10 Quick and Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Busy Weekends

10 Quick and Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Busy Weekends

After experiencing a tiresome and long day, for one to even think of preparing dinner can be daunting; for that matter, measuring a a few ingredients and cooking even for fifteen minutes sounds impossible. This is where the Instant Pot saves the day – a kitchen device that is a savior on busy nights. Cooking healthy and delicious meals at home becomes much easier when you have to run to work or look after the kids and meals must be prepared in an Instant Pot. It is revolutionary for people and families who want to eat healthily, but hate the mess and time spent preparing food.

The Instant Pot has functions like pressure cooking, sautéing, steaming, and doing other types of cooking without causing any panic instead of making meals worrying how hungry kids and you will be. There’s no more fear of standing patiently by the fire, waiting for anything to boil over or heat under the lid. Simply put, add the ingredients, program the clock, and allow the Instant Pot to perform the magic. Do you need ideas already? Worry not, as you will find 10 quick, easy, instant pot recipes that will enable you to prepare scrumptious meals even on the busiest of nights.

1. Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Why its bang-on:

This dish is full of flavors, both salty and sweet, and the best part is that it takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. The chicken is absolutely delicious: tender and juicy, it is soaked in garlic and honey flavor, perfect for those weeknights.

Health Benefits:

It’s a good source of protein, and it’s gluten-free, as you can use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.

Hints for Preparation:

Pour it over some rice or steamed veggies. For a hotter version, add some red pepper flakes. Chicken boneless thighs if you do not mind a flavorful cut instead of chicken boneless breasts.

2. Instant Pot Lentil Curry

Reasons for the culinary delight: 

No doubt, its a warm and comforting dish and is also very simple to prepare. The lentils are quick to prepare as one uses the Instant Pot and given the harmonious addition of curry spices, one is at ease consuming the meal since it is filled with the taste of the food.

Nutritional positive:

This is a healthy vegetarian gluten free dish with a rich content of fibers and plant proteins as well as other vital bioactive compounds.

Cooking hints:

If you want to make it more interesting, you can toss some sweet potatoes or spinach cut into cubes. You can either have it with naan bread or serve it with steamed basmati rice for a fully round meal. The degree of heat can be changed by increasing or reducing the quantity of curry powder added to the dish.

3. Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff

Why it’s ideal: 

When it comes to pasta, beef stroganoff has earned its place as one of the most preferred comfort foods one can ever encounter, and the Instant Pot can only make it better. In around 25 minutes, tender beef coated in a rich, creamy sauce will be ready to save the cold night.

Nutritional values: 

They are quite proteinaceous but if you want a lighter version, simply avoid sour cream and consider using Greek yogurt instead.

Advice on Preparation: 

Egg Noodles are highly recommended and in case of a low carb meal, beef stroganoff can be enjoyed on top of cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles without the need of using egg noodles. Mushroom helps to enhance the flavor and texture of the dish.

4. Instant Pot Chicken and Quinoa

Why it’s ideal: 

This healthy recipe is a balanced meal and can be prepared in just 20 minutes. You will be making quinoa and chicken at the same time, so there is no need for side dishes!

Nutritional value:

It is an excellent high-protein, gluten-free alternative. This meal is also healthy because quinoa is a superfood filled with lots of nutrients.

Cooking tips:

To enhance the taste and the appearance of the dish, add in some chopped vegetables such as bell peppers or broccoli. Squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the finished dish for a refreshing touch.

5. Instant Pot Chili

Why is it ideal:

Chili cooked in an Instant Pot is one of the most-wanted meals in our household, especially in the winter months. This chili recipe is comforting, filled with ground beef and tons of beans, and can be ready in 30 minutes. The deep flavors of the instant pot chili are maximized in a way that cannot be achieved by cooking the chili on a stove for hours.

Nutritional value:

Rich in protein and fiber courtesy of the beans. You may simply modify this recipe to make it vegan by replacing all ground beef with plant-based crumbles.

Baking tips: 

For additional creaminess, reach for tortilla chips, avocado, additional shredded cheese, or sour cream. If you want to add some smokiness to the dish, feel free to use smoked paprika or chipotle powder.

6. Instant Pot Salmon with Lemon and Herbs

This is ideal because:

A modest light meal that takes 15 minutes to prepare (including the making)! Instant Pot works like a dream for making salmon, keeping it moist and flaky, while taking up the fresh taste of lemon and herbs.

Nutritional Aspects:

Due to the fact that salmon is high in omega-3 acids as well as protein, this dish is ideal for anybody on a keto or paleo diet.

Advice on Cooking:

In other cases, it’s worth serving a portion of quinoa or baked veggies to keep the ratio of meat and carbs perfectly balanced. Depending on whether you like the taste or not, you can also try using other herbs like dill or parsley.

7. Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

What makes it an ideal dish:

BBQ pulled pork is one of those dishes meant for long cooking, but with the help of the Instant Pot, it defeats the purpose of this delicacy. In less than an hour, one can have soft juicy pieces of pulled pork ready to make sandwiches, tacos, or just eat it plain.

Health aspects:

This meal is rich in proteins, as pulled pork can be served with pork loins instead of pork shoulders.

Kitchen hacks:

Toss in a bit of apple cider vinegar if you want some vinegar tang. Gently spoon the pulled pork on all-natural whole-grain buns, or lettuce wraps for a diet-friendly alternative.

8. Instant Pot Vegetable Risotto

Why it’s ideal:

Stirring is often an integral part of the preparation of risotto, yet this is not an issue when using an Instant Pot. You get perfectly cooked creamy risotto within 20 minutes which makes it an ideal dish to prepare on a busy weeknight.

Nutritional qualities:

This dish can be made vegetarian-friendly with the use of vegetable broth and it’s inherently free from gluten.

Preparation tips:

For example, add chopped-up seasonal vegetables like asparagus, peas, or mushrooms for more texture and flavor. And a little bit of Parmesan on top at the very end makes it quite decadent.

9. Instant Pot Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Why it’s perfect: 

Within just 25 minutes, this vegan chili is flavorful, and everyone in their right mind would polish it off without even thinking twice. With sweet potatoes and black beans, it is a filling and healthy dish as well. 

Dietary benefits:

These kinds of high-fiber, plant-based, vegan recipes are available to anyone who is concerned about their health and wants to follow a plant-based diet.

Cooking tips: 

Enhance the taste with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and sliced avocado on top. For heat, add a chopped jalapeno or some cayenne pepper.

10. Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Reasons for its Perfection:

This soup maximizes the flavors and takes only 20 minutes to prepare. The magic of the Instant Pot joins the chicken, tomatoes, and spices into a rich, flavorful broth.

Health aspects:

High in protein and can be adapted to a gluten-free diet by making use of corn tortillas.

Preparation hints:

Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, and crispy tortilla strips for extra texture. Black beans or corn can also be thrown in to make it more hearty. 
The Instant Pot is no doubt one of the most useful devices in the kitchen during the busy evenings that are usually filled with activities. There is a wide variety of these 10 recipes, which will be appreciated by someone who craves warm food, light delicacies,, or even exotics. When using the Instant Pot, it is impossible to understand why anyone would want to prepare food in advance for the next day, allowing you to spend the evening unwinding and having a good time. Tempted to try any of these recipes, perhaps? Your weeknights will definitely be different, as you may be curious as to how life was before you owned the Instant Pot.

10 Quick and Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Busy Weekends

10 Quick and Easy Instant Pot Recipes

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