy week. We are finally ‘healthy-ish’ again. So I’m back to making regularly scheduled family meals. But we still don’t have a lot of time on our hands between practices and extracurriculars. So we need easy meals. And our newest favorite easy weeknight meal is this Instant Pot Creamy Sausage Rigatoni.

What you’ll need

We know that one of my favorite kitchen gadgets is my Instant Pot. Between the Instant Pot and the air fryer (okay, and maybe the Vitamix, too!) — that’s all I need!

As far as ingredients, here’s what the recipe calls for:

• 1 pound of Ground Sausage
• 1 teaspoon of Salt
• 1 teaspoon of Pepper
• 24 ounces of Pasta Sauce
• 1 tablespoon of Italian Seasoning
• 3 cups of Chicken Broth
• 1/2 cup of Heavy Cream
• 16 ounces of Rigatoni Noodles
• 1 1/2 cups of Shredded Parmesan Cheese
• Fresh Parsley (Garnish)
• 1 tablespoon of Garlic

That’s basically it. The fresh parsley is optional, but absolutely delicious.

IP Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

If you’re looking for other easy recipes, be sure to check these out. There are so many recipes that are weeknight (and family!) friendly.

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