One of the things I love about my Instant Pot is how it can make healthy food fast. These healthy Instant Pot recipes are some of my favorite weeknight meals because I can dump the ingredients in my pot, press a button, and walk away while my meal cooks to perfection.
Below you’ll find some of my favorite healthy Instant Pot recipes so you can try them for yourself. If you’re a little intimidated by your Instant Pot, be sure to check out my video here, sharing 10 things I think will help you get started right away.
Healthy Instant Pot Recipes
1. Vegan Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup
Jen from Simple Green Smoothies shares this dairy-free soup from The Fresh & Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook. I make it at least twice a month as part of my weekly meal prep, and it’s quickly become a fan favorite. I love how comforting it is. It reminds me of Thanksgiving in a bowl!
2. Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls (Low-carb & Whole30)
This easy one-pot meal comes together in minutes, thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. The chicken cooks on the bottom of the pot, while a bowl of cauliflower florets cooks on top, in just a 4-minute pressure cooking cycle. When it’s done, the cauliflower can be flaked into rice-like pieces with a fork!
This healthy Instant Pot recipe comes together in minutes, for a protein-rich breakfast or snack on the go. You can even freeze them to reheat for a fast morning.
photo: Inspiralized
These Korean Chicken Bowls are a fast and flavorful meal, that you can serve over rice that you cook pot-in-pot, or over protein-rich quinoa like Ali from Inspiralized did here. (Don’t cook quinoa pot-in-pot, though… it doesn’t work!)
5. Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Soup
This healthy Instant Pot soup is made with green lentils for plant-based protein, and lots of veggies! It’s a great option for meal prep, because it makes enough for a meal right away, plus leftovers for an easy packed lunch.
6. Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
photo: Well Plated
Erin from Well Plated shares this recipe from The Fresh & Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook. I love this recipe because it has the flavor you love, with a sneaky serving of extra veggies and less cheese, for a “lightened up” version. (Like all of the recipes in my Instant Pot cookbook, this recipe includes a tested dairy-free option.)
7. Hidden Cauliflower Mac n’ Cheese
This creamy Mac n’ Cheese packs a sneaky serving of veggies, and is lightened-up by using less cheese than traditional recipes. I love how the cauliflower cooks at the same time as the pasta, and practically dissolves when you give it a stir after cooking!
8. Instant Pot Sweet Potato Vegan Curry
photo: Fit Foodie Finds
Lee from Fit Foodie Finds shares this fast vegan dinner from The Fresh & Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook. Red lentils and sweet potatoes cook so quickly under pressure, your entire meal is ready in less than 30 minutes!
photo: Cookie + Kate
My friend Kathryne, from Cookie + Kate, shares this easy make-ahead salad from The Fresh & Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook. I love how the Instant Pot takes care of the cooking the rice, so you can chop the veggies and make the dressing all at the same time.
10. Instant Pot Salmon (with perfectly steamed broccoli!)
Salmon cooks so quickly in the Instant Pot, I use a 0-minute (yes, zero minutes!) pressure cooking cycle so that I can cook it with veggies, too. Top it off with fresh broccoli, and you have perfectly cooked salmon with non-mushy broccoli for a fast & healthy dinner.
11. Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
Steel cut oatmeal is easier than ever when you prepare it in the Instant Pot. Instead of waiting for water to boil and watching the stove to make sure it doesn’t boil over, or burn to the bottom of your pan, you can just add the oats and water, press a button, and walk away while you accomplish other morning tasks.
12. Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Hard boiled eggs can be a pain to peel, but not when they are pressure cooked! In this tutorial you’ll learn how to make eggs (soft, medium, or hard) that are easy to peel for a fast, protein-packed option you can add to any meal.
13. Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Lisa from 100 Days of Real Food shares this recipe from The Fresh & Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook. I love that it’s naturally dairy-free, and how you can cook rice for serving at the same time, in the same pot.
14. Instant Pot Pad Thai Stir Fry
photo: Hummusapien
You can cook your favorite healthy pasta quickly in the Instant Pot, then use the sauté function to saute the veggies for a quick one-pot stir fry! The creamy peanut sauce is addictive, and your hands are free to make it while the Instant Pot does the rest. Thanks to Alexis from Hummusapien for sharing this one!
photo: SkinnyTaste
Cooking beans from scratch is a breeze with the Instant Pot, and this recipe shows you how to make an easy refried version with the fat. Make sure to use dried beans (not canned) to get correct results! Thanks to Gina from SkinnyTaste for sharing this one.
16. Make-Ahead Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
Quinoa makes a hearty breakfast because it’s a complete source of plant-based protein. This tutorial teaches you how to make a big batch at the beginning of the week, for easy breakfasts all week long that you can top like cereal.
17. Instant Pot Curried Butternut Squash Soup
This creamy and comforting soup is dairy-free and packed with flavor! You can use frozen bags of cut-up squash to make it as fast and easy as possible.
18. My Favorite Black Bean & Quinoa Salad
I love using my Instant Pot to prepare the quinoa part of this make-ahead salad, so my hands are free to chop the veggies and make the dressing at the same time. It makes you extra-efficient! When the quinoa is done, you can use the big bowl of the Instant Pot to stir it all together.
19. How to make PERFECT Chicken Breasts in your Instant Pot
If you like to cook chicken on its own, for adding to stir fries or salads during your week, here’s how to make a batch in your Instant Pot without drying it out! This is the ONLY method I’ve found that makes chicken breasts that aren’t rubbery. (Otherwise chicken thighs are more fool-proof.)
20. Comforting Curried Chicken Stew
This easy soup makes such a comforting Fall meal. I love how you can just add all the ingredients to your Instant Pot, press a button, and walk away! No dairy or flour required.
21. Peaches & Cream Steel Cut Oatmeal
Jenn from Once Upon a Chef shares this creamy, dairy-free breakfast made easy in your Instant Pot. I love how you can use frozen peaches to skip the prep work!
22. Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash with Chicken
This is another easy one-pot meal I developed for Whole Foods Market. I love how you can cook the spaghetti squash in just 7 minutes, then use the Instant Pot again to sauté everything together.
This curry recipe comes together quickly when you use a can of cooked chickpeas. I love that it’s made without coconut milk, and features lots of veggies!
This recipe is low-effort and low in calories, and bursting with flavor! I love how all you have to do is add the ingredients, press a button, and walk away.
25. Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
I will never cook a spaghetti squash in my oven again. It takes just 7 minutes when you make it in the Instant Pot! I like to cut it in half for a super-fast cooking time, but you can even cook it whole if you prefer. Directions are included for both ways in this post.
When I first got my Instant Pot, I used it mostly for making some kitchen staples from scratch, like black beans. You can make them for a fraction of the cost of using canned beans, and without preservatives. Freeze them in 1 1/2-cup portions so you can use them in place of canned beans in recipes.
Making quinoa couldn’t be easier in your Instant Pot, and it makes a protein-rich alternative to rice. Instead of waiting for water to boil on the stove, or making sure it doesn’t burn to the bottom, you just add the quinoa and water, press a button, and walk away. It’s perfectly cooked every time!
28. One-Pot Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
This one-pot meal showcases the magic of the Instant Pot, as it cooks the main course on the bottom of the pot, and a bowl of cauliflower “mashed potatoes” on top, all at the same time– in the same pot! Thanks to The Blender Girl for sharing it from The Fresh & Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook. You can watch us make this dish by going to the recipe on her blog!
29. Vegetarian “Cheeseburger” Salad with Special Sauce
The Instant Pot takes care of cooking the seasoned lentil “meat” for this recipe, keeping your hands free to whip up the dairy-free “special sauce” and chop the salad veggies. Thanks to Brittany of Eating Bird Food for sharing this one from my book!
This easy egg bake makes a healthy breakfast that cooks while you get ready for work or school. When you chop the veggies into small pieces, there’s no need to saute them before you get started with this healthy Instant Pot recipe.
31. Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes turn out soft and tender when you cook them in the Instant Pot, without the risk of burning them. I tested this method for weeks so you’d have a fool-proof formula for figuring out how long to cook sweet potatoes by their weight!
Brown rice is one of my family’s favorite side dishes, but it can take up to 45 minutes when you cook it on the stove. With the Instant Pot, you can just add the water and rice and walk away to accomplish other tasks while it cooks to perfection.
Intimidated by your Instant Pot?
Here’s a 3-minute video with 10 things I think you should know, to help you get started:
Looking for more healthy Instant Pot recipes?
The Fresh & Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook is loaded with quick & easy recipes, made with real food ingredients– without using processed seasoning packets or refined sugar. There is a photo for every recipe, along with the nutrition information you might need, and all of the recipes call for ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. (I’m a lazy cook myself, so if it’s not easy I won’t make it!)
Order Your Copy Today:
I hope you’ll enjoy all of these healthy Instant Pot recipes!
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Reader Feedback: Do you have another favorite healthy Instant Pot recipe? Please share in the comments below!
Megan, I want to thank you for your wonderful recipes. They are simple, straightforward, and always delicious! I own all of your cookbooks and use the recipes on your blog as well. I can’t wait for your new cookbook. I would like to see you try your hand at a New Orleans style red beans and rice recipe for the Instant Pot. Thank you again.
There’s a red beans and brown rice recipe in the new Instant Pot book!
I have been eyeing all your instant pot recipes! If I won, I would make the egg roll in a bowl recipe first, for sure!
I would love to make a chicken pot pie in the instant pot and also one of those chocolate cakes similar to the ones they make in the microwave in a minute. Of course, both of these would have to be healthy and preferably mostly grain free.
Thank you for the great recipes!
I want to learn to make burrito bowls or simply make healthy meals a little bit faster!
I’d love to make carnitas
Have loved recipes from your website, can’t wait to try new ones from cookbook for the instant pot… it seems so easy!
I love using my instant pot for staples liked rice, beans, and quinoa, but I’m looking forward to expanding my skills with this new cookbook.
Just pre-ordered the instant pot cook book and I’m very excited about the bonus e-book. I hope to make every Vegan and/or low carb recipe in both books. I forwarded the link to my family because I want them to be excited about the instant pot recipes for the winter. My husband loves winter meals. I don’t use my instant pot enough to this will definitely give me incentive to get it out more often.
I ordered the instantpot cookbook. I haven’t seen what is in it yet, if there isn’t a recipe for coconut curry with lentils I would love for you to do one.Good luck with your new cook book!
I love your cookbooks so much and I’m excited to see your next book. I’ve shared your books with lots of friends and family. They all love your books. Hoping to see recipes that are easy weeknight meals…fast and easy for a young family. Sending an email to a homeschool group I belong to now.
Hoping for a great vegetarian chili recipe – maybe it is already in the new cookbook. I always love this site/blog for great ideas to stay healthy! Thanks Megan!
I would love to make vegan egg roll in a bowl or any of your vegan recipes!
Can’t wait to try Eggroll in a Bowl! It looks delicious!!! I am entering this raffle for my friend. She’s a full-time nursing student with 2 children (younger than 5 yo). She also works full-time. I told her that she should get an Instsnt Pot. She responded that she can’t afford it.IF I win, I am giving my prize to her. I already own and love mine. I would like to make her smile.
Just shared via FB with my friend Maria Pia Guillioli. Good luck with your book launch!
Can’t wait to make the egg roll in a bowl! If I won the Instant Pot, I would give it to my close friend – a busy mother of 2 children (younger than 5 years old) who works full-time and is studying to be a nurse. When I suggested that she get one, she said that she couldn’t afford it. It would be wonderful to make her dream
come true.
Shared on FB!
I’d like to make chicken tikka Masala for my family 😊
A chicken curry or thai curry dish would be an awesome one to try for an instant pot recipe.
One pot meals that have simple ingredients are a must for me.
Hi Megan,
Thank you for the bonus! I ordered through amazon, are you notified? Or do you need me to send you anything to confirm I preordered, so I can receive the bonus items?
Once you get your receipt, all you have to do to get the bonus is to copy and paste the order number into the form here: https://app.snapapp.com/freshandhealthyinstantpot
I’m hoping to find some great recipes that are easy to make but that my husband actually likes!
Hi Megan – I would love to have an instant pot to make a healthier, quicker version of a beef stroganoff dish. I hope you can help thru your creativity and your mad-skills with nutritious, yummy meals.
Just wanting to know where can I get the pressure cooker book from please
You can find links to purchase my cookbooks and favorite tools here: https://detoxinista.com/shop/
Enjoy!
I’m excited to make the cauliflower fried rice as a healthier alternative to my family’s favorite fried rice from the Japanese steakhouse! It will be a lower carb, healthier, veggie-filled and vegetarian option that the entire family will eat!
Excited to make the lentil soup!
I have been wanting a instant pot for the last five years. I have been waiting for a good compendium of vegan recipes that I can make in it. I think this book is what I have been waiting for.
Hi Megan, I wanted to let you know that I made the burrito bowls, and the whole family loved them, My kids started to freak out when they saw me putting all of the cauliflower into the instant pot! They could not believe how good it tasted. My 11-year-old said, “I will eat cauliflower when it is like this.” There is no reason for anybody not to eat healthy with recipes like these. I cant believe how quick and easy it was. My daughter cannot wait for the cookbook to try the chocolate cake.We truly appreciate your hard work.
I’m SO GLAD to hear that! Love it when the whole family is happy to eat cauliflower. 🙂 Thank you for letting me know!
I would love to see more one pot dinners/ casseroles using the instapot! So excited to get another one of your cookbooks!!!!!!!!!
I was wondering what size Instant Pot you recommend.
I prefer my 6-quart over my 8-quart, but either size works for these recipes.
Love your books/recipes!!
Just pre-ordered the book.. I love everything potatoes, so any IP Potatoe recipe would be welcomed ! My wife and I love your website, ideas and energy!! Keep it coming!
Thanks for your support! I hope you’ll love the new cookbook!
I love your other cookbooks and use them frequently. I’m looking forward to this new one and hoping for some sweet potato recipes! Posting to facebook!
I shared the link hope to win a bonus
I’d love some IP lemongrass chicken! Thank you for making healthy eating easy and yummy!
I would love for you to create a recipe with pineapple and vegetables as a main dish, maybe with jack-fruit, tofu, or lentils. I am not a big fan of rice with every vegan dish. I have been vegan for about 1 year and live in the Midwest where most people eat meat. I would love to dazzle my meat eating friends and family with a one pot dish that is so flavorful, that they wouldn’t miss the meat. I love all your recipes and especially appreciate the video of how to use an instant pot with your Shepherd Pie recipe.
I would love to try a vegetable curry! For some reason lately I have been having cravings for spicy veggie stews! Can’t wait to read your cook cook and try some of those fab recipes! I just need an IP to get started!
Hello Megan! I’m excited to cook kung pao chickpeas! That will surely be a hit at the co-op/commune I live in!
Tiki Masala looks amazing! Shared as well!
My favorite recipe in the instant pot is any kind of bean-based soup. My husband makes a batch of yogurt each week.
I would love to try any recipe you have that is easy and good for prepping lunches for week.
I have loved everyone of your recipes I’ve tried
Would like to see healthy soup and healthy dessert recipes that are low carb and gluten free. Have had my IP for months and bought two other cookbooks, but have been afraid of the steaming from the stories of old pressure cookers, I guess. Hoping getting this Healthy Cookbook recipes and trying to lose weight, as I am, will help me take the leap and use it regularly. Work a lot of hours and need the quick cooking to make healthy meals.
I would like to make egg white bites like the ones at Starbucks!
I’d love to make roasted sweet potatoes. Sounds lame, but perfectly roasting them in the oven always becomes a fuss and they never cook evenly! I am sharing this link with my mom and sister. My mom just got an insta!
The unstuffed cabbage roll sounds delicious!!!
Posting on Facebook and Instagram . Looking to use the IP for healthy recipes that the entire family will love. The chicken curry sounds amazing.
When I saw the recipe for the shepherds pie I knew I would be ordering this book. I have never tried cooking 2 things at once in the instant pot, that was a new idea for me… and cant wait to try it..
Aw, thank you! I think you’re going to love it!
Have you ever tried making any type of French food? They have such wonderful soups and stews. I wonder whether it would be possible to make a healthy French onion soup in the Instant Pot.
I preordered! Thanks for the free guide. I wonder if you can freeze any of these? I love freezer instant pot meals!
Thanks for your support! I think you could freeze most of the soup recipes using just the raw ingredients– anything that is a “dump” meal where you don’t saute thing first. I wouldn’t freeze things like the eggroll in a bowl or Instant cauliflower fried rice, because those vegetables will get too mushy when they are thawed.
I would love to make your instant pot homemade pasta sauce so I could use on your veggie meatless lasagna that you made using eggplant, assorted mushrooms, couliflower and goat cheese
I can’t wait to try the Peanut Butter Crunch Granola bars!
I emailed this to my best friend who is looking forward to a change in her vegan life!