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March 25, 2022 Instant Pot Dessert Recipes

Instant Pot Chocolate Banana Cake

Have you ever wished for an easy and delicious dessert recipe that doesn’t require a lot of time or ingredients? If so, this Instant Pot chocolate banana cake is perfect for you! With just a few minutes of prep time and a few simple ingredients, you can have this decadent cake ready to enjoy.

Do you love chocolate and banana together? If you do, then you’re going to love this Instant Pot Chocolate Banana Cake!

It’s a quick and easy way to make a delicious dessert, and it’s sure to be a hit with your family. So why not give it a try tonight? You won’t be disappointed!

How do you store leftovers?

Leftover banana cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

What are the best bananas to use?

For best results, use ripe bananas that are starting to brown for this recipe. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the cake will be.

How long will this cake stay good for?

This cake will stay moist and delicious for up to 3 days. After that, it will start to dry out. So if you’re not planning on eating it all within a few days, I recommend freezing any leftovers.

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large ripe bananas
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted and slightly cooled
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions

Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, mash bananas. Combine with butter, apple sauce, brown sugar, vanilla and egg.
Fold dry ingredients into wet. Mix in chocolate chips.
Pour into a Instant Pot-safe dish (that has been sprayed with cooking spray)
Pour 1 1/2 cup water into Instant Pot. Place trivet on bottom.
Put the dish on the trivet. Cover with paper towel and then tin foil .
Set to manual high pressure for 50 minutes.
Natural Pressure Release for about 8 minutes.
Enjoy!

Instant Pot Banana Cake

Yield: 5

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Additional Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Craving bananas and chocolate? You will LOVE this easy banana cake that you can make in your Instant Pot!

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large ripe bananas
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted and slightly cooled
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions

Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, mash bananas. Combine with butter, apple sauce, brown sugar, vanilla and egg.
Fold dry ingredients into wet. Mix in chocolate chips.
Pour into a Instant Pot-safe dish (that has been sprayed with cooking spray)
Pour 1 1/2 cup water into Instant Pot. Place trivet on bottom.
Put the dish on the trivet. Cover with paper towel and then tin foil .
Set to manual high pressure for 50 minutes.
Natural Pressure Release for about 8 minutes.
Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 583Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 586mgCarbohydrates: 91gFiber: 6gSugar: 55gProtein: 9g

More recipes you may enjoy:

March 22, 2022 Uncategorized

How Long Does An Instant Pot Take To Preheat?

Using an Instant Pot is going to make preparing meals so much quicker! Be sure to take into account the fact that you DO need to preheat an Instant Pot. It doesn’t take long but it does make a difference in using the pot. Keep reading to learn how long it takes to preheat an Instant Pot?

If you’re like me, you’re obsessed with your Instant Pot. I use mine at least once a week, and sometimes more than that. I love the fact that I can cook dinner in minutes!

But there is one question that I know a lot of people have about the Instant Pot – how long does it take for it to preheat? In this blog post, we will answer that question for you!

How long does it take for an instant pot to preheat?

It usually takes around ten to fifteen minutes for an Instant Pot to preheat. This is generally conditional on what you have put inside the Instant Pot. The more contents in the pot, the longer it will take for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure.

So if you’re looking to cook dinner in a hurry, be sure to factor in the preheating time when you’re planning your meal!

The good news is that there are a few things you can do to speed up the preheating process.

Place the Instant Pot in an area with good ventilation. If your kitchen is small, this might mean opening a window or door to let some air in.
Add a little bit of water to the pot before turning it on. This will help create steam, which will speed up the preheating process.
Invest in an Instant Pot liner. These liners are specifically designed to help instant pots heat up faster.
Use the sauté function to preheat the pot. This will help heat it up more quickly than just using the regular functions.

We hope that this was helpful for teaching you a little bit more about how long it takes for an Instant Pot to reheat. Please let us know if you have any other questions!

More Instant Pot Recipes You Might Enjoy:

March 9, 2022 Instant Pot Tips

What to Make in an Instant Pot – 12 Ideas

Are you wondering what to make in an Instant Pot? Here are some of our favorite common and uncommon uses that everyone can try!

What Can I Cook in an Instant Pot?

Whether you are looking for a way to make mouthwatering pulled pork without having to start your slow cooker early in the morning, or you want to whip up rice to go with your sheet pan dinner, a pressure cooker is such a versatile tool to have in the kitchen.

If you have looked into a multicooker, chances are you’ve probably heard of the Instant Pot by now.

While there are so many different models out there, there are so many ways you can cook using an Instant Pot.

Here are some of the best ideas of what you can cook in the Instant Pot.

Be sure to join our Instant Pot Facebook Grou

Convert Your Favorite Recipes Into Instant Pot Recipes

You don’t have to completely get rid of your old recipes now that you’re using an Instant Pot! You can convert many of your favorite recipes into Instant Pot friendly recipes! I’ve included a few general guidelines that should help you convert your recipes, but you may have to adjust them a little for your individual recipe requirements.

If you are transforming your recipe into a pressure cooker recipe, you will want to cut down the liquid that you are using in your recipe.

Pressure cookers don’t have any type of evaporation, so you will want to try and reduce the liquid by as much as half or even three-quarters.

For cooking time, you want to plan on meats, grains, and veggies, taking about a third of the usual cooking time. This is a rough estimate but should be enough to get you started in the pressure cooker.

Make Your Own Staples in a Fraction of the Time

Your Instant Pot will have many settings to choose from, but many of these settings can be used to create some of your favorite kitchen staples such as yogurt and rice! These normally take a long time on the stove or slow cooker, but you can whip them up in a matter of minutes!

Instant Pot Rice

You can make everything from Mexican Rice to plain white rice in your instant pot, which is why it’s so versatile! If you are making white rice, you can use your Instant Pot’s rice button.

However, this does not work as great for other varieties of rice. The manual pressure Instant Pot setting can cook white, brown, or wild rice in just a few minutes, making this a better option than the rice button.

Here is how to make Instant Pot Rice:

Rinse your rice using a little bit of water.
Use a one-to-one ratio of water and rice in your pressure cooker.
Pressure cook your rice on high for about 5-15 minutes, depending on the type of rice you’re cooking.
Use the natural release option on your rice for about 10 minutes.
Using a fork, work the fork through the rice to fluff it.

Here is our recipe on Simply Side Dishes for the best Instant Pot white rice

Instant Pot Yogurt

Making homemade yogurt in the Instant Pot will not only be creamier, but it tastes way better!

Here is how to make Instant Pot Yogurt:

Add about eight cups of whole milk into your Instant Pot.
Select the yogurt setting.
Adjust your pressure to boil (this may take up to one hour)
Next, you will want to cook your Instant Pot insert into a bowl of ice water.
Stir the milk occasionally under your milk reaches 100 degrees. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes.
In a separate bowl, whisk together one cup of your milk and about ¼ cup of plain yogurt.
Add this mixture to the rest of the milk.
Return your insert to your pressure cooker, and choose the yogurt setting again.
The yogurt will cook for about eight hours.
Once cooked, store in containers in the fridge.

Here are some other staples you can make in your Instant Pot:

Bread
Bone Broth
Chicken Broth
Mashed Potatoes (my personal favorite!)
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Beans – NO soaking required!

Make Drinks in Your Instant Pot

Did you know you can make drinks in your Instant Pot? You can make infused waters, copycat Starbucks recipes, and even your own cider! Instant Pots are great for whipping up cocktails for a party or making a nice warm drink to enjoy on a cold winter day.

Here are some of my favorite Instant Pot Drink Recipes:

Make Dinner

This probably comes as no surprise, but the Instant Pot is a great tool for cooking dinner.

You can cook everything from soups to takeout favorites, to ground beef recipes galore!

Most soups and meat recipes can be made in the Instant Pot, and if you can make it in the slow cooker, you can most certainly make it in the Instant Pot! My favorite feature is that the meat can be COMPLETELY frozen!

Here are a few of our favorite dinner recipes:

However, my most common use of the Instant Pot? Cooking frozen chicken. It is SO easy. Frozen chicken breasts take about 1 cup of broth or water, 25 minutes on. manual high pressure, and 10 minutes natural pressure release. Chicken tenderloins cook even faster – 6 minutes on high, 6 minutes manual, and DONE.

Fruits and Vegetables Galore

We LOVE to make vegetables and fruits in our Instant Pot. My six-month-old loves when I make applesauce in it, and it only takes a matter of minutes.

Some of our other favorites include sweet potatoes, mashed cauliflower, and lemon butter asparagus. DELICIOUS!

Make Your Own Condiments and Sauces

Yes, you read that correctly! Not only are these going to taste way better, but you can make them in less time than it takes to pick one up from the grocery store! If you are looking for a condiment or sauce with cleaner ingredients, you can’t go wrong with a homemade Instant Pot version!

Here are some of my favorite Instant Pot Sauce Recipes:

Sauté Food in Your Instant Pot

Not only can your Instant Pot create a delicious meal from start to finish, but you can also use it similar to a stovetop!

You can brown meat, sauté veggies, and even get that initial sear on your ingredients like you would on the stove.

This Instant Pot function is an excellent option if you are trying to avoid more dirty dishes, or another pan on the stove to keep an eye on.

This is also a great option if you have a recipe that needs you to brown the meat before adding to the rest of the ingredients. Then, you can move onto the next step right there in the same pot!

While you probably won’t use your sauté option to whip up a grilled cheese instead of on the stove, you may use it to aid your other Instant Pot or slow cooker recipes. But, if you wanted to avoid the stovetop just because technically you could do that with your Instant Pot in some cases.

I have even used my Instant Pot to fry food – like these Wild West Shrimp!

Create a Mouthwatering Dessert

If you are hosting a dinner party or you want to enjoy a fun dessert without adding more dishes to your sink, you can create something genuinely decadent from your Instant Pot!

The moist cooking environment of the Instant Pot is great for making puddings, cheesecakes, and even custards! Many cakes and quick breads can also be made from the steamy cooking Instant Pot!

Here are some of my favorite Instant Pot Dessert Recipes:

There are so many things you can make in your Instant Pot! From dinners to decadent desserts, the possibilities are endless!

Pro Tip – make sure you have a separate silicone ring for the inside if you make desserts. These tend to take on the smell of things you are cooking, and the last thing you want is a cheesecake that tastes like roast beef!

Whatever you’re hoping to whip up in the kitchen, there is probably an Instant Pot recipe that can get the job done!

February 28, 2022 Instant Pot Beef Recipes

Easy Homemade Instant Pot Hamburger Helper

Inside: Check out one of our favorite easy Instant Pot dinner recipes – homemade hamburger helper. This easy meal is perfect for busy weeknights – it features a cheesy beef and pasta mixture that comes together in a snap!

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, this is it! This recipe is perfect because it combines all the flavors of Hamburger Helper with pasta in just one pot – and it’s a lot better for you since it’s homemade. You can’t go wrong with that. It’s easy to put together, cooks quickly, and tastes delicious. Who could ask for more?

There are just those meals that you look back on with fondness from childhood – and Hamburger Helper is one of them.

However, if you aren’t as pleased with the idea when you look at the ingredients on the box, you might feel a little disappointed…until you realize you can make something that tastes even better at home and you can feel a little bit better about feeding your family.

This pressure cooker Hamburger Helper is absolutely delicious. It has tons of flavor, it’s so easy to throw together quickly, tastes amazing, it’s a recipe the whole family will love. This one definitely has a place in my permanent Instant Pot recipes cookbook!

The cooking time for this recipe in under 30 minutes, and it’s something your entire family will be asking you to make over and over again (picky eaters included).

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tbsp minced garlic
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
8 oz dry elbow macaroni
4 cups beef broth
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Turn instant pot to the saute setting and heat olive oil.
Add ground beef and brown until no longer pink and drain excess fat.
Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
Deglaze the pot with a little bit of beef broth.
Add ketchup, mustard, seasonings, macaroni, and brothe to the pot and stir well.
Place lid on top and set to manual high pressure for four minutes.
When the time goes off, quick release all the pressure.
When pressure is released, take the lid off and mix in the cheese. Serve immediately

Can I use different kinds of pasta?

You can use different kinds of pasta in this recipe, just make sure they are the same size so they cook evenly.

How can I make this recipe healthier?

There are a few swaps you can do to make this recipe a little bit better-for-you

Use a healthier ground meat, such as ground turkey or ground chicken
Choose an extra lean ground beef
Use black beans instead of ground beef
Choose a low fat sour cream
Use low fat cheddar cheese
Use whole wheat macaroni noodles

Why is this better than boxed Hamburger Helper?

This is better than the boxed version because you know exactly what’s in it and it’s made fresh. The homemade version has lots of the flavors and texture that we all know and love from the boxed stuff – it’s just better for you!.

What are some variations for this recipe?

Some variations for this recipe include:

Using different kinds of cheese
Adding in vegetables, such as onions or green peppers
Using a different type of pasta.
Add Worcestershire sauce.
Use tomato paste instead of ketchup.
Add in some taco seasoning
Use fresh herbs

Can I use chicken broth instead of beef broth?

This should be fine. It may change the flavor ever-so-slightly, but it shouldn’t be very noticeable!

Are the noodles mushy?

The noodles should be cooked al dente, but not mushy. The best way to prevent them from getting mushy is to make sure you do the quick pressure release as quickly as possible when the timer goes off.

How can I store the leftovers?

You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

You can freeze the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Easy Homemade Instant Pot Hamburger Helper

Yield: 7 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Check out one of our favorite easy Instant Pot dinner recipes - homemade hamburger helper. This easy meal is perfect for busy weeknights - it features a cheesy beef and pasta mixture that comes together in a snap!

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tbsp minced garlic
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
8 oz dry elbow macaroni
4 cups beef broth
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Turn instant pot to the saute setting and heat olive oil.
Add ground beef and brown until no longer pink and drain excess fat.
Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
Deglaze the pot with a little bit of beef broth.
Add ketchup, mustard, seasonings, macaroni, and brothe to the pot and stir well.
Place lid on top and set to manual high pressure for four minutes.
When the time goes off, quick release all the pressure.
When pressure is released, take the lid off and mix in the cheese. Serve immediately

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 7 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 424Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 977mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 29g

What does it mean to deglaze the bottom?

Deglazing the pot is essential for making sure your food doesn’t burn. When you use the saute feature to brown the ground beef, pieces of the meat get stuck to the bottom of the pot.

So before you add the rest of the ingredients in, you need to deglaze! You can do this very simply by following these instructions:

Add a small amount of water or broth to the bottom of the bottom
Using a wooden spoon, crape the bottom of the pot until it looks like there are no more bits and pieces of meat stuck to it.

Why did I get a burn notice?

There are two main reasons you will get a burn notice:

You did not put in enough liquid
You did not deglaze the bottom of the pot.

Can I make this recipe dairy free?

We have not made this recipe dairy-free, but you could try using your favorite dairy-free cheddar shreds and a dairy-free sour cream.

What should I serve with this recipe?

You can make this a complete meal with some delicious sides dishes including steamed vegetables, a simple salad, or garlic bread.

More Weeknight Dinner Recipes:

This Instant Pot homemade hamburger helper is quick, easy and delicious – perfect for busy weeknights. It’s also healthier than boxed Hamburger Helper, since it’s homemade. You can customize it with your favorite ingredients or variations.

Plus, the leftovers are freezer-friendly, so you can make ahead and have a quick meal ready to go. Who knew making a delicious meal like this could be so easy? We love this cheesy pasta dish, and we know that it will be one of your family favorites for years to come.

February 19, 2022 Instant Pot Main Dish

Easy Instant Pot Tomato Soup Recipe

INSIDE: This delicious Instant Pot tomato soup is a perfect meal to make in your Instant Pot. It’s also a great dish to prepare during the colder months of the year and will provide you with all the warmth you need on a chilly day. This recipe is quick and easy, so it’s perfect for beginners who want to get started with Instant Pot cooking!

It can be tough to make a good, hearty soup from scratch. Plus, who has time to stand over the stove all day?

We’ve all been there – wanting a nice, warm bowl of soup but not wanting to spend hours in the kitchen preparing it over the stovetop.

A creamy Instant Pot tomato soup is the perfect solution! This delicious and easy homemade tomato soup can be made in your Instant Pot in just minutes – just enough time to whip up some delicious grilled cheese sandwiches on the stovetop!

The Recipe

Ingredients:

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
4 c. of broth, chicken or vegetable stock
2 carrot sticks, diced
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. black pepper
2 tbsp. of garlic, minced
1 onion, diced

Instructions

Set Instant Pot to saute mode .
Add 1 tablespoon of oil. When oil is hot, saute onions and carrots until onion is translucent (about 3-5 minutes).
Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
Add tomatoes, broth, oil, and seasonings.
Close Instant Pot lid and pressure valve.
Pressure cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Let the natural release run for 10 minutes and then release the remaining pressure using the quick release feature.
CAREFULLY pour soup into a food processor or regular blender and blend for 30 seconds. Alternatively, you can leave the soup on the Instant Pot and use an immersion blender.
Serve with basil, cheese, and/or croutons.

How long can you keep Instant Pot tomato soup in the fridge?

This soup will last in the fridge for about 3-5 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container?

How do you reheat soup?

Reheating soup isn’t hard, though it can get thicker once it’s refrigerated and need extra liquid.

If you are reheating a large batch, reheat by simmering the soup on the stovetop. You can also throw it back in the Instant Pot to reheat it as well – we like to do this with frozen soup! If it’s frozen, you will want to add about 1/2 cup of water or broth and adjust the seasonings afterward.

If you have just enough for one serving, stick it in the microwave with a little bit of broth or water. Heat on half pour to prevent splattering.

Can you freeze Instant Pot tomato soup?

Yes, you can! Homemade Instant Pot Tomato Soup is easy to freeze and great to have on hand for those cold winter nights.

When freezing soup, I like to use a muffin tin as piping bags first. Place the soup in each section then stick it in the freezer overnight. Once they’re frozen, pop them out of the tin and place them in a freezer bag. This makes for easy portion sizes.

If you don’t have a muffin tin, you can pour the soup into ice cube trays then pop out the frozen cubes once they’re solid. Place them all in a freezer-safe ziplock bag where they will keep for up to 3 months.

We also really like the Souper Cubes! They are specifically designed for freezing soup.

How many servings are in this recipe?

This soup will make about six large servings – more if you are feeding children!

What kind of tomatoes do you use for the soup?

We use crushed tomatoes for this Instant Pot tomato soup recipe, but you can also use diced or whole peeled versions.

What is the best way to blend this soup?

An immersion blender is the easiest option because you don’t have to transfer it to a blender or food processor.

However, if you don’t have an immersion blender, that’s okay! Just be VERY careful when you transfer it to your blender or food processor because the soup will be very. hot.

Will this recipe work with fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes?

This delicious soup recipe is best with canned crushed tomatoes, but if you have the chance to use fresh, garden-ripe tomatoes, by all means, do so! Just add them in at the very end and simmer for a few minutes.

Can this be made on the stovetop?

Absolutely! However, the preparation is slightly different.

You will want to dice your carrots and onion before heating them in a large pot over medium-high heat with oil or butter. Once the onion has softened, add garlic then tomatoes. Simmer until heated through. Transfer everything to a food processor OR use an immersion blender right in the pot and blend until smooth.

Can I use water instead of vegetable broth?

Yes, you can substitute the vegetable broth for additional water or chicken broth! Though we do recommend using some sort of stock to make it extra tasty. If you aren’t worried about making this Instant Pot tomato soup vegan, beef broth is also delicious!

Can I make this soup in the slow cooker?

For the most part, yes – using a few small changes.

Add all ingredients except broth to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Blend with an immersion blender, transfer back to the slow pot then stir in the vegetable broth before serving. This is especially helpful if you are running short on time during the week!

Instant Pot Tomato Soup

Yield: 6 bowls

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
4 c. of broth, chicken or vegetable
2 carrot sticks, diced
2 tbsp. oil
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. of garlic, minced
1 onion, diced

Instructions

Set Instant Pot to SAUTÉ.
Add 1 tablespoon of oil. When oil is hot, sauté carrots and onion until onion is translucent.
Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
Add tomatoes, broth, oil, and seasonings.
Close Instant Pot lid and pressure valve.
Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Let naturally release for 10 minutes.
Pour soup into a food processor and blend for 30 seconds or use an immersion blender directly in the pot.
Serve with basil, cheese, and/or croutons.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 132Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 1090mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 5gSugar: 10gProtein: 4g

Is this Instant Pot tomato soup recipe gluten-free?

Yes, it can be easily made gluten-free by using a GF vegetable broth. Any other ingredients are already naturally gluten-free!

What brand of canned tomatoes do you use?

We’ve found that Muir Glen is the best canned tomatoes for making this soup! We love the texture and flavor. However, you can use any kind of crushed or pureed tomato you’d like.

Do I have to add salt?

No, but we do recommend adding some salt for taste! If using homemade vegetable broth, be sure to taste it before adding salt because some broths are naturally salty.

What is the best cheese to use when serving Instant Pot tomato soup?

We love using parmesan cheese on this soup. However, a white cheddar or even plain cheddar can be really delightful!

What are some possible variations of this recipe?

You can absolutely play around with this Instant Pot tomato soup recipe. Some ideas include:

Add leftover chicken or beef
Add a splash of heavy cream, milk or coconut milk to make it a more creamy soup,
Add spices like cumin and paprika, etc.
Use fresh herbs for extra flavor
Adding fresh basil is also a great option!

What else can I serve with Instant Pot tomato soup?

We recommend serving it alongside a grilled cheese sandwich or a simple, cheesy quesadilla! You can also serve it with some avocado or a dollop of sour cream on top. I also love just having a nice loaf of homemade french bread.

What other vegetables can be added to this soup?

We love adding zucchini to this soup! However, feel free to add other veggies like carrots, celery and potatoes. Just be sure not to overcook them and you’ll want to cook the onions and garlic first.

More Instant Pot Soup Recipes:

This delicious and easy Instant Pot tomato soup recipe is perfect for beginners who are just getting started with using an Instant Pot. It is really one of the best tomato soup recipes around, and it makes for the perfect weeknight meal – especially when you just want a hot bowl of soup.

The soup can also easily be made on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or even in a blender! You can customize this recipe by adding your favorite herbs and spices, or by substituting different types of cheese. So get ready to enjoy a warm and comforting bowl of Instant Pot tomato soup on a chilly day!

February 2, 2022 Instant Pot Beef Recipes

Easy Instant Pot Steak Fajitas Recipe

This Instant Pot fajitas recipe is perfect for super busy weeknights when you have so little time to spend in the kitchen, and it’s one of these “dump and go” recipes that all Instant Pot fans love! We love an easy recipe, and it really doesn’t get simpler than this!

Everyone loves homemade fajitas, but they can be a little time-consuming to make the traditional way. That’s why this Instant Pot steak fajitas recipe is so perfect for an easy dinner-it’s easy to follow and only takes a few minutes in the pressure cooker. The fajitas turn out juicy and full of flavor perfect for a quick and easy delicious meal in no time! We really think the Instant Pot version is the BEST method for making easy fajitas!

You can also easily use chicken instead of steak, if you want as well. Either way, you will end up with a delicious Mexican dish!

Ingredients:

1 lb. skirt steak, sliced into thin strips
1 red pepper, sliced
1 yellow pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
1 cup beef broth
2 1/2 TBSP favorite fajita seasoning

Instructions

Add all ingredients in the Instant Pot. Stir well.
Close your Instant Pot lid by twisting it on and closing the valve by pushing it away from you.
Set your Instant Pot to High Pressure for 4 minutes. Allow it to release naturally for 5 minutes, and then quick release the rest of the pressure.
Once the pressure has completely released, stir the fajitas once more. You can eat by itself for a low carb meal, or in a tortilla shell topped with sour cream, cheese, cilantro, and more! Enjoy!

Why make fajitas in the Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot fajitas are perfect for super busy weeknights when you have so little time to spend in the kitchen, and it’s one of these “dump and go” recipes that all IP fans love

The fajitas cooked in the electric pressure cooker turn out so delicious, they’re juicy and full of flavor

You should know that the fajitas cooked in the IP are not the same as chargrilled fajitas made on the grill. They don’t have the same grilled taste and it doesn’t usually result in crisp veggies. If you want this caramelization, you may want to throw everything on a sheet pan afterward and broil for a minute or two OR you can saute the veggies beforehand and not cook them with the rest of the ingredients.

What to serve with fajitas?

I think fajitas are best when served with warmed corn tortillas or flour tortillas, refried beans, pico de gallo, and rice. For a lower-carb option, you could use cauliflower rice. Here are a few recipes you might enjoy:

What toppings are best on fajitas?

My favorite toppings are fresh cilantro, sour cream, lime juice, salsa and shredded cheese. You can also try adding cooked rice or quinoa if you want to bulk up your meal prep with healthy carbs.

What is a good homemade fajita seasoning?

If you want to make a homemade fajita seasoning, combine:

3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper

If you don’t have all of these spices on hand, substitute with a store-bought fajita seasoning or just salt and pepper. When using store-bought fajita spice mixes, make sure you read the label because some have added sugar, which you don’t want.

Can I make these in the crock pot?

Crockpot steak fajitas are delicious too! I love cooking in my slow cooker on days when I have to leave the house in the morning, come home tired for late lunch or dinner and need a meal to be ready.

You can make them with the same ingredients as the Instant Pot recipe. All you need is to add the steak, bell pepper and onion to a slow cooker and add the seasonings.

Can I make these on the stove?

Yes, you can! Just follow all the steps as instructed and cook over medium heat in a large skillet until the vegetables are tender.

What cut of steak should I use?

I used skirt steak because it’s a fattier cut, but you can use sirloin or flank steak as well. Just make sure the steak is a little over a pound and thinly slice it into strips.

Easy Instant Pot Steak Fajitas Recipe

Yield: 8 fajita sized tacos

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 lb. skirt steak, sliced
1 red pepper, sliced
1 yellow pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
1 cup beef broth
2 1/2 TBSP favorite fajita seasoning

Instructions

Add all ingredients in the Instant Pot. Stir well.
Close your Instant Pot lid by twisting it on and closing the valve by pushing it away from you.
Set your Instant Pot to High Pressure for 4 minutes. Allow it to release naturally.
Once the pressure has completely released, stir the fajitas once more. You can eat by itself for a low carb meal, or in a tortilla shell topped with sour cream, cheese, cilantro, and more! Enjoy!

Can I use chicken instead?

Yes, you can make Instant Pot chicken fajitas by using thin-sliced chicken breasts. I would also use chicken broth instead of beef broth. However, if you are looking for an easy pressure cooker fajita recipe with steak, this is the best choice!

How can I prevent the vegetables from turning out mushy?

If you want to make Instant Pot fajitas that have a slightly crisp texture, I recommend sautéing the vegetables in the Instant Pot in a little bit of olive oil. Remove them before adding the steak and other ingredients.

After the meat is done cooking, you can add them back together with the meat.

Alternatively, you can throw everything on the pan and crisp it up under the broiler.

Easy Instant Pot Steak Fajitas Recipe

Yield: 8 fajita sized tacos

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 lb. skirt steak, sliced
1 red pepper, sliced
1 yellow pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
1 cup beef broth
2 1/2 TBSP favorite fajita seasoning

Instructions

Add all ingredients in the Instant Pot. Stir well.
Close your Instant Pot lid by twisting it on and closing the valve by pushing it away from you.
Set your Instant Pot to High Pressure for 4 minutes. Allow it to release naturally.
Once the pressure has completely released, stir the fajitas once more. You can eat by itself for a low carb meal, or in a tortilla shell topped with sour cream, cheese, cilantro, and more! Enjoy!

How can I prep these for a freezer meal?

To make this Instant Pot fajitas recipe into a freezer meal, simply follow all the steps in the recipe except for cooking in an Instant Pot. Instead, place the steak, bell peppers and onions in a large ziploc bag with 1 tablespoon of oil and seal tightly. Store it in your freezer for up to 3 months

How should I store the leftovers?

Store the cooked Instant Pot fajitas in an airtight container or wrap with aluminum foil for up to three days. They can be stored in the fridge for up to five days, so enjoy your meal throughout the week!

Can you make this recipe ahead of time?

This fajitas recipe is the perfect meal prep idea! You can make it ahead of time by following all the instructions except for cooking in an Instant Pot. Instead, place the steak, bell peppers and onions in a large ziploc bag with 1 tablespoon of oil and seal tightly. Store it in your fridge up to 3 days.

How can I reheat the leftovers?

I recommend microwaving the vegetables with a splash of water for 1 minute. Then, add steak slices on top, sprinkle with some water and cover the container tightly. Microwave for another minute or two until warmed through. You can also reheat in an oven, skillet or Instant Pot!

To reheat the leftovers, simply place them in a skillet over medium heat and stir until warmed through. You can also store it in a large ziploc bag and microwave for 1-2 minutes depending on how much you’re reheating.

More Instant Pot Recipes You Might Enjoy:

These amazingly tasty and easy Instant Pot Steak Fajitas only take 10 minutes to cook in your pressure cooker that the whole family will LOVE. They’re perfect for a busy weeknight when you don’t have time to wait around the kitchen stove top all day! We hope we see you soon, but if not — enjoy these fajitas. Bon Appetit!

January 18, 2022 Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes

Instant Pot Grits Muffins

Grits muffins in the Instant Pot are a fun twist on traditional egg bites – you can use leftover grits or make them with a fresh batch. They are packed with flavor from eggs, milk, and sausage, and you can easily adapt them for your own preference and taste.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy breakfast that is both delicious and nutritious, look no further than these Instant Pot Grits Muffins!

They are simple to make, and perfect for busy mornings. Plus, they’re loaded with fiber and protein, making them the perfect way to start your day.

So give them a try today! You won’t be disappointed.

Below you will find the full ingredient lists and recipe for this cheesy grits muffin recipe. After the recipe, you can find a list of helpful tips, FAQs, serving suggestions, and the printable version of this recipe. Feel free to navigate using the Table of Contents to find what you are looking for.

Muffin Tin Grits

Ingredients

1 Cup dry grits
3 Cups Water
1 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Kraft Colby Jack and Monterrey Cheese
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon of Pepper
1 teaspoon of Salt
1 lb of sausage, cooked and crumbled

Supplies

Instant Pot (works with both the 6 and 8 quart)
Medium Bowl
Silicone Egg Mold (I got mine in an Instant Pot accessories kit. I feel this is the best value!).

Instructions

Cook Sausage. Drain excess grease and set aside.
Prepare grits in desired method using 1 cup of dry grits and 3 cups of water. Set aside when done.
Put the grits into a bowl.
Add cheese, milk, eggs, pepper, salt, and cooked sausage.
Spray Instant Pot silicone egg mold with cooking spray.
Scoop mixture into each slot, filling to the top.
Top with a little bit of shredded cheese.
Pour 1 cup of water in the bottom of your Instant Pot and then place the trivet in the pot.
Place the silicone egg mold on the trivet.
Place lid on Instant Pot.
Cook for 8 minutes on manual high pressure
Quick pressure release all the pressure when the timer reaches zero.
Let cool in the Instant Pot for a few minutes and then remove.
Flip out of the silicone mold and enjoy!

About This Recipe

One of my favorite recipes we have ever shared on Clarks Condensed are these delicious sausage grits muffins.

We just kind of made them up…but boy, are they GOOD.

When I made some Instant Pot Grits recently, I thought it would be fun to try and make these Grits Muffins in the Instant Pot as well.

You can easily switch them up with different meats or cheese and even throw in some veggies. But it’s a really fun and yummy treat.

This recipe will make enough for probably three batches. It’s a great leftover grits recipe as well!

Variations

In this recipe, I used sausage and Colby jack cheese. However, there are many ways you could mix this up with your favorite mixins:

Cheddar Cheese
Mozzarella
Bell peppers
Onions
Hash browns
Bacon
Diced Ham

Serving Suggestions

These are perfect for popping in your mouth on the go – you could easily just take a couple for a quick breakfast.

However, they would also be great if you served them with:

Toast
A bowl of fruit
Hash browns
Salsa

Can I freeze these?

Yep, these would freeze wonderfully!

What types of grits do you use?

I use Bob’s Red Mill Corn Grits

Can I omit the egg?

It will be a little less substantial, but yes, you can.

How long do these last in the fridge?

I would eat these in 3-5 days.

By having a pre-planned breakfast like these Instant Pot Grits Muffins, you’re able to set yourself up for success and avoid the temptation of unhealthy breakfast options.

These muffins are packed with protein and fiber to help keep you full throughout the morning, and they’re easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins. Make a batch at the beginning of the week and enjoy them all week long!

Instant Pot Grits Muffins

Yield: 21

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 Cup dry grits
3 Cups Water
1 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Kraft Colby Jack and Monterrey Cheese
2 large eggs
tap here
1 teaspoon of Pepper
1 teaspoon of Salt
1 lb of sausage, cooked and crumbled

Instructions

Cook Sausage. Drain excess grease and set aside.
Prepare grits in desired method using 1 cup of dry grits and 3 cups of water. Set aside when done.
Put the grits into a bowl.
Add cheese, milk, eggs, pepper, salt, and cooked sausage.
Spray Instant Pot silicone egg mold with cooking spray.
Scoop mixture into each slot, filling to the top.
Top with a little bit of shredded cheese.
Pour 1 cup of water in the bottom of your Instant Pot and then place the trivet in the pot
Place the silicone egg mold on the trivet.
Place lid on Instant Pot.
Cook for 8 minutes on manual high pressure
Quick pressure release all the pressure when the timer reaches zero.
Let cool in the Instant Pot for a few minutes and then remove.
Flip out of the silicone mold and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 21 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 126Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 319mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 5g

Other recipes you may enjoy:

January 17, 2022 Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

Easy Instant Pot Chicken, Potatoes, and Carrots

Looking for an easy and fast weeknight Instant Pot recipe? This Instant Pot chicken pot potatoes & carrots recipe is perfect! With minimal prep time, you can have a delicious and nutritious dinner on the table in no time.

instant pot chicken potatoes and carrots recipe

The Instant Pot makes cooking this dish a breeze – perfect if you’re short on time and need something with a quicker cook time. So why not give it a try tonight? You won’t be disappointed! It is one of the best Instant Pot chicken recipes around!

It’s a busy weeknight and you have no idea what to cook for dinner. After a long day at work, cooking can feel like a nuisance. You don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen cooking after your hard day, but you still want to eat healthy and delicious food.

Our mouth-watering Instant Pot chicken potatoes and carrots recipe is guaranteed to finish your busy day on a high! This easy-to-follow recipe doesn’t take much time at all, which makes it perfect for those busy weeknights. It’s such a simple Instant pot chicken recipe that everyone should have in their recipe box that the entire family will love.

We love that this dish is a great recipe for busy nights but it is filled with fresh veggies, buttery potatoes, and it only takes a few extra minutes in the kitchen to make. We also love that it’s so versatile – you can easily swap out ingredients you don’t have for other ones. Don’t have large carrots? No problem – just use baby carrots instead. Wishing you could have a tasty Instant Pot chicken thighs meal? Great – chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe as well!

This would also make for a fantastic Sunday supper. If you aren’t a fan of roast beef, this is a similar idea – just with chicken. It is also great for meal prepping for the week, as you can easily portion it into smaller containers to be eaten throughout the week. It also might feel similar to an Instant Pot chicken stew, just not with as much liquid.

Can I use a different kind of potatoes?

Yes, you can use any kind of potatoes for this Instant Pot chicken potatoes and carrots dish. Red potatoes work best because they hold their shape after cooking, but if you don’t have those at home, any other variety will work.

Yukon gold potatoes are another favorite of mine – they are such flavorful potatoes. Russet potatoes are probably my least favorite for this dish. I think sweet potatoes would mix up the flavor a little bit and make it even more of tasty comfort food. I wouldn’t recommend putting large potatoes into the pot, though. Make sure you pre-cut them.

How much liquid should I add?

We recommend using the 1.5 cups of chicken broth that is recommended in the recipe.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

This recipe also works perfectly with chicken thighs. Just increase the cooking time to 5 minutes instead of 5 minutes on high pressure and one minute on the quick release.

My potatoes are not soft! What did I do wrong?

This is probably because you didn’t cut the carrots into small pieces before cooking them with the potatoes. Cutting them into smaller pieces ensures that they will cook faster and be ready at the same time as your chicken thighs.

Can I add other vegetables to this meal?

Absolutely! Vegetables such as corn, green peas or even carrots can be added to this meal; just make sure you cut everything into small pieces before cooking.

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in roughly 2 1/2 inch pieces
2 pounds baby red potatoes
1 1/2 cups peeled and skinned carrots, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
3 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin if possible
1 teaspoon garlic, minced (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
) 1 teaspoon dried Thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons dry Ranch seasoning
2 teaspoons dry Ranch seasoning
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
Parmesan cheese, grated
Chopped onion, for garnish if desired
salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

In large bowl toss chicken, potatoes and carrots in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir together garlic, thyme, oregano, and 2 tablespoons of the Ranch seasoning. Sprinkle mixture on top of the chicken and potatoes. Gently toss to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Add chicken broth to the pressure cooker.
Place chicken in the broth, and top with the potatoes.
Place the lid on in the locked position and turn the vent to the sealed position.
Set instant pot to “pressure cook” for 15 minutes. Once finished, do a slow release for five minutes and “quick release” by turning the vent to the venting position to release the remaining pressure. After the valve has dropped, remove the lid.
Drain the pressure cooker or transfer chicken, potatoes, and carrots to a serving dish.
Sprinkle chicken, potatoes, and carrots with parmesan cheese and remaining ranch seasoning before serving.
Garnish with fresh, chopped green onions if desired

Instant Pot Chicken, Potatoes, & Carrots

Yield: 8 people

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

This Instant Pot chicken, potatoes, and carrots recipe is perfect for a Sunday roast! It tastes just like Grandma's recipe, but cooks much more quickly! Enjoy all the homemade flavors you love in a chicken roast...in minutes!

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in roughly 2 1/2 inch pieces
2 pounds baby red potatoes
1 1/2 cups peeled and skinned carrots, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
3 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin if possible
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried Thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons dry Ranch seasoning
2 teaspoons dry Ranch seasoning
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
Parmesan cheese, grated
chopped onions, for garnish if desired
salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

In large bowl toss chicken, potatoes and carrots in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir together garlic, thyme, oregano, and 2 tablespoons of the Ranch seasoning. Sprinkle mixture over the chicken and potatoes. Gently toss to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Add chicken broth to the pressure cooker.
Place chicken in the broth, and top with the potatoes.
Place the lid on in the locked position and turn the vent to the sealed position.
Set instant pot to "pressure cook" for 15 minutes. Once finished, do a "quick release" by turning the vent to the venting position. After the valve has dropped, remove the lid.
Drain the pressure cooker or transfer chicken, potatoes, and carrots to a serving dish.
Sprinkle chicken, potatoes, and carrots with parmesan cheese and remaining ranch seasoning before serving.
Garnish with fresh, chopped green onions if desired

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 200Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Can I change what herbs I use?

Sure! Use whatever herbs your family would prefer. We do think the combination we’ve provided is pretty delicious, though!

Can I make this recipe in my crockpot or slow cooker?

Yes, this dish also works great in the crockpot or slow cooker so if you don’t have an Instant Pot you can still enjoy it! Cook on low heat for 6-7 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken thighs before serving and stir in chopped parsley.

What sides should I serve with this?

Something that is so great about this recipe is that it is almost your entire meal – it has protein, grains, and vegetables. We think it’s perfect when served with a side of homemade yeast dinner rolls.

Easy Instant Pot Chicken, Potatoes, and Carrots

What are some variations?

What we love about this recipe is how adaptable it is. You can experiment with what fresh vegetables you put in it (green beans would be delicious!), add some lemon zest before serving, and even change up the herbs. Fresh dill, anyone?!

If you want to crisp up the chicken a little bit, you could place it under the broiler for a few minutes before serving.

If you add more broth, you could even make it into a delicious chicken soup!

Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

While I don’t recommend this, if you happen to have a rotisserie chicken, you could add that in after it’s cooked.

How do I store leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. To reheat, just put in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until fully heated through. You can also freeze these leftovers for up to 2 months in an airtight container for easy future meals!

Portion control I love using my Pyrex 3-cup Glass Rectangular containers with lids to store and reheat leftovers because they’re microwavable and dishwasher safe!

what can I do with the leftovers?

This meal can have some leftovers – one of our favorite things to do is make it into an Instant Pot Chicken stew! Yum!

Why do you use Ranch Dressing in This Instant Pot Chicken Recipe?

Great question! 🙂

The extra sprinkles of powdered ranch give an extra boost of flavor.

I’m sure Grandma would have put it in her chicken, potatoes, and carrot recipe too!

It takes a chicken recipe from…”Okay” to “Oh…YUM!!!”

How do I make a homemade powdered ranch mix?

Here is a great homemade version you can try out!

Can I use italian seasoning instead of the thyme and oregano?

Absolutely! We frequently do this.

Can I use another type of pressure cooker?

This should work well in any brand of an electric pressure cooker.

Can I use fresh herbs instead?

You absolutely can!

Can you freeze this recipe?

Yes. Simply freeze AFTER you’ve completed the recipe.

Let mixture cool and place in a freezer-friendly air-tight container.
You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months.
When ready to eat, simply thaw mixture and reheat on stove.

More Instant Pot Dinners Ideas:

This delicious meal is ready in under 30 minutes using your electric pressure cooker! What more could you ask for? This tasty dish will make dinner a breeze even on busy weeknights that uses many basic ingredients you might already have in your pantry!

Get creative and add your favorite ingredients to take this meal to another level. For an extra spiciness kick, try adding your favorite hot sauce. Pair this meal with a glass of white wine for the perfect end to a long day!

August 4, 2021 Instant Pot Main Dish

Instant Pot Ham Potato and Cheddar Soup

Instant Pot Ham and Potato Soup is so delicious and flavorful! This ham and potato soup is perfect for chilly weather. The best part of this ham and potato soup with potatoes is that it’s perfect for weeknight dinners when you don’t have much time to prepare dinner.

This Instant Pot soup doesn’t require much prep or cook time, but it tastes as if it has been simmering on the stove for hours. This ham potato soup is naturally creamy when using Russet potatoes as they break up a little bit while cooking.

It’s getting colder outside, and that means it’s time for some delicious soup!

But who has time to make soup from scratch? Not me. That’s why I love this Instant Pot Ham and Potato Soup recipe.

This ham and potato soup is perfect for a chilly night. It only takes a few minutes to prep, and then the Instant Pot does all the work. Plus, this soup is naturally creamy thanks to the Russet potatoes.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. oil
1 tbsp. minced garlic
¼ c. diced onion
½ c. diced celery
1 c. carrots, diced
2 c. chopped ham
1 lb. fresh russett potatoes (cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
4 c. chicken broth
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. thyme
¼ tsp. pepper
½ c. half and half
shredded cheddar cheese (for serving)

Directions:

Add oil, garlic, onion and celery to the Instant Pot.
Set the pot to SAUTÉ and sauté the ingredients until the onion is soft, stirring frequently, about 3–5 minutes.
Stir in carrots, ham, potatoes, broth, and seasonings (salt, thyme, and pepper).
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal shut.
Close the pressure release valve.
Set the Instant Pot to manual, high pressure for 5 minutes.
When the cooking cycle is complete, let pressure naturally release for 10 minutes.
Open the instant pot and carefully stir in half and half.

Can you make this soup ahead of time?

This ham and potato soup is great to make ahead of time, just heat it up on the stove or in a microwave until it boils.

Can you freeze this soup?

This ham and potato soup freeze well. You can freeze it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. I recommend thawing the soup on the countertop before reheating it on the stove or in a microwave. You can also defrost in the Instant Pot with 1 cup of broth for about 15 minutes on manual pressure.

I also like to use these Souper Cubes for freezing soup. It makes for easy reheating, too!

Tips for making ham and potato soup

You can use a leftover ham or just buy some from the store – I always like the Costco ham.
I like to use Better than Bouillion for
stocks because it’s easy to store and I can just use 1 cube per cup of liquid for this ham and potato soup recipe.
Substitute the dairy milk with almond, cashew or coconut milk.
Do not substitute Russet potatoes with any other type of potatoes – you need the starchyness that the russets provide for this soup.
You can use frozen green beans if you don’t have fresh ones on hand, too!
If you are not Vegan, feel free to add some shredded cheddar cheese on top of the finished soup for more flavor.

How to store ham and potato soup

This soup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze leftovers of this ham and potato soup recipe for up to 3 months.

When I make a batch of this Instant Pot Ham and Potato Soup, I like to portion it out into individual containers that are freezer safe, then store them in the freezer for quick and easy meals.

Instant Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 tbsp. oil
1 tbsp. minced garlic
¼ c. diced onion
½ c. diced celery
1 c. carrots, diced
2 c. chopped ham
1 lb. fresh potatoes (cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
4 c. chicken broth
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. thyme
¼ tsp. pepper
½ c. half and half
shredded cheddar cheese (for serving)

Instructions

Add oil, garlic, onion and celery to the Instant Pot.
Set the pot to SAUTÉ and sauté the ingredients until the onion is soft, stirring frequently, about 3–5 minutes.
Stir in carrots, ham, potatoes, broth, and seasonings (salt, thyme, and pepper).
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal shut.
Close the pressure release valve.
Set the Instant Pot to manual, high pressure for 5 minutes.
When the cooking cycle is complete, let pressure naturally release for 10 minutes.
Open the instant pot and carefully stir in half and half.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 352Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 2381mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 5gSugar: 6gProtein: 19g

ham and potato soup before being cookied

What should I serve with this soup?

There are so many great options – our mind always goes straight to BREAD.

Rolls
Breadsticks
Texas Toast
French Bread

A dinner salad would go great with this soup as well!

Can I make this soup in the crock pot?

You can make this soup in the crockpot if you like. Follow all of the instructions until you get to the part where you turn on the Instant Pot! Put your slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours or high for 4-6.

How long to cook the potato soup in the instant pot?

This soup will cook for about five minutes at manual high pressure. However, take into account the time it takes to get to pressure.

What are great toppings for Ham and Potato Soup?

I love to top this ham and potato soup with some shredded cheese, a few pieces of diced green onion or a dollop of sour cream.

Variations for recipe:

You can use other veggies in this ham and potato soup such as corn or green beans, too.
Use bacon bits instead of ham
Use smoked turkey instead of ham
Adjust the spices so that it tastes great for your palate – garlic powder, salt and pepper are staples in my house when it comes to this soup.
Use a different type of cheese – pepper jack would be fantastic with this meal!

More Recipes You Might Enjoy:

This Instant Pot Ham and Potato Soup is the perfect comfort food for a chilly night. It’s easy to prep, and the Instant Pot does all the work. Plus, this soup is naturally creamy thanks to the Russet potatoes. You can make this soup ahead of time, freeze it, or cook it in the crockpot – it’s so versatile!

August 4, 2021 Instant Pot Main Dish

Instant Pot Beef Stew

Instant pot recipes make getting dinner on the table a cinch!

This beef stew is a classic recipe…just like Grandma’s!

But now, you can make it in half the time!

My pet peeve about beef stew is sometimes cooks don’t let their beef get tender enough.

Unless I’m on a deserted island with little food to eat, I won’t touch a bowl of beef stew if the meat isn’t tender.

Plus, it needs to be packed with flavor…not bland.

Add some homemade cornbread and it’s one of the heartiest, homecooked meals a Southerner could hope for! 🙂

Instant Pot Beef Stew Uses Simple Ingredients

Beef Stew Meat

You can buy “beef stew meat” or cut up a beef roast into cubes.

Either way works great!

ingredients for beef stew made in the instant pot

Russet Potatoes

You can change things up with one sweet potato and two potatoes.

Or add cooked, white rice at the end if you don’t have any potatoes on hand.

Baby Carrots

You can totally use regular carrots and dice them.

Baby carrots just save prep time!

carrots, potatoes, and beef in instant pot

Yellow Onion

Peel and dice these for even distribution throughout the beef stew.

Beef Broth

Using Beef broth instead of water gives beef stew a richer, meatier flavor!

Tomato Paste

If you want a more brown look and taste to your gravy, feel free to omit this ingredient.

But try it at least once to see which version you prefer!

ingredients for beef stew cooking in the instant pot

Minced Garlic.

Please use fresh garlic, bot the powdered stuff!

Italian seasoning.

If you don’t have this on hand, simple use a mix of oregano and parsley!

Salt and Pepper

We prefer himalayan sea salt and fresh cracked pepper.

Cornstarch

This thickens up your gravy.

Add more to have a thicker gravy and use less to have more of a soupy broth.

instant pot beef stew in white bowl sitting beside an instant pot

Optional: Onion Soup Mix

I normally toss an enveloped into almost every soup I make! I use beefy onion and onion.

Whichever I have in my kitchen pantry.

instant pot beef stew in bowl ready to serve

Can you Freeze Instant Pot Beef Stew?

Absolutely!

Make beef stew recipe per the instructions.

Then, allow beef stew to cool.

Once fully cooled, store in a freezer-friendly container.

For soups, we recommend freezing in two, one gallon ziplock bags.

instant pot beef stew recipe in soup bowl

Place cooled soup into ziplock bags, then place bag on cookie sheet and place in freezer.

Once soup is slightly frozen, you can store as normal in freezer and remove the cookie sheet.

Recipe is below!

Instant Pot Beef Stew

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

1½ lbs. beef stew meat
3 medium russet potatoes
4 c. baby carrots
½ yellow onion, diced
3 ½ c. beef broth
1 tbsp. oil
3 tbsp. tomato paste
2 tbsp. minced garlic
1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 envelope onion soup mix (optional)

Instructions

Set the Instant Pot to SAUTÉ and add the oil.
Once oil is hot add the meat. Sauté for 5 minutes to brown the outside of the meat.
Add the minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté for 3 minutes.
Add the broth to deglaze the Instant Pot liner and then add the cubed potatoes, carrots, tomato paste, and spices. Close the lid and seal the pressure valve. Cook on high for 30 minutes.
Manually release pressure when finished.
Mix cornstarch with 2 teaspoons water to create a slurry. Stir slurry into the stew to thicken.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 291Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 870mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 31g

December 1, 2019 Uncategorized

20+ Amazing Instant Pot Appetizers for Parties

A box filled with different types of food

Instant Pot Appetizer Recipes

Now that Christmas is over (anyone else always sad when the Christmas season ends?!), it’s time to plan for New Year’s Eve!

There isn’t a whole lot of buffer time between Christmas and New Year’s, but I think a lot of people love to celebrate it!

We always keep things pretty low-key; usually, we play games and eat some yummy food.

As with most things, I think that the less you have to do, the better…which is why I’m excited to be sharing over 20 crowd-pleasing Instant Pot appetizer recipes.

Most of these Instant Pot Party foods below are easy to make, yummy, and perfect for parties. While most of them are dips, there are a handful of other yummy finger foods that I know your party guests will love!

Here are a few from our website first:

Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip

Instant Pot Queso Dip Recipe

Instant Pot Hawaiian Meatballs

Check out our other Instant Pot Round-Ups:

A bunch of different types of food, with Meatball

November 24, 2019 Instant Pot Side Dish

Savory Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

These savory Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes are a delicious and better-for-you alternative to mashed potatoes. This recipe will be the highlight of any meal!

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes Mashed

Okay, I know I’ve said many times that mashed potatoes are my favorite side dish…but I think something might be taking their place.

Mashed sweet potatoes.

Especially this recipe. When I first made it, I took a big bite, and I was blown away by the flavor.

I was actually sad that I ended up turning it into a sweet potato casserole because I just wanted to keep eating more.

They are full of flavor – and not as sweet as a sweet potato casserole, so you can easily pin this as a savory side dish that you can pour gravy all over.

This recipe is as easy as easy can be, and you’ll definitely want to make them over and over again.

Make sure you read our post on how to cook sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot!

Ingredients

2 cups water
5 lbs sweet potatoes, diced
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup heavy cream (can add more for a creamier consistency)
2 teaspoon of sea salt (we really like Redmond’s Salt. Get 15% off with the code CLARKS).
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Peel sweet potatoes and dice into smaller pieces (if you don’t like peeling sweet potatoes, you can actually cook them with the peel on and then remove after they are done cooking).
Pour water into your Instant Pot
Place trivet inside the Instant Pot.
Put sweet potatoes on trivet.
Set Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 20 minutes.
Natural pressure release after timer reaches zero for 10 minutes.
Drain extra water.
Mash sweet potatoes with the butter.
Add in heavy cream and cinnamon until combined. Add salt to taste.
Enjoy!

Variations

Add bacon and onions for an even more savory dish
Add in 1/4 cup sour cream
Add more seasonings, like garlic or onion powder

What goes with mashed sweet potatoes?

Mashed sweet potatoes are a great option for anything that you would normally serve mashed potatoes with!

Turkey
Ham
Roast Beef
Brisket
Ribs

What Instant Pot do you use?

I have the Instant Pot DUO60 7-in-1. Love it! It’s worked like a charm for about three years now.

Can I use broth instead of water?

Absolutely!

What kind of sweet potatoes should I use?

I just get the garnet ones at the grocery store. I try to find ones that aren’t super thick so they are easier to chop into smaller pieces before I cook them.

How long are mashed sweet potatoes good for?

They will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator when properly stored.

Can you freeze mashed sweet potatoes?

Yes! Let them cool completely and put into freezer safe bags or containers. They can last about 12 months in the freezer.

Can you make mashed sweet potatoes ahead of time?

You sure can! If you make them earlier in the day, just keep on on the warm setting on your Instant Pot. If you make them a day or so ahead of time, just keep them stored properly in the fridge and warm up before serving.

Are mashed sweet potatoes healthy?

Sweet potatoes are generally considered a healthy food. These mashed sweet potatoes do have heavy cream and butter, which make them a little less healthy. But they are still better than regular potatoes!

Can you mash sweet potatoes with the skin on?

The skin is edible, so yes, if you like the taste and texture of the sweet potatoes, you can definitely mash them with the skin on.

Do cooked sweet potatoes need to be refrigerated?

Yes. If they’ve been left out for longer than two hours, you should discard them.

Why are my sweet potatoes stringy?

This is a great article about stringy sweet potatoes.

Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes

These savory Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes are a delicious and better-for-you alternative to mashed potatoes. This recipe will be the highlight of any meal!

Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

These savory Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes are a delicious and better-for-you alternative to mashed potatoes. This recipe will be the highlight of any meal!

Ingredients

2 cups water
5 lbs sweet potatoes, diced
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup heavy cream (can add more for a creamier consistency)
2 teaspoon of sea salt (we really like Redmond’s Salt. Get 15% off with the code CLARKS).
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Peel sweet potatoes and dice into smaller pieces (if you don’t like peeling sweet potatoes, you can actually cook them with the peel on and then remove after they are done cooking).
Pour water into your Instant Pot
Place trivet inside the Instant Pot.
Put sweet potatoes on trivet.
Set Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 20 minutes.
Natural pressure release after timer reaches zero for 10 minutes.
Drain extra water.
Mash sweet potatoes with the butter.
Add in heavy cream and cinnamon until combined. Add salt to taste.
Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 408Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 728mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 10gSugar: 19gProtein: 6g