The Instant Pot is an amazing tool. It offers the chance to make meals faster and with less hassle. That’s particularly important when you’re following a diet like Paleo or when life is busy.
To help you make the most of it, this list features a selection of Paleo Instant Pot recipes from many different sources. There are plenty of styles to choose from. Take a look for yourself. I’m sure you’ll find a few favorites, I know I did.
Instant Pot Paleo Curries (& Related Meals)
The Instant Pot is a perfect tool for making curries. It cuts down the workload and keeps the cooking action confined to one small area. The same is true for similar meals, like goulash and chili. The recipes in this section are a small sample of the various meals that you can make.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
This Instant Pot Butter Chicken makes a great go-to meal if you want something hearty that tastes fantastic. It’s also a dairy-free recipe and is perfect for anyone who is lactose intolerant. It can be served with whatever side you choose. Cauliflower rice would be the natural choice, making this a low carb meal too. The dish is even suitable for Whole30 and keto dieters.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Here’s another Instant Pot Butter Chicken recipe, from a different author. This one is dairy-free as well. It’s also Whole30 and keto compliant. There are some differences between the recipes, so I recommend that you check them both out to see which style you like the best. This one includes a video, which is a bonus. But honestly, they’re both good.
Instant Pot Chicken Curry
This Instant Pot Chicken Curry isn’t butter chicken, so the flavor profile will be different than the previous two examples. As Jessica states, the image does include rice, but you can substitute for cauliflower rice instead. The recipe has relatively few ingredients, making it an easy one to prepare. There are also instructions for anyone who wants to make a double batch of the curry.
Instant Pot Egg Curry
You can make other types of curry in the Instant Pot too, like this Instant Pot Egg Curry. The recipe is a great way to save time, as you’re cooking the curry and boiling the eggs in the Instant Pot – at the same time. The curry might look simple but there’s more going on than meets the eye. The combination of spices and other ingredients produces a complex flavor that makes the meal come alive.
Instant Pot Paleo Chili
There are many people who would love this Instant Pot Paleo Chili. Chili is such a popular dish anyway and there are so many different variations to choose from. One great thing about this recipe is that it’s easy. It also contains more veggies than most chili recipes, which is important for your health. As Erin says, the combination of vegetables might sound unusual but it does work well.
Paleo Hungarian Goulash
If you want something a little more unexpected, try this Paleo Hungarian Goulash recipe. The meal has so much going for it, including how it looks visually and the combination of flavors. You would probably want to serve this with a side of some type. Natalie offers plenty of great ideas in her post.
Paleo Instant Pot Soups
The Instant Pot is a fantastic choice for soups. The tool dramatically cuts down cooking time – making it possible to prepare and eat the soup in the same evening. There are many soup recipes out there, so this section focuses on particularly appealing soups and unusual styles.
Paleo Beef Soup
This Paleo Beef Soup is a perfect example of how great soup can be. It makes a hearty meal, one that includes plenty of texture and no shortage of vegetables. There are a few more steps than some other paleo soup recipes, but it is still easy to make. I’ve often found that recipes with extra steps end up tasting better at the end, making the process well worth it.
Thai Carrot Soup
For a completely different style, consider this Thai Carrot Soup. It’s a creamy soup, originally inspired by a similar dish at Whole Foods Market. The combination of ingredients might seem surprising, but that’s what gives the soup such an interesting flavor profile. This is one recipe that can be made in the Instant Pot or on the stove top. The dish is easy to prepare either way and you’re bound to love it.
Healing Instant Pot Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is a classic meal, particularly as the weather starts to cool down. This Healing Instant Pot Chicken Soup is a great recipe to try. It’s even Whole30 compliant and is heartier than many other chicken soups. Nikki includes some great tips for the recipe, including how to freeze it, ways to add veggies and how to make the dish keto friendly. It is also an easy recipe to make, with few steps and a short ingredients list.
Creamy Chicken Soup
Alternatively, you could try out this Creamy Chicken Soup. I love the bright and vibrant colors, especially the purple and the green. The recipe also uses some of my favorite ingredients, like avocado oil, coconut milk and kale. It would be a great soup if you want more veggies in your diet.
Coconut Curry Sea Bass
For a more unusual recipe, check out this Coconut Curry Sea Bass. You won’t be disappointed by the combination of flavors or the way that the finished dish looks. The Instant Pot is a particularly good choice for recipes like this one, as the fast cook time helps prevent any nutrient loss. You can also change the fish that you use if sea bass isn’t available.
Easy Clam Chowder Recipe
This Easy Clam Chowder Recipe is another interesting seafood option to try. It relies on whole foods, using veggies as a way to thicken the base. The dish also suits many diets, including Whole30, GAPS and AIP, which is seriously impressive. There are also instructions for making the soup on a stove top or in a slow cooker, if you want to try one of those approaches.
Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Soup
This Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Soup is a particularly fun style, one that will appeal to the whole family. The soup is also hearty, so it can act as a meal all on its own. The spice level of the soup will vary depending on the taco seasoning you use. Anyone sensitive to spicy food may want to focus on mild taco seasoning or make their own.
Zuppa Toscana
Check out this Zuppa Toscana as another unusual soup to try. As Amy points out, this soup does rely on coconut milk for creaminess. The taste is notable, but not overpowering. For people who aren’t avoiding dairy, cream might be a good alternative. There are other suggestions in the post too.
Other Dishes
The Instant Pot is often associated with soups, stews and curries, like in the previous sections. It is a fantastic tool for creating these meals, but there’s so much more that it can do as well. The recipes below are all examples that follow a different style.
Honey Garlic Chicken
This Honey Garlic Chicken can be used in many different ways – which is reason enough to try out the recipe. As Erica explains, the chicken can be paired with various ingredients and you can prepare a decent amount at one time. The example in the recipe involves creating a power bowl with other appealing components, like pickled green beans and avocado.
Pulled Pork
If chicken isn’t your thing, how about this Pulled Pork recipe? Like the previous dish, you can use the meat in many different ways. Sarah offers one general serving recommendation in her post and one for paleo dieters. Still, the pork is bound to be a hit regardless of how you serve it.
Sweet 'n Spicy Asian Pulled Pork
This Sweet 'n Spicy Asian Pulled Pork is a great choice if you want pulled pork that stands out. Once again, you can serve it in whatever way you want. The pork is also great for meal prep – as it doesn’t have to be eaten the day that you prepare it. You could even include it as part of the lunch you take to work.
Lemon-Dill Salmon & Asparagus
This Lemon-Dill Salmon & Asparagus is another reminder that Instant Pot meals don’t have to be soup or stew-like. The Instant Pot is particularly good for fish, as you can prepare the whole meal in less than half an hour. The finished result looks impressive too. Guests wouldn’t even realize how easy it is to make.
Honey Mustard Chicken
For a different approach to chicken, check out this Honey Mustard Chicken recipe. One of the best things is that there is no risk of the chicken pieces drying out, unlike baking them in the oven. Bone-in chicken normally takes a long time to cook, but the Instant Pot helps in that area too. You could easily make a couple of veggie sides to round out the meal, like cauliflower rice or zoodles.
Bacon Gouda Egg Bites
You’re going to love these Bacon Gouda Egg Bites. They’re simple to make, filling and very low in carbs. They’re even suitable for keto. Plus, they use common ingredients. You don’t have to go out and buy anything special. The most unusual part would be the gouda, although you could easily use another type of cheese instead.
Deviled Eggs 3-Ways
Deviled eggs are a popular finger food choice. I particularly love the way this Deviled Eggs 3-Ways recipe has three different flavor combinations to try. The three styles are also very different to one another, which is a win. You might choose to make all three, particularly if you’re preparing eggs for a party or an event. Alternatively, you might just focus on whichever one sounds the best to you. My favorite style is the curry eggs at the back, but the others are pretty cool too.
Smoked Paprika & Garlic Chicken Legs
I can think of so many uses for these Smoked Paprika & Garlic Chicken Legs. They would work well for dinner or even for a quick snack. You might even choose to throw a few in your work lunch for sustained energy. The choice of flavors is fantastic too – enough to keep the chicken interesting without being overwhelming.
Paleo Mongolian Beef
This Paleo Mongolian Beef dish is an attractive choice for everyone who loves the flavor of Chinese food. As Lexi highlights, the recipe is much healthier than Chinese takeout and suits many different eating approaches. It also uses sesame oil, making it a great way to try the oil out for yourself.
Instant Pot Cashew Chicken
Speaking of Chinese takeout, this Instant Pot Cashew Chicken recipe is another dish to think about. It’s also much healthier than the fast food version, while also being paleo compliant. The combination of ingredients gives this dish an amazing flavor profile, one that I’m certain you’ll love.
Spicy Orange Beef
This Spicy Orange Beef is another interesting meal to try out at home. The dish is surprisingly easy to make and has the perfect balance of orange flavor and spice. The sliced green onions are a nice touch, helping the whole thing stand out on the plate.
Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin
What can I say about this Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin? Well, for one thing, an Instant Pot is the perfect way to ensure your pork cooks all the way through without drying out. Getting that balance right with other cooking methods is much more difficult. Despite the simplicity, the meal looks beautiful on the plate. You also have many options for sides to pair it with.
Desserts and Sweet Treats
Who doesn’t love a bit of sweetness? There are many Paleo dessert recipes, including ones that can be made in the Instant Pot. If nothing else, the recipes are great fun to experiment with.
Instant Pot Blissful Brownies
Making brownies this way might seem odd, but once you try these Instant Pot Blissful Brownies, you’ll be convinced. As Jennifer points out, the biggest advantage is the flexibility. Sure, you can make brownies in the oven and there are many great recipes out there. But, there are some cases where oven cooking just isn’t the right choice. These brownies mean that it’s easier to have a sweet treat, regardless of your kitchen setup.
Cherry Compote
This Cherry Compote is also AIP-friendly, making it even more versatile. However, the real power is simply how easy the dessert is to create. The ingredients list is short and the entire recipe takes less than 10 minutes to complete (which includes prep time!). I can think of so many different uses for the compote. Perhaps you eat it as is or maybe you pair it with something creamy to make a well-rounded dessert.
Paleo Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
This Paleo Chocolate Chip Banana Bread has so much going for it. I love the way that it is high in protein, which makes it much more satisfying, especially as part of breakfast. Plus, the combination of chocolate and banana is always wonderful. It's also a very easy dish to prepare. That's always a bonus.
Chocolatey, Fudgy Instant Pot Cake
If you’re a fan of chocolate, then this Chocolatey, Fudgy Instant Pot Cake is for you. The key thing to know is that the cake isn’t dry. As with the brownies, you don’t need an Instant Pot to make a cake – your oven will do just fine. But, the Instant Pot means that you don’t risk overheating your house, especially on a hot day. You can also get a consistent texture each time. That rarely happens when you’re baking a cake in the oven.
Paleo Cinnamon Walnut Sweet Potato Bread
This Paleo Cinnamon Walnut Sweet Potato Bread is appealing for so many different reasons. For one thing, it looks like regular bread. It’s also grain-free, gluten-free and dairy-free, so it will suit many different dietary needs. The combination of flavors is just right too. Who doesn’t love the combination of cinnamon and walnut, especially first thing in the morning?
Tatin-Style Apple and Lavender Upside-Down Cake
I love this Tatin-Style Apple and Lavender Upside-Down Cake, partly because it is so unusual. The inclusion of lavender is a nice touch too. That aspect makes the dessert stand out a little more and would help create an interesting and nuanced flavor. The directions in the recipe are detailed, so you’re bound to get a great-looking (and tasting!) cake on the very first try.
I would like to try one of everything!! Outstanding curated list here…I will be adding some these ideas to my menu!!