These 20 Whole30 Instant Pot Recipes are super easy to make and promise to be delicious!

A collage of 20 Whole30 Instant Pot recipes by Nom Nom Paleo. The banner at the bottom says that the recipes are paleo, gluten-free, and low carb.

Are you doing a Whole30 this month? If so, your Instant Pot might just become your new best friend. I love it because it’s really simple to use, yields delicious results, and cooks everything in a fraction of the time. I go more into detail in this post about the basics of the Instant Pot, and why I love mine so much.

What Instant Pot model should I get?

I personally have the 6-quart Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus and gift it to my favorite people. This iteration of the trusty Instant Pot is a combination of my second two favorite models (The Ultra and Duo Plus) and it’s a definite upgrade!

Here are the reasons why this Instant Pot model is the best:

    • Improved venting for quick pressure release!
    • The inner pot now has stay-cool handles to make it easier to remove!
    • The inner pot has a flat bottom for better browning AND you can use it on other cooktops!
    • An easier interface for programming the Instant Pot and a digital display!

I find that the 6-quart size is perfect for me and my family of four. You can easily cook five pounds of stew meat at a time, which means you’ll have dinner plus plenty of leftovers. If you need a bigger Instant Pot, grab another 6-quart Duo Evo Plus when there’s a sale!

A collage of 20 Whole30 Instant Pot recipes from Nom Nom Paleo. There is a cartoon of brunette woman depressurizing an Instant Pot in the middle of the collage.

Instant Pot Meals Are Great For Leftovers

A simple and great way to get you through your Whole30 is to have leftovers ready and available in your freezer for those days that you just don’t feel like cooking, or don’t have the time to cook.

The best recipes to make in an Instant Pot are hearty stews, braises, and soups and all of them freeze and reheat well. I always make sure to freeze portioned-out servings in containers so I can easily dump ’em back into the Instant Pot to reheat. For most stews and soups, I can plop them in the Instant Pot while still frozen, and then cook under high pressure for 3 to 5 minutes to reheat. (Note: It does take longer to reach high pressure when cooking from frozen, but you can set it and walk away.)

You can also reconstitute the stew and make it into a soup by adding extra broth into the Instant Pot and some veggies to make it a complete meal. There’s no waste in this household, people!

You Can Use a Variety of Meat Cuts in Your Stews

A great thing about the Instant Pot is how versatile it is for cooking meat. You can pressure cook chicken thighs, whole chickens, pork butt, chuck roast, … the possibilities are endless! Even if you’re a novice at cooking meat, my tried and true step-by-step Instant Pot recipes will ensure a delicious meal with little fuss.

Even better? The cheaper tougher cuts (e.g., brisket, pork shoulder, ribs) turn meltingly tender when cooked under pressure. You’ll save money and be well fed—a win-win!

Let’s start pressure cooking!

20 Easy and Healthy Instant Pot Whole30 Recipes

Instant Pot Whole30 Chicken Recipes

Instant Pot Summer Italian Chicken

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

Someone ladling Instant Pot Summer Italian Chicken into a bowl.

Pressure Cooker Summer Italian Chicken by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot Summer Italian Chicken (Keto, Paleo, Whole30, Gluten Free)

4.91 from 42 votes
You can keep your house cool in the summer by making this Whole30-friendly Italian chicken stew in your Instant Pot or pressure cooker!
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Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy

Yep: you can cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot, and make an amazing Paleo-friendly gravy at the same time.

Instant Pot Whole30 chicken and gravy on a plate.

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Chicken & Gravy by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot Whole Chicken and Gravy

4.87 from 43 votes
Yep: you can cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot, and make an amazing Paleo-friendly gravy at the same time. Instant Pot chicken and gravy, y’all!
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Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

Perfect for taco night, this 2-ingredient recipe is a cinch to make!

Instant Pot Whole30 Salsa Chicken on a grain-free tortilla.

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Tacos by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Salsa Chicken Tacos

5 from 13 votes
A family weeknight favorite! Whole30-friendly salsa chicken tacos that you can make in your Instant Pot or pressure cooker!
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Instant Pot Lemongrass and Coconut Chicken

Here’s a 30 minute meal that’s bursting with great flavor! Not sure what lemongrass is or how to use it? I made a whole post about it here!

Instant Pot Whole30 lemongrass and coconut chicken in a bowl topped with herbs.

Pressure Cooker Lemongrass + Coconut Chicken by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Lemongrass + Coconut Chicken

4.93 from 13 votes
And now, by popular demand, I’m converting an old fave, Slow Cooker Lemongrass Coconut Chicken, into a quick and easy 30 minute meal: Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Lemongrass + Coconut Chicken!
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Instant Pot Whole30 Beef Recipes

Instant Pot Meat Sauce

A 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.

A large white bowl filled with spiralized sweet potato noodles topped with Whole30 Instant Pot Meat Sauce, an easy and healthy dinner.

A large white bowl filled with spiralized sweet potato noodles topped with Whole30 Instant Pot Meat Sauce, an easy and healthy dinner.

Instant Pot Meat Sauce

4.91 from 21 votes
This simple and tasty Whole30-, paleo-, and keto-friendly Instant Pot Meat Sauce is packed with flavor and tastes fantastic on spiralized vegetables!
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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 don’t have these veggies on hand, you can substitute with what’s in your crisper drawer!

An overhead shot of a two hands holding a bowl of Instant Pot Chinese Beef Stew.

An overhead shot of two hands holding a serving bowl filled with Instant Pot Chinese Beef Stew.

Instant Pot Chinese Beef Stew

4.79 from 19 votes
Instant Pot Chinese Beef Stew is an easy and flavor-packed Whole30-friendly stew that combines tender beef chuck roast, All-Purpose Stir-Fry Sauce, and tender daikon and carrots.  
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Instant Pot Ground Beef Chili

Perfect for the cold weather, my ground beef chili is the ultimate comfort meal!

Whole30 Instant Pot ground beef chili in a bowl topped with onions and avocado.

Instant Pot Ground Beef Chili by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot No Bean Chili

4.89 from 44 votes
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Instant Pot Thai Beef Curry

If you’re craving takeout, make this Thai beef curry instead! Just make sure the curry paste you use is Whole30-friendly. I particularly like Aroyo-D and Mae Ploy brands.

Whole30 Instant Pot Thai beef curry in a bowl topped with herbs.

Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot) Thai Beef Curry by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot Thai Beef Curry

4.91 from 20 votes
Here's my tasty and simple Whole30-friendly pressure cooker Thai beef curry recipe that you can make in your Instant Pot!
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Instant Pot Mexican Beef

You probably already have the ingredients on hand to make this recipe. I love to top it with cilantro and radishes in a butter lettuce wrap!

A piece of Instant Pot Mexican beef being held by a tong.

A pair of tongs is holding a piece of fork tender Instant Pot Mexican Beef

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Mexican Beef

4.87 from 23 votes
This simple and delicious Pressure Cooker Mexican Beef recipe can be made quickly in your Instant Pot! It's perfect for weeknight taco suppers!
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Instant Pot Whole30 Pork Recipes

Instant Pot Cheater Pork Stew

This super easy stew makes use of inexpensive pantry-staples. It almost feels like you’re cheating in the kitchen!

An overhead shot of a large bowl filled with Slow Cooker Pork and Cabbage stew, a paleo and Whole30-friendly healthy supper.

An overhead shot of a white bowl filled with Instant Pot Cheater Pork and Cabbage Stew over some cauliflower rice.

Instant Pot Cheater Pork Stew

4.78 from 36 votes
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!
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Instant Pot Magic Pork

This simple magical pork stew has a high flavor to effort ratio! You can make it ahead and freeze the leftovers for future taco nights, stir-fries, omelets, or hearty soups!

An overhead shot of someone mixing a bowl of Instant Pot Magic Pork

Instant Pot Magic Pork by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot Magic Pork (Whole30, Keto, Paleo)

4.87 from 30 votes
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!
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Instant Pot Vietnamese Pork Stew

This easy 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!

An overhead shot of Instant Pot Vietnamese Pork Stew

An overhead shot of Instant Pot Vietnamese Pork Stew in a cream colored serving bowl

Instant Pot Vietnamese Pork Stew

4.62 from 13 votes
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!  
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Instant Pot Carnitas

I’ve perfected a Carnitas recipe that will rival what you’d order at your favorite taqueria! I love to make leftover makeovers by crisping up the pork and adding it to tacos, soups, salads, and frittatas.

Instant Pot carnitas in a bowl with lettuce, limes, avocados, and jalapenos.

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Carnitas by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot Carnitas (Paleo, Whole30, Low Carb)

4.94 from 45 votes
I’ve perfected a porktastic Instant Pot Carnitas recipe that will rival what you'd order at your favorite taqueria! 
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Instant Pot Kalua Pig

With just a handful of ingredients, you can make a Nomster favorite: my Instant Pot Kalua Pig!

Instant Pot kalua pig shredded in a bowl.

Pressure Cooker Kalua Pig by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Kalua Pork

4.91 from 140 votes
Grab your Instant Pot or pressure cooker to make smoky, fork-tender, Whole30 Hawaiian-inspired Kalua Pig in a fraction of the usual cooking time!
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Instant Pot Whole30 Soup Recipes

Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup

If you’re an umami evangelist like me, you’ll love this recipe for Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup!

An overhead shot of a bowl of Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup , a paleo, keto, and Whole30 soup!

Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup by Michelle Tam / https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup

5 from 7 votes
If you’re an umami evangelist like me, you’ll love this recipe for Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup. It's also Whole30, Keto, and Dairy-Free!
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Instant Pot Pork and Napa Cabbage Soup

This one-pot, 30 minute recipe is a complete meal that’s perfect for any weeknight!

Bowls of Instant Pot pork and Napa cabbage soup on a counter.

Pork and Napa Cabbage Soup by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Pork and Napa Cabbage Soup

4.85 from 64 votes
Yearning for comfort in a bowl? This one-pot, umami-packed Pork and Napa Cabbage Soup fits the bill and it can be in your mouth in about 30 minutes!
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Instant Pot Chicken Pho

Believe it or not, I found a Paleo-friendly, Whole30-compliant, and most importantly, authentic chicken pho recipe that you can make in a pressure cooker!

Whole30 Instant Pot Chicken pho in a bowl surrounded by pho toppings.

Instant Pot Chicken Pho by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Chicken Pho

4.84 from 37 votes
Guess what? I found a Paleo, Whole30 friendly, and most importantly, authentic Vietnamese chicken pho recipe that you can make in an Instant Pot!
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Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

This perfect winter recipe is super easy to make and promises to delivery on deliciousness! Top it with aged balsamic vinegar and crispy bacon bits to really pump up the flavor.

A black bowl filled with Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup on a wooden cutting board.

A black bowl filled with Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup on a wooden cutting board.

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

4.90 from 19 votes
Got an Instant Pot and looking for a cozy paleo soup recipe that’s perfect for fall and winter? This Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup is super easy to make, super bacon-y, and Whole30-friendly!
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Instant Pot Curried Cream of Broccoli Soup

Another wintertime favorite, this soup is creamy and delicious without any dairy! Top it with some leftover, crisped Kalua Pig to make it a complete meal.

Someone holding a bowl of Instant Pot curried cream of broccoli soup topped with kalua pig.

Instant Pot Curried Cream of Broccoli Soup by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot Curried Cream of Broccoli Soup

4.86 from 14 votes
Got broccoli and leeks in the fridge and an Instant Pot on the counter? Then make this super-easy Instant Pot Curried Cream of Broccoli Soup tonight!
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Instant Pot Carrot Cardamom Soup

Pairing carrot, ginger, and cardamom magically transform these simple ingredients into something greater than it’s individual parts!

An overhead shot of Carrot Cardamom soup in a serving bowl.

An overhead shot of Carrot Cardamom soup in a serving bowl.

Carrot + Cardamom Soup (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

4.91 from 22 votes
My Whole30-friendly Carrot Cardamom soup (Instant Pot or stovetop) is a quick and tasty bowl of joy made with carrots, ginger, cardamom, and coconut milk!  
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Want more Instant Pot recipes?

Check out this ever-growing epic roundup of all my Instant Pot and pressure cooker recipes!

Other Whole30 Tips

Completing a Whole30 doesn’t have to be hard. That’s why I’ll be posting Whole30-friendly recipes to my Facebook page all month long to keep you inspired! I’ll also be popping in frequently to my personal Nomster’s Facebook group to answer any questions. Don’t forget about my cookbooks that have paleo and Whole30-friendly meals as well as my iOS app!


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), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2021).


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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