• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Welcoming Table
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Main Dish
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Everyday Entertaining
  • Parties
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Main Dish
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Everyday Entertaining
  • Parties
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
      • Appetizers
      • Main Dish
      • Sides
      • Desserts
    • Everyday Entertaining
    • Parties
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    10 Things You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (That Are Great for Entertaining!)

    Published: Oct 6, 2018 · Modified: Apr 3, 2023 by sandi · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

    390 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Instant Pot

    We all love finding shortcuts in the kitchen, right? I personally love cooking, but when I entertain (and I use that term loosely), I do anything I can to make things easier on myself. Because if I keep things easy, I'm more likely to invite people over. And while there are a lot of different ways to save time and effort, my personal favorite is using my Instant Pot.

    I cook in mine at least twice a week, and I use it often for entertaining. It is my favorite kitchen appliance, and that's saying a lot, coming from a girl who hates gadgets.

    I want to help you find ways that make inviting people over easy for you, too. That's why today I'm sharing with you 10 types of dishes you can cook in your Instant Pot that are great for entertaining.

    This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission -- at no extra cost to you. See my Privacy Policy for more information.

    Table of Contents

    • What is an Instant Pot?
    • Hard-Boiled Eggs
    • Large Cuts of Meat
    • Soups
    • Pasta
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Beans & Legumes
    • Rice
    • Vegetables
    • Rice Pudding
    • Cheesecake
    • 10 Things You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (That Are Great for Entertaining)

    What is an Instant Pot?

    An Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker, a sealed pot that uses "pressurized" steam to cook your food faster. Even before my husband gave me one this past Christmas, I had heard aaaaaaaaalllll about them. It seemed like everywhere I went on the internet, people were talking about Instant Pots. Friends tried to talk me into getting one, but I just wasn't really interested in buying another kitchen appliance.

    I don't have a lot of cabinet space, my kitchen is small, and really, I'm a minimalist at heart. I refused to give into the Instant Pot craze. After a while, though, I kept hearing about how much time they saved, and the more I read and researched, the more curious I got.

    And once I got my Instant Pot and tried a couple of recipes, I was hooked. Sure, there was a learning curve, but I was amazed at all of the things that I could cook in it. After a couple of weeks, it replaced my Kitchen Aid mixer on the counter top -- after 15 years of prominence in my kitchen.  That's how much I was using it.

    Now, coming up on my first Instant Pot anniversary (I plan to buy mine some accessories to celebrate), I use it at least 50% of the time I'm entertaining. It's fast, it doesn't heat up the kitchen, and I can hit a button and step away.

    You should start using your Instant Pot for entertaining, too. Here are 10 of my favorite things to cook in mine along with some tips and Instant Pot recipes for entertaining you should try.

    Related: Instant Pot vs. Crock Pot: Which One is Best?

    Hard-Boiled Eggs

    two hard-boiled eggs on a white distressed table

    You might be yawning and thinking, "Seriously? Eggs, Sandi?" But you can use hard-boiled eggs in lots of different ways -- in salads, in sandwiches, and as deviled eggs. And the awesome thing about cooking eggs in your Instant Pot is that they become super easy to peel. Much easier than when you cook them on the stovetop.

    Tip

    Make sure to run your eggs under cold water right after you take them out of the pot so they don't keep cooking.

    Recipes:

    Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs | 365 Days of Crockpot
    Pressure Cooker Deviled Eggs | Pressure Cooking Today

    Large Cuts of Meat

    shredded pork on a long white platter

    One of the things I love most about the Instant Pot is that I can use it to cook a roast in less than two hours. When I cook in my slow cooker, it takes 8-10. Both work fine, but for someone who doesn't always plan ahead enough to start my roast cooking in the morning, the Instant Pot is my best friend.

    Plus, you know how some slow cooker recipes require you to brown the meat on the stove before cooking it? You can both sauté and pressure cook your roast in the Instant Pot so that you only have one pot to clean at the end.

    When I'm feeding a crowd, I often serve shredded meat of some kind because it stretches further than a slice of roast. If a beef roast is on sale, I make shredded Mexican meat or French dip sandwiches. If pork shoulder is on sale, I make carnitas or barbecue sandwiches. (Side note: don't ever tell your kids that pork shoulder can also be called pork butt. Trust me on this.)

    Tip

    When you're cooking a roast in the Instant Pot, cut it into 3-4 chunks so it will cook quicker. I didn't know this until I tried converting my carnitas recipe to the Instant Pot on the night I was hosting a study party for my son's friends and their parents. (Read all about it in Dinner Party Mistakes: What to Do and How to Recover.)

    Recipes:

    Instant Pot Pulled Pork | Simple Happy Foodie
    Instant Pot Carnitas | Buns in My Oven
    Instant Pot Barbacoa | The Roasted Root
    Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches | Julie's Eats and Treats

    Soups

    White bowl filled with vegetable beef taco soup and a piece of cornbread

     

    Did you know soup only takes 15 minutes in the Instant Pot? I've been making them a ton lately. I love that I can just dump all of the ingredients in, close it up, push a button, and go about my business until it beeps done.

    Tip

    Milk doesn't do well under pressure, so if you're making a milk-based soup, add the milk after the Instant Pot has released its pressure. Cream, on the other hand, has enough fat to stay stabilized and not curdle.

    Recipes:

    Vegetable Beef Taco Soup (pictured) | The Welcoming Table (High Pressure for 15 minutes, then QR)
    Homemade Chili | The Welcoming Table (High Pressure for 15 minutes, then QR)
    Loaded Baked Potato Soup | Cooking Classy
    Chicken Jalapeno Popper Soup | Once a Month Meals

    Pasta
    an Instant Pot full of spaghetti

    I am amazed at how good pasta is in the Instant Pot. I mean, seriously -- I have made the best Mac and Cheese of my life in my Instant Pot, and it only takes 4 minutes under pressure! (20 minutes total.) Did you know that you can also make Spaghetti -- both the pasta and sauce at once -- in the Instant Pot? (Granted, it's not as good as making sauce from scratch, but for a quick, kid-friendly meal, it's worth trying!)

    Tip

    Be prepared for water to squirt out along with steam when you release the pressure. Some people cover the valve with a dishtowel. I just wipe off the counter when it's done.

    Recipes:

    Instant Pot Spaghetti  | The Typical Mom (pictured)
    The Best Mac n' Cheese | Platings and Pairings
    Dump and Start Instant Pot Fettucine Alfredo | Cooking with Karli

    Chicken Recipes

    a white plate with Instant Pot chicken, lemon slices, and asparagus with a fork
    I love how tender chicken turns out in the Instant Pot. And the cook time under pressure is only 8 minutes for chicken breasts.

    Tip

    Unlike a crockpot, you can put frozen meat into an Instant Pot without any food safety issues. Just add 10-20 minutes or so to your cooking time. In fact, you can make Instant Pot freezer meals by freezing them in round containers and transferring them directly to the Instant Pot when you're ready to cook them.

    Recipes

    Butter Chicken | Two Sleevers
    Chicken Cacciatore | Skinnytaste
    Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Garlic | Life Made Sweeter

    Beans & Legumes

    bowl of beans and bacon with a spoon

    Beans are one of my favorite things to cook in my Instant Pot. Similar to roast, beans would take 8 hours or so in the Crockpot but only 1.5 hours in the Instant Pot. And beans are very inexpensive if you're feeding a crowd. It's easy to add flavor to them, too, from bacon to chicken broth.

    Tip

    You don't have to soak beans when you cook them in the Instant Pot. Woo-hoo! Something about digestion and enzymes and -- I'll get back to you on that.

    Recipes

    Instant Pot Beans with Bacon | Foodnservice (pictured)
    Instant Pot Lentil Curry | Well Plated
    Brazilian Style Black Beans and Rice | Our Best Bites

    Rice

    Instant pot with a bowl of mexican rice in front of it

    Amy & Jacky from Pressure Cook Recipes (who are an awesome resource for all things IP!) say that the Instant Pot makes better rice than their Japanese rice cooker, and that's saying a lot, considering they take their rice very seriously. Rice is great for stretching a meal which makes it perfect when you're feeding a lot of people.

    Tip

    To make sure your rice doesn't stick, rinse it before cooking in. And follow a 1:1 rice to water ratio in general (as opposed to 1:2 on the stovetop).

    Recipes:

    10+ Fail-Proof Instant Pot Rice Recipes | Pressure Cook Recipes
    15-Minute Mexican Rice | Ginger Casa (pictured)
    Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice | Two Peas and Their Pod
    Electric Pressure Cooker Parmesan Rice | Recipes That Crock

    Vegetables

     

    Your Instant Pot won't necessarily save you a lot of time cooking vegetables, but it's handy to cook them in while you're working on another dish. I love that I can make mashed potatoes all in one dishwasher-safe pot. I've never understood how to use a steamer insert on the stovetop, but it's easy to do in the Instant Pot.

    Tip

    To make steamed vegetables, use an Instant Pot steamer insert to keep the veggies from touching the water. If yours didn't come with one, you can buy one here.

    Recipes:

    Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables Recipe | My Instant Kitchen
    Life-Changing Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes  | Mel's Kitchen Cafe (pictured)

    Rice Pudding

    green bowl of rice pudding with cinnamon sticks sitting beside

    I know, I know. I already talked about rice. But rice and rice pudding are two different things. Rice pudding was the very first recipe I tried in my Instant Pot. To be honest, I had only ever made it once before, but after making it in the IP, it's become one of my favorite dessert recipes.

    Tip

    If you don't have milk or you're trying to avoid dairy, you can use coconut milk as a great substitute. I almost like the taste better with coconut milk.

    Recipes:

    Easiest Instant Pot Rice Pudding Recipe | Pressure Cooking Today
    How to Make Instant Pot Rice Pudding + 10 Delicious Variations |Instant Pot Eats

    Cheesecake

    slice of cheesecake with a cheesecake in the background

    Instant Pots make amazing cheesecakes. Don't believe me? It's true. The water in the bottom makes a perfect water bath, and the result is so delicious. You have to try it! You'll be so proud that you made a homemade cheesecake, and your guests will be amazed that you made it in the Instant Pot. To make a cheesecake, you need a springform pan.

    Tip

    Make your cheesecake the day before you plan to serve it. That way, it has time to cool and to let all the flavors meld.

    Recipes:

    Perfect Instant Pot New York Cheesecake | Damn Delicious
    Instant Pot Oreo Cheesecake | My Baking Addiction
    Instant Pot Salted Caramel Cheesecake | Cookies and Cups

    There you have it. Instant Pot entertaining made simple!

    Do you have an Instant Pot yet? If not, you can buy one here. I recommend a 6 Qt. if you cook regularly for 4-6 people. If you have a big family or you feed large groups often, you should get an 8-Qt. That's what I have, and I love it!

    If you do have an Instant Pot, what's your favorite thing to cook in it? Tell me in the comments below!

    If you like this post, you may also like:  

    Instant Pot Vs. Crock Pot: Which One is Best?
    The Beginner's Guide to Planning a Casual Dinner Party Menu

    10 Things You Can Make in Your Instant Pot (That Are Great for Entertaining)

    More recipes you may enjoy

    • A close-up picture of grilled potatoes and onions in a foil pan. A wooden spoon is lifting up a spoonful.
      Grilled Potatoes and Onions in Foil
    • There are three pictures. On the top left, there is a jar filled with charcuterie ingredients. On the top right is a dip in the shape of a football surrounded by various charcuterie ingredients. On the bottom is a typical charcuterie spread with crackers, cheese, fruit, and a jam.
      27 Unique Charcuterie Board Ideas for Easy Entertaining
    • A blue bowl of Easy Green Chile Queso with jalapeño slices on top. A pile of jalapeños, a pile of chips, and a pile of gold spoons surround it.
      Easy Green Chile Queso (White Mexican Cheese Dip)
    • Shredded cheese tops a white bowl of hearty southern homemade chili.
      Southern Homemade Chili (Stovetop + Instant Pot + Crock Pot)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kristen

      October 06, 2018 at 1:01 pm

      Hey Sandi! I have a question for you. I don't have an Instant Pot but inherited a pressure cooker from my Grandmother. Do you know if these recipes still work the same or would the cooking times be different or just don't use them at all? Thanks!!

      Reply
      • sandi

        October 09, 2018 at 8:19 pm

        Hi, Kristen. You should be able to make them, but you might need to adjust the times a little. Here is a page with times for both: https://www.hippressurecooking.com/pressure-cooking-times/ -- and please be careful with your stovetop pressure cooker!

        Reply
    2. Stacy

      October 07, 2018 at 2:07 pm

      Wow Sandi! Thank you for sharing all these amazing instant pot recipes with us! The instant pot will be my next major purchase for my kitchen. I am so impressed with your blog. What talent!!

      Reply
      • sandi

        October 09, 2018 at 8:12 pm

        Thanks, Stacy! You will love an Instant Pot -- wait for Black Friday for a great sale.

        Reply
    3. Barbara Schieving

      October 19, 2018 at 6:34 am

      Such a delicious roundup. Thanks for including my recipes.

      Reply
      • sandi

        October 22, 2018 at 8:57 am

        You're welcome, Barbara! Thanks for stopping by.

        Reply
        • Lee Angel

          January 12, 2019 at 8:24 pm

          I love me some Barbara Scheibing!! ❤️ Love her cook book, too.

          Reply
    4. Lee

      January 12, 2019 at 8:29 pm

      I make jasmine rice weekly in my Instant Pot. 3 min with 10 min natural release. Barbara’s recipe... 1 cup rice to 1 1/4 cups water but I always make 4 cups of rice and 5 cups of water. My 10 year old could live on rice!!!
      I also use frozen chicken breasts and a bottle of Lawry’s Asian BBQ often too. I just add water from rinsing the bottle a little to get all the good stuff out. Serve with a veggie and over rice. Yum!

      Reply
      • sandi

        January 13, 2019 at 3:43 pm

        That sounds easy, Lee -- I'm going to try that in the next week or so.

        Reply
    5. Kippi

      February 17, 2019 at 10:50 pm

      Yum, I want to purchase a Instant Pot after reading about eggs being easy to peel. Have a great week, Kippi #kippiathome

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Sandi! I love connecting with friends and family over a good meal, and I want to help you gain confidence to invite people over for dinner. I believe friendships grow when you gather around the table.

    More about The Welcomin Table →

    Popular

    • There are three pictures. On the top left is a round of Brie cheese topped with a cranberry mixture with pita chips surrounding git. On the top right are bite-sized cheeseballs sitting on top of crackers. On the bottom is a Christmas wreath made out of dip covered in herbs and cherry tomatoes for the holly berries. Crackers fill the middle.
      23 Delicious Make-Ahead Christmas Appetizers for Your Next Holiday Party
    • There are three pictures. The top left is a cooked turkey with fruit garnishments. The top right is a white platter with roasted green beans. The bottom picture is a large rectangular white dish with cornbread pudding.
      Rock Turkey Day with This Basic Thanksgiving Menu Made Easy!
    • A close-up picture of a white bowl filled with glazed carrots.
      Sweet Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
    • A light green rectangular dish sits on a white marble background with a black and white striped napkin. Inside the dish is Sausage Stuffing with Apples and Cranberries.
      Sausage Stuffing with Apples and Cranberries

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 TheWelcomingTable.com

    390 shares