Do Instapots Make Meat Tender? (Plus 5 Succulent Recipes)

Pressure cookers and multicookers are incredibly convenient kitchen companions, but convenience doesn't always equate to quality (that's a tongue-twister right there).

But if you want a kitchen appliance that helps you make quality meals as well as quick ones, it begs the question, "Do Instant Pots make meat tender?".

After spending more than five years testing and reviewing different pressure cookers, air fryers, and Instant Pots, I've got the definitive answers to all your pressure cooking questions and a few cheeky recipes to make your mouth water.

Jump to:

• What Is An Instant Pot & What Can It Do?
• How Your Instant Pot Cooks Tender Meat
• Five Instant Pot Recipes That Make Melt-In-Your-Mouth Tender Meat
• 1. Sticky Pulled Pork
• 2. Hearty Beef & Vegetable Stew
• 3. Flamin' Hot Turkey Chili
• 4. Instant Pot Duo Crisp Roast Chicken
• 5. Classic Pot Roast
• Quick Tips For Tender Meat
• Key Takeaways
• Do Instapots Make Meat Tender?

What Is An Instant Pot & What Can It Do?

First things first, if you're new to Instant Pot Eats or are doing some reconnaissance before buying your very first Instant Pot electric pressure cooker, here's a crash course in multicookers and why you should probably definitely buy one.

An Instant Pot cooker (some people call it an Insta Pot, and that's OK!) is an entire range of small kitchen appliances crammed into one countertop-sized culinary wizard.

While you have a veritable cornucopia of Instant Pot models to choose from that come with different cooking features, the core selection of cooking methods is the same across all models.

They are:

• Pressure Cook
• Slow Cook
• Saute
• Steam

This ingenious appliance can serve as a valuable addition to your traditional cooker, streamlining the cooking process and meal prep, or even replace your stove entirely if you're not cooking for a small army.

With its ability to function as a frying pan, skillet, saute pan, saucepan, and crockpot, the Instant Pot is a dream for one-pot recipes and batch cooking.

I have no idea how I kept my family well-fed before I became a multicooker addict.

How Your Instant Pot Cooks Tender Meat

Now you're armed to the teeth with the knowledge of what an Instant Pot is, let's attack "how" Insta Pots cook succulent food.

For meat that melts in your mouth, I recommend using three of the core cooking methods (occasionally combining more than one to stunning effect); here's how they work:

Pressure Cooking

Pressure-cooked meat has a mighty advantage over all other cooking methods because the beef, chicken, or pork cuts are tender BECAUSE the food is cooked so quickly and drastically reduces cooking time.

The specially designed electric pressure cooker seals the unit tight and lets the Instant Pot build incredible pressure, which increases the boiling point of water.

With your cut of meat sealed safely inside, the pressure creates moist heat, cooking your food two to three times more quickly than traditional roasting and baking methods. The high pressure also helps break down tough meat fibers and connective tissue, resulting in tender and flavorful dishes.

If that wasn't enough to get you to click "Add to Cart," the high pressure ensures your cut of meat cooks more quickly, retains more nutrients, and is tastier than ever before

Slow Cooking

If pressure cooking is a 100M sprint, then slow cooking is seven marathons in seven days across seven continents.

But as my grandma used to tell me while I sat in front of the oven waiting for her chocolate chip cookies to bake so I could stuff them in my face with a glass of milk, "Good things come to those who wait."

And boy, this is true when you use the Instant Pot slow cooker.

Without going into gross details about connective tissues, muscle fibers, collagen, and gelatin, cooking cuts of meat over extremely long periods at a low temperature breaks down all the tough parts of the meat.

Because your meat bathes in the resulting delicious and flavorful liquid for hours on end, it soaks in the natural flavor for tender meat that falls apart in your mouth.

Though this cooking method is not ideal for impatient people, it's paradoxically suitable for people who are short on time.

You can prepare your ingredients and fire and forget, so your meal will be ready when you get back from the school run, work, or whatever takes up most of your day.

Sauteing

Sauteing itself doesn't make meat tender. In fact, overdoing it can make your food as tough as old boots, difficult to chew, and lose a lot of its taste and nutrients.

However, one drawback of pressure cooking is that your meat can end up looking pale and unappealing. Searing your beef, chicken, or pork before you stick it in the pressure cooker will ensure it's got a golden and slightly crispy exterior, which most people prefer.

Sauteing meat creates the 'Maillard reaction' that gives food that beautiful golden brown appearance and adds tongue-tingling flavors that you wouldn't find on non-seared foods.

And If You've Got A Duo Crisp

If you've got an Instant Pot Duo Crisp (like me!), you've got a couple more cooking weapons in your arsenal to help you make deliciously tender cuts of meat.

Sous Vide

The sous vide cooking method delivers melt-in-your-mouth meat by precisely controlling a low water bath temperature. It gently cooks meat for extended periods, breaking down tough fibers and connective tissues for unbelievably tender results.

Air Fryer

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp comes with a separate air fryer lid so you can give your meat a crispy and golden brown exterior AFTER pressure cooking or a stint in the slow cooker.

Because you can blast your meat at extremely high temperatures using a heating element and a huge fan, you can quickly crisp up your food without compromising the tenderness of your juicy chicken, beef, or fish.

Five Instant Pot Recipes That Make Melt-In-Your-Mouth Tender Meat

Now you know how slow and pressure cookers work to create a tender cut of meat, juicy chicken breasts, or delicious stews, here are a few simple recipes that are a great idea to help you get used to your Instant Pot.

1. Sticky Pulled Pork

This recipe creates tender and flavorful pulled pork in your Instant Pot, perfect for sandwiches, Super Bowl burgers or evening meals.

Ingredients:

• 1.2 kg boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 125 ml chicken stock or water
• BBQ Sauce:
  • 6 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 6 tablespoons tomato puree
  • 6 tablespoons soy 
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 60 ml ketchup, thinned with equal parts water

Instructions:

1. Sear the pork: Cut the pork shoulder in half like the carnivore that you are. Heat olive oil in the inner pot on a high saute setting. Sear your cut of pork on all sides so it's golden brown.
2. Prepare the BBQ sauce: In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, tomato puree, soy, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and thinned ketchup.
3. Pressure cook: After deglazing the pot with chicken stock or water (1 cup for an 6-quart pot or 1.5 cups for an 8-quart appliance), add the pork shoulder and BBQ dressing. Close the lid and let the Instant Pot do its magic on high for 80 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
4. Shred the pork: Take your pork from the inner pot and shred it with a couple of forks. Pop the shredded pork back into the pot and give it a good mix in the BBQ sauce.

Pulled Pork Top Tips:

• For a thicker BBQ sauce, remove some of the pork and shred it. Bring the remaining BBQ dressing to a boil on saute mode, simmer until thickened, and then return the pork to the pot.
• Get creative with your serving options. Enjoy this delicious pulled pork on hamburger buns with coleslaw, use it for tacos, nachos, or bowls, or pair it with roast potatoes and vegetables for a comforting meal.

2. Hearty Beef & Vegetable Stew

This recipe creates a hearty and flavorful beef stew, perfect for a cozy meal on a cold winter's night.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs beef, diced into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 potatoes, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Sear the beef: Heat olive oil in your Instant Pot on a high saute setting. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides.
2. Sauté the vegetables: Add onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened about 3 minutes.
3. Pressure cook: Deglaze the Instant Pot with beef broth, scraping up any browned bits. Add the remaining ingredients (beef, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, carrots, potatoes) and bring to a boil. Close the lid and cook on high for 35 minutes.
4. Serve: Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley (optional).

Beef Stew Top Tips:

• Thicken the stew: If you're a fan of thick stew, you can make a cornstarch slurry with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water. Whisk it into the pot after releasing the pressure and simmer on saute mode until thickened.
• Vegetables: For a healthy meal, you can beef up the volume of your stew by adding other vegetables, such as peas, celery, or turnips.

3. Flamin' Hot Turkey Chili

This recipe calls for slowing cooking your turkey mince, legumes, veggies and herbs, and spices for hours on end to create a wholesome dish with juices to tantalize your tastebuds.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 500g ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon chili powder (more if you can handle the fire)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 (15 oz) can of chopped plum tomatoes
• 4 cups beef broth or chicken stock
• 1 (15 oz) can of kidney beans 
• 1 (15 oz) can of cannellini beans 
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in your Instant Pot on the saute setting. Add your chopped onion (goggles optional, if you're a weeper like me) and bell peppers and cook until softened about 5 minutes.
2. Add the ground turkey and saute like a maniac until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
3. Stir in chili powder, cumin, and your desired amount of diced tomatoes (if using) and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Add broth, kidney beans, and cannellini beans. Cancel saute mode and close the lid. Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
5. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually.
6. Switch to slow cooker setting and set a cook time that fits with your schedule and forget about it until it's time to chow down.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot (both spice and temperature) with your favorite toppings, such as grated cheddar, sour cream, or chopped avocado. Or, y'know, all three.

Turkey Chili Top Tips:

• You can add other vegetables to this chili, such as corn, carrots, or zucchini.
• For a spicier chili, add a diced jalapeno pepper with the onions and peppers.

4. Instant Pot Duo Crisp Roast Chicken

If you've got yourself a Duo Crisp you use the pressure cooker and air fryer to cook a whole chicken in half the time it would take in a regular oven.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (around 5 lbs)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season generously with olive oil, sage, thyme, rosemary, garlic salt, and pepper.
2. Place the chicken breast-side up on the trivet inside the inner pot.
3. Add 1 cup of cold water to the pot (this creates steam for pressure cooking).
4. Close the lid and seal the pressure release valve. Pressure cook on High for 6 minutes per pound of chicken (e.g., 30 minutes for a 5-lb chicken).
5. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually using the release valve.
6. Carefully 'pluck' the chicken from the pot and place it on a heat-safe plate.

Air Frying for Crispy Skin (Optional, But Not Really):

1. Swap Instant Pot lids from pressure cooker to air fryer.
2. Switch the Instant Pot Duo Crisp to the Air Fryer setting at 400°F (204°C) for 20-25 minutes.
3. Baste the chicken with it's own juices and additional olive oil or melted butter for extra crispiness (optional, but not really).
4. After air frying, the internal temperature of the chunkiest part of the thigh should be 165°F (74°C) so you don't end up spending the night in the bathroom.

Roast Chicken Top Tips:

• You can stuff the chicken cavity with your favorite herbs, vegetables, or lemon wedges for extra flavor.
• Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving for mouth-watering tenderness.

5. Classic Pot Roast

If you're a meat lover chances are you love a classic pot roast. This straightforward recipe calls for minimum prep time and maximum taste.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 pound beef chuck roast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, quartered
• 3-4 cloves garlic
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Pat the beef chuck roast dry with kitchen paper and go to town with the salt and pepper seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil in your Instant Pot on the saute setting. Sear the roast until it's brown all over.
3. Add your diced onions and garlic to the pot and cook until soft.
4. Add your beef broth, thyme (if using), and any remaining drippings from the seared roast. Stir right to the bottom of the pot to scrape off any browned bits.
5. Close the lid and seal the pressure release valve. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes per 2 pounds of beef (e.g., 90 minutes for a 3-pound roast).
6. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually using the pressure release valve
7. Transfer the roast to a chopping board and shred with two forks. Serve with the cooking liquids and your favorite sides, like mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.

Pot Roast Top Tips:

• If you're a bit of a health nut, you can add even more vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, or celery, to the pot with the beef broth.
• For thicker gravy, whisk a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water) into the cooking liquids after releasing the pressure. Simmer until it's as thick as you want.

Quick Tips For Tender Meat

To ensure you make the most tender of meats, follow these additional tips to get the most out of your pressure cooking, sauteing, and slow-cooking Instant Pot.

Sear Before You Pressure Cook 

Before pressure cooking, use the Sauté function to brown your meat on all sides. This caramelizes sugars for rich flavor and jumpstarts the tenderizing process.

Pick The Right Cut Of Meat 

Tough cuts like chuck roast or pork shoulder become melt-in-your-mouth masterpieces in the Instant Pot. During pressure cooking, their connective tissues transform into gelatin, creating a luxurious texture.

Use The Correct Amount of Liquid

Don't skimp on the liquid! Broth, water, or even wine adds moisture and infuses flavor. Enough liquid in the pressure cooker ensures even cooking and prevents burning on the bottom.

Use the Natural Pressure Release

After cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes. This allows the meat to continue tenderizing and prevents a tough, dry texture.

Don't Forget The Pressure Valve to Prevent Overcooking

Once the pressure is down, release any remaining steam manually. This prevents overcooking and keeps your kitchen safe from hot blasts.

You Can Cook Frozen Meat

It's safe to cook frozen meat in your electric pressure cooker. Consult your Instant Pot manual and recipe for general cook times. Cooking a brisket or pork joint from frozen can save you a lot of time, especially if you've forgotten to defrost it.

Key Takeaways

Instant Pots are an incredible tool for creating deliciously tender meat dishes. The pressure cooker function drastically cuts cooking time while breaking down tough fibers and connective tissue. And if you have a Duo Crisp, the air fryer gives your slow-cooked or pressure-cooked meat that crispy, golden-brown finish.

With a bit of practice, you'll transform even the most stubborn cuts into melt-in-your-mouth meals. Whether you're short on time or just love flavorful, tender food, an Instant Pot is a worthwhile investment for any kitchen!