Budget-Friendly 3 – Theminimillionaires

The Instant Pot, the versatile electric pressure cooker, was among the top gifts during the holiday season and remains highly sought after. I can personally attest to its popularity: it’s straightforward to operate, transforms tough cuts of meat rapidly, and allows me to simply combine the ingredients and forget about it until dinner time.

Although there is a bit of a learning curve with the Instant Pot, we’ve compiled a selection of incredibly easy recipes, each requiring just three ingredients.

Getting Started

To ensure steam builds pressure in the pot, you’ll need some liquid. A good rule is to start with at least one cup of liquid. Make certain the silicone ring fits snugly in the lid and the venting knob is positioned to sealing.

When manually releasing pressure, protect your hand with a towel or oven mitt. Keep in mind it takes a while for the pot to achieve pressure, typically requiring an additional 10 minutes or so based on the volume of food inside. Therefore, if you program it for 15 minutes, the total time will likely amount to around 25 minutes. Additionally, letting the pressure release “naturally” means waiting for the valve to drop on its own, which can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes depending on the food quantity. (Also check out: 12 Instant Pot Recipes That Will Save You Money)

1. Kalua Pork

Ingredients

Instructions

Start by using the sauté function to brown strips of bacon. While that’s cooking, cut the pork roast in half and season with Hawaiian Red Salt (or sea salt). Add the pork to the pot and pour in ¾ cup of water. Manually set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 90 minutes. After cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes before venting. Shred the pork using forks and enjoy it with rice and vegetables.

2. Salsa Chicken

Ingredients

Instructions

Chicken thighs are ideal for pressure cooking, as they stay moist and tender (plus they’re generally less expensive than chicken breasts). This dish is easy and packed with flavor, so I prepare it roughly once a week. Combine the salsa and chicken in the Instant Pot. Set it to the poultry setting or manually to high pressure for 15 minutes. Once finished, carefully release the pressure, shred the chicken with forks, adjust the seasoning if necessary, and serve over rice or as a taco filling.

3. Bone Broth

Ingredients

2-3 pounds of bone broth
1 large carrot, peeled and cut into chunks
1 onion, peeled and chopped

Instructions

Using bones with a good amount of cartilage and remaining meat will enhance the flavor (joints and neck bones are great picks). To prepare the best broth, it’s recommended to blanch the bones in a stockpot beforehand, although I often skip this step to save time.

Add the bones and any aromatic vegetables into the Instant Pot. You can utilize carrots, celery, onions, or omit them if unavailable. Fill the pot approximately three-quarters full. Manually set to high pressure for two hours (or one hour if you’re pressed for time). Once done, release the pressure naturally or manually. Adjust with salt to your liking.

4. Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

Instructions

Put the potatoes in the Instant Pot and cover them with water. Manually set the Pot to cook at high pressure for 12 minutes. After cooking, manually release the pressure and drain the water. Mash the potatoes, adding milk and butter according to your taste preferences.

5. Easy Beef Stew

Ingredients

2 pounds of stew beef, cut into one-inch pieces
1 onion, diced
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce

Instructions

Utilize the sauté function to brown the onion and chunks of beef in one tablespoon of oil. Once the beef has browned, add the soy sauce along with ½ cup of water. Use the stew function (or set it to high pressure for 35 minutes). Quick-release the pressure. Remove the beef and place it in another dish. Boil the remaining sauce on the sauté setting until it reduces and thickens. Serve the sauce over rice or mashed potatoes.

6. Rice

Ingredients

Instructions

Rinse the rice in a bowl (or in the Instant Pot insert) using water and drain it. In the Instant Pot, combine 1 cup of rice with 1 cup of water (increase both proportionally if cooking more). Use the rice function (or cook for nine minutes at high pressure). After cooking, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes for the rice to absorb excess water before manually releasing the rest and opening the pot. Fluff and serve.

Be sure not to leave the rice in the pot on the automatic keep warm setting, or it may burn on the bottom.

7. Oatmeal

Ingredients

Instructions

Combine oats, water, and salt in the Instant Pot, stirring to combine. Cook using the porridge function (or six minutes at high pressure). Allow for natural pressure release, then add your choice of seasonings and toppings.

8. Super Fast Pork Ribs

Ingredients

Instructions

Pour 2 cups of water into the Instant Pot and set a steaming rack inside. Season the ribs generously with a dry rub or simple salt and pepper. Place them into the pot, adjusting them to fit by bending or rolling. Cook on manual at high pressure for 25 minutes before releasing the pressure naturally.

Preheat the broiler. Remove the ribs, position them on a greased oven-safe pan, and coat with BBQ sauce. Broil for 4-5 minutes until the sauce glazes the ribs.

9. Coconut Turmeric Chicken

Ingredients

Instructions

This simple chicken dish is creamy and mildly spiced. Place chicken, coconut cream, and turmeric in the Instant Pot and stir. Cook using the poultry setting, or for 15 minutes at high pressure. Quick-release the pressure, season with salt as desired, and serve over rice.

10. Easy Lentil Soup

Ingredients

Instructions

Activate the sauté function, browning the onions in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add lentils, diced tomatoes, and 2 cups of water. Cook using high pressure for 20 minutes. Release pressure either quickly or naturally, then season with salt.

11. Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients

1 onion, diced
2 pounds pre-diced butternut squash
1 large carrot, peeled and cut into chunks

Instructions

Use the sauté function to brown the onion in a tablespoon of oil. Once the onions begin to turn golden, add the squash, carrot, and 3 cups of water (or broth for more flavor). Cook for 15 minutes at high pressure. Quick-release the pressure. Purée the soup with an immersion blender and season with salt to taste.

12. Honey Soy Chicken

Ingredients

Instructions

Combine chicken, honey, and soy sauce in the Instant Pot. Cook on the poultry setting or for 15 minutes at high pressure. Adjust seasonings as needed with salt and pepper. Serve with rice.

13. Buttery Spaghetti Squash Pasta

Ingredients

Instructions

Place a steaming insert in the bottom of the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water. Cut the spaghetti squash in half across the width (not lengthwise) and scoop out the seeds. Place in the pot (if the squash is large, you may need to cut it into quarters). Cook at high pressure for seven minutes. Quick-release the pressure, then shred the squash with a fork, tossing it with butter and parsley. Season with salt as preferred.

14. Pulled Pork

Ingredients

2-2.5 pound pork shoulder roast
1 cup BBQ sauce, and additional for serving
1 cup broth or water

Instructions

Slice the pork into two equal portions and place in the Instant Pot, adding BBQ sauce and broth or water. Cook on manual high pressure for 75 minutes. Use natural release to release the pressure. Shred the pork using a fork, season, and mix with added BBQ sauce if desired.

15. No-Stir Polenta

Ingredients

Instructions

Combine polenta, water, and 1 teaspoon of salt in the Instant Pot. Stir to combine. Cook on manual high pressure for seven minutes. Allow natural pressure release. Whisk in butter and adjust salt as needed.

The key takeaway is to take your Instant Pot out, give it a try, and you’ll likely be amazed at how easy it is to use, potentially making it your go-to kitchen appliance!