How utterly amazing is the Instant Pot? There's a reason (or 40) this tool has become so universally loved. Let us, for a moment, count the ways: We love the fact that the Instant Pot doesn't have any of the scary malfunctioning issues other pressure cookers seemed to, and we feel totally safe using it in our homes, with our families — which shouldn't really be an upside, but given the old pressure cooker reputation, it totally is.
On a less important but still obviously critical note, we love that it's as completely easy to manage as a slow cooker, which is to say it's a total "set it and forget it" item — except that we don't even have to remember to do it hours in advance. Bless. We can just have totally forgotten about dinner and been distracted by everything else in our lives and then still make a gorgeous, home-cooked meal in literally minutes.
We love that we can reduce the oil in recipes when using a multi cooker, so it's a great option for healthier meals that don't taste healthy in a bad way. In fact, the Instant Pot is amazing for bringing incredible, fresh flavors into our lives using spices. We love that it's great for foods of all cuisines and cultures. We love that it takes all the time and guesswork out of making tough (and inexpensive) cuts of meat tender and flavorful.
We also love that the Instant Pot, while amazing for pork shoulders, delicious chicken dishes, and other great savory dishes, isn't just for savory dishes. We didn't necessarily realize that at first, and let us just explain that we may have freaked out considerably when we first learned that dessert wasn't just possible in an Instant Pot, it was absolutely amazing. For more on that, check out our roundup of amazing Instant Pot dessert recipes — and for some amazing spring options, read on.
Instant Pot Buttery Lemon Chicken
We challenge even the pickiest eaters to turn their noses up at this Instant Pot buttery lemon chicken. It's bright and yummy and buttery, while still being reasonably healthy. Perfect for spring with a light salad.
Instant Pot Shrimp & Grits
Whether the mama making this hails from the South or not, she is going to be channeling some delicious Southern-style cooking with this incredibly easy play on a classic! Don't forget the barbecue sauce when making this super-tasty Instant Pot shrimp and grits.
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
Talk about a family-friendly recipe that grown-ups love as much as the kids! These Instant Pot pork carnitas are an amazing base for an incredible taco night, but would also be great on top of some greens or a quinoa bowl.
Instant Pot Spring Vegetable Soup
Normally we think of soups as comforting wintertime food, but the truth is, we love the healthfulness of this Instant Pot spring vegetable soup and the way it uses beautiful spring produce to really get the most of the season.
Instant Pot French Dip Sandwich
This Instant Pot French dip sandwich is the kind of meal that comes together in minutes and that kids will ask for week after week. We love the rich, homey flavors of this sandwich, which is great served with a side of sauteed asparagus.
Instant Pot Parmesan Lemon Pasta
So bright and flavorful, this Instant Pot Parmesan lemon pasta is going to be a family favorite. It's also incredibly versatile — top with some quickly sauteed chicken breast, shrimp, or poached salmon, or fold in whatever leftover veggies are in the fridge.
Instant Pot Carrot Cake
Carrot cake is one of our favorite things about spring, but it can take a while in the oven. Instead, try out this amazing Instant Pot carrot cake, which reduces the cook time and the level of effort significantly. This one is gluten-free and keto-friendly, too.
Instant Pot Chicken, Spinach & Artichoke Pasta
We adore this easy, seasonal Instant Pot chicken, spinach, and artichoke pasta. Artichoke is one of our favorite spring vegetables, and whether we end up using fresh, canned, or frozen, it just tastes more springlike.
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
We're going to be honest: We want to eat these Instant Pot Buffalo chicken lettuce wraps basically every day of the week. This recipe is versatile, too — while the lettuce wraps are a healthy option, this shredded buffalo chicken would also be gorgeous as a play on tacos or stuffed inside a baked potato.
Quick & Easy Asparagus in the Instant Pot
We love using spring produce when it's in season — when these veggies are at their cheapest and best. Make the most of one of springs best gifts with this Quick & Easy Asparagus in the Instant Pot.
Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken
Why spend the money (and added calories) ordering out when this Instant Pot General Tso’s chicken is about 10 times tastier and healthier than the local Chinese takeout? It might even be faster to make in the Instant Pot, too.
Instant Pot Thai Peanut Noodles
These Instant Pot Thai peanut noodles are full of beautiful, rich peanut flavor, which draws in the kiddos, but is still totally sophisticated enough for parents, too. Perfect for a really lovely (and quick) family dinner night.
Instant Pot Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are one of our favorite parts of the Easter season, and these Instant Pot deviled eggs do all the things our traditional deviled eggs do but in less time. Color us sold on the idea.
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
A perfect side dish for taco night or to serve with a cumin-scented sauteed fish, this Instant Pot cilantro lime rice takes the world's most boring grain and makes it absolutely fragrant and delicious.
Instant Pot Berry Vanilla Cake
Why bother turning on the oven and heating up the whole house when this Instant Pot berry vanilla cake makes dessert an absolute snap — and just as delicious? We love the bright spring flavors in this sweet treat.
Instant Pot Chicken & Rice
We don't know anyone who doesn't love a classic chicken and rice, and this Instant Pot chicken and rice version is just as good in the flavor department — and a lot simpler to make. Ideal served with some steamed artichokes, if there's time.
Instant Pot Fish Coconut Curry
This Instant Pot fish coconut curry would pair nicely with the Instant Pot cilantro lime rice we mentioned, but it would honestly be good over basically anything — including a bed of quinoa.
Instant Pot Risotto With Pea & Celery
What a perfect springtime side: Instant Pot Risotto With Pea & Celery uses spring peas and is loaded with bright, fresh flavors. Would be a perfect side dish for a rotisserie chicken picked up at the grocery store on the way home.
Instant Pot Faux-Tisserie Chicken
When roasting a chicken just takes too much time, and getting a rotisserie chicken from the store involves too much driving, this Instant Pot faux-tisserie chicken is the ticket. Great the night-of, and perfect for leftovers to be reimagined for days after.
Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Thighs With Olives
This dish is full of beautiful Mediterranean flavors that make it feel more elegant and sophisticated than it has any right to be — especially given that this Instant Pot lemon chicken thighs with olives takes just 15 minutes of prep and then 20 minutes in the Instant Pot.
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Keep these amazing instant pot dessert recipes to your Pinterest boards for cooking this spring.
