A collage of popular Nom Nom Paleo Instant Pot recipes

Yes, I have hundred of free Paleo recipes in my index, but are you looking specifically for Instant Pot recipes? If so, it’s your lucky day, ’cause I have a ton for you to choose from!

A cartoon Michelle Tam is saying "Check out my Instant Pot recipes!"

After reading Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and joining the cult of KonMari, I was determined to dump or donate all of my kitchen appliances that no longer spark joy. I happily rounded up the bread machine, toaster, and panini maker that have been languishing in my appliance graveyard (a.k.a. our garage), and dropped them off at Goodwill. From now on, I’m keeping only those kitchen gadgets that I actually use on a regular basis.

Believe it or not, there are only a handful that are making the cut—and even though I don’t like to play favorites, the one appliance that clearly deserves a permanent place on the counter (and in my heart) is my Instant Pot. My excuse is that it’s a 7-in-1 appliance (or 10-in-1 now!), so it’s replacing a bunch of other appliances—but to be honest with you, I pretty much use my Instant Pot only for one thing:

COOKING UNDER PRESSURE.

You’ve heard me say it before: pressure cooking is a gamechanger—especially for home cooks with hectic schedules like mine. When I’m pressed for time but craving foods that usually take forever to prepare (like bone broth, tough cuts of meat, braised winter vegetables), I turn to my pressure cooker. Plus, there’s the added bonus of saving money because I can turn cheaper braising cuts like brisket and shanks into simple weeknight meals. In fact, even when I do have enough time to use a slow cooker, I’ll whip out my Instant Pot ’cause when it’s done cooking, this smart little appliance naturally depressurizes and keeps my food warm until I’m ready to eat. No fuss, no muss!

A collage of Nom Nom Paleo's Instant Pot recipes

Although I also own a stovetop pressure cooker, my electric Instant Pot gets the most use. It’s basically foolproof, and I never have to babysit it. Even if it’s sweltering hot, I can quickly whip together a savory stew without heating up my kitchen, which means it’s perfect for year-round cooking.

[One thing to note: The Instant Pot cooks at a slightly lower pressure (11.6 psi) than my stove top pressure cooker (15 psi), but that just means adding a few minutes to the cooking time. My general rule of thumb is to increase cooking times by 7 to 15% when using my Instant Pot for a pressure cooker recipe.]

Images of popular Nom Nom Paleo Instant Pot recipes

My three favorite time-saving Instant Pot hacks:

  1. When our family is about to sit down to dinner, I start cooking another meal—usually a stew—in the Instant Pot. By the time we’re done eating, the stew is finished cooking, which means I can store it in the fridge for later—and do the dishes just once.
  2. Tired of waiting for bone broth to cook? Throw the ingredients for bone broth into your Instant Pot before heading off to bed. By the time you wake up, you can strain and store the broth for later. Bonus: no stink!
  3. Before tossing it into your Instant Pot, make sure to cut your meat into uniform pieces to ensure even
    cooking. Also, it goes without saying that smaller cubes cook faster than bigger chunks (so I’m totally not going to say it).

Front shots of the Instant Pot Ultra and Instant Pot Duo Plus

Many of my readers have asked that I write an Instant Pot FAQ, but why re-invent the wheel? If you have questions about cooking times, turn to these charts by Hip Pressure Cooking. Got more questions about the Instant Pot? This helpful post on Dad Cooks Dinner should answer all of ’em. I also love these fun videos at Pressure Luck!

My favorite Instant Pot models

Looking for a deal on the Instant Pot? I regularly update this Instant Pot Deals page with the latest sales and discounts! (Note that if you buy an Instant Pot through one of my Amazon links, I’ll receive a small commission—but without costing you an extra cent!)

Ready to start pressure cooking? Put on an apron and let’s go!

My favorite Whole30 Instant Pot recipes:

Instant Pot Kalua Pig

Craving Hawaiian kalua pig? You can get it in your belly in just 2 hours using a pressure cooker. TWO HOURS. And I hate to say it, but I think it tastes even better than my slow cooker version. Really.

A shot of a bowl of Instant Pot Kalua Pig by Nom Nom Paleo

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Chicken Pho

This bowl of goodness will taste as good or better than the pho at your local Vietnamese noodle joint!

An overhead shot of Nom Nom Paleo's Instant Pot Chicken Pho

Instant Pot Magic Pork

This simple and Whole30-friendly weeknight Instant Pot Magic Pork has a high flavor to effort ratio! You can make it ahead and freeze the leftover, too!

An overhead shot of a big bowl of Instant Pot Magic Pork

Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Need a new way to jazz up sweet potatoes? Try this spicy, sweet, and savory Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe—from start to finish, it can be made in just 30 minutes! Perked up with a dash of cayenne pepper, lime juice, and fresh cilantro, this vegan, Whole30, and paleo mash goes well with everything!

An overhead shot of a a hand scooping vegan and paleo Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes from a black bowl.

Instant Pot Sausage and Kale Soup

Packed with veggies and protein, this Whole30-friendly, paleo, and low carb soup will be a family favorite on busy weeknights!

A shot of four bowls filled with sausage and kale soup that can be made in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop.

Instant Pot Chicken Saag

Chicken Saag is a classic Indian dish featuring tender chicken cooked in a creamy-spicy spinach sauce.

A hand is holding an off-white bowl filled with chicken and spinach Indian curry.

 

Instant Pot Cheater Pork Stew

This Whole30-compliant Instant Pot pork and cabbage stew is so easy and delicious to make from pantry staples, it almost feels like you’re cheating in the kitchen!

A side view of a partially covered white bowl filled with Whole30 Instant Pot Cheater Pork Stew, a pork and cabbage dish

Instant Pot Cooker Crispy Potatoes

Now that potatoes are back on my plate (seriously: they’re even Whole30-compliant, people), this is my favorite and quickest way to cook them!

An overhead shot of a plate of Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Crispy Potatoes

Instant Pot Cauliflower Colannon

Cauliflower colcannon is a healthy and keto-friendly twist on the traditional Irish dish of mashed potatoes and cooked greens! No one will notice that the potatoes have been replaced with creamy puréed cauliflower—they’ll just scoop up seconds and thirds!

An overhead shot of two hands holding a gray bowl filled with cauliflower colcannon

Instant Pot Chinese Beef Stew

Instant Pot Chinese Beef Stew is an easy and flavor-packed stew that combines beef chuck roast, All-Purpose Stir-Fry Sauce, and tender daikon and carrots. If you plan ahead, you can cook this Whole30-friendly beef stew on a busy weeknight or make it ahead to reheat during the week!

Two hands are holding a bowl of Instant Pot Chinese Beef Stew

Instant Pot Zucchini Bolognese

This simple and quick Whole30-friendly Instant Pot Zucchini Bolognese recipe is a riff on Meghan Markle’s original version, but a whole lot meatier!

A closeup of a plate of Instant Pot Zucchini Bolognese on a bed of zoodles.

Instant Pot Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

This Whole30 and keto garlic cauliflower mashed potatoes recipe is nomtastic and super easy to make in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop. No one will suspect that you’re serving low carb mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes!

An overhead shot of a bowl filled with garlic caulflower mashed potatoes.

Instant Pot Meat Sauce

This simplified Sunday Gravy meat sauce is easy to make in an Instant Pot with just a few paleo pantry staples. This Whole30-, paleo-, and keto-friendly meat sauce recipe is a fantastic make-ahead dish, and perfect for serving over vegetable noodles. It’s a healthy and easy “spaghetti and meat sauce” that you can enjoy anytime!

An overhead shot of two hands holding a bowl of spaghetti squash covered with Instant Pot meat sauce.

Instant Pot Ground Beef Chili

This budget-friendly weeknight supper feeds a crowd and is Whole30-friendly, too!

An overhead shot of a bowl of Instant Pot Ground Beef Chili topped with sliced avocado and diced white onions

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Spicy Pineapple Pork

My Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Spicy Pineapple Pork is the homemade version of the same popular Nom Nom Paleo hot bar dish at Whole Foods Market! This Whole30-friendly pork stew is savory, pineapple-y, moderately spicy and so dang easy to make in a pressure cooker!

A closeup shot of a bowl of Instant Pot Spicy Pineapple Pork

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

This Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup is super easy to make, super bacon-y, and Whole30-friendly! Plus, it’s perfect for fall or winter!

A closeup of a black bowl filled with Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup, topped with crispy bacon bits and aged balsamic vinegar.

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup is one of my favorite Whole30-friendly vegetable side dishes because it’s hands-off, delicious, and healthy. Plus, I clean out the fridge when I make this comforting soup!

An overhead shot of Instant Pot Vegetable Soup in a bowl.

Instant Pot Magic Short Ribs

Instant Pot Magic Short Ribs is the easiest way to make fork-tender, Italian-inspired, Whole30-friendly beef short ribs that your whole family will enjoy!

A side view closeup of a bowl of Instant Pot Magic Short Ribs

Instant Pot Atakilt Wat (Ethiopian Cabbage Stew)

Atakilt Wat is a tender, aromatic Ethiopian vegetable stew with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots simmered in a delicious sauce flavored with turmeric and cumin. The mild seasoning makes it a perfect side dish to balance the fiery meat dishes that are popular in Ethiopian cuisine.

An overhead shot of a brown bowl filled with Whole30 and low carb Atakilt Wat, Ethiopian cabbage stew.

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Cream of Mushroom Soup

If you’re an umami evangelist like me, you’ll love this recipe for Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup. Grab a few simple ingredients, and you’ll soon have a comforting bowl of soup that’ll make your taste buds sing.

Two shots of someone garnishing a bowl of Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom SoupInstant Pot Cowboy Chili

In the mood for a hearty, healthy, Whole30-friendly beef chili recipe packed with cubes of tender chuck roast that you can set and forget in your Instant Pot? Look no further than my Instant Pot Cowboy Chili!

Side view of Instant Pot Cowboy Chili in a white ceramic serving bowl, topped with cilantro, sliced radishes, and diced white onions.

Instant Pot Oxtail Stew

You can pressure cook fork-tender oxtails in your Instant Pot and they taste unbelievable!

A side view of someone holding a black bowl filled with zoodles topped with Instant Pot Oxtail Stew.

Instant Pot Vietnamese Pork Stew

This easy Whole30-friendly Instant Pot Vietnamese Pork Stew is a streamlined version of the classic braised dish, thit ko tàu, caramelized pork belly cooked in coconut water. It’s one of my favorite umami-packed stews that can be made faster and easier in a pressure cooker!

An overhead shot of Instant Pot Vietnamese Pork Stew

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Orange Duck + Gravy

Instant Pot Orange Duck + Gravy takes just a fraction of the time it would take to roast it in the oven—and best of all, it’s a perfect make-ahead recipe; just crisp up the cooked duck legs and reheat the gravy when you’re ready to serve!

An overhead shot of a platter of Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Orange Duck + Gravy

Pressure Cooker Indian Curry Lamb Spare Ribs

If Indian curries are your jam, make these curried ribs today!

A shot of Pressure Cooker Indian Spare Ribs

Instant Pot Mexican Beef

One of my all-time favorite beef stews!

An overhead shot of Instant Pot Mexican Beef and a pair of tongs removing a piece of beef.

Pressure Cooker Grass Fed Beef Back Ribs

Got beef back ribs? And a pressure cooker? Then make some tender, finger-lickin’ ribs in no time at all!

A shot of pressure cooker beef spare ribs.

Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

This noodle imposter can be made in a flash in your pressure cooker. I normally make spaghetti squash ahead of time and keep it in my fridge for instant veggie gratification.

A side view of a bowl of Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Spaghetti Squash topped with ground pork stir fry and cilantro

Pressure Cooker Porcini and Tomato Beef Short Ribs

Mushrooms + tomatoes + short ribs = umami explosion. If you haven’t tried this recipe, what are you waiting for?

Two shots of pressure cooker porcini and tomato beef short ribs

Quick Instant Pot Bone Broth

As soon as anyone in my family complains about feeling under the weather, I grab some frozen bones from the freezer and make a batch of pressure cooker bone broth—pronto. You can, too!

An overhead shot of a bowl of Quick Pressure Cooker Bone Broth

Instant Pot Bo Kho

This flavor-packed Vietnamese beef stew is comfort in a bowl.

A closeup of a bowl of Instant Pot Bo Kho

Instant Pot Lemongrass + Coconut Chicken

Try this umami-packed Thai-inspired chicken stew tonight! It’ll only take 30 minutes!

A closeup shot of a bowl of Instant Pot Lemongrass Coconut Chicken

Pressure Cooker Thai Beef Stew

So easy and delicious, with a blast of Asian flavors. This one will be a weekday staple!

An overhead shot of Pressure Cooker Thai Beef Stew

Instant Pot Lamb Shanks

This recipe is incredibly satisfying and comforting. The tender meat falls right off the bone. And I’m getting hungry just writing about this dish.

A hand holding a white plate with Instant Pot lamb chops ready to eat.

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Tacos

A family favorite for Taco Tuesday—or Wednesday, or Thursday, or Friday…

An overhead shot of Instant Pot Salsa Chicken tacos

Pressure Cooker Summer Italian Chicken

This is a quick blast of summer, with tender chicken, juicy cherry tomatoes, fragrant fresh herbs, and buttery, briny green olives.

An overhead shot of Instant Pot Summer Italian Chicken

Instant Pot Hard “Boiled” Eggs & Lazy Devils

In 20 minutes from start to finish, you’ll get a batch of perfectly cooked and easily peeled eggs!

An overhead shot of a variety of Lazy Devils topped with different toppings.

Instant Pot Curried Cream of Broccoli Soup

My favorite way to cook soup in a pressure cooker!

A closeup of a bowl of Instant Pot Curried Cream of Broccoli Soup topped with some crispy Kalua Pig

Pork and Napa Cabbage Soup

I’ve added Instant Pot instructions for this umami-packed stovetop recipe!

 Someone decorating steamy bowls of Pork and Napa Cabbage Soup

Pressure Cooker Beef Stew

So easy, tasty, and freezable. Make it now!

 Two shots of pressure cooker beef stew. The one on the left has no vegetables and the one on the right has carrot and potato chunks mixed in.

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Chicken and Gravy

This slow cooker classic just got a modern pressure cooker update!

A side shot of a platter of Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy

Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot) Korean Short Ribs

Behold: Instant Pot Korean Short Ribs! It turns out that my classic recipe for this deeply flavorful, Asian-inspired dish is even easier in an Instant Pot!

A closeup shot of a serving bowl filled with Instant Pot Korean Short Ribs

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Carnitas

I’ve perfected a porktastic Instant Pot Carnitas recipe that will rival what you’d order at your favorite taqueria!

An overhead shot of Instant Pot Carnitas on a bed of lettuce and topped with sliced avocados, peppers, and herbs.

Instant Pot Beets

When you use a pressure cooker to steam beets in an Instant Pot, you can have fork-tender, finger-staining vegetables in 30 minutes, from start to finish!

A shot of Instant Pot Beets on a steamer rack in the Instant Pot and a bowl of Instant Pot beets ready to eat

Pressure Cooker Braised Kale and Carrots

My kids happily eat this nutrient-packed veggie side dish without any complaints. ’Nuff said.

A closeup shot of a white plate filled with Pressure Cooker Braised Kale and Carrots

Instant Pot Yankee Pot Roast

My Instant Pot Yankee Pot Roast is a delicious, Whole30-friendly fall supper! Leftovers freeze well so it’s a perfect meal for busy families!

An ovehead shot of a plate of Instant Pot Yankee Pot Roast with roasted asparagus and cauliflower puree

Pressure Cooker Mocha-Rubbed Pot Roast

My pal Steph Gaudreau is responsible for this fabulous recipe—I just made it quicker to get into your mouth.

Two shots of fork tender Pressure Cooker Mocha-Rubbed Pot Roast

Instant Pot Autumn Mash

One of my all-time favorite Thanksgiving side dishes is Roasted Garlic Autumn Root Vegetable Mash. And now, I can make it using my Instant Pot!

A closeup shot of Instant Pot Autumn Mash in a blue bowl topped with chopped chives

Now, GO PRESSURE COOK SOMETHING!

And when you’re done, go check out the hundreds of other Paleo recipes on my blog, too! I’ve updated my Recipe Index to include special Pressure Cooker/Instant Pot and Slow Cooker categories, so remember to bookmark this master list, and check back, ’cause I update it whenever I post a new recipe!

A cartoon image of Michelle Tam saying "Click to see hundreds more of my paleo recipes!"


Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013) and Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017)!

Recipe IndexNom Nom Paleo CookbooksNom Nom Paleo App

About Michelle Tam

Hello! My name is Michelle Tam, and I love to eat. I think about food all the time. It borders on obsession. I’ve always loved the sights and smells of the kitchen. My mother was (and is) an excellent cook, and as a kid, I was her little shadow as she prepared supper each night. From her, I gained a deep, abiding love for magically transforming pantry items into mouth-watering family meals.

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