20 Instant Pot Dinners That Actually Build Flavor

The Instant Pot isn’t just a pressure cooker, it’s a kitchen tool that lets you take long-simmering recipes and condense them into meals you can make on a weeknight. These recipes range from global dishes like pho and adobo to comfort classics like ribs and chili to lighter fare like shredded chicken or coconut pork. You’ll find stews, roasts, seafood, barbecue, and skewing between rich, bold flavors and simple, clean ones. The magic is in how ingredients meld under pressure, producing depth, you get flavor, speed, and fewer pots to wash.

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Overhead shot of a plate of chicken adobo with rice and scallions on the side. — Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

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Classic Filipino adobo comes alive when chicken thighs braise under pressure with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns. The sauce reduces afterward for richness. It’s tangy, savory, and ready in a fraction of traditional cook time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Chicken simmers with garlic, honey, soy (or tamari), and aromatics until tender. The sauce thickens when you switch to the sauté setting. It glazes the meat beautifully. Serve with rice or steamed vegetables for an easy dinner that tastes layered.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Instant Pot Baby Back Rib dipped in barbeque sauce in a glass bowl — Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Ribs cook under pressure in liquid and aromatics until tender. Then finish under broiler or in the oven with sauce to crisp and caramelize. You end up with juicy ribs inside and sticky, flavorful crust on the outside.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Beef Stew Goulash Instant Pot

Goulash inside white casserole. — Beef Stew Goulash Instant Pot. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Beef cubes, onions, paprika, tomatoes, and seasonal vegetables cook together under pressure. The result is a rich, paprika-forward stew reminiscent of goulash. Serve over noodles, dumplings, or bread for soaking up the sauce.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stew Goulash Instant Pot

Instant Pot Taco Spaghetti

This mash-up puts seasoned ground meat (or protein) with pasta, tomato sauce, and taco spices all in one pot. The pasta cooks within the sauce so everything absorbs flavor. Serve with cheese, cilantro, or sour cream. Fast, fun, and filling.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Taco Spaghetti

Instant Pot Falafel

Low angle shot of falafel in a pita with parsley and tomatoes. — Instant Pot Falafel. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chickpeas, herbs, onion, garlic, and spices are blended, formed into balls or patties, then either air-fried, pan-fried, or even lightly pressure-steamed (depending on method). The result is a falafel that’s soft inside yet crisp outside. Serve in pita, wraps, or over greens with tahini or yogurt sauce.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Falafel

Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops

Pork chops pressure-cook with broth, onions, garlic, or herbs until tender. The cooking liquid can be reduced into a sauce or gravy. The chops come out juicy and flavorful. Quick comfort food that beats overcooking.
Get the Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops

Instant Pot Turkey Chili

Bowl of chili with baked tortilla strips. — Instant Pot Turkey Chili. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Ground turkey, beans, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices all pressure-cook together into a hearty chili. The pressure intensifies flavor and melds ingredients fast. Serve with toppings—cheese, avocado, tortilla strips. Comforting, leaner chili that doesn’t feel “diet.”
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Turkey Chili

Instant Pot Spare Ribs

Low angle, closeup shot of spare ribs with hoisin glaze. — Instant Pot Spare Ribs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Ribs cook under pressure with liquid, aromatics, and seasonings until tender. Then finish under broiler or grill to develop a crust and caramelize sauce. They come out fall-off-the-bone inside, crisp outside if finished well. Serve with sauce on the side or brushed on top.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spare Ribs

Instant Pot Duck Confit

Overhead shot of a confit duck leg with orange sauce and star anise pods. — Instant Pot Duck Confit. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Duck legs cook in their own rendered fat or a bit of oil with aromatics until tender. Once pressure‑cooked, crisp the skin under a broiler or in a hot pan. The interior stays moist and rich, while the exterior gains that signature confit texture. Perfect with roasted vegetables, salads, or grains.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Duck Confit

Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken

Chicken pieces cook in a sauce of bourbon, soy, garlic, brown sugar, and broth under pressure. The result is tender meat coated in a sticky, sweet-savory glaze. Serve with rice or steamed vegetables. Bold flavor, minimal work.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken

Instant Pot Crab Boil

Seafood (crab legs, shrimp), corn, potatoes, and sausage (if desired) cook together in seasoned broth under pressure. The flavors soak into everything. After cooking, drain and toss in melted butter or garlic sauce. A seafood feast in less time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Crab Boil

Instant Pot Roast Beef and Gravy

Intentional Hospitality — Instant Pot Roast Beef and Gravy. Photo credit: .

Beef roast pressure-cooks with onions, broth, and seasonings until tender. Afterward, reduce the liquid and thicken it into gravy. Slice or shred and serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or with vegetables. The Instant Pot turns roast night into something far quicker.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Roast Beef and Gravy

Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp cook quickly with garlic, lemon, butter, and maybe white wine or broth. The pressure infusion helps the flavors blend faster. Serve with pasta or crusty bread. Light, bright, and ready faster than stovetop scampi.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi

Instant Pot Ham

Sliced ham with oranges and mint. — Instant Pot Ham. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Ham roast or shank cooks with aromatics, glaze, or sweet liquid until warm and sliceable. The pressure cooker infuses flavor into the meat. You can reduce the cooking liquid afterward to make a sauce or glaze. Excellent for feeding a crowd with minimal work.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Ham

Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Open-faced sandwich with pulled pork and purple coleslaw on a toasted bun. — Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Pork shoulder cooks until it’s shreddable, then mixes with barbecue sauce. Serve on slider buns with coleslaw or pickles. The pressure intensifies flavor and tenderness. Perfect party-style meal done in one pot.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Thighs

Shredded Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot with thyme. — Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Chicken thighs cook with broth, salt, pepper, and aromatics. After pressure, they shred easily and soak up any extra sauce or seasonings. Use in tacos, sandwiches, bowls, soups, or salads. Versatile, fast, and foundational.
Get the Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Thighs

Instant Pot Pho

Overhead shot of bowls of pho. — Instant Pot Pho. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Beef bones, aromatics (ginger, onion, cloves, cinnamon), and spices pressure-cook into a rich, concentrated broth. Add rice noodles and thin slices of beef or brisket after. Garnish with herbs, lime, bean sprouts, and chili. You get deep pho flavor without hours of simmering.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pho

Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew

Bowl of Instant Pot beef stew with carrots and potatoes. — Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Beef chunks cook with apple cider, broth, root vegetables, and seasonings under pressure. Acidity from the cider adds brightness while softening the meat. The result is a cozy, flavorful stew with a twist. Serve with crusty bread or over grains.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew

Instant Pot Coconut Pork

Pork cubes cook in coconut milk, garlic, ginger, and spices until tender. The coconut broth infuses the meat, creating a creamy, slightly sweet dish. Serve with rice or vegetables for balance. Tropical comfort in pressure form.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Coconut Pork