Cooking with Instant Pot for Convenient Family Meals

There are many reasons why Instant Pot is a favorite appliance in millions of kitchens. One obvious reason is cooking with Instant Pot is convenient. You can prepare delicious meals using one pot rather than using many.

Every day people decide to adopt a healthier lifestyle. This usually means they start by making healthier food choices.

Why? Because they see signs of weight gain, even obesity. They realize other health issues have cropped up over the years. That means more visits to the doctor, and taking a variety of medications has become routine.

Does this sound familiar?

You eat a lot of processed food

You stop at the drive-through window of your neighborhood fast-food joint often

Visiting your favorite restaurant once a week is routine

If so, it won’t be easy in the beginning; you’ll need time to adjust to the changes you need to make.

For one thing, you’ll be spending more time in the kitchen prepping and cooking healthy meals. But there are ways to help make it less daunting… even fun.

After all, you aren’t auditioning for a spot on the Food Channel. You only want delicious, healthy meals that are quick and easy to put on the table.

We all have busy lives and that’s where Instant Pot comes to the rescue… how cooking with Instant Pot will save you time and money.

Cooking with Instant Pot Will Make Your Life Easier

Instant Pot is perfect for you if you are, shall we say… clueless in the kitchen. And, if you’re not a novice, you’ll soon see the advantages of cooking with Instant Pot. Here’s how…

Set It and Walk Away

Many recipes need some attention while cooking. With some recipes you need to stir, or flip, or mix, or baste.

When you use Instant Pot you add your ingredients, attach the lid, choose the program, set the timer, and walk away.

When Instant Pot shuts off you’ll have a meal perfectly prepared and evenly cooked.

Batch Cooking Becomes a Breeze with Instant Pot

Batch cooking can be difficult at times and always time-consuming. Some batch cooking methods call for many steps in the process.

Instant Pot makes batch cooking easier and quicker. This means you’ll be able to eat healthy, home-cooked meals and snacks all the time.

Instant Pot is Versatile

In case you’re not aware, Instant Pot is quite versatile in the kitchen. The fact is Instant Pot can replace at least 5 appliances; even more.

One Instant Pot can replace both your pressure cooker and your steamer. Instant Pot is so versatile it can also be your slow cooker, rice cooker, or yogurt maker.

You can also use your Instant Pot as a saute or browning pan or as a warming pot.

Instant Pot can be many things to many recipes. Whether you’re preparing breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Instant Pot stands ready to help you. You can even use it to make your favorite desserts.

The bottom line is cooking with Instant Pot is perfect for healthy eating.

So the question is, do you want to spend your hard earned dollars on many appliances, or invest in one Instant Pot?

Instant Pot Can Clear the Room

Okay… that’s not entirely accurate. You’re not actually clearing the room, but you are definitely freeing up cabinet and counter space. One appliance which replaces many others gives you more work space and more storage space.

Let’s face it… who likes to dig around in cabinets to find the appliances you need when you’re preparing to cook a meal? Think of all the clutter you’re surrounded with.

And let us not forget you need to clean everything up then put them all away for the next time. And make no mistake; there will be a next time when you commit to healthy cooking.

In fact, it will be the next meal you prepare. Meal preparation is necessary since you’ll be using fresh meats and produce. The meal-in-a box will become a fond, but distant memory.

Consider the Instant Pot You Need and Accessories

We’ve discussed how Instant Pot can save you money by using one appliance rather than many appliances. We’ve also discussed how Instant Pot saves time over traditional cooking processes, and how it saves space.

Now let’s discuss some options you should consider when making your decision.

Which Instant Pot to Choose

Can one size fit all? In this instance, it can. Let me explain.

If you are cooking for one or two people, you may be able to get by with a 3-quart mini pot. If you’re cooking for a family of four, the 6-quart Instant Pot should be sufficient.

However, if you are planning to batch cook, you’ll need the 8-quart model. Also, consider a larger Instant Pot if you do a lot of entertaining.

What it boils down to is you should consider the big picture. You may be cooking for yourself a majority of the time, but you entertain your friends and family on a routine basis. This is where you’ll need the larger pot.

The larger Instant Pot will serve all your needs. Whatever you decide, choose a size that is right for your circumstances and your budget.

Hey… How About That Liner?

The inner pot, or inner liner, is where it all happens. You place your food in this inner liner to cook. You put the liner into the pot to cook your meal then remove it to clean when you’re done cooking.

If you only use your Instant Pot a few times a week, you’ll do just fine with one liner. If you use your Instant Pot more frequently or multiple times a day, then consider an additional liner.

Once you use a liner, you need to clean it before using it again. This is where having a liner on standby comes in handy.

For example, are you really going to make your dessert in the same liner you used for your pot roast without cleaning it first? I think not.

So, while you’re preparing your after dinner dessert, you’ll clean the liner you just used and get it out of the way. And the inner liner serves other purposes, as well.

As I see it, having an extra liner on hand is a practical matter.

Glass or No Glass… That is the Question

The lid that comes with your Instant Pot will be solid and thick with vents and a pressure release valve. But you may want more.

If you use your Instant Pot as a slow cooker, you might want to consider a glass lid. Many people want to see what’s going on; a glass lid makes it easy to watch your food while it’s cooking.

If you are that person, a clear glass lid might be a good choice for you. But it’s not essential and I’d put this in the “nice to have” category.

Do You Need an Extra Silicone Sealing Ring?

Who would even think such a thing let alone ask the question. But, as it turns out, it is a valid question and the answer is simple.

The sealing ring seals in steam and heat and it can crack or break over time. Since you can’t use your Instant Pot without one, purchasing a second ring to have available is a wise decision.

Think of it as having extra batteries on hand for your flashlights, remotes, and other gadgets. Again, it’s a practical purchase.

Other Accessories You Might Want to Consider

As mentioned before, your Instant Pot is great for steaming. But you need to have steam racks to make this happen. You put the rack in the pot, add the food, add water, then select the appropriate setting; it’s that easy!

Also, consider a silicone cover for your inner liner since you can use the liner to store leftovers. You place the food in the liner, cover it, and put it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to heat it up again.

In that same vein, the silicone cover will save you time by preparing the night before. You put your ingredients into the Instant Pot liner and cover with the lid. Store the liner in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook the meal.

And there you have it. An Instant Pot can completely change the way you work and cook in the kitchen. And it will certainly make the time you spend in the kitchen easier.

So, whether you’re a party of one or a family of ten, an Instant Pot in your kitchen will become your new best friend.