Easy Instant Pot Recipes That Are Both Healthy And Delicious

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make healthy meals at home, the instant pot can be your new best friend. The instant pot is a versatile kitchen appliance that can help you create delicious and nutritious meals in a fraction of the time it would take to cook them using traditional methods. In this article, we’ll share some of our favorite healthy easy instant pot recipes that will simplify your meal prep routine and keep your taste buds satisfied.

What is an Instant Pot?

An Instant Pot is a multi-functional electric pressure cooker that has gained massive popularity these days. It can be used as a slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, and sauté pan. This versatile kitchen appliance is designed to simplify cooking, making it faster and less labor-intensive. It is ideal for individuals who have a busy schedule and want to prepare healthy meals quickly. The Instant Pot has become a staple in many households because it reduces cooking time by 70%, all while preserving the nutrients in food.

The History of Instant Pot

Instant Pot is a Canadian brand that was founded in 2009 by a team of engineers and food enthusiasts in Ontario, Canada, who wanted to create an efficient cooking appliance that saves time and works on modern technology. The first Instant Pot was introduced in the market in 2010 and was an instant hit among consumers. Within a few years, Instant Pot became a sensation in the kitchen appliance industry. People loved it because it could perform multiple functions, saving them both time and money. Today, Instant Pot has become a household name in the US, and people have come up with thousands of recipes to make in their Instant Pot.

How Does an Instant Pot Work?

An Instant Pot has a removable inner stainless steel pot that sits in the heating element. The lid of the pot has a sealing ring, a steam release valve, and a float valve. The appliance uses pressure cooking to cook food quickly and efficiently. Pressure cooking uses hot steam to cook food faster than traditional cooking methods. When the Instant Pot is turned on, it starts to heat the liquid in the pot. The heat generates steam, and the steam creates pressure. The pressure forces the food to cook quickly, which results in perfectly cooked dishes with minimal effort. Additionally, the Instant Pot comes with pre-programmed settings that allow you to select the type of cooking method you want, and the appliance adjusts the timing and temperature to ensure the best results.

The Benefits of Cooking with an Instant Pot

• Healthy: An Instant Pot is great for people who are health-conscious because it preserves nutrients in food since the cooking process is so short.
• Efficient: An Instant Pot reduces cooking time by up to 70%, which means you can prepare a healthy meal in no time.
• Less Mess: The Instant Pot is easy to clean and minimizes the mess in the kitchen, making it great for busy individuals or those who do not like to clean up after a meal.
• Versatile: The Instant Pot is versatile and can be used to cook almost anything, from soups and stews to rice and yogurt.
• Cooks Perfectly: An Instant Pot cooks food evenly and consistently, ensuring that your meals are delicious and perfectly cooked every time.

Benefits of Cooking with an Instant Pot

Cooking healthy meals can be a time-intensive process for even the most experienced home cooks. Fortunately, the Instant Pot has revolutionized meal preparation by making it both quicker and easier. The Instant Pot’s numerous features and cooking methods allow you to cook a wide variety of foods, with many healthy and nutritional benefits. In this article, we’ll explore how an Instant Pot can make meal preparation easy and why it’s healthy.

Convenient Cooking

The Instant Pot is an incredibly versatile kitchen appliance, combining the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and more. With so many cooking methods at your disposal, preparing healthy meals becomes a breeze. The Instant Pot’s pressure cooking function can reduce cooking times by up to 70%, meaning that nutritious, homemade meals can be ready in just minutes. This is especially great news for busy individuals who want to maintain a balanced and healthy diet, but don’t necessarily have the time or patience for lengthy cooking times.

Another benefit of the Instant Pot is that it cooks food evenly and without added fats or oils. This makes it perfect for healthy cooking, as it locks in the foods’ nutrients and flavors while reducing the need for added fats and oils.

Nutritious Meals

Preparing healthy meals at home is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, it can be difficult to ensure that we are getting all of the essential nutrients that our bodies need. Fortunately, the Instant Pot is perfect for creating healthy and nutritious meals that contain all the necessary nutrients to keep us healthy.

The Instant Pot’s pressure cooking function ensures that food retains all its vitamins and minerals, keeping your meals healthy and balanced. This also helps to maintain the natural flavors and textures of your food, making it more palatable and enjoyable to eat.

Meal Prep Made Easy

Meal prep is a fantastic way to maintain a healthy diet, as it allows you to plan and prepare meals in advance. The Instant Pot makes meal prep easy, allowing you to batch cook and freeze food for the week ahead. This not only saves you time but also ensures that you have healthy and nutritious meals on hand when you need them.

You can also use the Instant Pot to prepare large servings of healthy meals, perfect for feeding a family or meal prepping for the week. This means you can save money and time by cooking in bulk, without sacrificing the quality or health benefits of your meals.

Conclusion

The Instant Pot is a fantastic kitchen appliance for anyone who enjoys cooking healthy and nutritious meals. With its many features and cooking methods, it makes meal preparation easy and convenient, saving you time and ensuring that your meals are packed full of essential nutrients. So why not give it a try and add an Instant Pot to your kitchen today?

How to Choose the Right Instant Pot

Instant Pots have become a must-have kitchen appliance for those who want to cook healthy and delicious meals quickly and easily. But with so many options available, how do you choose the right one? Consider these factors when shopping for an Instant Pot:

Size

The size of your Instant Pot will depend on the size of your family and how much you plan to cook at one time. Instant Pots come in sizes ranging from 3 quarts to 10 quarts. A 3-quart Instant Pot is suitable for one or two people, while a 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot can feed a larger family. If you plan on using your Instant Pot to cook for parties and events, a 10-quart model may be the best choice for you.

Capabilities

Instant Pots come with various capabilities, and you need to consider which ones are essential for your cooking needs. For example, if you plan on using your Instant Pot to make yogurt, you will want a model with a yogurt-making function. If you want to make soup, chili, or stew, make sure your Instant Pot has a “soup” or “stew” button. If you are interested in pressure canning, you will need a model equipped with a pressure canning function.

Additional Features

• Timer: Some Instant Pots have a built-in timer, which allows you to delay the start time of your cooking, or set a cooking time for a specific recipe.
• Display: Instant Pots come with either an LCD or LED display. The LCD display is easier to read, but the LED display is more durable.
• Pressure Release Valve: Make sure your Instant Pot has a pressure release valve that is easy to operate. This valve is essential for releasing the pressure from the pot after cooking.
• Cooking Accessories: Some Instant Pots come with additional cooking accessories, such as a steaming basket or a rack, which can expand its capabilities.
• Clean-Up: Look for an Instant Pot with a removable inner pot, which makes cleaning up after cooking much easier. Also, check if the pot and accessories are dishwasher safe.

Healthy Instant Pot Recipes for Breakfast

Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, and Instant Pot makes it easier to prepare healthy dishes to start your day. Here are some healthy Instant Pot recipes that you can try at home:

Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal

This recipe is a great way to start your day with the comforting aroma of cinnamon and the goodness of apples. Here are the ingredients:

• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in the Instant Pot and stir.
2. Close the lid and set the pressure cooker on manual for 4 minutes.
3. Release pressure and serve hot.

Egg Bites

Egg bites are a great way to start your day with protein-packed breakfast. Here’s the recipe:

• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Crack eggs into a mixing bowl and whisk. Add milk, cheese, salt, and pepper.
2. Grease the muffin tin and pour the mixture.
3. Add 1.5 cups of water to the Instant Pot. Place the trivet inside.
4. Place the muffin tin on the trivet and close the lid. Set manual for 8 minutes.
5. Release pressure and serve hot.

Breakfast Hash

This breakfast hash is filling and packed with protein and vegetables to keep you going throughout the day. Here are the ingredients:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Set the Instant Pot to saute and add ground turkey.
2. Add the onion, bell pepper, and sliced mushrooms.
3. Saute for 5 minutes and add salt and black pepper.
4. Close the lid and set the pressure cooker on manual for 10 minutes.
5. Release pressure and serve hot.

Yogurt Parfait

This yogurt parfait recipe is a great way to start your day with probiotics and nutrients. Here are the ingredients:

• 2 cups plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup fresh berries
• 1/4 cup granola

Instructions:

1. Mix the yogurt and honey and pour the mixture into jars or cups.
2. Add a layer of granola and fresh berries on top of the yogurt mixture.
3. Add another layer of yogurt and repeat until you fill the jars or cups.
4. Close the lids and place them inside the Instant Pot.
5. Add 1 cup of water and set the pressure cooker on manual for 1 minute.
6. Release pressure and serve hot or cold.

Healthy Instant Pot Recipes for Lunch and Dinner

The Instant Pot is a versatile kitchen gadget that can help you prepare healthy, delicious meals quickly. If you’re looking for healthy Instant Pot recipes to enjoy for lunch and dinner, here are five ideas to try:

1. Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 cup green beans, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in the Instant Pot.
2. Close the lid and set to manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
3. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
4. Remove the chicken from the pot, shred it with two forks, and return it to the pot.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!

2. Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine quinoa and 1 1/2 cups water in the Instant Pot.
2. Close the lid and set to manual high pressure for 1 minute.
3. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
5. Add black beans, bell peppers, onion, and cilantro to the Instant Pot with the quinoa. Pour the lime juice dressing over and stir to combine.
6. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

3. Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté function. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
2. Add sweet potato, tomatoes, black beans, jalapeño, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot.
3. Close the lid and set to manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
4. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
5. Serve hot, topped with cilantro.

4. Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine shrimp, broccoli, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in the Instant Pot.
2. Close the lid and set to manual high pressure for 5 minutes.
3. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
4. Serve hot and enjoy!

5. Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 lb flank steak, sliced thinly
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions:

1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté function. Add the sliced flank steak and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
2. Add broccoli, garlic, soy sauce, beef broth, cornstarch, sesame oil, honey, and red pepper flakes to the Instant Pot.
3. Close the lid and set to manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
4. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!

If you’re looking for healthy, easy-to-make meals for lunch and dinner, these Instant Pot recipes are a great place to start. Try adding one or two of these dishes to your meal plan each week and enjoy the convenience of the Instant Pot while still eating healthily.

Healthy Instant Pot Recipes for Dessert

Who says desserts can’t be healthy? With an Instant Pot, it’s easy to whip up delicious and nutrient-packed treats that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Here are some healthy Instant Pot recipes for dessert to try:

1. Cinnamon Spiced Apples

This recipe is perfect for autumn when apples are in season. Simply slice some apples, add cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg, and cook in your Instant Pot for about 10 minutes. The result is a warm and fragrant dessert that’s low in calories and high in fiber.

2. Chocolate Brownie Cake

Yes, you read that right. You can make a healthy and gooey chocolate dessert in an Instant Pot. This recipe calls for ingredients like almond flour, coconut sugar, and cocoa powder so you can satisfy your cravings without the guilt. Bonus points for being gluten-free and dairy-free!

3. Vegan Rice Pudding

Want a creamy and comforting dessert without the dairy? This vegan rice pudding recipe uses coconut milk and maple syrup to create a rich and sweet dessert that’s also good for you. Plus, it only takes 20 minutes to cook in your Instant Pot.

4. Lemon Cheesecake

This recipe swaps out traditional cream cheese for Greek yogurt and cottage cheese to create a lighter and healthier version of a classic cheesecake. The addition of lemon zest and juice gives a bright and tangy flavor that’s perfect for summer.

5. Berry Cobbler

Using frozen berries and gluten-free oats, this berry cobbler recipe is a quick and easy way to satisfy your dessert cravings. You can even swap out the berries for whatever fruit is in season and add some chopped nuts for extra crunch.

6. Carrot Cake

This healthy Instant Pot carrot cake is packed with carrots, applesauce, and coconut sugar, which means it’s not only delicious, but also full of fiber and vitamins. Top it off with some cream cheese frosting and you have a dessert that’s both healthy and indulgent. Plus, this recipe makes enough for leftovers so you can enjoy it all week long!

FAQs on Healthy Easy Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot recipes have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and convenience. Here are some frequently asked questions related to healthy easy Instant Pot recipes.

What is an Instant Pot?

An Instant Pot is a multi-cooker that can be used as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, and more. It is a versatile kitchen appliance that can save you time and effort when it comes to preparing meals.

What are the benefits of cooking with an Instant Pot?

Not only is the Instant Pot convenient, but it can also help retain the nutrients in your food. Because it cooks food quickly and under pressure, it can help preserve the vitamins and minerals that might otherwise be lost through traditional cooking methods. Additionally, an Instant Pot can help save energy and reduce overall cooking time.

How do I make healthy Instant Pot recipes?

To make healthy Instant Pot recipes, focus on using whole, unprocessed ingredients. Opt for lean protein sources like chicken, fish, and beans, and load up on vegetables for added fiber and nutrients. When using sauces or dressings, be mindful of their sugar and salt content, and opt for homemade alternatives when possible.

Can I meal prep with Instant Pot recipes?

Absolutely! Instant Pot recipes are great for meal prep because they can easily be batch-cooked and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Cook a large batch of chili or soup on Sunday and portion it out for the week ahead. Instant Pot recipes also make for great leftovers, which can save you time and money throughout the week.

Are Instant Pot recipes time-consuming?

While some Instant Pot recipes may take longer than others, the majority of them are designed to be quick and easy. Once you get the hang of using your Instant Pot, you’ll be able to whip up healthy meals in a fraction of the time it would take to cook them on the stove or in the oven.

Can I adapt my own recipes for the Instant Pot?

Yes! Many traditional recipes can be adapted for the Instant Pot. As a general rule of thumb, aim to use about 1 cup of liquid for every 2 cups of solid ingredients. Cooking times will vary depending on the recipe, but you can typically find Instant Pot cooking times and guidelines online for your specific recipe.

Where can I find healthy easy Instant Pot recipes?

There are endless resources online for healthy easy Instant Pot recipes. Some popular websites include Skinnytaste, Eating Well, and Well Plated by Erin. You can also find plenty of recipes on social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram.

Happy Cooking and Stay Healthy!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our article on healthy and easy Instant Pot recipes. We hope this article has inspired you to try new, healthy recipes in your Instant Pot. Don’t forget, cooking healthy doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. With the Instant Pot, you can prepare delicious and nutritious meals easily. Remember to visit our site again soon for more great healthy food tips. Happy cooking and stay healthy!