I use my Instant Pot to cook dinner multiple times a week, and these are my go-to, tried-and-true healthy Instant Pot recipes. Get dinner on your table faster than ever with these quick and easy recipes!
The more I use my Instant Pot, the more I realize what an amazing appliance it is. I couldn’t live without my Instant Pot at this point – it saves me so much effort with preparing quick, healthy meals!
Besides cooking flavorful main dishes, I also use my Instant Pot to make rice, vegetable side dishes, cook beans from scratch, make oatmeal, and so much more.
I own multiple Instant Pots and I’ll often have two Instant Pots cooking at the same time if I’m doing food prep for the week or making a main and side dish for dinner. You might think I’m crazy, but it is so convenient!
I regularly use both a 6 quart Instant Pot and an 8 quart Instant Pot. I love and highly recommend both, depending on your needs. The 8 quart is great for when you are feeding a crowd or meal prepping large batches of dried beans, etc. The 6 quart is perfect for feeding a family on a daily basis.
Make Dinner Fast & Tasty with these Healthy Instant Pot Recipes
These are my favorite tried-and-true healthy Instant Pot recipes. I’ve grouped them by main dishes, cooking basics, soups and side dishes. I hope you love them as much as my family does!
If you are new to Instant Pot cooking, read my guide on How to Use an Instant Pot.
Delicious Instant Pot Dinner Recipes
- Instant Pot Chicken Tacos. These chicken tacos have earned a spot in our regular dinner rotation. They’re quick, require few ingredients, and so good!
- Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers. With rice and ground beef or turkey cooked and served in a colorful vegetable package, these stuffed peppers are an easy weeknight favorite.
- Instant Pot Chicken and Rice. A family dinner favorite! Made with brown rice and packed with veggies, this healthy Instant Pot recipe cooks in under 30 minutes.
- Instant Pot Butter Chicken. I just love the rich, comforting flavors in this easy butter chicken recipe. I serve it with rice and naan or pita bread to soak up that flavorful sauce.
- Instant Pot Whole Chicken. Weeknight meals just got easier with this delicious rotisserie-style chicken recipe. The leftovers are perfect for sandwiches!
- Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff. I make this with ground beef to keep it easy, budget-friendly and family-friendly. We serve it over egg noodles and it’s just so comforting! Try these Instant Pot beef recipes next.
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast. I turn to this recipe often when I need a simple meal that I know my whole family will enjoy. I make an easy gravy from the juices in the pot once the chicken is done cooking. No fuss and scrumptious!
- Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto. If you haven’t yet tried Instant Pot risotto, you are missing out! This mushroom version has garlic, thyme and Parmesan cheese.
- Instant Pot Pot Roast. This is my most popular Instant Pot recipe, and for good reason! You just can’t beat fall-apart tender pot roast with carrots and potatoes.
- Instant Pot Pork Loin. This Instant Pot pork loin is moist and juicy, and the best part is that it cooks in the most delicious sauce. It’s a cross between a gravy and a honey garlic sauce and it is amazing drizzled over the pork.
- Instant Pot Chicken Thighs. Perfectly juicy and seasoned with a homemade spice rub, make these chicken thighs in your Instant Pot in just 30 minutes, start to finish. One of our most made Instant Pot chicken recipes!
- Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken. This is one of my simplest healthy Instant Pot recipes (only 5 ingredients!) and it really packs in the flavor! You can even throw a bag of frozen veggies into the sauce at the end and let them simmer on sauté mode while the sauce thickens.
- Instant Pot Risotto. The easiest way to make risotto! The first time I tried it, I was amazed. It’s truly the best risotto, with none of the standing at the stove stirring that traditional risotto requires.
- Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin. A sweet and savory honey garlic sauce makes this easy Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Recipe something special.
- Instant Pot Chicken and Mushrooms. This one pot meal has loads of flavor from onion, garlic and mushrooms, plus an herb and seasoning blend.
- Instant Pot Orange Chicken. Far healthier than takeout, my Instant Pot orange chicken recipe has a sticky-sweet sauce that coats tender bites of chicken. You can even cook the rice in the IP at the same time!
- Instant Pot Lentil Sloppy Joes. A healthy sloppy joes recipe? Yes, please! The flavor of these lentil sloppy joes is spot-on. You won’t miss the meat!
Instant Pot Cooking Basics
- Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs. These are so simple to make and easy to peel! They are a great healthy meal prep option for breakfasts, snacks and lunches.
- Instant Pot Brown Rice. My favorite hands-off way to cook fluffy brown rice! This easy pressure cooker rice recipe helps to simplify dinner prep.
- Instant Pot Shredded Chicken. The Instant Pot is my go-to whenever I need to make shredded chicken for a recipe like Chicken Enchiladas or a Chicken Casserole. It’s quick, easy, hands-off and turns out perfectly tender and juicy, every time.
- Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats. Breakfast just got easier with these foolproof Instant Pot steel cut oats. I make a batch almost every week for quick, healthy breakfasts.
- Instant Pot Lentils. I love to serve these as a simple, healthy side dish or use them to make high protein vegetarian meals like lentil tacos.
- Instant Pot Pinto Beans. I love using my Instant Pot to cook dry beans. We make these pinto beans all the time to use in burritos or to turn into Refried Beans.
- Instant Pot Black Beans. I love cooking black beans in the Instant Pot – they’re so much better than canned beans! These Mexican-flavored black beans are easy to make, with no soaking required. Use them in burritos, tacos, salads, enchiladas or as a side dish.
- Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash. This healthy Instant Pot recipe is an easy, hands-off way to cook this versatile ingredient. The squash turns out tender with an al dente bite, ready to enjoy with marinara sauce or use in your favorite recipes.
- Instant Pot Quinoa. Perfectly fluffy Instant Pot quinoa cooks quickly in the pressure cooker. Enjoy it as a side dish or use it in your favorite quinoa recipes.
- Instant Pot Bone Broth. I use this bone broth in soups or sip on it as a nourishing beverage. It’s such an easy healthy Instant Pot recipe!
Healthy Instant Pot Soups
- Instant Pot Lentil Soup. This vegetarian Instant Pot lentil soup is a warmly spiced soup that’s filled with tender lentils, vegetables and tomatoes.
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup. My family’s favorite soup! I love making it in the Instant Pot – it practically cooks itself!
- Turkey Chili. Everyone who tries my healthy turkey chili says it is the best turkey chili they’ve had! It’s a satisfying high protein meal made with ground turkey, beans and canned tomatoes.
- Instant Pot Vegetable Soup. Lots of chunky veggies in a warming, savory broth make this vegetable soup one of my favorite healthy Instant Pot recipes. I think you’ll love it too!
- Instant Pot Beef Stew. Cozy up with a bowl of this hearty beef stew! I love that I don’t have to watch a pot on the stove with this easy pressure cooker recipe.
- Instant Pot Potato Soup. It’s thick, creamy and the perfect warming meal for a cold day.
- Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup. The best flavors of fall, wrapped up in a deliciously easy soup!
- Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Broccoli cheese soup has always been one of my kids’ favorites, and I just love this easy, healthy Instant Pot recipe. Rather than using cream, I use a potato to make the soup thick and creamy.
- Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup. Leeks bring delicious mild onion flavor to this healthy potato soup.
- Instant Pot Minestrone. The perfect hearty meal to warm you up! This homemade recipe tastes just like the restaurant version and is loaded with healthy vegetables and hearty beans.
- Instant Pot White Chicken Chili. When you need a cozy, wholesome dinner that cooks in one pot, this Instant Pot white chicken chili is just the recipe. You can make it with fresh or frozen chicken.
- Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup. When I created my stovetop Beef Barley Soup I just knew I needed to make an Instant Pot version as well. Barley bulks up this flavorful beef and vegetable soup so it’s extra satisfying.
- Instant Pot Chili. I pretty much always make chili in my Instant Pot because the flavors are just so good! If you’re looking for a classic beef and bean chili recipe, I think you’ll love this one.
- Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup. We can’t get enough of this Instant Pot tortilla soup! This healthy one pot dinner can also be made in the slow cooker.
- Instant Pot Lentil Chili. I cook vegetarian meals a few times every week, and we just love this vegetarian lentil chili. With black beans, quinoa, lentils and veggies, it’s a healthy and hearty chili recipe.
Healthy Instant Pot Side Dishes
- Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes. These Instant Pot “baked” sweet potatoes are an easy side dish, or add your favorite toppings and make them a meal.
- Instant Pot Applesauce. This Instant Pot applesauce is an easy and delicious homemade applesauce recipe that pressure cooks in just 6 minutes.
- Instant Pot Broccoli. This recipe is a hands-off way to cook crisp-tender broccoli. It’s one of our go-to healthy side dishes!
- Instant Pot Green Beans. These green beans are a versatile, healthy side dish. I make them often when green beans are in season.
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob. Besides Grilled Corn on the Cob, this is my favorite way to cook corn! It’s a foolproof recipe that turns out perfect every time. The easiest way to cook corn on the cob!
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes. These Instant Pot baked potatoes are an easy meal, perfect for a weeknight. Load them up with your favorite toppings and enjoy.
- Instant Pot Mexican Rice. This is my go-to Mexican rice recipe! (I like it even better than my stovetop Mexican Rice.) Quite a few readers have tried it and loved the flavor.
- Instant Pot Artichokes. My kids love this spring vegetable. I cook them in the Instant Pot with a little lemon – they come out perfectly tender!
- Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes. These are a great alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. I flavor them with a little butter and pure maple syrup, then mash them until they’re smooth and creamy.
Why you need an Instant Pot
- You can make true one pot meals in an Instant Pot.
- If you forget to start your slow cooker, you can make dinner fast in your Instant Pot.
- You can safely and effortlessly cook meat from frozen. (See my Instant Pot Frozen Chicken recipe.)
- It’s a hands-off way to cook. You don’t need to watch a pot on the stove or a pan in the oven.
- You can make many meal prep staples quickly and easily, including shredded chicken, hard-boiled eggs, steel cut oats and cooked beans (from dry).
- The pressure cooking process develops delicious flavors quickly. I’ve never had a better chili than my Instant Pot Turkey Chili!
Healthy Instant Pot Recipes: Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
This Instant Pot Vegetable Soup is one of our favorite healthy Instant Pot recipes!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 ribs celery, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 3 medium carrots, sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds or half rounds if large
- 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, about 4 medium, cut into ¾-inch pieces
- 1 cup chopped green beans, 1 inch pieces, fresh or frozen
- ¾ cup frozen corn
- ¾ cup frozen peas
- 14.5 ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ¾ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Turn on the Instant Pot's saute function and add the olive oil. When hot, add the chopped onion and celery. Saute, stirring often, until softened, 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic, turn off the Instant Pot, and stir for 30 seconds.
- Pour the vegetable broth into the pot and stir, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Add all of the remaining ingredients: carrots, potatoes, green beans, corn, peas, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper and bay leaves. Stir.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and move the steam release valve to the sealing position. Set the cook time to 4 minutes at high pressure. The Instant Pot will take about 20 minutes to reach pressure and then the cook time will start counting down.
- When the cook time ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes by just leaving the Instant Pot alone. Then, quick release the remaining pressure by carefully moving the steam release valve to the venting position. Once all of the steam has escaped and the pin drops down, carefully open the Instant Pot lid.
- Remove the bay leaves. Stir the soup, serve and enjoy!
Notes
- This soup is delicious served with chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the soup for a bright, fresh flavor or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
- Try using other vegetables in this vegetable soup recipe, such as zucchini, cubed butternut squash or sweet potatoes. Note that zucchini will become very soft after pressure cooking.
- To make this soup even more of a hearty meal, you can add canned beans or pasta. Canned beans can be added before pressure cooking. It is best to cook pasta separately and add it to the soup after pressure cooking.
Serving: 1.5cups, Calories: 188kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 917mg, Potassium: 606mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 5468IU, Vitamin C: 29mg, Calcium: 73mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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I don’t even know which recipe to start with! I thought I’d find 1 or 2 that I liked but I want to try about half of these recipes haha thank you for all the ideas!
I’m glad you’re excited to try them!
These look absolutely delicious! You have amazing food photography too :] As much as I know my girl’s will love these, I know I will too!
Thank you! I hope you find some new favorites!
I got started reading this sight cause I want to my my son some healthy chicken soup for his cold. But all these recipes look wonderful. I have only had my instant pot for about 6 months, but like you I wonder how I existed or cooked before it!! I think I love most that I don’t have to stand and watch something on the stove and the delicious flavor of everything!! Thanks so much
Like these easy healthy recipes!
I have a large bacon hock that i would like to make into a thick vegetable soup.Where do I start please as I am new to the pressure cooker
Heath,
Sorry, I haven’t tried a bacon hock in the pressure cooker yet.
I’m a vegetarian and I absolutely loved the Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup! It is so healthy, we’re going to eat this every Tuesday now. Thank you!
Love these Instant recipes , pls add non veg recipes too, thanks for sharing these Ideas with us
Love these instant pot recipes, thanks for sharing these recipe Ideas. We can explore cooking and just not thinking what we will cook today.!!!1
Thanks for sharing these Healthy Instant Pot Recipes, will love to try these . Will be my weekend recipes.
Happy New Year Kristine, these are great recipes. I will forward this to my daughter.
Love these Healthy Instant Pot Recipes , super excited to make these. Thanks for sharing this one .
Thanks for sharing these Healthy Instant Pot Recipes ,these recipes seems so delicious and amazing . Will love to try this one.
This Lentil Tortilla Soup is really amazing!!! I really love this recipe as it’s simple and healthy surely I’ll try it once. Thanks for sharing this.
Just got my pot for my Birthday. Reading through recipes and I want to try them out. All of them sounds so good. Thanks for these recipes. Looking forward to getting my recipe book. Wonderful, Wonderful
Love these Healthy Instant Pot Recipes, these recipes seems delicious and unique . Super excited to try this one, thank you for sharing this with us.
I have a 6 qt instant pot can I double these recipes and fit it in the instant pot?
It is going to depend on the recipe. A few could be doubled in a 6 quart pot, for others you would need an 8 quart pot to make a double recipe.
these all look delicious. can’t wait to unpack my new instant pot. thank you for sharing.
These Instant Pot recipes are a lifesaver! I love that they’re both healthy and easy to make, which is exactly what I need for weeknight dinners. The fact that they’re quick to prepare means I can get a nutritious meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. I’m especially excited to try the Instant Pot chicken recipes—they sound delicious and perfect for meal prepping. This post has given me so many great ideas, and I can’t wait to start cooking! Thanks for sharing such a fantastic collection!