35 Easy and Quick Instant Pot Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Sandra Walker

October 30, 2025

Yellow flags are waving in the culinary world as the Instant Pot swoops in to save dinner from becoming a chore. We’re about to embark on a journey of rapid-fire recipes that promise to transform even the most mundane evenings into something truly special. Whether you’re an seasoned chef or just starting out, this incredible pressure cooker is ready to become your trusted sidekick.

From rich stews that mimic the deep flavors of slow-cooked meals to mouth-watering one-pot masterpieces that require a fraction of the effort, our curated collection will make your taste buds sing along with pure delight.

Instant Pot Chicken Stir Fry

Instant Pot Chicken Stir Fry

Fresh from the world of instant cooking, making stir fry in your pressure cooker is a genius way to whip up great fast food in a flash. This mouth-watering recipe is loaded with an assortment of colorful veggies and tender chunks of chicken, and has a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.

Beef and Broccoli

Beef and Broccoli

Versatile and delicious, serve this pressure cooker beef and broccoli over your favorite rice for a satisfying family-style dinner that captures the flavors of a take-out experience without the hassle of ordering, driving, and waiting in line. With its rich flavors and tender ingredients, this dish is sure to become a staple in your household, enjoyed by both kids and adults alike.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Elevate your weeknight meals with this delicious Chicken Tortilla Soup, packed with all the flavors of a great chicken taco in a warm and comforting bowl. Serve it with crispy tortilla strips or crunchy chips to make for a satisfying and wholesome dinner that’s sure to become a new favorite.

Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki

Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki

Perfect for a quick and delicious meal, using chicken thighs is an excellent choice for making Instant Pot dinners that satisfy your cravings for Asian-inspired flavors without the need to leave home.

Instant Pot Pork Tacos

Instant Pot Pork Tacos

Gather around the dinner table for a flavorful and nutritious weeknight dinner that’s ready in no time. These Instant Pot Pork Tacos are a game-changer, packed with zesty Mexican spices, fall-apart tender pork, and topped with all your favorite taco fixings.

Simply load them up with fresh avocado, red onion, juicy tomatoes, a squeeze of lime juice, and a dollop of creamy avocado crema for a mouthwatering meal that just happens to be gluten-free, keto-friendly, and paleo-compliant – minus the tortilla shells.

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Hearty, comforting meals that can be prepared in no time are always a welcome sight, especially on busy weeknights when everyone is rushing to get home from work or school. This Instant Pot Lentil Soup is one such recipe that not only satisfies your taste buds but also packs a punch with its high protein and fiber content, making it an excellent choice for a quick and nutritious dinner.

Whether you’re looking to serve something simple yet satisfying on weeknights or want to impress your family with a delicious weekend meal, this lentil soup is sure to hit the spot.

Instant Pot Pumpkin Curry Soup

Instant Pot Pumpkin Curry Soup

Packed with the warmth of autumn, Instant Pot Curried Pumpkin Soup is a delightful fall treat that’s surprisingly easy to prepare with just a handful of ingredients. This recipe is perfect for meal prep and can be adapted to suit various dietary needs – it’s gluten-free, keto-friendly, whole30-compliant, and paleo-approved.

Instant Pot Chicken Curry

Instant Pot Chicken Curry

Just when you thought you had tried every delicious recipe for chicken curry, along comes this Easy Instant Pot Chicken Curry that’s sure to warm your bones on a cool winter night. It’s not only quick and easy to make in the Instant Pot but also uses pantry staples, making it a convenient option for any meal. Plus, this recipe is carefully crafted to be gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy it.

Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs

Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs

Enjoying tender and flavorful short ribs has never been easier or faster! With these Instant Pot recipes, you can achieve melt-in-your-mouth results in under an hour without the need for wine. Each recipe offers various dietary adaptations, including gluten-free, paleo, whole30, and keto options to suit your individual needs.

Easy Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

Easy Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

Join us in our kitchen where we’re about to share a recipe that’s sure to become a staple in your household – the Easy Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin is not only delicious but also easy to make and perfect for any night of the week. The tender pork loin, smothered in a rich brown sugar and balsamic sauce, is a match made in heaven. This dish is not only a crowd-pleaser but also happens to be gluten-free, making it an excellent option for those with dietary restrictions.

Instant Pot Cubed Steak And Gravy

Instant Pot Cubed Steak And Gravy

Making a delicious and tender meal has never been easier, especially when you use an electric pressure cooker like the Instant Pot. This Instant Pot Cubed Steak and Gravy recipe is a perfect example of how to achieve fall-apart tenderness in a short amount of time. The secret lies in the pressure cooking process that breaks down the connective tissues in the meat, making it incredibly tender and juicy.

Plus, the gravy that’s produced during cooking is the perfect accompaniment to the cubed steak, adding an extra layer of flavor to the dish.

Instant Pot Lamb Stew

Instant Pot Lamb Stew

Taking into account the need for a hearty and satisfying meal, lamb stew is an excellent option for a family dinner. This particular recipe has been adapted specifically for the Instant Pot, resulting in a rich and flavorful stew that’s sure to stick with you throughout the evening, perfect for those chilly winter nights when something warm and comforting is exactly what you’re looking for.

Instant Pot Beef Stew

Instant Pot Beef Stew

Brimming with flavor, this Instant Pot beef stew recipe is the perfect comfort food to warm your belly and soothe your soul. This one-pot wonder is packed with tender chunks of beef and a medley of colorful vegetables, all slow-cooked in a rich and savory broth that will leave you feeling satisfied and content.

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore

Here’s the good news: with just 20 minutes of cooking time, you can create a deliciously comforting chicken cacciatore in your pressure cooker. This mouth-watering recipe is not only filling and satisfying but also bursting with flavors that are sure to become a staple for weeknight meals. Whether you’re a busy parent or a home cook looking for easy solutions, this cacciatore recipe is an ideal choice for a quick yet impressive dinner.

Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef

Need to satisfy your craving for Asian-inspired flavors without breaking the bank? Look no further than this quick and easy Mongolian beef recipe that cooks up in a flash using your pressure cooker. The result is tender and juicy beef smothered in a rich, savory sauce – perfect for serving with steamed broccoli or over a bed of fluffy rice for a truly satisfying homemade meal.

Coq Au Vin

Coq Au Vin

Knowing that you’re short on time is perfectly normal, especially during a chaotic weeknight. Fortunately, this coq au vin recipe has been adapted to cook efficiently in an Instant Pot, allowing you to enjoy the rich flavors of traditional French cuisine without sacrificing precious hours at home.

Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Garlic Butter Steak Bites

No matter how tight your budget, your Instant Pot can help turn affordable cuts of steak into mouth-watering masterpieces. With the rich flavor of garlic butter infused in every tender beefy bite, you’ll be hooked on this recipe and eager to make it a regular in your pressure cooker repertoire.

Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese

Just a few simple tweaks can transform this beloved dish from a time-consuming culinary task into a quick and effortless meal. Using a pressure cooker is key to reducing cooking time without sacrificing flavor or texture, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Serve with a side of greens and crusty bread for a well-rounded meal that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Spaghetti Bolognese

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

Pouring over recipes for sloppy joes in the Instant Pot is a great way to elevate this classic comfort food dish. This beloved dinner option can be made with ease and in no time, perfect for busy families who love tater tots or fries as a side.

Pulled Pork

Pulled Pork

Cooking pulled pork can take all day, but this recipe cuts cooking time down dramatically with the use of a pressure cooker. The result is the same delicious flavor you love in an instant. Enjoy it on sandwiches, in taco shells, or even as a topping for nachos – the perfect solution for a quick and easy dinner option.

Instant Pot Broccoli

Instant Pot Broccoli

Looking for a quick and delicious side dish to serve with your favorite meals? Consider turning to the Instant Pot for a mouthwatering twist on classic broccoli. The pot’s versatile seasoning blend can elevate this simple vegetable from bland to fantastic in just a few short minutes, making it an ideal solution for busy weeknights or special occasions alike.

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Pouring over cookbooks and recipes online, it’s not hard to find a delicious lentil soup that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Fortunately, this particular recipe is not only easy to make but also incredibly budget-friendly, making it a great option if you’re looking to save some money on groceries. The best part? It reheats beautifully, so you can enjoy leftovers for lunch the next day with minimal effort required.

And don’t worry about having to choose between cooking methods – this versatile recipe can be made in the instant pot, slow cooker, or even on the stovetop.

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