Instant Pot Meal Prep Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Are Instant Pots good for meal prep? ›

Instant Pot meal prep couldn't be easier. The kitchen appliance is a versatile multi-cooker that can do the job of a slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker, and more. The Instant Pot can cook dishes like chili and stews in a fraction of the time it takes with traditional methods.

Although both can take the fuss out of cooking some meals, these two appliances have many differences. Air fryers help crisp up food that you may otherwise cook in a deep fryer, while Instant Pots cook meals that need a liquid element like stews, soups and rice.

“Instant pot recipes are absolutely healthy as long as what you put in the recipe is healthy,” she says. The shorter cooking time may also result in the greater preservation of vitamins and minerals when compared to other longer types of cooking.

Though it lacks some of the improvements of the Rio, the Duo does have a low-pressure setting, whereas the Rio only has high. The low-pressure setting has limited use, but if you're looking for a model with that option, the Duo is a good one.

If you are interested primarily in slow cooking, you should buy a dedicated slow cooker. They're more reliable with a range of slow-cooker recipes than an Instant Pot. We found Instant Pot multicookers specifically could not successfully slow-cook dense, high-volume recipes such as beef stew or pot roast.

You can do everything in it — As the Instant Pot is an all-in-one appliance, you can pretty much do all your cooking in one pot. While most cookers require you to sauté or brown in a separate pan, the Instant Pot gives you the option to sauté your onions or brown your meat in the pot to save you time.

Generally, a meal cooked in a 6-quart model feeds three to six people. Benefits of an 8-quart Instant Pot: The 8-quart models, on the other hand, are ideal when you're feeding a large family, cooking for a party, or cooking in batches for your weekly meal prep.

Despite its popularity in professional kitchens, a pressure cooker is rarely featured on cooking shows. But that doesn't mean celebrity chefs don't appreciate their value. In fact, many renowned chefs have sung the praises of pressure cookers.

The Instant Pot cooks rice fine for most people, though the grains don't come out as fluffy and light as they do from a high-end rice cooker like our top pick, the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker & Warmer NS-ZCC10. Rice aficionados might want to keep their rice cookers, especially for cooking sushi-grade grains.

What is the disadvantage of 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.

A pressure cooker will save you batch time and get you 75% of the nutrition benefits of bone broth. That being said, it will lack the additional nutrients and minerals which require long and slow simmer times to harvest from the bones and animal parts.

I highly recommend the new Instant Pot Rio Plus. It may appear less sleek than other versions, but it is well designed and easy to use. The pot does not have a non-stick coating, but is still easy to clean. The wider pot lends itself well to cooking larger, wider cuts of meat.

Instant Pots come in 3-, 6-, 8-, and 10-quart sizes. 3-quart Instant Pots work best for singles or couples, the 5-quart serves three to five people, and the 8-quart will easily cook for six or more.

The Viva has an updated lid design that's unique from that of the Duo. The Viva's lid has auto-seal and quick-steam release features that help making cooking easier. The displays on each pot look different as well, and the Viva's display has a slightly more modern look than the older Duo.

Now you've tried these ideas, try mixing and matching your own favorite ingredients with Minute® Rice Cups and invent your own recipes. Note: If you like to meal prep, batch cook enough servings of our Instant Rice and use it to make quick meals throughout the week.

Fact: The materials used in Instant Pots, including the stainless steel pot and mercury-free components, undergo strict testing to ensure they are lead-free and safe for food preparation.

The type of meal prep container you use is a matter of preference. Some people may like how lightweight plastic is while others may prefer glass that feels more durable. Plastic tends to stain but glass can break. Both can usually be microwaved but glass is often more heat-resistant.

The average lifespan of an Instant Pot ranges from 2-5 years, but it can last longer depending on how often it's used and how well-maintained it is. So it's safe to say Instant Pots aren't commonly being replaced, and may even be a one-time purchase.