20 Instant Pot Recipes

Save time and money with our budget-friendly instant pot recipe ideas for under $100.00 These easy slow cooker recipes converted into instant pot recipes will help you save time on meal prep and money!

These prices are based on Meijer supermarket. However, if you don’t have a Meijer near you, you can grab the same ingredients and similar prices at Aldi, Walmart, Target, Kroger and more!

Note:  If preferred, there is a slow cooker button on the latest versions of the Instant Pot that works well for traditional Slow Cooker recipes also. You can see the Slow Cooker directions here.

Equipment needed:

• Instant Pot IP-LUX60 V3 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker, 6Qt, 1000W (updated model)
• Instant Pot IP-DUO80 7-in-1 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker, 8 Qt 

Meal 1: Goulash  $5.68

• 1 lb ground beef, browned
• 1 onion, diced (pantry)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (pantry)
• 1 jar Meijer pasta sauce, any variety, plus ½ jar of water
• 1 t oregano (pantry)
• ½ t basil (pantry)
• 1 box Meijer green box elbow macaroni

Directions:  In an Instant Pot, add ground beef and onions and press the Saute button.  Cook for 5-6 minutes until beef is mostly cooked through.  Mix in all other ingredients and cover.  Press the Meat button and set the time for 20 minutes.  Seal pressure cooker and cook.  Release pressure and serve.

Meal 2: Candied Kielbasa  $4.03

• 1 pkg Eckrich sausage, cut into thin rounds
• 1 20 oz Meijer chunk pineapple in juice
• ½ C brown sugar (pantry)
• ¼ C ketchup (pantry)
• 1 onion, diced (pantry)
• 1 clove garlic (pantry)
• 2 C rice (pantry)
• 3 C water (pantry)

Directions: Mix all ingredients together in Instant Pot.  Set to high pressure for 22 minutes.  Seal pressure cooker and cook.  Release pressure and serve.

Meal 3:  Chicken Taco Soup  $6.38

• 1 lb boneless/skinless chicken thighs, cubed
• 1 bag Meijer frozen corn
• 1 can Meijer pinto beans, drained
• 1 can Rotel tomatoes with chilies, drained
• 1 pkt Meijer low sodium taco seasoning
• 1 32 oz box chicken stock (pantry)

Directions:  Add all ingredients to Instant Pot.  Press Soup button twice (40 minutes). Seal pressure cooker and cook.  Release pressure and serve with tortilla chips, rice, or crackers.

Meal 4:  Corn Chowder  $4.24

• 1 8 oz package Meijer diced ham
• 1 bag Meijer frozen corn
• 5 potatoes, cubed (pantry)
• 2 onions, chopped (pantry)
• 3 stalks celery (pantry)
• 1 C chicken stock (pantry)
• 1 C whole milk (pantry)

Directions:  Place the ham, corn, potatoes, onions, celery, and chicken stock into the Instant Pot.  Select Soup setting for 20 minutes.  Seal and cook.  Release pressure and add in milk.  Press Saute button and stir occasionally for 5-6 minutes or until thickened.

Meal 5:  Ground Beef Stew  $5.49

• 1 lb ground beef, browned
• 1 bag mixed vegetables
• 1 can Meijer Naturals diced tomatoes including juice
• ½ box Mejer green box orzo

Directions: In an Instant Pot, add ground beef and press the Saute button.  Cook for 5-6 minutes until beef is cooked through.  Mix in all other ingredients and cover.  Press the “Meat” button and set the time for 15 minutes.  Seal pressure cooker and cook.  Release pressure and serve.  {Orzo cooks faster than most pastas or rice, so you may want to adjust a few minutes if you prefer it more al dente or soft}

Meal 6:  Slow Cooker Pasta Sauce  $4.50

• 2 28 oz cans Meijer Naturals crushed tomatoes
• 2 t oregano (pantry)
• 2 t basil (pantry)
• ½ t marjoram (pantry)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (pantry)
• 1 box Meijer green box pasta, any variety

Directions:  Place all ingredients into Instant Pot.  Press Soup button for 20 minutes.  Seal pressure cooker and cook.  Release pressure and serve.

Meal 7: Deconstructed Cabbage Rolls  $5.51

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 onions, chopped (pantry)
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped (pantry)
• 3 lb green cabbage, chopped (pantry)
• 1 14.5 oz can Meijer Naturals diced tomatoes including juice

Directions:  In an Instant Pot, add ground beef and press the Saute button.  Cook for 5-6 minutes until beef is cooked through.  Remove from Instant Pot.  Layer beef, onions, garlic, and cabbage in Instant Pot.  Cover with tomatoes.  Press Soup button and cook at high pressure for 30 minutes.  Seal pressure cooker and cook.  Release pressure and serve with a dash of parmesan.

Meal 8:  Chicken & Dumplings  $4.58

• 1 lb Meijer frozen boneless/skinless chicken thighs, cubed
• 1 bag Meijer frozen mixed veggies
• 1 onion, chopped (pantry)
• Salt & pepper (pantry)
• 2 sage leaves (pantry)
• 2 T cornstarch (pantry)
• 2 C chicken stock (pantry)
• 1 pkg Jiffy Buttermilk biscuit mix

Directions:  Place the chicken, veggies, onion, seasonings, and chicken stock into the Instant Pot.  Seal pressure cooker and set to Soup for 30 minutes.  While this is cooking, mix cornstarch with water and set aside.  Mix biscuit mix as directed on the package and set aside.  Release pressure and mix in cornstarch slurry.  Drop biscuit dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into Instant Pot.  Cover and press Saute button to cook for additional 10 minutes or until soup is thickened and dumplings are done.

Meal 9:  Sauerkraut Dogs with Fries  $6.41

• 1 pkg Bar S hot dogs
• 1 can Meijer sauerkraut
• 1 pkg Meijer hotdog buns
• 1 pkg Meijer frozen french fries

Directions:  Place the sauerkraut and hot dogs into Instant Pot.  Seal the pressure cooker and choose medium pressure.  Cook for 10 minutes.  Release pressure.  Prepare the fries as directed on the package.  Serve the dogs in the buns topped with sauerkraut and any desired condiments.

Meal 10:  Beef Street Tacos  $4.68

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 red onion, diced (pantry)
• 1 can Meijer black beans, drained
• 1 t cumin (pantry)
• ½ pkg Meijer flour soft taco tortillas, warmed

Directions:  In an Instant Pot, add ground beef and onions and press the Saute button.  Cook for 5-6 minutes until beef is mostly cooked through.  Mix in black beans and cumin.  Cook for additional 10 minutes to blend flavors.  Serve in the tortillas.

Meal 11:  Spaghetti Casserole  $4.68

• 1 lb ground beef, browned
• 1 onion, chopped (pantry)
• ½ lb Meijer green box spaghetti, broken into pieces
• 1 jar Meijer pasta sauce, any variety
• 1 t Italian seasoning (pantry)
• ½ C water (pantry)

Directions:  In an Instant Pot, add ground beef and onion and press the Saute button.  Cook for 5-6 minutes until beef is cooked through.  Mix in pasta, sauce, seasonings and water.  Set pressure cooker to high pressure for 22 minutes.  Seal pressure cooker and cook. Release pressure and serve.  Top with parmesan if desired.

Meal 12:  Jambalaya  $4.87

• 1 pkg Eckrich smoked sausage, cut into rounds
• 1 lg onion, chopped (pantry)
• 2 stalks celery, diced (pantry)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (pantry)
• 1 T creole seasoning (pantry)
• 2 14.5 oz cans Hunt’s fire roasted tomatoes
• 1 32 oz pkg chicken stock (pantry)
• 2 C rice (pantry)
• 4 C water (pantry)

Directions:  Place the sausage, onion, celery, garlic, seasoning, and tomatoes in a slow cooker into Instant Pot.  Add chicken stock and cover.  Seal pressure cooker and choose the Bean/Stew setting.  Cook for 25 minutes.  Release pressure.

To cook rice, you can choose one of two methods.  20 minutes before serving, add the rice and water to a saucepan.  Bring to a simmer for 20 minutes or until the water has been absorbed.

Alternately, add the rice and 2 1/2 cups water to Instant Pot.  Set to high pressure for 22 minutes and cook.

In a large bowl, mix the rice and Instant Pot mixture.  Let sit 5 minutes and serve.

Meal 13:  Garlic Chicken with Mashers  $4.50

• 1 lb Meijer boneless/skinless chicken thighs
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled (pantry)
• 1 fresh thyme sprig (pantry)
• 1 fresh rosemary sprig (pantry)
• Salt and pepper (pantry)
• ½ C chicken stock (pantry)
• 2.5 lb Meijer yellow potatoes, cubed

Directions:  Place a trivet into your Instant Pot.  Pour in chicken stock or water. Place the potatoes in a layer on the trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot.  Top with chicken and the seasonings.  You may add a bit of stock over meat if preferred, but not necessary.  Seal pressure cooker and set to Poultry setting for 35 minutes.  Cook. Release pressure and remove from Instant Pot.

Remove the sprigs and chicken to a platter.  Transfer the potatoes to a bowl and mash with the garlic, adding butter and/or milk to get the desired consistency.  Serve with the chicken.

Meal 14:  Brunswick Stew  $4.99

• 1 lb pork shoulder butt, cubed
• 3 potatoes, chopped (pantry)
• 1 14 oz can Meijer diced tomatoes
• ½ bottle barbecue sauce (pantry)
• 1 ½ C chicken stock (pantry)
• 1 bag Meijer frozen lima beans

Directions:  Place all the ingredients into Instant Pot.  Seal pressure cooker and set to Meat/Stew high pressure for 45 minutes.  Release pressure and serve with crusty bread, if desired.

Meal 15:  Ham and Beans  $4.59

• ½ lb Frick’s smoked pork jowl bacon, diced
• 1 20 oz bag HamBeens 15 bean soup mix
• 1 onion, diced (pantry)
• 4 cloves garlic, diced (pantry)
• 2 ribs celery, diced (pantry)
• 2 carrots, diced (pantry)

Directions:  Place all ingredients into Instant Pot.  Seal pressure cooker and set Bean/Chili setting to 1 hour.  Release pressure.   Stir well and serve.

Meal 16:  Chicken Noodle Soup  $3.50

• 1 lb Meijer boneless/skinless chicken thighs, cubed
• 2 carrots, diced (pantry)
• 2 stalks celery, diced (pantry)
• 1 onion, diced (pantry)
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced (pantry)
• 1 32 oz box Chicken stock (pantry)
• 1 box Meijer green box small shell pasta
• 1 tablespoon butter (pantry)

Directions: Turn your Instant Pot to Saute.  Add butter to the bottom of Instant Pot and cook chicken, carrots, celery, and onion for 7-8 minutes or until vegetables are tender and chicken is mostly cooked through.  Turn off Saute feature, and add in garlic, chicken stock, and pasta.  Seal pressure cooker and choose the Soup option.  Manually change to 15 minutes.  Cook.  Release pressure manually, and stir.

Meal 17:  Black Bean Enchiladas  $4.59

• 8 LaBanderita corn tortillas, warmed
• 2 cans Meijer natural black beans, drained
• ½ bag Meijer frozen corn
• 1 16 oz Meijer Naturals Thick & Chunky salsa, any variety

Directions:  Turn Instant Pot to Saute.  Mix black beans, corn, and salsa together in Instant Pot and saute for 5 minutes to heat through.  Remove from Instant Pot.  Place 2 tablespoons mixture into corn tortillas, and place in bottom of an already sprayed baking dish in a single layer.  Sprinkle with cheese or top with extra salsa if desired.  Broil for 4 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and heated through. Serve with sour cream and extra cheese if desired.

Meal 18:  Honey Sesame Chicken  $5.00

• 2 lbs Meijer boneless/skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 C honey (pantry)
• ¼ C soy sauce (pantry)
• 2 T olive oil (pantry)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (pantry)
• 1 small onion, minced (pantry)
• ¼ t red pepper flakes (pantry)
• 3 T cold water (pantry)
• 3 T cornstarch (pantry)
• Sesame seeds (pantry)
• 2 C rice (pantry)
• 4 C water (pantry)

Directions:  Place the chicken in a slow cooker in the bottom of your Instant Pot.  In a bowl, mix the honey, soy sauce, oil, garlic, onion, and red pepper flakes.  Pour over the chicken.  Seal the pressure cooker and set to Poultry setting for 25 minutes.  While this is cooking, mix water and cornstarch together to form a slurry.  Set aside.  Manually release the pressure, and once the steam has dissipated, mix in the water and corn starch slurry.  Allow to sit for 10 minutes.  Sauce should thicken.

 Serve over the rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

To cook rice, you can choose one of two methods.  20 minutes before serving, add the rice and water to a saucepan.  Bring to a simmer for 20 minutes or until the water has been absorbed.

Alternately, add the rice and 2 1/2 cups water to Instant Pot.  Set to high pressure for 22 minutes and cook.

In a large bowl, mix the rice and Instant Pot mixture.  Let sit 5 minutes and serve.

Meal 19:  Tortellini Bake  $5.74

• 1 bag Meijer frozen tortellini
• 1 28 oz can Meijer Natural petite diced tomatoes
• 1 t basil (pantry)
• 1 t oregano (pantry)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (pantry)

Directions:  In a bowl, mix the tomatoes and spices.  Layer with the tortellini into the Instant Pot.  Seal pressure cooker and set to Grain setting for 15 minutes.  Manually release pressure.  Stir and serve.  Top with extra mozzarella or Parmesan.

Meal 20:  Beefy Mushroom Pasta  $4.99

• 1 lb ground beef, browned
• 1 lb elbow macaroni, cooked for half the time on the box
• 1 can Meijer cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can full of milk

Directions:  Turn your Instant Pot to Saute.  Add in ground beef and cook until mostly cooked through.  Turn off Saute and mix in pasta, milk, and soup.  Seal pressure cooker and set to high pressure for 15 minutes.  Manually release pressure and serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.

New to the Instant Pot world? Be sure to read my tips on how the Instant Pot can change your life!

Life Changing Instant Pot Hacks

Life Changing Instant Pot Hacks

You can find a printable list filled with all the ingredients you need to pull of these pressure cooker recipe ideas!

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