Healthy Instant Pot Dinner Recipes (2024)

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These healthy Instant Pot dinner recipes are some of my favorites! I love cooking a healthy meal for my family and being able to walk away from the Instant Pot while it’s doing its magic–it makes dinner time less stressful for me.

The Instant Pot can make dinner time quick and easy.Finding recipes that are healthy, delicious, and quick can seem impossible. Never fear, these healthy Instant Pot dinner recipes will change all of that.

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Now, you can peruse this list, pick out some tasty options, and be on your way to a meal plan that takes no time at all!

How are these healthy Instant Pot recipes?

These recipes are everything from Weight Watchersto 21 Day Fix–all in one list, and their common component: the Instant Pot. This one little appliance can totally transform your kitchen. I love that I can start a meal and walk away, and the Instant Pot will just beep when it’s done cooking.

I don’t use artificial sweeteners of any kind in my recipes, and I prefer to use whole grain ingredients when necessary. These healthy Instant Pot dinner recipes are made using real food ingredients, and your entire family will love them.

Instant Pot Meal Prep?

My Instant Pot makes life easier by cooking all of my essentials for weekly meal prep in a snap. Weeknight dinners are healthy and fast, and I can even make desserts in the blink of an eye.

And while these healthy Instant Pot dinners are quick, they’re not short on flavor.

The great thing about using the pressure cooker is that it locks in all of that flavor and moisture during the cooking process. Nothing gets dried out or ends up tasteless and I don’t have to add a bunch of extra calories trying to remedy those problems!

25 Healthy Instant Pot Dinner Recipes

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Crack Chicken

This healthy Crack Chicken recipe is pretty much the most popular recipe on my blog at any given time. People love the crack chicken they’ve seen on Pinterest, but this is a lightened up version that they feel good about eating! You can eat it in a pita or even on top of a salad! And it makes a great dip too!

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Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Don’t give into the cravings! Why order out when you can make this super easy (and healthy!) Instant Pot dinner? Orange Chicken is delicious, and your kids will love it too! Pair it with some brown rice for a delicious and healthy dinner. You can find more Asian-flavored recipes right here:

  • Drunken Noodles
  • Pad Thai
  • Beef Pho
  • Teriyaki Meatballs
  • Chicken Lo Mein
  • Healthy Bang Bang Shrimp
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Frittata Recipe

I love making these frittatas for breakfast prep for the week! Cook them in the Instant Pot and then put them in the fridge for a pretty easy to eat grab and go breakfast.

Here are more delicious Instant Pot egg recipes that you can use for breakfast or dinner:

  • Fajita Casserole with Eggs
  • Egg Salad
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Spaghetti Squash Taco Boats

This is one of my newest and most popular recipes! Such an easy way to make dinner, and I love that everyone in the family can customize their toppings in these taco bowls!

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Sweet Potato Chili

This spicy sweet potato chili is a crowd favorite when I make it! My boys love the sweet spice and I love how filling it is. You can easily tone down the spice if your family prefers a more mild version.

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Buffalo Chicken Bites

You definitely don’t have to cave into your cravings for buffalo wings when you can make these healthy buffalo chicken bites! If you like this recipe, you’ll probably love my favorite healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip and this

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Chicken Burrito Bowl

This is such an easy meal for busy nights! Dry rice, dry beans, and frozen chicken–dump it all in the Instant Pot and enjoy this burrito bowl! You can top it with veggies or eat it like a burrito.

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Beef Pho

This recipe is a little bit of work, but it’s delicious like authentic Pho! You’re going to love it, and so will the rest of your family.

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Beef Gyros

No need to go out when you can make these healthy beef gyros at home! Whatever you do, don’t skip the veggies I recommend for toppings–they compliment the meal perfectly!

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Lentil Tacos

I am not a huge fan of eating meat every day, so these lentil tacos are perfect for our family’s meatless meals!

Instant Pot Beef Stew

My friend Karen has this delicious and super easy beef stew recipe that I had to share with you! I hope you love it as much as we do.

Instant Pot Lasagna

Another super popular recipe on my blog! I love how the spinach compliments this meal, and how easy it is to pull together and walk away from while it’s cooking.

Pad Thai

Another great recipe that is perfect for when you’re craving asian food! I love this pad thai recipe and often make it with boneless & skinless chicken thighs.

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Chipotle Chicken

This copycat Chipotle Chicken recipe is spicy!! I lightened it up a little and kept the heat–I hope you like it! I love making this marinade and adding it to chicken before I freeze it, so then when I defrost the chicken it soaks up the marinade.

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Spanish Chicken with Cauliflower Rice

This is such an easy recipe! My kids love the “rice” and don’t mind that it’s cauliflower.

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Mac and Cheese

SO easy and delicious! I love adding extra veggies into this recipe, like broccoli! It’s delicious right out of the pot!

Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks

Whether you’re using this recipe to make drumsticks or using it as a marinade for chicken breasts, your entire family will love the taste!

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Instant Pot Goulash

Hands down, this is our family’s favorite healthy instant pot dinner recipe! I often double up on the veggies, even using a food processor to hide them if I need to!

Instant Pot Spaghetti

I’ll never boil noodles and sauce separate again after making spaghetti this way!

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Mushroom Risotto

SO easy and delicious. If you don’t like the mushrooms, feel free to leave them out!

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Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

These are the perfect holiday side dish! I love eating these with meatloaf or turkey breast.

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Easy Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs

SO easy. And if you’re short on time, skip making meatballs out of these and just chop up the ground beef/turkey and serve that way!

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Beef Stroganoff

I’m usually not a huge fan of beef stroganoff, but this lighter version gets a thumbs up from my entire family!

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Enchilada Bake

SUCH an easy recipe! And I love that you can customize the toppings for everyone around the table.

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Quinoa Tacos

This vegan taco recipe is perfect for the meatless days in your life!

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Mini BBQ Meatloaf Bombs

If you’re short on time, you can dice the onion and mix it in with the mini meatloaves instead of wrapping these up!

Looking for more? You can find all of my healthy Instant Pot dinner recipes right here: Healthy Instant Pot Dinner Recipes

And for dessert…

Need a healthy Instant Pot dessert recipe? You might love these:

  • Instant Pot Key Lime Custard bites
  • Instant Pot Lava Cake
  • Instant Pot Cheesecake

If you’re looking for a delicious non-Instant Pot dessert, you can’t go wrong with these delicious Wonder Whip recipes. I’ve whipped up fruit varieties like lemon meringue and key lime pie, as well as chocolate peanut butter or chocolate mint flavors that totally crush those sweets cravings! You can check out all the dessert Wonder Whip recipes I love right here (there’s something like 14 different varieties in there now…all super easy to make and tasty).

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Becca Ludlum

Healthy recipe creator, self-confessed food snob, and certified Level 1 Precision Nutrition Coach. I create healthy recipes with minimally processed ingredients, but have never turned down a homemade brownie. ;)

Healthy Instant Pot Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Are Instant Pot meals healthy? ›

Instant pot recipes are absolutely healthy as long as what you put in the recipe is healthy,” she says. The shorter cooking time may also result in the greater preservation of vitamins and minerals when compared to other longer types of cooking.

Are instant pots healthy to use? ›

Even though some studies suggest that pressure cooking isn't the best way to preserve nutrients in food, no research exists to suggest that pressure cookers of any model or brand pose health risks. If you're a fan of your Instant Pot, don't worry: You can continue to safely use your appliance without worry.

Can you use pyrex in an Instant Pot? ›

Your Instant Pot. A trivet. A sling (you'll need aluminum foil) An oven safe dish (like Pyrex or a Springform pan)

Can you use a smaller pot in an Instant Pot? ›

“Pot in Pot (PIP) for Instant Pot” is a type of cooking method. With this technique, you can cook with a smaller pot inside the Instant Pot's inner pot (liner).

What foods should not be cooked in an Instant Pot? ›

6 Things You Should Never Cook in an Instant Pot
  1. Creamy Sauces. If there's one food group you should avoid in the Instant Pot, it's dairy. ...
  2. Fried Chicken. The best fried chicken is crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside and perfectly golden brown. ...
  3. Cookies. ...
  4. Burgers. ...
  5. Pie. ...
  6. Steak.

What is the disadvantage of Instant Pot? ›

Con– The Instant Pot uses steam under pressure to cook food and not everything is meant to be cooked in the Instant Pot. I attempted a crustless quiche which turned out well but it was too wet and moist to my liking and I prefer to cook it in the oven with dry heat.

Can I put aluminum foil in my Instant Pot? ›

The short answer is good news. It is generally safe to use aluminum foil in an Instant Pot, but it is important to use it properly to avoid damaging the appliance or creating a potential safety hazard.

Can corelle go in Instant Pot? ›

What Containers Can I Use in Instant Pot? You can use any oven safe containers in the Instant Pot. Best Types of Containers – Stainless Steel: Stainless steel bowls are the best choice for Pot-in-Pot cooking, as it transfers heat fast, and they're safe from cracking. Corelle bowls are our second choice.

Is Instant Pot owned by Pyrex? ›

Under different ownership after last year's bankruptcy, the popular multicooker is no longer part of the appliance conglomerate that owns Pyrex and Corelle.

Is a 6 quart Instant Pot too big for one person? ›

The Bottom Line. The 3 quart is right for you If you're short on space and only cooking for 1 or 2 people or you want an extra Instant Pot. The 6 quart is best if you're cooking for 5 people or fewer or you want to be able to follow online recipes without having to modify them too much.

What is the difference between a pressure cooker and an Instant Pot? ›

Instant Pots are more versatile with multiple cooking functions, but traditional pressure cookers are simpler and usually more durable.

Can you cook rice and meat at the same time in an Instant Pot? ›

It all comes together in 1 pot (the instant pot!) and you won't believe how quick and easy this is. Traditionally, beef plov is made with white rice, but we used a brown rice which was perfect for the instant pot because it doesn't get mushy while the beef becomes melt-in-your mouth tender.

Are instant meals healthy? ›

When shopping for instant foods, there are a few things to consider. Look through the nutrition label for simple ingredient lists with whole foods and low to moderate amounts of sodium. Avoid buying packaged foods that include preservatives, trans fat, artificial sweeteners, and added sugars.

Is food cooked in a pressure cooker healthy? ›

Cooking with a pressure cooker locks in and preserves every ounce of nutrient goodness in your food with its sealed lid. It's like a nutrient-saving superhero, ensuring your meals are not just tasty but healthy too.

Is cooking meat in an Instant Pot healthy? ›

Pressure-cooked meat-based dishes show a significant reduction in unsaturated fat contents, but it appears that iron is not lost. In addition to making foods like grains and legumes more digestible, pressure cooking does not create any of the unhealthy chemicals associated with baking and grilling methods.

What's healthier Instant Pot or air fryer? ›

The difference between the Instant Pot and air fryer is the way they cook. Instant Pot uses pressure cooking method to make food faster and easier, while air fryer uses hot air method to make oil-free and healthier food.

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