Are you one of the 200,000 + people who bought an Instant Pot over Black Friday weekend? If so, this list of Life Changing Instant Pot Hacks is going to help jumpstart your Pothead game. I’ve been hearing about pressure cookers for years, but never really brought into the hype of needing one. However, all of that changed about a year ago when many of my friends kept talking about the Instant Pot. They talked about how much time it was saving them on preparing meals for their family. Like, what? Anything that will help me save time in the kitchen is a win-win situation. I’ve owned a slow-cooker for years, and I love the idea of tossing the ingredients into the cooker and walking away for several hours. However, after getting my Instant Pot, I soon realized just how much this thing is a game changer, and how these Instant Pot Hacks made life in the kitchen something even I would enjoy!
Life Changing Instant Pot Hacks
Choosing an Instant Pot for your home is a fun task. There are tons of great options available, with fun new variations being added every time you turn around. Whether you get the latest and greatest option, or you stick with a classic style, the Instant Pot is one of the best new small kitchen appliances. These Instant Pot Hacks are simple ways to make easy recipes and to utilize this tool to make your life better and easier. The tips below range from popular simple recipes to cleaning and use hacks you’ll love. The newer updated models of the Instant Pot comes with features like a cake and egg setting. {you won’t find this setting on the classic model, like the one I have shown below. I’m looking to buy another one soon. Yes, you will find yourself addicted to this thing!}
- Instant Pot IP-LUX60 V3 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker, 6Qt, 1000W (updated model) {this is a great one to buy if you’re just starting out!}
- Instant Pot IP-LUX60 6-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker, 6-Quart 1000-Watt V2 model
- Instant Pot IP-LUX50 v2 6-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker, 5 Quart
- Instant Pot IP-Smart Bluetooth-Enabled Multifunctional Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel
- Instant Pot IP-DUO80 7-in-1 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker, 8 Qt {this is the one I want to add to my collection!}
Okay, so now that you’ve brought your pressure cooker, here are some things to keep in mind!
Limit liquids: You really don’t need much water to make the Instant Pot work. 1/2 cup water is usually the most you need. Rarely do I ever fill to the max line on your Instant Pot.
Don’t use it for unnecessary things: While it is great for a ton of things in the kitchen, it is not necessarily a good tool for saving time on everything. Yes, the Instant Pot can make cheesecake, but it doesn’t save a ton of time over using your oven. The bonus? It would make it less hot in your kitchen in the summer. Yes, the Instant Pot can hard boil eggs for you in minutes, but if you only need 2-3 at a time, it’s a lot of wasted energy at once. The hype of the Instant Pot can pull you into making things you don’t need to make with the Instant Pot.
Don’t forget to calculate the pressure release. Sometimes, recipes say thy will be done in a set amount of minutes. This is true that some items will be done cooking at the allotted time, but there is also a pressure release involved. Make sure that you allow yourself enough time to account for pressure releases involved with the cooking process when considering for cooking time. Again, while it is a convenience in your kitchen and a great appliance, some recipes are not faster with this than with other cooking methods.
Stack foods for ultimate time-saving. Things like roasts and veggies cook together by using a steamer basket on top of the roast in the Instant Pot. An excellent way to multitask and make the most of the steam in your Instant Pot. This works with many recipes and is ideal for making healthier meals.
Steamed Rice: For the ultimate steamed rice you simply add 1 cup of rice with 1 1/4 cups of liquid. Use high pressure for 22 minutes. This makes perfect rice every single time. You’ll never worry about burning rice, having rice be underdone, or needing a rice cooker again. Before using an IP, my jasmine rice would not always come out correctly. Now, with the help of this little appliance, I make the perfect jasmine rice!
Perfect Meatballs: Prepare your meatball recipe as you regularly would, but instead of baking or frying, place them in a single layer on the bottom of your Instant Pot. Cover with tomato sauce, and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. They will come out perfectly and melt in your mouth.
Shredded Chicken: Frozen chicken breasts cook in just 30 minutes with 1/2 cup broth and seasonings on high pressure. Open the Instant Pot and shred using your Kitchenaid Mixer (another handy hack), or using shredder claws. This is a super fast way to prep meat for meals throughout the week. I do this then portion out and use for tacos, enchiladas, soup, sandwiches, and more. This is one of my favorite Instant Pot hacks.
Steamed Vegetables: The Instant Pot is great for cooking just vegetables, but it can also turn them to mush very fast. I recommend only cooking vegetables for 5 minutes. Any longer will make them mushy and unsavory.
Popcorn anyone? Yes, your IP can even make you a bowl of popcorn. Just use the saute function and cover the pot with a glass lid. {you can buy one here} You can also save money by using one of your glass lids from other pots or pans.
Use Cheaper Cuts Of Meat: One of the best Instant Pot Hacks is that you can get away with making the same favorite recipes with cheaper cuts of meat. Grabbing inexpensive stew meat and using the Instant Pot to make a fast beef stew is a great way to serve your family a delicious meal with a cheap cut of meat.
Save time and money, take it with you on vacation: Yes, this may sound a little strange, but take your Instant Pot with you on vacation or a camping trip. When you think about it, this is a great way to cook meals in your hotel room (especially if you’re not staying in a resort or vacation home and no access to a stove!).
No time to thaw? No problem! Don’t you hate it when you forget to take the meat out the freezer the night before, or before going to work? Well, with the Instant Pot this is a thing of the past. It will take a little longer to cook, but you can put your frozen meat in the Instant Pot.
Plus, here’s a few things you should remember:
- Make sure the inner pot is inside the Instant Pot before pouring in your ingredients. Yes, you would think this is a no- brainer, but if you take the inner pot out to clean it, remember to put it back before using it!
- NPR stands for National Public Radio, but in the Instant Pot world, it stands for Natural Pressure Release. QR stands for Quick Release.
- There’s a difference between using NPR and QR. Use the NPR option when you’re cooking with pasta or when the pot is overfilled. You can
- Make sure the venting knob is turned to the sealing position.
- The Instant Pot is a great option to have on hand in your kitchen to keep your sanity in check on busy nights. From your last minute guest and a larger meal needed to the meal prep desires you have, this is a great addition to your kitchen. These Instant Pot Hacks are just what you need to save time and money in the kitchen!
- You may want to invest in buying a few silicone rings, one for savory food and another for sweet food. The silicone rings tend to soak up the smell of food, and if you don’t want your smells to mix, then you need a few extra colored rings.
Accessories you may want to consider buying:
- Springfoam pan for Cheesecake (yes, it will make the perfect cheesecake!!)
- Additional Silicone Sealing Rings
- Secura 6-quart Electric Pressure Cooker Steam Rack Basket Set
- Wilton 2105-2174 Mini Springform Pan, Set of 3, Silver
- Premium Vegetable Steamer Basket – 5.5-9.3″ – Best Bundle – Kitchen Deluxe – 100% Stainless Steel {also great to use for chicken wings!}
- 5 5/8″ Kitchen Cookware Stainless Steel Wire Steaming Rack Stand
- Instant Pot Silicone Mitts (Set of 2), Mini, Red
- Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid, 10″ Stainless Steel (8 Qt / 8L Model)
- Silicone Egg Poacher Cups – Set of 4
- Euro Cuisine GY1920 Glass Jars for Yogurt Maker, Set of 8 {yes, you can make yogurt too!}
What other Instant Pot hacks do you have? Feel free to drop me a comment below letting me know what you think about the IP! Don’t have one? Order it here: Instant Pot IP-LUX60 V3 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker, 6Qt, 1000W (updated model), and come back and tell me what you think about this life changing appliance!
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