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Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot Asian Pork

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My husband is obsessed with any and all Asian food. No lie. In fact, I think he eats Asian cuisine at least 6 out of the 7 days of the week. Whether it be eating pho while at the office, or making ramen — he’s obsessed. Naturally, some of his obsession has rubbed off on the rest of the family. I’ll admit — I despise cooking with a wok. We have one, but it’s just so bulky and awkward. I much prefer using an Instant Pot with similar (if not better!) results. That’s why this Instant Pot Asian Pork is the perfect meal!

Instant Pot Asian Pork

So why use the Instant Pot?

If you’ve used an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker before, you’ll know that it’s the perfect way for all of the flavors to really soak into the foods. It’s the reason I will only cook spaghetti in the pressure cooker. Seriously. You haven’t tasted perfect spaghetti until you’ve tasted Instant Pot spaghetti. It soaks every bit of sauce and moisture up in the noodles. Perfection!

Instant Pot Asian Pork

And the same can be said with this Asian pork recipe. Tender, juicy pork, full of all of the best Asian flavors.

What you’ll need

In addition to your favorite Instant Pot or pressure cooker, you’ll nee the following ingredients:

  • 2 pounds of pork shoulder, boneless and fat trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons of peanut oil (or sesame oil)
  • 2 teaspoons of minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon of minced ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1/4 cup of sweet chili sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of raw honey
  • 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup of white vinegar
  • 2 cup of water + 1 teaspoon
  • 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
  • Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

That’s it! I know it seems like a lot of ingredients, but I promise this will bring you the perfect flavors to create this recipe. And be sure to serve it with a side of rice, if that’s what you fancy!

Instant Pot Asian Pork

Instant Pot Asian Pork Recipe

Instant Pot Asian Pork

Instant Pot Asian Pork
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds of pork shoulder, boneless and fat trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons of peanut oil (or sesame oil)
  • 2 teaspoons of minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon of minced ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1/4 cup of sweet chili sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of raw honey
  • 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup of white vinegar
  • 2 cup of water + 1 teaspoon
  • 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
  • Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

  1. Set the instant pot to sauté and add the oil. Once hot add the pork and begin to sear the meat on all sides.
  2. Once the pork is seared, add the ginger, garlic, and pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes more.
  3. Cancel sauté mode and add a splash of water and deglaze the pot liner.
  4. Pour in the remaining water, and add the chili sauce, soy sauce, and honey. Close the lid and seal the pressure valve.
  5. Cook at high pressure for 30 minutes. Let naturally release pressure for 10.
  6. Manually release any remaining pressure and remove the pork. Using forks, shred the pork and set aside.
  7. Drain the remaining liquid keeping 3/4 cup and set the instant pot to sauté.
  8. Mix the cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of water to create a slurry. Once the liquid is simmering, whisk in the slurry to thicken the liquid into a sauce.
  9. Return the pork to the instant pot and mix so that the sauce fully coats the pork.
  10. Serve the pork with white rice and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. ENJOY!
© Rachel

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Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe

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Confession: I am basically obsessed with eating Mexican cuisine. We eat a lot more tacos than I care to admit. But, the good news? SO much of my Mexican food is homemade. In addition to my homemade taco bowl shells, this Instant Pot Refried Beans recipe is a Taco Tuesday must-have!

Instant Pot Refried Beans

What you’ll need

These refried beans are the easiest, most perfect addition to your taco Tuesday. Honestly, you’ll never want to go back to canned refried beans once you make them yourself.

Instant Pot Refried Beans

You’ll need an Instant Pot for this recipe. I promise that the Instant Pot is most definitely needed. Pressure cooking foods truly infuses them with flavors you wouldn’t otherwise have.

Here’s what else you’ll need:

  • 1 pound of pinto beans, dried
  • 1/2 stick of butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon of paprika
  • 1 tablespoon of chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons of ground cumin

That’s it!

How to make Instant Pot Refried Beans

Yield: 8 servings

Instant Pot Refried Beans

Instant Pot Refried Beans
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of pinto beans, dried
  • 1/2 stick of butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon of paprika
  • 1 tablespoon of chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons of ground cumin

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

  1. Place dry rinsed beans into instant pot and add 5 cups of water.
  2. Seal the lid and pressure valve and cook on high for 30 minutes. Manually release pressure when finished. 
  3. Drain beans while keeping 2 cups of liquid and set aside.
  4. Place the beans in a food processor with butter and spices.
  5. Blend until beans are smooth and creamy. Add left over liquid 1 tablespoon at a time to achieve desired consistency.
  6. ENJOY!
© Rachel

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REFRIED BEANS

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Recipe

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If there’s one thing this busy mom loves, it’s a good dump and go meal. If you’ve been following my blog for very long, you’ll know this is 100% true. Even in my least ‘busy’ moments, I tend to feel overwhelmed by the idea of making meals for the family. Especially when it comes to meals I know the whole family will enjoy. But this Instant Pot Salsa Chicken recipe checks all of the boxes. It’s easy, it’s quick, and it will most certainly be enjoyed by the whole family.

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Recipe

Why use the Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot is one of my favorite kitchen tools. In fact, I’d often argue that there aren’t a TON of must-have kitchen tools. But, in no particular order, my top three kitchen tools are my Instant Pot, air fryer, and my Vitamix.

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Recipe

But the Instant Pot will forever be my go-to for quick and easy meals. If you’ve never made anything in a pressure cooker, just know that it makes the flavors 100 times more flavorful and juicy! That’s why I love using my Instant Pot. That and that it saves a LOT of time.

What you’ll need for this recipe

There are literally four simple ingredients for this recipe. FOUR! Here’s what they are:

  • 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 1 cup of salsa
  • 1 Tablespoon of salt (divided in two, one for each side of the breast)
  • 1 Tablespoon of pepper (divided in two, one for each side of the breast)
Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Recipe

But I cannot recommend this enough — have some tortillas handy, too. Because this chicken makes the most absolutely perfect tacos. In which case, cheese, cilantro, and avocado are also a bonus.

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Recipe

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 1 cup of salsa
  • 1 Tablespoon of salt (divided in two, one for each side of the breast)
  • 1 Tablespoon of pepper (divided in two, one for each side of the breast)

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

  1. Pour 1 cup of salsa into your instant pot.
  2. Place your chicken breasts on top of the salsa in the instant pot. Season one side with 1/2 of the salt and pepper.
  3. Flip your chicken over and season with the remaining amount of salt and pepper.
  4. Close your instant pot by twisting the lid on in a locked position. Close the valve by pushing it away from you. Set your pressure cooker to high pressure for 20 minutes.
  5. Once your pressure cooker has stop cooking, allow it to release naturally for about 10 minutes. After you released it actually for 10 minutes, manually release by using a hot pad or towel, and bring the valve forward.
  6. Using two forks, shred your chicken inside the instant pot so that’s the remaining seasoning of the salsa will continue to mix in with the chicken.
  7. Enjoy by adding it to flour or corn taco shells. You can top with tomatoes, cilantro, cheese, sour cream, avocados, and more!
© Rachel

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Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

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Right now it is very cold in the Midwest. So cold, in fact, that schools are closed! If weather like this doesn’t scream ‘comfort food,’ I’m not sure what does. To me, comfort food means something warm, hearty, and filling. Well this Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta recipe is all of those things. And easy!

Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

What You’ll Need

If you’ve been around this blog before, you’ll know that I adore two things (other than my family): my pressure cooker and my air fryer. My go-to pressure cooker is an Instant Pot because they are easy to use. But other brands of pressure cookers will certainly work.

Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

I find that cooking full meals in the Instant Pot brings so much more flavor out of the food. In addition to your Instant Pot, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1 purple onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cups of chicken stock
  • 4 cups rotini pasta
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded cheese

That’s it! The best part of this recipe is that it’s practically dump and start — all in one pot!

Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

How to make Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe

Yield: 4 - 6 servings

Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1 purple onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cups of chicken stock
  • 4 cups rotini pasta
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded cheese

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

  1. Combine chicken, onion, bell pepper, oil, fajita seasoning, salsa, garlic and chicken stock into instant pot. Stir thoroughly.
  2. Pour pasta over stirred ingredients making sure pasta is completely submerged. 
  3. Close the lid and seal the pressure valve. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. Once finished cooking, release the pressure manually.
  4. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheese (it will thicken).
  5. Garnish with your favorite toppings! Mine is cilantro, cheese, sour cream and tortilla chip strips.
© Rachel

What’s your favorite Instant Pot comfort meal?

Instant Pot Tomato Soup Recipe

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I love Fall for so many reasons. But one of the big reasons is because fall food is my favorite comfort food. And, to be completely honest, I have a confession. I do not like raw tomatoes. In fact, I cannot stomach them. Twice a year I give them another shot, but time after time, I end up choking on them in disgust. But tomato soup? That is a game changer. And that is my jam. And to not share my favorite of all time Instant Pot Tomato Soup recipe with you would be a shame. It’s so delicious and so incredibly easy.

Instant Pot Tomato Soup

What you’ll need to make this soup

Using a pressure cooker for soup recipes really is a game changer. It makes the soup so much more flavorful. Of course, I use an Instant Pot. But really any electric pressure cooker will work. And they all have basically the same buttons and features.

Instant Pot Tomato Soup

The other tool you will need is either a traditional blender, Vitamix, or an immersion blender. After your soup is cooked in the Instant Pot, it will need to be blended to create a creamy consistency.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make Instant Pot Tomato Soup

  • 1 – 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes 
  • 4 cups of broth, chicken or vegetable
  • 2 carrot sticks, diced 
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil 
  • 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning 
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt 
  • 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper 
  • 2 tablespoons of garlic, minced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • basil (optional)
  • cheese (optional)
  • croutons (optional)
Instant Pot Tomato Soup

The Full Recipe

Yield: 6 servings

Instant Pot Tomato Soup

Instant Pot Tomato Soup
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 - 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes 
  • 4 cups of broth, chicken or vegetable
  • 2 carrot sticks, diced 
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil 
  • 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning 
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt 
  • 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper 
  • 2 tablespoons of garlic, minced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • basil (optional)
  • cheese (optional)
  • croutons (optional)

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Set instant pot to sauté and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Heat for approximately 4 hours, until oil is hot. Then sauté carrots and onion until the onion is translucent.

STEP 2 -

Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes.

STEP 3 -

Add tomatoes, broth, 1 tablespoon of oil, and seasonings. Close the Instant Pot lid and set pressure to 'sealed'.

STEP 4 -

Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Then let naturally release for 10 minutes.

STEP 5 -

Pour the soup into a food processor and blend for 30 seconds.

If you don't have a food processor or Vitamix, use an immersion blender to mix.

STEP 6 -

Serve with basil, cheese, and/or croutons!

ENJOY!

© Rachel

What’s your favorite Fall recipe?!

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Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

by 13 Comments

Autumn is officially here. And, as a resident of the Midwest, I am HERE FOR IT! And, as much as I love soup, sometimes you just need a hearty pasta dish. We’re still dealing with crazy, insanely, busy evenings. And that means breaking out the Instant Pot to make some quick, homemade meals for the whole family. This Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni Recipe is super easy and incredibly delicious. You MUST try it!

Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

What you’ll need to make Sausage Rigatoni

This recipe is super easy, but using a pressure cooker is seriously the best way to elevate a stellar recipe.

Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

Here are the other ingredients you’ll need:

  • 12 ounce of fully cooked Italian sausage (I use chicken sausage)
  • dry rigatoni
  • yellow onion
  • red pepper
  • minced garlic 
  • olive oil 
  • crushed tomatoes 
  • chicken broth 
  • grated parmesan 
  • heavy cream
  • salt
  • pepper 
  • baby spinach 
Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

It’s simple. It’s easy. And it’s incredibly well-loved by my whole family.

Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni

Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 12 ounce of fully cooked Italian sausage, sliced
  • 12 ounces of rigatoni pasta
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced
  • 1/2 red pepper, diced 
  • 2 tablespoons of minced garlic 
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil 
  • 2 cups of crushed tomatoes 
  • 2 cups of chicken broth 
  • 3/4 cup of grated parmesan 
  • 1 cup of heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of pepper 
  • 2 cups of baby spinach 

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Set instant pot to sauté and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once hot (approximately 5 minutes), add onion and pepper. Sauté until onions are translucent.

STEP 2 -

Add garlic and sliced sausage and continue to sauté until sausage has a nice, brown crust.

STEP 3 -

Turn off sauté. Add broth to deglaze the bottom of the Instant Pot. Then add the crushed tomatoes.

STEP 4 -

Add pasta and spinach. Do not stir. Push pasta so that it is covered in liquid.

STEP 5 -

Seal the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for seven minutes and quick release when finished. Once pressure is released, remove the lid.

STEP 6 -

Once pressure released, remove the lid and add Parmesan and cream. Stir for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened. 

STEP 7 -

Serve and ENJOY!

If you’re looking for other easy recipes, head here!

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