The Instant Pot is designed to make cooking easier, not harder. It can sauté, steam, slow cook, and pressure cook all in one pot, which means fewer dishes and faster meals. Once you learn the basics, you’ll be able to make soups, pastas, shredded chicken, rice, and even desserts with almost no effort.
The key is understanding how pressure cooking works and what the Instant Pot needs to do its job.
1. Always Start With Enough Liquid
Pressure cooking requires steam, and steam requires liquid. As a general rule, you need at least 1 cup of thin liquid (like water, broth, or juice) in the pot for it to come to pressure.
This one tip alone prevents:
• The “Burn” warning
• Food sticking to the bottom
• Long heat‑up times
If you’re cooking something thick (like pasta sauce or chili), add the liquid first, then layer thicker ingredients on top without stirring.
2. Understand the Two Types of Pressure Release
There are only two ways to release pressure, and once you know them, the Instant Pot becomes much less scary.
Quick Release (QR) or Manual Release
You flip the valve to release steam immediately.
Best for:
• Vegetables
• Pasta
• Seafood
• Anything that cooks fast
Natural Release (NR)
You do nothing — the pot slowly depressurizes on its own.
Best for:
• Soups
• Beans
• Large cuts of meat
• Anything that benefits from gentle cooking
A lot of recipes use a combination (like “10 minutes natural release, then quick release”).
3. Don’t Fear the Sauté Button
The sauté function is your best friend. It lets you:
• Brown meat
• Sauté onions and garlic
• Reduce sauces
• Add flavor before pressure cooking
Just remember to deglaze the pot afterward by adding a splash of liquid and scraping up the browned bits. This prevents the Burn warning and adds tons of flavor.
4. Layer Ingredients the Smart Way
Instant Pot cooking is all about layering:
• Thin liquids on the bottom
• Dense ingredients on top
• Do not stir thick sauces
This keeps the pot from overheating and helps everything cook evenly.
5. Use the Right Tools
A few inexpensive accessories make Instant Pot cooking even easier:
• A trivet for steaming veggies or cooking pot‑in‑pot
• A silicone sling for lifting pans
• Extra sealing rings (they absorb smells)
• A glass lid for slow cooking or sautéing
You don’t need all of these at once — start with the trivet and build from there.
6. Start With Simple, Confidence‑Building Recipes
If you’re brand new, skip the complicated recipes and start with easy wins like:
• Hard‑boiled eggs
• Shredded chicken
• Rice
• Mashed potatoes
• Simple soups
These teach you how the pot behaves without overwhelming you.
7. Don’t Worry About the Buttons
Most Instant Pot buttons are just presets. You only need a few to get started:
• Sauté
• Pressure Cook / Manual
• Keep Warm
Everything else is optional. Once you understand time + pressure + liquid, you can cook almost anything.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This
The Instant Pot isn’t complicated — it just feels unfamiliar at first. With a few basic tips and a little practice, you’ll be making fast, flavorful meals with confidence. If your Instant Pot has been sitting in the box, consider this your sign to finally take it out and give it a try.
If you are looking for an Instant Pot I used this one from Amazon in my how to video https://amzn.to/45ds0HR
Did you know you can cook an entire turkey breast in the Instant Pot? In this video, I’ll show you how! https://youtu.be/BTccYKq9jG8
If you want more beginner‑friendly Instant Pot recipes or tutorials, let me know — I love creating content that helps you feel confident in the kitchen
