20 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes to Make for Dinner | foodiecrush.com (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my .

The Instant Pot is the hot, do-it-all appliance on every foodie’s radar right now. It makes cooking fast or slow, but always easy. Today we’re sharing more weekly meal prep inspiration, with this list of healthy Instant Pot recipes to make for dinner.

Healthy Instant Pot Recipes

Happy New Year, friends! Did Santa baby bring you everything you wanted, including a shiny new Instant Pot? These puppies have been selling in droves, especially over the holidays. And since healthy Instant Pot recipes have been flooding the Internet lately, we couldn’t help but wrangle up some of our favorite looking dishes at the moment.

January is all about balance and fresh slates, and trying to redeem ourselves from all of the cookies and melted brie we’ve stuffed our face with this last month. It’s also about planning and prepping so we can stay on track with our diets and budgets, which is precisely where these two things come in handy: easy, healthy instant pot recipes, and The Nourished Planner.

We’re excited to bring you our latest installment of our Meal Prep Series where we share 20 recipes you can plan and prep ahead of time for a head start on your week—and show Monday-Friday who’s boss.

First we answered the begging question, where’s the beef: 20 Recipes You Can Make with a Pound of Ground Beef (It’s What’s for Dinner), and then we brought you 20 Recipes You Can Make with a Can of Beans. And now, it’s time to flip the switch on dinner with the Instant Pot.

FREE Meal Plans Delivered Straight to Your Inbox

If you’re stumped on ideas of what to make for dinner for the week, sign up foryour FREE weekly meal plan and prep list herefrom my other biz, the Nourished Planner where you’ll receive an e-mail with FREE dinner ideas and a prep list each week in your inbox.

And,download this free printable weekly meal planner/to-do listto fill in, tape to the fridge, take to the grocery store, or use for reference next year when you can’t remember what the heck were your faverecipes from this one.

You get the idea. Now get cooking!

20 Easy, Healthy Dinner Ideas

This hearty soup-stew hybridis flavored with curry and coconut, with a nice kick from some jalapeño, and a rich creaminess from some peanut butter from Pinch of Yum.

Pho is our best friend when we’ve got the sniffles, but it’s also one of those rare soups you could eat any day of the year. This one is legit, yet instead of taking practically all day to cook, it comes together in under an hour from Platings and Pairings.

Two surprising ingredients make these classic meatballs sing (plus, there’s no browning required), and Italian grandmothers everywhere would be rejoicing over the fact that these are made easy in the Instant Pot from A Calculated Whisk.

Next to chicken noodle soup, chicken and rice is the quintessential comfort food. You’d never know this version was dairy and gluten-free, and it’s also ready in under 30 minutes, thanks to the Instant Pot! From A Saucy Kitchen.

These super authentic, brothy beans are filling and packed with flavor, and they can be eaten like a soup from Skinnytaste.

A homemade, healthier take on this Chinese takeout favorite, and it can be on your table in less than 30 minutes from Two Peas and Their Pod.

Who doesn’t want curry in a hurry, especially on a crazy weeknight? This vegan dish is healthy, teeming with awesome flavor, and is ready in just 20 minutes from Food Faith Fitness.

Chili is a comfort food staple that gets us through these better cold months, and this chicken and bean chili recipe couldn’t be simpler or quicker

Got leftover carnitas? Think outside the tortilla and make soup! This easy, 5-ingredient recipe is on the money from Gimme Some Oven.

Butter chicken is quite possibly our favorite Indian dish, but like its name suggests, it often is laden with butter, and thus cruel on the waistline. That’s why this healthy recipe makeover has our attention (that, and the fact that it takes less than 30 minutes!) from Carmy.

Sausage and kale bring extra heartiness to this comforting lentil soup from Platings and Pairings.

Tortellini gets a healthy boost with kale, veggies, a bit of turkey sausage and plenty of herbed flavor for an Instant Pot slow cooked dinner at your fingertips from FoodieCrush.

A panoply of aromatic Middle Eastern spices make this lamb and chickpea stew a comforting treat on a chilly night.

Instant Pot mac and cheese is an absolute game changer, especially when it’s lightened-up with cauliflower (which you don’t even taste), whole wheat pasta, and reduced-fat cream cheese in this healthy (but super creamy) makeover from Well Plated.

Tahini lends extra creaminess and a wonderful zest to this beautiful white bean soup that takes just 10 minutes of prep from Heartbeat Kitchen.

You’ve heard of everything but the kitchen sink cookies, but have you heard of everything but the kitchen sink soup? This rice-based one is a brilliant way to use up leftovers from Cotter Crunch.

Who needs Chipotle when you can make tastier, healthier burrito bowls at home, and in the Instant Pot?

This colorful and creamy vegetarian lentil soup is loaded up with good-for-you ingredients, and is wonderfully filling from Peas and Crayons.

Add your favorite veggies and protein (or whatever you have on hand) to these easy, sweet and sticky chili garlic noodles from Pinch of Yum.

Get dinner on the table in just 30 minutes with these carb-friendly 5-ingredient salsa chicken taco lettuce wraps from Platings and Pairings.

Even More Quick and Healthy Dinner Ideas

Need even more Instant Pot meal prep inspo? Here are a few more healthy Instant Pot recipes we’re loving:

  • How to Cook Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
  • Beef Stew with Butternut Squash (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)
  • Instant Pot Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps
  • Baby Back Ribs in the Instant Pot

This recipe round-up was curated and written by FoodieCrush contributor Hayley Putnam ofSeven Day Weekend.
Follow her foodie tastes and other flights of fancyonPinterestandInstagram.

We send good emails.Subscribe to FoodieCrushand have each post plus exclusive content only for our subscribers delivered straight to your e-mail box.

Craving more life balance, less stress, and better health?Check out my Nourished Planner, the daily planner to help create simplicity and under-schedule your life.

Follow me onInstagram,Facebook,PinterestandTwitterfor more FoodieCrush inspiration.

As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. There may be affiliate links in this post of which I receive a small commission. All opinions are always my own.

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

20 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes to Make for Dinner | foodiecrush.com (2024)

FAQs

What does a healthy instant pot mean? ›

“Instant pot recipes are absolutely healthy as long as what you put in the recipe is healthy,” she says. The shorter cooking time may also result in the greater preservation of vitamins and minerals when compared to other longer types of cooking.

Are instant pots good for meal prep? ›

I love the Instant Pot for its ability to quickly cook weeknight dinners and because it's great for batch cooking. This Power Hour takes advantage of both by using the Instant Pot to prep breakfast and lunch options while you prep dinners that will be cooked in the Instant Pot later in the week.

What is good to cook in a pressure cooker? ›

Pressure cooker recipes
  • Pressure cooker chicken stew. ...
  • Lemony prawn & pea pressure cooker risotto. ...
  • Slow-roasted mutton shoulder with garlic bean mash & gremolata. ...
  • Pressure cooker short ribs with herb salad. ...
  • Goat mole chilli with pickled radishes. ...
  • Pressure cooker beef curry. ...
  • Big-batch pressure cooker bolognese.
Jan 25, 2023

Is the instant pot app free? ›

FREE! Available for Apple & Android » instantpot.

What are the disadvantages of an Instant Pot? ›

  • Need more time to come to pressure.
  • Reaches pressure in the 10-11psi range. This is a distinct disadvantage because most published pressure cooker recipes require 15psi.
  • Bulkier, which is an issue if you have limited counter top space.
Jan 30, 2012

Are Instant Pots safe for your health? ›

Is pressure cooking safe? So far, science says yes. Even though some studies suggest that pressure cooking isn't the best way to preserve nutrients in food, no research exists to suggest that pressure cookers of any model or brand pose health risks.

How long do Instant Pots usually last? ›

The average lifespan of an Instant Pot ranges from 2-5 years, but it can last longer depending on how often it's used and how well-maintained it is. So it's safe to say Instant Pots aren't commonly being replaced, and may even be a one-time purchase.

What food can last me a week? ›

When properly stored, the following ingredients will last for at least two weeks in the fridge, ready to be turned into meals whenever you want them:
  1. Beets. ...
  2. Carrots. ...
  3. Citrus Fruits. ...
  4. Cabbage. ...
  5. Fully Cooked Sausages. ...
  6. Bacon. ...
  7. Eggs. ...
  8. Yogurt.
Apr 29, 2020

What Cannot be cooked in a pressure cooker? ›

Here are six things you should always avoid cooking in a pressure cooker.
  1. Dairy products. Foods containing dairy, like milk, cream, or yogurt, should not be pressure-cooked. ...
  2. Fried foods. Cooking fried foods is a strict no no, when it comes to pressure cookers. ...
  3. Quick cooking vegetables. ...
  4. Cakes and bakes. ...
  5. Eggs in the shell.
Jul 23, 2023

What is the best meat to pressure cook? ›

You can still pressure cook leaner pieces – like eye of round and top sirloin – but these work best if they've been stuffed, shredded or rolled (with other ingredients). Best cuts of beef to use: Chuck steak, Round Roast, Shoulder, Pot roast, Ribs, Brisket, Oxtail.

Can I put frozen meat in pressure cooker? ›

It is safe to cook frozen food in a pressure cooker because it uses pressure to move food through the "Danger Zone" quickly. As a result, you don't run into the issues that you would find by cooking frozen food in a slow cooker, where it can stay too long in the Danger Zone and could become unsafe.

Why Instant Pot is worth it? ›

You can do everything in it — As the Instant Pot is an all-in-one appliance, you can pretty much do all your cooking in one pot. While most cookers require you to sauté or brown in a separate pan, the Instant Pot gives you the option to sauté your onions or brown your meat in the pot to save you time.

How to save money with Instant Pot? ›

Use your Instant Pot to tenderize cheaper cuts of meat

meat from the store is super expensive. Instead of splurging and buying the best cuts of meat possible, the Instant Pot affords you the option to buy a cheaper cut. This is where the pressure cooker aspect of the Instant Pot totally rocks.

Can you air fry with Instant Pot? ›

Combining two of the most popular kitchen appliances, Instant Pot offers the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid, which is compatible with the Instant Pot you likely already own. This lid fits onto your Instant Pot's base, turning it into a mini convection oven that can air fry, roast, bake, broil, reheat and dehydrate.

What is the average life of an Instant Pot? ›

The average lifespan of an Instant Pot ranges from 2-5 years, but it can last longer depending on how often it's used and how well-maintained it is. So it's safe to say Instant Pots aren't commonly being replaced, and may even be a one-time purchase.

Is an Instant Pot safer than a pressure cooker? ›

The main differences between a traditional pressure cooker and an Instant Pot is that of usability, technology and safety. While pressure cookers pose a risk of an explosion, causing a mess and even injury, Instant Pots come with advanced safety features that make them much safer to use and far more user-friendly.

Is natural release better Instant Pot? ›

When and how to use a natural release. Because there is so much pressure built up inside the pot, releasing it gradually is gentler than a quick release, but it also adds time. This makes it ideal for foods with longer cook times, like braises, stews, and broths.

What is the difference between less and normal Instant Pot? ›

The cooking mode can be set to normal (which is equivalent to low on most slow cookers), more (which is equivalent to high), or less (which is a the same as a keep warm mode). You can also get a glass lid for your Instant Pot to use while slow cooking.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6487

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.