19 Easy (Real Food) Instant Pot Recipes for Hesitant Beginners

Introduction

If you’ve ever eyed your Instant Pot with both curiosity and trepidation, you’re not alone. The beauty of these 19 easy (real food) Instant Pot recipes is that they’re designed with beginners in mind, blending familiar ingredients and foolproof steps for guaranteed success. From hearty soups to vibrant stews and weeknight staples, you’ll gain confidence with every delicious, nourishing meal you create.

Let your Instant Pot do the heavy lifting—making homemaking simpler, faster, and tastier than ever before.

Why These Instant Pot Recipes Are Perfect for Beginners

What sets these recipes apart is their focus on real, whole food ingredients and approachable techniques—no prior pressure cooking experience needed. You’ll develop a love for your Instant Pot without getting bogged down in complicated instructions or obscure grocery runs. Plus, every recipe eliminates guesswork on cook times and ingredient prep, ensuring reliable results from the start.

Pro Tips for Building Confidence with Your Instant Pot

Before you get started, make sure you have an easy-to-use model like the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart—the gold standard for beginner-friendly home cooks thanks to its intuitive controls and consistent performance.

When prepping your veggies, save time by reaching for a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to dice onions, carrots, and other aromatics quickly and evenly. mise en place is never easier than with a sturdy set of Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen, Set of 3, which helps streamline your prep process and keep everything organized.

Lastly, batch-cook and store your meals with leak-proof options like Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5. This ensures leftovers or meal prep portions stay fresh, making healthy eating almost effortless.

19 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners

1. **Classic Chicken and Rice**
2. **Beef Stew with Root Vegetables**
3. **Vegetarian Lentil Soup**
4. **Simple Pulled Pork**
5. **Turkey Chili**
6. **Creamy Tomato Basil Soup**
7. **Quinoa and Black Bean Chili**
8. **Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs**
9. **Mushroom Risotto**
10. **Honey Garlic Salmon**
11. **Savory Pot Roast**
12. **Stuffed Bell Peppers**
13. **Instant Pot Yogurt**
14. **Egg Bites**
15. **Butter Chicken (No-Cream Version)**
16. **Broccoli Cheddar Soup**
17. **One-Pot Mac and Cheese**
18. **Refried Beans (from dried beans)**
19. **Applesauce (with no added sugar)**

Sample Recipe: Classic Chicken and Rice

A staple comfort dish, Classic Chicken and Rice is the epitome of real food simplicity. Tender, juicy chicken pairs with fluffy, flavorful rice for a meal the whole family will love—all in just one pot.

Instructions

1. Set your Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart to the ‘Sauté’ setting. Add olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
2. Add chicken, season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Sauté until lightly browned on both sides.
3. Add rinsed rice and chicken broth. Stir to combine, making sure rice is evenly distributed.
4. Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ on high for 8 minutes.
5. Allow a natural release for 5 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release.
6. Stir in the frozen peas and carrots. Close the lid and allow residual heat to cook vegetables for 2–3 minutes.
7. Shred the chicken using the Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for Kitchen directly in the pot for even texture. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Make Clean-Up Effortless

Line your Instant Pot inner pot with a sheet of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, 45 Square Feet for super easy cleanup—especially helpful with gooey or tomato-based recipes!

Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips

Serve with a side salad stored in your Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl for a complete and portable lunch the next day. Refrigerate leftovers in your Rubbermaid containers for up to 4 days or freeze for make-ahead convenience.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

Each serving (based on 4 servings total) contains roughly 320 calories, 24g protein, 5g fat, and 40g carbohydrates—making it a balanced, real-food meal fit for beginners and seasoned cooks alike.

Recap: Instant Pot Confidence for All

These 19 easy Instant Pot recipes offer nourishing options that are approachable and deeply satisfying. With streamlined prep, real ingredients, and smart kitchen tools, you’ll transform uncertainty into excitement and discover just how simple home-cooked meals can be.

Give your Instant Pot a permanent place on the counter—many delicious, wholesome meals await!