11 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes for Quick, Flavor-Packed Meals
When crafting a healthy meal plan, lean on your trusty electric multicooker. With these healthy Instant Pot recipes, you'll enjoy filling meals that feature lean meats, nutritious veggies, and bold spices. Whether you are short on time or just want something simple to prepare, these healthy Instant Pot recipes are perfect for weeknight meals and fancy dinners alike.
Pressure Cooker Asian Pork Cabbage Bowl
Our Test Kitchen really amped up the bold flavors with this healthy Instant Pot recipe. Pork shoulder is infused with fresh ginger, soy sauce, lemongrass, and garlic to really wake up those tastebuds. Enjoy the tender meat over fresh cabbage and veggies to keep this recipe grain-free, yet super filling.
Moroccan Chicken and Cauliflower Stew
North African spices cumin, ginger, and cinnamon combine with tomatoes to make the base of this healthy Instant Pot dinner recipe. The one-pot meal calls for searing the chicken first before a quick 12-minute cook under pressure. Serve over hot couscous topped with parsley and toasted almonds.
Beef and Broccoli
Satisfy those takeout cravings by making this healthy Instant Pot recipe. We season the Asian-inspired dish with coconut aminos to keep the meal gluten-free while still giving that umami flavor you love from soy sauce (you can totally use soy sauce here if that's all you have). The beef quickly cooks in just 7 minutes for a 30-minute meal that you'll happily add to the regular dinner menu.
Pressure Cooker Indian-Spiced Chicken
Boneless chicken thighs, curry powder, and coconut milk star in this Indian-inspired dinner recipe. Keep this healthy Instant Pot dinner idea low-carb (and Paleo-friendly) by serving the cozy chicken over a bed of cauliflower rice.
Pressure Cooker Moroccan Apricot Chicken
This simple, yet special-occasion-worthy dinner Moroccan chicken dish gets its bold flavor from ginger, turmeric, and allspice. The Paleo-friendly chicken thighs are then served alongside tender butternut squash and Kalamata olives. Add couscous or quinoa and a dollop of Greek yogurt, or keep it Paleo and simply serve with fresh parsley and a lemon wedge for bright flavor.
Pressure Cooker Ham and Mixed Bean Soup
This healthy Instant Pot soup will be the perfect addition to your winter dinner menu. The mixed dried beans absorb tons of flavor from the smoked pork, vegetables, and herbs in the pot. Bonus: This cozy soup freezes well, so you can make a big pot and enjoy leftovers for up to two months.
Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast
Planning a holiday meal for a smaller crowd this year? Skip roasting the whole bird in favor of cooking just the turkey breast with this healthy pressure cooker recipe. Seasoned with the traditional Thanksgiving flavors and veggies, you'll have a stunning main dish ready for the table in just over an hour.
Fast or Slow Seafood Cioppino
This classic Italian American comfort stew is loaded with halibut, shrimp, and crab but takes a mere 1 minute of pressure cooking in most models. Don’t have halibut? You can substitute sea bass, cod, or any other firm white fish you have on hand. Enjoy this healthy stew with some crusty homemade bread (perfect for dipping into the fish-infused tomato broth) or pour it over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Garlic-Ginger Pork Lettuce Wraps
Ginger, garlic, apple juice, and brown sugar make the most delicious seasoning for pork in this healthy pressure cooker recipe. Pile up the tasty filling onto butterhead lettuce with crunchy toppers (we like shredded carrots, radishes, and peanuts) for a delicious low-carb meal.
Thai Turkey Meat Loaf
Bet you've never had meat loaf like this before! Not only is it made with ground turkey for a leaner take on the comfort food, it's also spiced with jalapeños, fish sauce, and ginger for bold Thai-inspired flair. Glazed with sweet chili sauce, this is a healthy Instant Pot recipe you'll make on repeat.
Mediterranean Chicken and Wheat Berry Salad
Up your whole-grain intake with this healthy Instant Pot recipe. The Mediterranean dish features fresh parsley, mint, and lemon for bright, herbal flavor in every bite. Plus, you can easily swap the chicken for shrimp here to change things up.
Want to create your own healthy Instant Pot dishes? Don’t be afraid to experiment. Lean proteins (like turkey, pork, or chicken) cook up beautifully in just a matter of minutes. You can even cook a 3-pound pot roast in approximately 60 to 80 minutes with a pressure cooker—just be sure to sear the meat on all sides first to seal in the flavor. Or, if you prefer plant-based healthy Instant Pot recipes, remember that pressure cookers can cut the cooking time for grains, dried beans, or legumes by half (or more). With a little ingenuity, there’s no end to what you can accomplish with the beloved countertop gadget. Just toss your chicken, vegetables, dried beans, or fish into the pot with a little bit of liquid and easy, delicious, healthy Instant Pot recipes are just a button push away.