20 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners

Not sure what to make in your Instant Pot? Here are my favorite easy, foolproof recipes that are perfect for beginners! They are all super simple and perfect for helping you get comfortable with using your Instant Pot before you move on to more complicated foods.

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I bought my first Instant Pot over 4 years ago and it quickly became one of my favorite kitchen tools!

I use it regularly and it has simplified meal prep for me in so many ways.

But when I first got my Instant Pot, I felt pretty intimidated by it.

I remember wondering what the best things were to cook in it?  What foods could I easily make that would be forgiving as I was learning? What were some of the best ways to make the most of this appliance?

So I thought that I’d share some of my favorite easy Instant Pot recipes for beginners.

They’re all pretty much foolproof and are great recipes for helping you get used to your Instant Pot without a lot of stress or fear of ending up with a flop.

For reference, this is the Instant Pot that I have and love.

Best Beginner Instant Pot Recipes 

1. Oatmeal via Longbourn Farm

Not only is making oatmeal in the Instant Pot quick and easy but if you have people eating breakfast at different times, it’s especially handy because you can use the “Keep Warm” function to keep the oatmeal hot for hours.

2. Hard Boiled Eggs via Cooking with Curls

One of the simplest things that you can make in your Instant Pot! And you’ll love how easy it is to remove the shell.  Even fresh eggs peel beautifully!

3. Yogurt via Tastes Better from Scratch

Homemade yogurt is so delicious and you’ll save money by making it too!

The recipe above is great, but because I prefer to sweeten my yogurt with sugar. So I use my own homemade yogurt recipe and just adapt the instructions for the Instant Pot.  Basically, the only change that I make is to stir in the sugar, gelatin and vanilla once the milk has reached 180 degrees.

4. Apple Butter via Thrifty Frugal Mom 

Homemade apple butter in an hour?  Yes, please!

5. Refried Beans via Thrifty Frugal Mom

These refried beans are so easy to make and are cheaper and healthier than storebought.

6. Dried Beans via Tidbits

The absolute easiest and fastest way to cook dried beans!  I love doing a potful and then freezing them to use in place of canned beans in recipes.

7. Corn on the Cob via Kristine’s Kitchen Blog

Perfect corn on the cob, every time. Yum!

8. Carrots via Graceful Little Honey Bee

A simple, healthy side dish made super easy thanks to the Instant Pot.

9. Rice via Rachel Cooks

My favorite thing to cook in my Instant Pot.  It’s totally foolproof and leaves you with fluffy, perfectly cooked rice each time.

10. Spaghetti Noodles via Miss Wish

The simplest way to make noodles for spaghetti or other dishes!

11.  Mac and Cheese via Simply Happy Foodie

Classic comfort food made extra easy thanks to your Instant Pot!

12. “Baked” Potatoes | Sweet Potatoes via Shugary Sweets

Another Instant Pot favorite!  It’s especially handy for those times when your oven is tied up with something else that is baking at a totally different temperature.

The recipe above only talks about potatoes but I use the same instructions for sweet potatoes.  In fact, I often cook the two together since some of us like one and some the other.

13. Mashed Potatoes via The Salty Marshmallow

These mashed potatoes are the best.  And of course, so super easy!

14. Butternut Squash via Clean Eating Kitchen

Such a simple way to cook up a squash!  And it’s incredibly easy to peel once it’s cooked too.

15. Spaghetti Squash via Sweet Peas and Saffron

This method lets you cook the squash whole (no need to try to saw through that hard shell!) and makes perfect noodles that aren’t one bit soggy.

16. Pumpkin via Noshtastic

I  love making my own pumpkin puree and this method is super easy!

17. Chicken Breasts via Tastes Better from Scratch

You’ll love how juicy this chicken is!  And you can even cook them from frozen if you want.  So handy!

18. Chicken Stock via Easy Chicken Recipes

My favorite way to make chicken stock!  And I actually do the bones a second time to get more broth from one batch!

19. Rotisserie Chicken via A Pinch of Healthy

This makes such a juicy delicious chicken!  And it only takes minutes to prep.  Who needs store-bought rotisserie chicken anymore?

20. Pulled Pork via Home Made Interest 

Quick, easy and creates such tender meat!

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• 25+ Easy Delicious Recipes Using Bisquick
• 35 Meatless Meal Ideas
• 40 Foods to Freeze to Save Money
• 25 Simple Budget Casseroles