This week I got a brand new Instant Pot. I am so excited. It’s the Instant Pot Duo and I was thrilled to test it out and cook some more Instant Pot recipes with my new Instant Pot Duo pressure cooker.
Of course, this is not my first pressure cooker but getting a new Instant Pot Duo was so so exciting for me and my husband. Today I am sharing a fantastic Instant Pot Cooking Times Cheat Sheet to help anyone new to the Instant Pot.
Jump to:
- The Instant Pot Makes Cooking Easier
- Cooking Healthy Family Meals in the Instant Pot
- A Few Instant Pot Tips
- Getting Started With the Instant Pot Duo
- Instant Pot Quick Release
- Instant Pot Natural Release
- The Ultimate Instant Pot Cheat Sheet
- Is There a Big Difference in Cooking Times Due to Altitude?
- Should I Quick Release Meat Such as Chicken and Beef?
- Does Boneless Meat Pressure Cook Faster Than Bone-in Meat?
- What About Pressure Cooking Vegetables?
- Can I Stack Instant Pot Pans?
- Are Instant Pots Dishwasher Safe?
The Instant Pot Makes Cooking Easier
I genuinely feel really happy when I use the Instant pot. I think it has a lot to do with the fact I am chronically unwell. I spend about 80% of my life in unwell at home. I'm a Mum with chronic illness, who loves to cook when I feel well enough.
Cooking Healthy Family Meals in the Instant Pot
Having the Instant Pot Duo means I can cook meals quicker and in less time. But what are the cooking times for the Instant Pot? Well, it depends on the recipe, however, there are some general rules when it comes to Instant Pot cooking times and so I've made a quick guide or cooking times cheat sheet which you can print off and use.
A Few Instant Pot Tips
When my new Instant Pot Duo arrived we did the water pressure test and then the first food we cooked was Instant Pot rice.
Perform the Instant Pot Water Test
When you first get an Instant Pot Duo be sure to perform the water test to make sure the machine is in working order.
Start With Easy Instant Pot Recipes
We began by cooking rice in the Instant Pot Duo. I then tried hard-boiled eggs using the 5-5-5 method and then a tasty chicken soup. It did take a little learning but once I figured it out I was so excited.
In fact, I can't wait to share some tips and tricks with you here on my Instant Pot cheat sheet.
I created this Instant Pot Cooking Times Cheat Sheet for you to download for free to get you started!
You don't have to sign up to anything or pay any money...This Instant Pot Cheat Sheet is free.
Getting Started With the Instant Pot Duo
So the first thing to know is how to use the Instant pot Duo. It’s pretty simple! There are four easy steps!
Add the Ingredients and Liquid Into the Instant Pot
Every Instant Pot recipe calls for liquid to be added to the inner pot. The liquid is needed for your food to pressure cook.
Without liquid there would be no steam and the Instant Pot would not be able to come to pressure.
Each individual recipe will tell you how much liquid you need and whether you need to set your cook time to high pressure or not.
Select Your Cooking Program and Times
When cooking a meal in the Instant Pot you'll need to select the correct cooking time to allow your food to cook correctly.
Whether it's a tasty soup, Instant pot vegetables, eggs or an amazing Instant Pot Pot Roast each recipe will have its own cooking time.
However, there are some general guidelines for certain types of meat and vegetables and the cooking time changes depending on whether or not the chicken or beef or vegetables are frozen or fresh.
Use our Instant Pot Cheat Sheet to get the Instant Pot cooking times!
Continue Your Daily Life Until the Pot Beeps
The beauty of using Instant Pots is that you can leave the room or get on with another task as you pressure cook your food.
It's fantastic and with this cheat sheet above you'll save even more time.
So what are you waiting for, pop come chicken breast into the pressure cooker and enjoy some Instant Pot Chicken tonight.
Release the Pressure and Enjoy Your Instant Pot Meal
Once the Instant Pot has finished cooking it will beep to let you know that it's finished cooking. At this stage, you can release the pressure by flipping the valve on top to release or use a quick-release method if recommended in your Instant Pot recipe.
There are a few methods for releasing pressure, the most popular being the quick release and natural release method.
I’ll explain them both here:
Instant Pot Quick Release
Quick Release releases the pressure of your Instant Pot Instantly.
To perform a quick release, press cancel, twist the steam release to the venting position and then quick release the pressure.
Always be careful when using the Instant Pot Quick Release method as steam can escape quickly.
Instant Pot Natural Release
The Instant Pot Natural Release method releases pressure over time.
The pot will continue to cook your food using residual steam and heat by pressure.
To naturally release steam, press cancel and wait for the pressure to go down naturally.
Top Tip: Never fill your Instant Pot more than halfway when using beans and grains as they tend to expand.
The Ultimate Instant Pot Cheat Sheet
So here is the Ultimate Instant Pot Cheat Sheet - it is an Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet with useful cooking times and tips.
I’m sure you will find this cooking times cheat sheet super useful.
Is There a Big Difference in Cooking Times Due to Altitude?
Yes, Instant Pot cooking times can vary when cooking at high altitudes. As a general rule add 5% more time for every 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet altitude.
For example, if the Instant Pot recipe calls for 10 minutes of cook time at sea level, then at 3,000 feet the cook time would be 10 minutes + 5% (0.5 minutes) = 10.5 minutes of cook time.
Always refer to Instant Pot cooking time chart for specific foods.
Don’t forget to add a bit more liquid as well when cooking at high altitudes.
Should I Quick Release Meat Such as Chicken and Beef?
It is recommended to naturally release pressure when cooking meat such as chicken and beef in the Instant Pot. This helps the meat to stay tender and juicy.
Does Boneless Meat Pressure Cook Faster Than Bone-in Meat?
Yes, boneless meat will typically pressure cook faster than bone-in meat. This is because the bone retains heat and can slow down the cooking process.
Do Instant Pot Cooking Times Change if I Double the Recipe?
It is recommended to not double a recipe in the Instant Pot as it can affect the cooking time and potentially result in under or overcooked food. It is best to cook the recipe in separate batches.
Can I Cook Frozen Food in Instant Pot?
Yes, you can cook frozen food in the Instant Pot. Just be sure to add enough liquid and increase cooking time by about 50%. Always refer to Instant Pot cooking times chart for specific foods.
What About Pressure Cooking Vegetables?
For Instant Pot Instant Pot vegetables it is fine to quick release as they won’t be affected as much by the pressure release method.
Cook vegetables on high pressure and press cancel once the cooking time is complete. Then quick release and get ready to wow the family with fresh and tasty meals.
Can I Stack Instant Pot Pans?
Yes, Instant Pot pans can be stacked on top of each other as long as the Instant Pot allows for enough space for pressure to build up. This is a great way to save time and cook multiple dishes at once in the Instant Pot.
Are Instant Pots Dishwasher Safe?
The inner pot, Instant Pot lid and accessories such as the steam rack are dishwasher safe. However, it is not recommended to place the Instant Pot base in the dishwasher.
To clean the Instant Pot base, simply wipe down with a damp cloth.
This Instant Pot cheat sheet has all the Instant Pot cooking times and
Happy Instant Pot cooking!
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