20 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes to Make for Dinner | foodiecrush.com (2024)

The Instant Pot is the hot, do-it-all appliance on every foodie’s radar right now. It makes cooking fast or slow, but always easy. Today we’re sharing more weekly meal prep inspiration, with this list of healthy Instant Pot recipes to make for dinner.

Healthy Instant Pot Recipes

Happy New Year, friends! Did Santa baby bring you everything you wanted, including a shiny new Instant Pot? These puppies have been selling in droves, especially over the holidays. And since healthy Instant Pot recipes have been flooding the Internet lately, we couldn’t help but wrangle up some of our favorite looking dishes at the moment.

January is all about balance and fresh slates, and trying to redeem ourselves from all of the cookies and melted brie we’ve stuffed our face with this last month. It’s also about planning and prepping so we can stay on track with our diets and budgets, which is precisely where these two things come in handy: easy, healthy instant pot recipes, and The Nourished Planner.

We’re excited to bring you our latest installment of our Meal Prep Series where we share 20 recipes you can plan and prep ahead of time for a head start on your week—and show Monday-Friday who’s boss.

First we answered the begging question, where’s the beef: 20 Recipes You Can Make with a Pound of Ground Beef (It’s What’s for Dinner), and then we brought you 20 Recipes You Can Make with a Can of Beans. And now, it’s time to flip the switch on dinner with the Instant Pot.

FREE Meal Plans Delivered Straight to Your Inbox

If you’re stumped on ideas of what to make for dinner for the week, sign up foryour FREE weekly meal plan and prep list herefrom my other biz, the Nourished Planner where you’ll receive an e-mail with FREE dinner ideas and a prep list each week in your inbox.

And,download this free printable weekly meal planner/to-do listto fill in, tape to the fridge, take to the grocery store, or use for reference next year when you can’t remember what the heck were your faverecipes from this one.

You get the idea. Now get cooking!

20 Easy, Healthy Dinner Ideas

This hearty soup-stew hybridis flavored with curry and coconut, with a nice kick from some jalapeño, and a rich creaminess from some peanut butter from Pinch of Yum.

Pho is our best friend when we’ve got the sniffles, but it’s also one of those rare soups you could eat any day of the year. This one is legit, yet instead of taking practically all day to cook, it comes together in under an hour from Platings and Pairings.

Two surprising ingredients make these classic meatballs sing (plus, there’s no browning required), and Italian grandmothers everywhere would be rejoicing over the fact that these are made easy in the Instant Pot from A Calculated Whisk.

Next to chicken noodle soup, chicken and rice is the quintessential comfort food. You’d never know this version was dairy and gluten-free, and it’s also ready in under 30 minutes, thanks to the Instant Pot! From A Saucy Kitchen.

These super authentic, brothy beans are filling and packed with flavor, and they can be eaten like a soup from Skinnytaste.

A homemade, healthier take on this Chinese takeout favorite, and it can be on your table in less than 30 minutes from Two Peas and Their Pod.

Who doesn’t want curry in a hurry, especially on a crazy weeknight? This vegan dish is healthy, teeming with awesome flavor, and is ready in just 20 minutes from Food Faith Fitness.

Chili is a comfort food staple that gets us through these better cold months, and this chicken and bean chili recipe couldn’t be simpler or quicker

Got leftover carnitas? Think outside the tortilla and make soup! This easy, 5-ingredient recipe is on the money from Gimme Some Oven.

Butter chicken is quite possibly our favorite Indian dish, but like its name suggests, it often is laden with butter, and thus cruel on the waistline. That’s why this healthy recipe makeover has our attention (that, and the fact that it takes less than 30 minutes!) from Carmy.

Sausage and kale bring extra heartiness to this comforting lentil soup from Platings and Pairings.

Tortellini gets a healthy boost with kale, veggies, a bit of turkey sausage and plenty of herbed flavor for an Instant Pot slow cooked dinner at your fingertips from FoodieCrush.

A panoply of aromatic Middle Eastern spices make this lamb and chickpea stew a comforting treat on a chilly night.

Instant Pot mac and cheese is an absolute game changer, especially when it’s lightened-up with cauliflower (which you don’t even taste), whole wheat pasta, and reduced-fat cream cheese in this healthy (but super creamy) makeover from Well Plated.

Tahini lends extra creaminess and a wonderful zest to this beautiful white bean soup that takes just 10 minutes of prep from Heartbeat Kitchen.

You’ve heard of everything but the kitchen sink cookies, but have you heard of everything but the kitchen sink soup? This rice-based one is a brilliant way to use up leftovers from Cotter Crunch.

Who needs Chipotle when you can make tastier, healthier burrito bowls at home, and in the Instant Pot?

This colorful and creamy vegetarian lentil soup is loaded up with good-for-you ingredients, and is wonderfully filling from Peas and Crayons.

Add your favorite veggies and protein (or whatever you have on hand) to these easy, sweet and sticky chili garlic noodles from Pinch of Yum.

Get dinner on the table in just 30 minutes with these carb-friendly 5-ingredient salsa chicken taco lettuce wraps from Platings and Pairings.

Even More Quick and Healthy Dinner Ideas

Need even more Instant Pot meal prep inspo? Here are a few more healthy Instant Pot recipes we’re loving:

  • How to Cook Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
  • Beef Stew with Butternut Squash (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)
  • Instant Pot Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps
  • Baby Back Ribs in the Instant Pot

This recipe round-up was curated and written by FoodieCrush contributor Hayley Putnam ofSeven Day Weekend.
Follow her foodie tastes and other flights of fancyonPinterestandInstagram.

We send good emails.Subscribe to FoodieCrushand have each post plus exclusive content only for our subscribers delivered straight to your e-mail box.

Craving more life balance, less stress, and better health?Check out my Nourished Planner, the daily planner to help create simplicity and under-schedule your life.

Follow me onInstagram,Facebook,PinterestandTwitterfor more FoodieCrush inspiration.

As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. There may be affiliate links in this post of which I receive a small commission. All opinions are always my own.

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

20 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes to Make for Dinner | foodiecrush.com (2024)

FAQs

Are Instant Pot meals healthy? ›

Cooking in an “instant pot” or pressure cooker is a great method for preparing your food on many levels — including the nutritional level, according to registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD. “Instant pot recipes are absolutely healthy as long as what you put in the recipe is healthy,” she says.

What foods should not be cooked in an Instant Pot? ›

In fact, there are a handful of foods that just shouldn't be pressure-cooked. Among them are dairy and fried foods, as well as burgers and steaks.

Can you cook a meal in an Instant Pot? ›

Aside from the tech specs, Instant Pots magically make meals that taste like they simmered all day, like our Instant Pot corned beef or our Instant Pot pot roast, but actually took a fraction of the time.

What are the disadvantages of an Instant Pot? ›

Con– The Instant Pot uses steam under pressure to cook food and not everything is meant to be cooked in the Instant Pot. I attempted a crustless quiche which turned out well but it was too wet and moist to my liking and I prefer to cook it in the oven with dry heat.

What is healthier, a slow cooker or an Instant Pot? ›

When it comes to preserving nutrients, the Instant Pot's high-pressure cooking generally wins the battle. If you're looking for quick, healthy meals with minimal nutrient loss, the Instant Pot is your go-to. For rich, complex flavors and fall-off-the-bone tenderness, the slow cooker takes the crown.

What should you never put in a pressure cooker? ›

Foods containing dairy, like milk, cream, or yogurt, should not be pressure-cooked. The high heat and pressure can cause dairy products to curdle or separate, ruining the texture, taste and flavour of the dish. Cooking fried foods is a strict no no, when it comes to pressure cookers.

What is the best meat to cook in a pressure cooker? ›

You can still pressure cook leaner pieces – like eye of round and top sirloin – but these work best if they've been stuffed, shredded or rolled (with other ingredients). Best cuts of beef to use: Chuck steak, Round Roast, Shoulder, Pot roast, Ribs, Brisket, Oxtail.

Is cooking meat in an Instant Pot healthy? ›

Pressure-cooked meat-based dishes show a significant reduction in unsaturated fat contents, but it appears that iron is not lost. In addition to making foods like grains and legumes more digestible, pressure cooking does not create any of the unhealthy chemicals associated with baking and grilling methods.

What is the best brand for an Instant Pot? ›

The quick list
  • Best overall. Instant Pot Pro. View at Amazon. ...
  • Best budget. Instant Pot Duo Plus. View at Williams-Sonoma. ...
  • Smart pot. Instant Pot Pro Plus. View at Amazon. ...
  • Best premium. Ninja Foodi Max 15-in-1. Check Amazon. ...
  • Best for novices. Instant Pot Duo Nova. Check Amazon. ...
  • Most stylish. Breville the Fast Slow Pro. View at Amazon.
Jul 22, 2024

Can you put frozen meat in an Instant Pot? ›

Yes, it is safe to cook frozen food in a pressure cooker or an electric pressure cooker like an Instant Pot.

Is it cheaper to cook with Instant Pot? ›

An Instant Pot or slow cooker could save you some serious dough on your monthly energy spend. Cooking food low and slow (often called braising) is the best way to get tough, cheaper cuts of meat fork-tender and full of flavor.

Can you put frozen chicken in an Instant Pot? ›

Meat, like chicken or salmon, can go straight from the freezer into the Instant Pot. The reason? A pressure cooker, like the Instant Pot, quickly brings food to a safe temperature. This is different from a slow cooker, which can allow frozen foods to sit at an unsafe temperature for prolonged periods of time.

Which is better, a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot? ›

If you're a tech-savvy home chef looking for versatility and convenience, the Instant Pot might be your ideal match. However, if you value time-tested reliability, durability, and a focus on the art of pressure cooking, a classic pressure cooker could be your perfect culinary companion.

Can you put too much in your Instant Pot? ›

Also, an overly-full Instant Pot can lead to a clogged pressure release knob, because food and liquid can get sucked up inside. To stay on the safe side, don't fill your pot over that two-thirds line, and stay below half full for foods that expand while cooking, such as beans and lentils.

Are instant meals healthy? ›

Unfortunately, most ready-made meals are high in energy, saturated fats and sodium and are often low in fibre and micronutrients.

Is food cooked in a pressure cooker healthy? ›

Cooking with a pressure cooker locks in and preserves every ounce of nutrient goodness in your food with its sealed lid. It's like a nutrient-saving superhero, ensuring your meals are not just tasty but healthy too.

Are instant food good for health? ›

Though instant ramen noodles provide iron, B vitamins and manganese, they lack fiber, protein and other crucial vitamins and minerals. Additionally, their MSG, TBHQ and high sodium contents may negatively affect health, such as by increasing your risk of heart disease, stomach cancer and metabolic syndrome.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jerrold Considine

Last Updated:

Views: 5590

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jerrold Considine

Birthday: 1993-11-03

Address: Suite 447 3463 Marybelle Circles, New Marlin, AL 20765

Phone: +5816749283868

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Air sports, Sand art, Electronics, LARPing, Baseball, Book restoration, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Jerrold Considine, I am a combative, cheerful, encouraging, happy, enthusiastic, funny, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.