We’ve collected some of the best healthy Instant Pot recipes to help jump-start your journey towards a healthier you. From wholesome dinners and breakfasts to nourishing soups and healthy meal prep foods. They are deliciously light, yet fulfilling to keep you satisfied and full of energy.
Decided to get healthier? Great! To go along with your new exercise regime you need a delicious and healthy diet to keep you nourished and energized. Sticking with healthy eating isn’t always easy but the Instant Pot can certainly help you with some essentials required to succeed. Today, we are sharing our favourite, top-rated healthy Instant Pot recipes to get you inspired and motivated.
HEALTHY COOKING WITH INSTANT POT
From retaining more nutrients in the food to being an absolute MUST when it comes to batch cooking and meal prep, the pressure cooker is your best friend on any diet. Whether you’re doing Whole30, gluten-free, vegan or just trying to boost your nutrition, this is a gadget that keeps on giving.
- Slow-cooking meat is one of the healthiest ways to prepare protein, especially as you can use up cheaper cuts. The Instant Pot pressure cooking abilities make it much faster to cook braised beef and stewed lamb, tender soft chicken and shredded pork. Plus, you can make nourishing bone broths in a fraction of the time it takes on the stove or the slow cooker.
- The Instant Pot is fantastic for meal prep from making large batches of individual foods like cooked brown rice, quinoa, chickpeas and boiled eggs, to making make-ahead casseroles, stews and soups.
- Soups and stews are fantastic dishes for using up lots of nutritious vegetables and protein in one pot and Instant Pot is undoubtedly the easiest and fastest way to prepare those.
- You can use Instant Pot to steam vegetables and fish, make homemade yogurt or stew seasonal fruit.
Before we get into the recipes, here are a few extra articles and resources to help you with healthy eating.
- 15 Best Instant Pot Accessories
- Healthy Instant Pot Meal Plan #6 | 5 Dinners, 2 Lunches + 1 Breakfast
- 19+ Weight Watchers Instant Pot Recipes (With Points)
- Instant Pot Air Fryer Recipes (Duo Crisp Lid, Vortex Oven, Basket)
- Instant Pot Diet: What, How & Why
- 23 Instant Pot Mediterranean Diet Recipes
HEALTHY INSTANT POT RECIPES: DINNERS
Let’s begin by covering the most sought-after meal of the day – dinner! We often start out with a healthy breakfast or grab a salad for lunch but when it comes to nightfall, our energy is spent and we’re hungry for whatever we can get our hands on. It’s easy to default to comfort food, easy take out or frozen meals. These are some of our favorite healthy Instant pot meals you can whip up in no time for your evening meal.
Instant Pot Pasta Primavera
A classic, veggie-packed pasta dish that is finished in a lemony, cream sauce – versatile enough to be cooked year-round. It’s a simple one-pot dish that only takes about 30 minutes. Get the recipe on our blog.
Whole30 Beef Stew
This Instant Pot beef stew is hearty and thick, made with chuck steak, white and sweet potatoes, carrots and celery for a complete, balanced meal the whole family will enjoy. Get the recipe here.
Soy-Ginger Salmon With Broccoli
Salmon is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, and it comes to perfection in just minutes in the Instant Pot. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Buckwheat
Made with mushrooms, onions and garlic for added flavor, it’s fantastic as a main vegetarian or vegan dish, or it can be served as a side. Plus, it’s gluten-free and budget-friendly. Get the recipe here.
Healthy Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free, Paleo)
Who doesn’t love a generous serving of sloppy joes over a soft bread roll? Here is a healthier version full of veggies and served over baked vitamin-packed sweet potatoes. Get the recipe on our blog here.
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
This 5-ingredient recipe is perfect for speedy dinners, if on the budget, while travelling with your Instant Pot or making a last-minute meal for friends. Healthy and delicious tacos! Get the recipe here.
Paleo Instant Pot Butter Chicken
This Keto and Whole30 Instant Pot butter chicken recipe is easy and takes 10 minutes cook time. It uses gluten-free, dairy-free coconut milk cream to make its delicious sauce. Recipe from I Heart Umami.
Chicken Burrito Bowls (Low-Carb & Whole30)
These bowls come together in just about 30 minutes, for a fast and easy weeknight dinner. Cauliflower rice is served for a low-carb alternative that is also easy to prepare in the Instant Pot. Then top it off what some avocados and lime. Recipe from Detoxinista.
Veggie Burrito Bowls With Avocado Crema
Using pantry staples like rice, beans and sweet corn, this vegetarian burrito bowl is filled with nutritious ingredients and classic Tex-Mex flavors. Gluten-free and vegan-friendly. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Beef & Broccoli
This Instant Pot beef and broccoli taste better than take-out and can be enjoyed as is or with a side of rice or quinoa. Recipe from Whole Kitchen Sink.
Thai-Style Brown Rice & Chicken
When it comes to weeknight cooking, you can’t beat Instant Pot one-pot dishes. Cooking everything together allows the brown rice to absorb not only the broth liquid during the cooking process but also all the flavors of this Thai-inspired dish. Recipe on our blog here.
Instant Pot Garlic-Ginger Tofu & Bok Choy
Tofu and bok choy steamed together with savoury sesame soy sauce, fresh ginger and garlic is a simple Japanese-inspired dish that is very healthy and delicious. Get the recipe here.
Shrimp With Tomato & Garlic (From Frozen)
Made with frozen shrimp, this healthy and delicious shrimp dish is super easy to make and can be served over pasta, rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles (for a low-carb version) or enjoyed with some crusty bread to mop up that yummy sauce. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Mussels Marinara
Mussels in a delicious marinara sauce of onions, garlic, tomatoes and a touch of chili is a nutritious recipe that can be made in 20 minutes. Enjoy with crusty bread or a side of spaghetti or linguine, or zucchini noodles for a low-carb meal. Get the recipe here.
Vegetarian Mushroom Chili
Hearty and nutritious Instant Pot vegetarian chili with vegetables, lots of mushrooms and mixed beans. Beautifully spiced and with the addition of chipotle, this gluten-free and vegan-friendly dinner. Get the recipe here.
WHOLESOME SOUPS & STEWS
When it comes to healthy Instant Pot recipes for lunch or dinner, soups and stews are great meals that can pack a lot of nutrients in one bite. Here are some of our top picks for every taste!
Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Bright lemony broth, shredded chicken, and hearty orzo, makes this soup simple to make and is perfect for a midweek cozy pick-me-up. Get the recipe here.
Low-Calories Soup With Vegetables & Lentils
This soup is loaded with vegetables and lentils. It’s naturally low in calories and full of nutrients and flavor without added oil or sugar. Perfect for healthy eating. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Pasta e Fagioli
A heartwarming, thick soup, almost like a stew, that is perfect for a chilly or rainy day or when you need a hit of comfort food. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Sweet Potato Tortilla Soup
In this recipe, it’s made with sweet potatoes, black beans, and a blend of gorgeous warm spices. It easily converts to a vegetarian or vegan-friendly dish. Get this recipe on our blog here.
Corn Sweet Potato & Chipotle Soup
Fresh or frozen doesn’t matter with Instant Pot, just throw the corn in. This Mexican-inspired soup is made with healthy ingredients, flavourful spices, lime and a little chipotle for a smoky, chili kick. Recipe on our blog here.
Whole30 Instant Pot Seafood Gumbo
This Whole30 seafood gumbo is bursting with flavor and delicious ingredients like sea bass filets, bell peppers, and shrimp. It’s the perfect one-pot meal to add to your rotation. Creamy, nutritious and so comforting! Recipe from The Movement Menu.
Turkish Split Pea Stew
This gorgeous split pea stew is adapted from a classic Turkish lentil soup. It’s simple, rich and nutritious stew is full of warm, aromatic spices and flavors that will get you asking for seconds. Get the recipe on our blog here.
Delicious Healthy Borscht (Beet Soup)
Beets naturally have a beautiful vibrant red color which enhances the look of this soup. Instant Pot Borscht is a hearty beet soup that is quick and easy when made with the pressure cooker. Get the recipe on the blog here.
Nutritious Chicken Noodle Soup
Quick and easy Instant Pot chicken noodle soup that can be on the table in 30 minutes? Yes, please! Get the recipe on the blog here.
Easy Instant Pot Spinach Dal With Rice
This Indian lentils soup, Spinach Dal, is creamy and cooked with flavorful spices such as cumin, turmeric, and garlic. Recipe from Ministry of Curry.
Proper Beef Bone Broth In Instant Pot
Not only is it hearty and tasty, but this Instant Pot beef bone broth is super nutritious and can be used in multiple dishes from stews and soups to gravy and mashed potatoes. Get the recipe on our blog.
Best Vegetable Stew (Vegan-Friendly)
Made with almost 10 veggies and healthy ingredients, this nutritious stew is vegan and gluten-free friendly. It’s great for batch cooking and meal prepping as it keeps well and can be used over a few days. Get the recipe here.
HEALTHY INSTANT POT RECIPES: SALADS
Obviously, you don’t make the whole salad in the Instant Pot BUT you can certainly make your life easier by preparing some of the key ingredients in the pressure cooker. Think beans and lentils, healthy grains, root vegetables, eggs, or poultry and meat.
Instant Pot Chicken Salad
Using the pressure cooker to prep the chicken breasts results in flavor-infused, tender meatthat can be shredded, diced or sliced to use in any salad. It’s quick, easy and doesn’t require the use of the stove, which is a great hack in summer. Get the recipe here.
Cashew & Brown Rice Salad
This delicious brown rice and cashew salad is perfect for any season but is especially popular served at a summer picnic or barbecue. You can use the Instant Pot to make the brown rice, which is much quicker than the stovetop method. Get the recipe on the blog here.
Quinoa Corn Salad With Bacon
Featuring quinoa, corn, bacon, crunchy peppers, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, feta and delicious lemon honey mustard dressing, this is a meal you will want to cook over and over again. Gluten-free and can be made vegetarian-friendly. Get the recipe here.
Potato Salad With Tangy Vinaigrette
This Instant Pot potato salad is a great example of using the pressure cooker for spring and summer dishes. It’s a fantastic salad to bring to a barbecue party, picnic in the park or to enjoy as a nutritious, balanced meal at home. Get the recipe on our blog.
Mexican Quinoa With Cilantro & Lime Dressing
Perfect for meat-free Mondays! The quinoa is perfectly (and quickly) cooked together with gorgeous veggies and Mexican inspired spices, so it absorbs all those beautiful warm and earthy flavors while still in the pot. Get the recipe on our blog here.
Tasty Curry Chicken Salad
This delicious and healthy recipe is inspired by a Brazilian chicken salad, also known as Salpicão de Frango. It’s kind of a fusion dish, really. We take popular American classics, add some Brazilian additions of grated carrot, raisins, and corn, perfectly cooked, lightly spiced chicken breasts (Instant Pot is great for this!), and an Asian twist of curry mayo dressing. Everything is mixed and served over shredded lettuce or salad leaves. Get the recipe on our blog here.
INSTANT POT MEAL PREP FOODS
Here is a selection of individual foods that you can make in the Instant Pot to then use up in healthy meals. These will give you some starting ideas and range from meat and chicken to some of our favorite vegetables and legumes.
Instant Pot Beets
Beets are full of antioxidants and healthy fibre and they are low in calories. Use pre-cooked beets as a simple side to any meal, mix with a mustard vinaigrette for a salad, turn into a delicious dip, or add to smoothies. Frozen beets will keep for 4-5 days in the fridge. Get the recipe here.
Chicken Breasts In The Instant Pot
Make a batch of chicken breasts to use up in salads, lunch wraps, to turn into a quick dinner or as a quick protein snack. Get our step-by-step recipe here.
Pre-Cooked Baby Potatoes With Dill
Baby potatoes make for a healthy and satiating side dish with grilled fish or chicken, can be used in lunch salads and breakfast hash or a side with fried eggs, and are great for turning into roasted or mashed potatoes if you feel like something different. Get the recipe here.
Shredded Beef (Paleo, Whole30, Gluten-Free)
What we love about shredded beef is that it’s one of those recipes that you can make once and use up multiple times in different dishes. It is so versatile and perfect for meal prep and batch cooking. Keep it simple or add a BBQ twist to it. Recipe on our blog here.
Instant Pot Chickpeas
Home-cooked chickpeas taste SO much better than store-bought are far less expensive. Instant Pot makes tender, buttery chickpeas perfect for salads, soups, stews, sandwiches, dips and more. Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker.
Instant Pot Carnitas (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
Trying to eat Paleo, Whole30 or gluten-free? We have two tips that will totally be a game-changer for cooking carnitas with your Instant Pot. You’ll get that fork-tender, fall apart texture you’ve been wanting. Recipe from Real Simple Good.
Braised Green Beans With Tomatoes
These Turkish-style braised green beans with olive oil, onions, and tomatoes is a spectacular vegetable dish that is great hot or cold, making it good make-ahead food. You can serve it as a side with dinners, pack it for lunch with a side of protein or serve it as a vegetarian main. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Boiled Eggs
Eggs are a great source of protein, fats, and nutrients; plus, they are affordable and highly versatile. The best thing about cooking ‘boiled’ eggs in the Instant Pot is that you can add them in, press the button, and walk away. There is no need to wait for the water to boil first or to stand over the pot with a timer. It’s also super convenient for those times when you can’t use the stove for whatever reason (e.g. renovating the kitchen, living in a student dorm, summer heat). Get the recipe here.
Perfect Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
The thing is, there are way too many ‘one size fits all’ Instant Pot sweet potato recipes out there, and can we be real? Not all sweet potatoes are made the same, so why should the cooking method be? This time chart based on the width of your sweet potatoes ensures they are perfectly cooked each time. Get the recipe here.
NOURISHING BREAKFASTS IN INSTANT POT
Start the day right with a nutritious breakfast you can make in the Instant Pot from egg casserole to simple oatmeal or baked beans.
Healthy Frittata Breakfast Casserole
This Instant Pot frittata breakfast casserole is crazy delicious and loaded with healthy veggies. It’s a tasty breakfast that is easy to make and an excellent make-ahead option for those busy mornings. Recipe from Peas and Crayons.
Cinnamon Banana Oatmeal With Rolled Oats
Learn how to make cinnamon and banana Instant Pot oats for a quick, easy and nutritious breakfast. With step-by-step photos, this beginner-friendly recipe is great to master if you’ve never tried making a pressure cooker oatmeal porridge before. Get the recipe here.
Mediterranean Egg Bites With Herbs & Feta
Low-carb and keto-friendly, these breakfast eggs bites are packed with protein and healthy fats as well as delicious herbs and feta. Great for making a batch to enjoy in the morning or to pack with you. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole With Sausage
This combo of rich, slightly salty, herbed ground pork sausage is hugged with a thick layer of pillowy soft eggs and then a crown of melty cheddar to just bring it all together in a breakfast that is so good. Get the recipe here.
How To Make Yogurt In An Instant Pot
Why bother making homemade yogurt? Well, for starters, it’s 100000x better than store-bought. Seriously. It’s creamier and substantially less tangy. The process sounds like it’ll take forever, but really, this recipe is so stinking easy with like 4 minutes of hands-on time (legit, 4-5 minutes) – it’s basically effortless. And fool-proof. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Rice Pudding (Chai Spiced )
This Instant Pot rice pudding is made with warm aromatic chai spices, such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and clove. Dates are added to sweeten things up for this Indian-inspired breakfast or dessert. It’s vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free. Recipe on our blog here.
Instant Pot Baked Oatmeal Bars
Bananas, cinnamon, dates, coconut, maple and chia seeds make up this delicious fiber loaded vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free morning treat. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Breakfast Congee
A super simple Instant Pot breakfast congee made with chicken broth and seasoned with ginger and green onion. It’s cooked until gooey, then finished up with crispy bacon, a sunny side up egg, and chili oil. Get the reicpe here.
GUILT-FREE DESSERTS
End your meal with something sweet but no guilt. A treat that simply makes you smile with indulgence without any regret especially with a slice of cheesecake.
Instant Pot Peach Cheescake
Healthy cheesecake with light cream cheese, Greek yoghurt and sugar-free sweetener alternatives. Perfect for summer or any other time of the year, when you want a guilt-free dessert that pleases a crowd. Get the recipe here.
Vegan Chocolate Cake
This vegan chocolate cake is so versatile and screams decadence. Its moist, fluffy and soft. No one will believe it’s egg-free and dairy free. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Strawberry Jam No Sugar
This easy jam is perfect on the toast or with yogurts and even in parfaits. It’s so easy and quick to make that you will make it again and again. Also, this recipe is totally customizable. Add some blueberries to make a mixed berry jam or sprinkle some crushed chili pepper for a spicy punch. Get the recipe here.
Keto Flourless Chocolate Cake
This rich and decadent keto flourless chocolate cake is made using a pressure cooker and is one of the most simple keto desserts to master. Get the recipe here.
Easy Keto Peanut Butter Cheesecake Instant Pot
Extra Creamy, light, and fluffy, this crustless easy keto peanut butter cheesecake made in an Instant Pot with 4 ingredients is only done in less than half an hour. Entirely Sugar-Free, Low Carb, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, and Diabetic Friendly. Get the recipe here.
Carrot Cake Oatmeal (Instant Pot and Gluten-free)
This Carrot Cake Oatmeal recipe is creamy, cinnamon-y, and stick-to-your-ribs satisfying. It’s entirely hands-off and can be customized depending on how sweet you like your treats. Get the recipe here.
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Healthy Instant Pot Recipes: Veggie-Loaded Minestrone
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion finely diced
- 1 carrot large or 2 small, diced into cubes
- 1 celery rib diced into cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 potatoes medium, peeled and diced into small cubes
- 1 zucchini medium, diced into cubes
- 3 garlic cloves finely diced
- 1/2 red chili sliced or diced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp Italian herbs
- 1 tsp sweet paprika powder
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups canned tomatoes 2 cans, about 28 oz /800 g totla
- 1.5 cups canned cannellini beans 14 oz / 400 g, drained, other beans could also be used
- 3.5 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup pasta uncooked small pasta such as elbows or macaroni, we used gluten-free
TO FINISH
- 3 cups baby spinach loosely packed
- 1/4 cup basil leaves sliced, plus extra to serve
- 1/2 cup Parmesan or other hard cheese grated, to serve
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot on and press the Sauté function key. Once hot, add the olive oil, onions, celery and carrots and season with a teaspoon of salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring a few times. Press Cancel to stop the Sautéing
- Add the rest of the ingredients and stir through. Pop the lid on, lock and make sure the top valve is pointing to Sealing. Set to Manual/Pressure Cook and adjust to 1 minute at HIGH pressure. The pressure will take about 15 minutes to build up as there is quite a lot of liquid. Please note, the soup starts cooking during the pressurization and we only need it to stay at HIGH pressure for that 1 minute.
- Once the timer is up, a new countdown will begin – the natural pressure release stage. Allow 8-10 minutes (max!) to release the pressure naturally and then point the top valve to Venting (or press it down on new models) to let off the rest of the pressure and steam. Don't leave on natural pressure release for much longer or the pasta will get too soft.
- Open the lid and stir in the baby spinach while the soup is still very hot. It will wilt into the soup within minutes. Stir in the fresh basil and add some cracked pepper, if you like. Taste for seasoning.
- Serve the minestrone in deep bowls with a generous sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese or other hard cheese on hand. Enjoy!
Notes
- Vegan version: Omit the cheese addition and serve as is or use plant-based cheese on top. Nutritional yeast flakes could be sprinkled on top.
- Whole30 version: Omit the beans and pasta and add extra vegetables or shredded chicken to the soup.
- Other toppings: Sour cream, Greek yoghurt or a dollop of heavy cream is lovely in minestrone. If you want extra protein (although this soup is quite satiating already), feel free to add diced cooked chicken or beef.
- Storage & freezing tips: The soup will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container. The flavor will develop even further the day after. Make sure to reheat the soup well.
- It does not freeze well because of cooked pasta. If you make the soup without pasta, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Once defrosted, simply stir in some separately cooked pasta and enjoy as if it was all made together.
Nutrition
Start today with your new Instant Pot for a healthier tomorrow with your family. These healthy Instant Pot recipes can inspire you to stay motivated. While your Instant Pot will make life simple, easy and efficient so you to keep up the drive, determination and focus to accomplish your healthy diet goals.
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