How An Instant Pot Can Save You Money
Food can take up a big part of any family budget every month, and it is an expense that you cant avoid.
An instant Pot has so many benefits, but the one that I love the most is that you can cook food without heating up your house, which could help reduce your electric bill. The Instant Pot is designed to cook food quickly and with a minimum consumption of energy. In fact, according to its website, you can reduce the amount of time by 70% compared to other standard cooking methods.
This advantage makes this electric pressure cooker one of the top energy efficient cooking appliances, saving you money by reducing your household expenses.
There are tons of recipes you can cook in an Instant Pot. But if you are on a budget or looking for ways to save money, then this roundup of 27 cheap Instant Pot recipes is perfect for you!
Easy Instant Pot Recipes
Whether you need easy weeknight meals to new or an exciting cooking experiment, these are Food.com’s best Instant Pot recipes. Never used a pressure cooker before? No problem! From chili and pot roast to low-carb options and more, these simple dishes make dinner a breeze. Get more inspiration with our and healthy Instant Pot recipes.
“I loved this pot roast! It was practically falling apart from how tender it was! It took no time at all, which is a major plus!”
-Jonathan Melendez
Better than takeout and ready in minutes! Plus, you can make the rice ahead of time to save time on weeknights.
Make this versatile side dish for literally any meal. Cauliflower and potato are a winning low-carb combo. Plus, you can make it ahead in the Instant Pot and reheat in the broiler just before serving.
“OMG, what have I been missing! So fast, easy and peels like a dream. The perfect texture with no rubbery feel or that dreaded gray-green circle around the yolks.”
-Bonnie G 2
A great, flavorful alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. If you’re trying to be somewhat healthier, this is the side dish for you!
A healthy and fast Instant Pot chicken recipe for a weeknight meal. Serve with whole grain pasta or rice and steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
“Excellent! I’ll definitely make this again. I added the marinade to give more flavor and I’m so glad I did. The meat was tender and flavorful.”
-gooch621
Keto Instant Pot Recipes That Are Beyond Easy To Make
Sometimes the secret to sticking to a clean eating routine isnt just what you cook, its how you cook it. While throwing a frozen dinner in the microwave might seem easier, you can actually make a healthy meal in less than 30 minutes thanks to the Instant Pot. If youre living the low-carb lifestyle, here are 41 ketogenic Instant Pot recipeslike buffalo chicken soup and barbacoa beefthat are delicious and made in this magical pressure cooker.
Delia Mooney is a freelance writer for PureWow.
Katherine Gillen is PureWows senior food editor. Shes a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City restaurants. She used to sling sugary desserts in a pastry kitchen, but now shes an avid home cook and fanatic baker.
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Instant Pot Sushi Rice
Love poke bowls? Heres a recipe that deconstructs sushi to give you sushi bowls you can eat throughout the week. This is a great instant pot meal prep recipe that adds variety to your usual menu. With flavorful elements like edamame and nori, paired with fresh seafood, you will look forward to your meals!
Fast And Easy Instant Pot Recipes
If youve just got your Instant Pot and are looking for some inspiration, youre in the right place! Weve got tons of recipes to whet your appetite and help you make the most of your Instant Pot.
If youre an old hand at this Instant Pot business, youre still in the right place. We bet weve got some recipes here that youve never tried before. Use the recipes in this article to spice up and change up your Instant Pot menu.
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Greek Instant Pot Lentils
This is the perfect meal for anyone who wants to enjoy the delicious taste of Greek food without spending hours in the kitchen.
This recipe can be easily adapted to suit your preferences. If you prefer your lentils to be more soup-like, add additional broth or water.
If you prefer them to be more stew-like, cook them for less time. Either way, theyll be incredibly tasty.
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Theres a good reason people believe chicken noodle soups good for the soul. And this incredible Instant Pot recipe makes some of the best chicken noodle soup this side of heaven!
Youve got tender white meat chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and fresh herbs and spices swimming in a savory chicken broth.
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Easy And Cheap Instant Pot Recipes Are A Fabulous Way To Save Both Time And Money Feed Your Family Well Without Going Over Budget With These Tasty Options
When youre trying to save money on groceries but still need quick and easy ways to feed your family, these cheap Instant Pot recipes are just the ticket!
Note: This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase, this site may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
When my husband and I first began our debt payoff journey, we had to find ways to cut our expenses so we would have more money to put toward our debt.
One of the ways we did that was by slashing our grocery expenses. I started meal planning each week, began cooking the majority of our meals at home, and used coupons.
All of those things made a big dent in our grocery bill, freeing up money to put toward our goals.
Once we started having kids, we still needed to keep our grocery budget low, but it was a little harder for me to make as much food as before, simply because of other responsibilities.
I didnt realistically have time to clip coupons and go to multiple stores every week anymore, and I couldnt make every loaf of bread from scratch.
Instant Pot Mediterranean Lentil Soup
Soup season is upon us, and what better way to cozy up than with a big pot of steaming hot Mediterranean flavors?
Packed with healthy ingredients like lentils, mint, and onions, this soup is not only delicious but also nutritious.
So why not give it a try? You might just find that youre instant-ly in love with this soup!
Looking for an exotic and delicious way to liven up your mealtime routine?
Heres one amazing recipe that will blow you away.
Its packed with an array of vibrant spices, hearty lentils, and fresh vegetables.
This soup is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Serve it with some warm pita bread, and enjoy!
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Cheap Instant Pot Recipes For $5 Or Less
Winter just does not want to yield to spring this year where I live! And even though I am very ready for spring and some warmer weather and sunshine, the cold weather is perfect for some delicious Instant Pot meals! These easy and cheap Instant Pot recipes are perfect for dinner after work and school or for an easy meal on a busy Saturday.
When its a cold, wintry day outside , these tasty, inexpensive Instant Pot dishes will warm you up and make you smile!
How To Make Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
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Budget Friendly Instant Pot Meals
The prices I have listed below are from Smiths grocery store in Utah in July 2020. Different areas and different grocery stories will vary in price.
#1: Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli Sausage Casserole
Fresh broccoli, melty cheese, smoked sausage, a homemade creamy sauce and rice make this casserole the quintessential comfort food. An easy Instant Pot recipe with no browning or sauteing steps.
Estimated cost : $7.48
- 11 soft corn tortillas: $1.00
- 2 cups grated medium or sharp cheddar cheese: $2.50
#3: Instant Pot Chili Cheese Rice
Estimated cost : $10.00
Estimated cost : $9.17
Do You Have Any Other Cheap Instant Pot Recipes That You Make Often Id Love To Hear About Them So We Could Try It Too
- If you have a Ninja Foodi you can make any of these pressure cooker recipes too.
- Skip slow cooking yall, I know youre as busy as we are and these will give you more time doing the fun stuff in life.
Want to see a few of my favorite things that I am totally obsessed with or visit my Etsy shop?? Take a peek and see how many you might already havetwinsies!
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Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our disclosure policy for details.
This Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup is a hearty one-pot meal that is easy to make and always a crowd pleaser.
It costs approximately $11.74 to make this soup. The recipe makes six servings, which is about $1.95 per serving.
The Instant Pot is a fabulous way to make soup. It is convenient and easy. For more soup recipes made in the Instant Pot, try our Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup and our Instant Pot Potato Soup.
Stuffed Bell Peppers are a delicious meal that takes some time to make. We took all the flavors of Stuffed Peppers and made them into a hearty soup. The soup contains ground beef, rice, bell peppers, seasonings, onions, and tomatoes in a savory broth.
This comforting meal is made in one pot with no time waiting for the soup to simmer on the stovetop. But just in case you do not have an Instant Pot, we have included the directions for making this on the stovetop in the recipe card.
The deconstructed stuffed pepper soup without stuffing the peppers made in the Instant Pot is a win-win any way you look at it! So save yourself time and effort by making Stuffed Pepper Soup in the Instant Pot for your next family meal.
Instant Pot New York Cheesecake #17
This ultra-popular Instant Pot Cheesecake #17 continues to capture many of our readers hearts crowning as their all-time favorite recipe!
Why is it called Cheesecake #17? After testing & tweaking this recipe 17 times in the Instant Pot, weve decided to name this nearly perfect cheesecake The New York Cheesecake #17! Have fun making it~
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Instant Pot Pasta With Bolognese
Folks, heres another dump and go Instant Pot recipe for Pasta with Bolognese thats worth raving about on social media.
Everything from the crispy bacon to your savory homemade Bolognese sauce and pasta cooks in your Instant Pot in about 40 minutes.
Its insanely easy and fast to make this outrageously delicious Italian classic dish!
So What Is An Instant Pot
Its nothing but your old pressure cooker in Modern Form. It works by creating high heat under a very tight seal which creates pressure, helping food cook much more quickly than on the regular stove or in the oven.
The difference between this modern gadget and your old fashioned pressure cooker is that this new age appliance is electric, whereas its ancestor needed to be manually heated on stovetop. Result? All those tough cutes of meat, beans, rice and lentils cook in a fraction of the time they would take otherwise.
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Instant Pot Lentil Curry
Do you like Indian food? How about spicy food?
What if I told you that you could make a delicious, hearty, and fragrant lentil curry in just 30 minutes?
And what if I told you that this recipe is so easy that even a novice cook could make it with success?
Well, its all true! So go ahead and indulge in this delicacy!
Lentils are one of those staple ingredients that everyone should have in their pantry.
Theyre cheap, healthy, and they can be used in a million different ways.
But if youre looking for a new way to use them, why not try making this Moroccan version?
Its easy, flavorful, and perfect for a weeknight meal.
Plus, its versatile. You can serve it over rice, quinoa, or even just eat it as is.
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Best Instant Pot Recipes For Cubed Beef
One ingredient thats so great for cooking in the Instant Pot is cubed beef, because the meat is already pre-cut and that means prep time gets even shorter.
From Instant Pot Irish beef stew, beef tips and German goulash, to Instant Pot Korean beef and Cube Steak with Gravy, here are lots of easy Instant Pot Cubed beef recipes to add to your repertoire. Browse through them, make sure to pin your favorites and lets get cooking!
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Ground Turkey & Potatoes Stew
This rustic Instant Pot ground turkey and potato stew is hearty and full of flavor, yet at the same time healthy and light. Its gluten-free, Whole30-friendly, and uses affordable staples. Its somewhere between a stew or a thick soup and you can enjoy it with a side of crusty bread. It keeps well for a few days and is great for leftovers and freezing. Estimated Cost $7.50.Get the recipe here.
Tender And Juicy Chicken Breasts
Heres a tried and true method for making Instant Pot Chicken Breasts that are tender, juicy, and delicious!
Cook this rich and flavorful French Onion Soup from start to finish in about 5 minutes!
The ingredients are so inexpensive you can afford to splurge on traditional Gruyère cheese!
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Italian Pork Stew With Beans & Tomatoes
If you love Italian minestrone or a good Bolognese sauce, you will love this gorgeous, Tuscan Instant Pot pork stew. This hearty stew is made with ground pork meat, juicy tomatoes, and legumes of your choice, this dish is nutritious and affordable. You can modify this into a vegetarian dish by replacing the meat with diced mushrooms instead. Estimated cost $8.50. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Pinto Beans & Chorizo
A little bit of Spanish chorizo is all it takes to turn a simple pot of pinto beans into a rich and flavorful meal! You can serve these beans with tortillas, shredded lettuce, and cheese, or you can serve it kind of as a dip with tortilla chips, or spoon the bean mixture over a bowl of hot rice. Its very versatile and so yummy that you might just end up eating it straight out of the pot with a spoon. Estimated cost $7-8. Recipe from Budget Bytes.
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Making Cheap And Easy Instant Pot Recipes
One thing I love about the Instant Pot is that you do not have to be a great cook to make great meals with your Instant Pot! With many Instant Pot recipes, you can just set it and forget it.
Another great benefit of the Instant Pot is that they can be a really affordable kitchen appliance, especially if you get them on sale! And with your Instant Pot you can make so many tasty and budget-friendly meals!
These cheap and easy Instant Pot recipes are perfect for dinner after work and school or for an easy meal on a busy Saturday or Sunday evening!
The Very Best Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
Instant Pot plus chicken equals the simplest, no-brainer kind of weeknight meal. Quick, easy and pretty healthy, these Instant Pot chicken recipes are all winners:
- Instant Pot Chicken Marinara. Instant Pot chicken marinara recipe is a 3-ingredient equation for dinner that goes something like this: chicken thighs + a jar of marinara sauce = dinners done.
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken. A rich, bold homemade teriyaki is the secret to this delicious Instant Pot chicken recipe.
- Honey-Balsamic Instant Pot Chicken. Chicken legs cook to tender perfection in a simple honey balsamic sauce, and the whole thing is ready in just 30 minutes!
- Instant Pot Butter Chicken. Were big fans of Indian butter chickenthat tender, tomato-y takeout favoriteand this Instant Pot version really delivers!
- Instant Pot Chicken. Say hello to the best Instant Pot chicken recipe ever! Whenever a recipe calls for perfectly juicy chicken, this is your go-to recipe!
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Benefits Of The Instant Pot
If you havent already taken the pressure-cooker plunge, you might be wondering whats so great about them, anyhow?
I remembered the old days of pressure cooking which pretty much turned food into a boiled mush if you werent careful.
But todays digital method is much more precise and produces meals infused with so much flavor, inan instant .
Just a few of the things that make the Instant Pot a wonder-machine:
- It produces the most tender cuts of meat
- Drastically cuts down on cooking time
- Reduces dependency on the microwave
- You can use the sauté function for one-pot meals with one-pot cleanup
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