10 Instant Pot Recipes to Beat the Summer Heat

updated Nov 15, 2023

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I use my Instant Pot on a regular basis for meal prep and speedy weeknight meals (especially when I forget to defrost the chicken). But now that summer’s here, you can bet I’ll be using it more than ever. From weekly staples like hard-cooked eggs and chicken breast to potluck favorites like pork shoulder and bean salads, it means I can do some quick cooking without heating up the kitchen.

Here are 10 Instant Pot recipes to make this summer.

Instant pot recipes for summer

1 / 10

Chicken Breast in the Instant Pot

This method is specifically for plain chicken breast that you can use as meal prep for building salads and grain bowls.

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2 / 10

Pressure Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches

Here's how to make juicy, tangy, Italian beef-style sandwiches at home with the help of your pressure cooker.

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3 / 10

Beans in an Electric Pressure Cooker

Bean salads are a make-ahead lunch staple in my house and a must for potlucks. A “rapid soak” of just one minute at high pressure eliminates the overnight soak, and an average cook time of 10 minutes for most beans means that you can have a fresh pot in less than an hour.

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4 / 10

Pressure-Cooker Kalua Pig

This is one of my favorite recipes to cook in the Instant Pot. It’s nearly effortless and leaves you with lots of meat that can be turned into sandwiches and tacos, or added to salads, grain bowls, and fried rice for dinner throughout the week.

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5 / 10

Lentils in an Electric Pressure Cooker

Lentils are a serious summer staple in my house. From make-ahead salads to hearty grain bowls, you can be sure my Instant Pot will be cooking regular batches of lentils this summer.

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6 / 10

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

The Instant Pot can get this chicken adobo dinner to the table in well under an hour.

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7 / 10

Eggs in an Electric Pressure Cooker

Cooking hard-boiled eggs in the Instant Pot isn’t necessarily faster than making them on the stovetop, but it results in creamy, easy-to-peel eggs.

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8 / 10

Instant Pot Weeknight Chicken and Rice Burrito Bowls

Filled with chicken, rice, black beans, corn, and salsa, these burrito bowls come together quickly with an Instant Pot.

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9 / 10

Sweet and Spicy Braised Cabbage

When you need a quick side to serve with dinner from the grill, these tender, spiced wedges of cabbage deliver every time. Plus they pair well with just about everything.

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10 / 10

Chicken or Beef Bone Broth in the Instant Pot

Just because it’s too hot to leave a pot of bone broth simmering on the stove for hours doesn’t mean you need to rule it out for the next few months. Now, more than ever, is the time to make bone broth in the Instant Pot — especially if you’ve gotten into the habit of sipping it like tea.

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