19 instant pot recipes so easy, they’re almost magic

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Who decided dinner needed to be complicated to be worth it? These 19 instant pot recipes are living proof that good food doesn’t have to mean hours of effort or a mile-long ingredient list. With just a few simple steps, they transform into meals that make you look like a pro, all while letting you lean on your trusty instant pot to do the hard work.

A bowl of stir-fried noodles with beef, carrots, red bell peppers, and greens. Hand using chopsticks to pick up noodles.
Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Char Siu

Sliced char siu pork with lettuce leaves.
Char Siu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Full of rich, savory flavors, Char Siu feels like it was marinated and smoked for hours, yet the instant pot brings it to life in no time. With that classic sticky glaze, this BBQ-inspired dish is perfect for those busy nights when you want a meal with real depth. It’s so rewarding that it could easily pass as a weekend specialty. Just let it cook while you relax, and get ready for something you’ll be making over and over.
Get the Recipe: Char Siu

Instant Pot Tortilla Soup

Low angle shot of a white bowl filled with tortilla soup. There is an instant pot in the background.
Instant Pot Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Cozy up with a bowl of Instant Pot Tortilla Soup that packs in all the comfort without a hint of hassle. Bursting with flavor and warmth, it’s ideal for nights when you crave something filling but don’t want to spend ages prepping. The instant pot does all the work, so you can put your feet up while it simmers away. It’s almost shocking how quickly this comfort-food classic comes together.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Tortilla Soup

Instant Pot Kalua Pork

Low angle shot of kalua pork on a white plate with pineapple and pepper chunks.
Instant Pot Kalua Pork. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

For a taste of Hawaiian BBQ at home, Instant Pot Kalua Pork serves up tender, smoky bites that normally take hours to cook. With the instant pot’s magic, you get all that juicy goodness without ever touching a grill. Perfect for taco fillings, sliders, or just on its own, this pork is ready to impress without the work. One bite, and you’ll understand why this recipe is a game-changer.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Kalua Pork

Instant Pot Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry

Low angle shot of ramen noodle stiry fry in a white bowl.
Instant Pot Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Skip the delivery apps because Instant Pot Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry is about to make weeknight dinners unbelievably easy. You’ll get all the bold, saucy flavors you love from takeout in just a fraction of the time. It’s ideal for when you want something quick, delicious, and fulfilling without standing by the stove. One round with this dish, and you’ll be adding it to your regular dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry

Instant Pot Chicken Korma

Low angle shot of bowls of chicken korma.
Instant Pot Chicken Korma. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Creamy, spiced, and restaurant-level rich, Instant Pot Chicken Korma brings you that slow-cooked taste with almost no wait time. You’ll be enjoying deep flavors that taste like they took hours to develop, but it’s done in a flash with the instant pot. Perfect for when you want a meal that feels a bit special on a regular weeknight. This recipe is like your favorite takeout, only faster and easier.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Korma

Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup

Low angle shot of stuffed pepper soup in a white bowl.
Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup takes the classic stuffed pepper flavors and puts them into an easy-to-sip form that’s perfect for any night of the week. All that hearty goodness comes together with no fuss, ideal for when you need something filling without a lot of work. The instant pot does its thing while you can catch up on other things. A few spoonfuls in, and you’ll forget this took only minutes to make.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup

Instant Pot Spare Ribs

Low angle, closeup shot of spare ribs with hoisin glaze.
Instant Pot Spare Ribs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Craving BBQ ribs? Instant Pot Spare Ribs bring that fall-off-the-bone tenderness and smoky flavor straight to your kitchen in no time. No need for a grill or long cook times; these ribs are ready before you know it, leaving you with maximum flavor and minimal effort. It’s almost like magic how easy it is to achieve BBQ-level ribs without even stepping outside.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spare Ribs

Instant Pot Duck Confit

Overhead shot of a confit duck leg with orange sauce and star anise pods.
Instant Pot Duck Confit. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Fancy nights in just got easier with Instant Pot Duck Confit—the kind of dish you’d expect from a high-end restaurant. Instead, you can whip it up at home without standing by the stove for hours, giving you beautifully tender duck with minimal effort. Perfect for impressing guests or simply treating yourself, this dish feels luxurious but is laughably simple to make. It’s the easiest way to get that special occasion feel without the work.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Duck Confit

Instant Pot Palak Paneer

Overhead shot of palak paneer in a metal serving dish.
Instant Pot Palak Paneer. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

If you love creamy, comforting dishes, Instant Pot Palak Paneer is here to satisfy that craving in a snap. With rich flavors and that classic texture, this meal comes together so quickly, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered it out. It’s perfect for cozying up on the couch with something warm, flavorful, and homemade. Just a few steps, and you’ve got a meal that tastes like it’s been slow-cooked for hours.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Palak Paneer

Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma

Low angle shot of chicken shawarma on a white platter with harissa paste and tomatoes and cucumbers in the background.
Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Save yourself a trip to the local shawarma spot and make Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma at home instead. All the bold spices and juicy textures are ready in a fraction of the usual time, giving you a homemade version that’s just as fulfilling. Great for wraps, bowls, or just on its own, it’s ready to add a touch of something different to your dinner table. Once you try it, you’ll be reaching for this recipe on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma

Instant Pot Pho

Overhead shot of bowls of pho.
Instant Pot Pho. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

You’ll get all the rich, aromatic flavors of Vietnamese Instant Pot Pho without hours of simmering or stirring. It’s amazing how fast you can get this classic dish ready with the help of your instant pot. Perfect for when you want something soothing and hearty but don’t have the time to wait around. This is one soup that’ll have you questioning why you ever waited for takeout.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pho

Instant Pot Country Ribs

Country pork ribs on a plate next to an instant pot.
Instant Pot Country Ribs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

With Instant Pot Country Ribs, you get tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites that rival any BBQ joint, minus the grilling. These ribs come together so quickly that it’s hard to believe they’re homemade, ideal for when you want something indulgent on a weeknight. The instant pot does all the hard work, and you get all the BBQ joy. Ribs this easy make it hard to ever go back to the old way.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Country Ribs

Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Low angle shot of a bowl of chicken pot pie soup with ingredients scattered around and an instant pot in the background.
Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Bring on the cozy with Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup, where all the warmth of pot pie meets the ease of a soup. This is a bowl of pure comfort, but without any of the usual kitchen fuss, making it perfect for those chilly nights when you want something fulfilling and simple. Let the instant pot handle everything while you sit back and relax. Just grab a spoon and dig in, and you’ll be wishing you’d tried this sooner.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Instant Pot Shrimp

Cooked shrimp in a green and white striped bowl, garnished with parsley.
Instant Pot Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Seafood night just got a lot easier with Instant Pot Shrimp that’s cooked perfectly in no time. No need to keep an eye on the stove; this shrimp is ready faster than you can set the table, making it perfect for salads, pasta, or dipping. It’s almost surprising how simple it is, but it’s sure to make you look like a pro. Just a quick prep, and you’ll have seafood done right.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Shrimp

Thai Chicken Curry

Low angle shot of a blue and white striped bowl filled with Thai chicken curry.
Thai Chicken Curry. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

For a dinner with bold flavors and a kick, Thai Chicken Curry in the instant pot delivers everything you love without the lengthy prep. You get all those layers of spices and a smooth, rich texture with just a few minutes of effort. It’s perfect for nights when you’re craving something different and don’t want to wait around. Once you make it, you’ll be hooked on how easy it is.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Curry

Instant Pot Falafel

Low angle shot of falafel in a pita with parsley and tomatoes.
Instant Pot Falafel. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Bring a bit of street food home with Instant Pot Falafel that’s as flavorful as the kind from a food cart but way easier to make. No deep frying here—just set it up in the instant pot and get ready for those savory bites that are perfect for wraps, bowls, or just as a snack. Great for rewarding that falafel craving without much work. You’ll be surprised at how quick and delicious homemade falafel can be.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Falafel

Instant Pot Turkey Chili

Bowl of chili with baked tortilla strips.
Instant Pot Turkey Chili. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

With Instant Pot Turkey Chili, you’ve got a hearty, warming bowl of chili in record time, ideal for any cozy night in. Perfect for game days, casual dinners, or whenever you need something filling that doesn’t take ages to prepare. The instant pot does all the heavy lifting, leaving you with a flavorful meal you’ll want again and again. One taste, and it’s hard to believe it was this easy.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Turkey Chili

Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

A bowl of stir-fried noodles with beef, carrots, red bell peppers, and greens. Hand using chopsticks to pick up noodles.
Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Takeout cravings? Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein brings that delicious, saucy goodness straight to your kitchen in no time. It’s the noodle fix you didn’t know could be this simple, ideal for any night you want something filling without a long cook time. Just let the instant pot work, and you’ll be enjoying this homemade favorite in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

Instant Pot Whole Chicken

Whole chicken with lemons.
Instant Pot Whole Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Dinner prep just became way less stressful with Instant Pot Whole Chicken that’s juicy, flavorful, and done faster than you’d think. Skip the hours of roasting and let the instant pot do the heavy lifting for a meal that’s great for family dinners or meal prep. Perfect for when you want a hearty meal without the usual wait. This is one easy classic you’ll want in your regular rotation.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Whole Chicken

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