If you haven’t tried making side dishes in your Instant Pot, you’re missing out. Below are 25 easy, flavorful Instant Pot side dish recipes with clear, step-by-step guidance to make meal prep faster and simpler. Each recipe highlights why it’s worth trying—short cook times, minimal effort, and plenty of variety.
I used to fall into the same side-dish routine until I started hunting for quick Instant Pot ideas. The goal was simple: find dishes that are easy to prepare, require minimal hands-on time, and taste great. The Instant Pot delivers on all of that, so I gathered a selection of dependable side recipes—many with photos and videos—to make weeknight cooking a breeze.
Below you’ll find 25 Instant Pot side dishes from a range of cuisines and dietary preferences. Each entry includes what makes the recipe special: prep time, key ingredients, and whether it’s vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or keto-friendly. Use the linked headings to open the full recipes with detailed instructions.
Teriyaki Grilled Artichokes with Sriracha Dipping Sauce
Artichokes are easier to prepare than they seem. This recipe uses the Instant Pot to cook the hearts before grilling, and serves them with a ginger-garlic-honey Sriracha dipping sauce. Gluten-free and great as a starter or side. Find the full method at the link above.
Instant Pot Mac ’n Cheese
A from-scratch mac ’n cheese that’s ready in about 10 minutes. This creamy, comforting classic is simple to make in the Instant Pot—minimal prep, no stovetop mess, and a winner with kids and adults alike.
Perfect Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Make fully cooked, fluffy baked potatoes in about 27 minutes without using the oven or microwave. This two-ingredient method yields consistently tender potatoes with minimal effort—naturally gluten-free and ideal for busy evenings.
Instant Pot Spicy Creamed Corn
A rich, buttery creamed corn with a Cajun-inspired kick. Ready in about 10 minutes, it’s an easy, warming side that comes together with simple pantry ingredients and is naturally gluten-free.
Instant Pot Gobi Masala – Cauliflower in Indian Spices
A straightforward, authentic-tasting Indian side made with cauliflower and warm spices. This Instant Pot version is fast—about 7 minutes—and keeps the cauliflower tender without turning it to mush. Vegan and gluten-free.
Pressure Cooker Green Beans with Bacon
A simple, no-fuss green bean side with bacon, garlic, and seasonings. Toss everything in the Instant Pot and let it cook—minimal prep and about 25 minutes total. Low-carb and gluten-free.
Instant Pot Keto Creamy Garlic Broccoli Mash
A creamy broccoli mash made with cream cheese and garlic—think creamed spinach but with broccoli. Keto-friendly, gluten-free, and ready in about 10 minutes. Add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Instant Pot Dal Makhani
A rich, buttery-sounding lentil and bean dish with creamy texture and deep flavor. Dal Makhani is versatile—serve it alongside rice or bread. Vegan and gluten-free options are included in the recipe notes.
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
A fuss-free method for perfectly cooked corn in about 12 minutes. This is one of the simplest vegetable sides you can make in the Instant Pot—fast, hands-off, and reliably tender.
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
The ideal low-carb pasta substitute. This method steams spaghetti squash perfectly in about 12 minutes without overcooking. Naturally vegan and gluten-free—great as a base or side.
Loaded Baked Potato Salad Without Mayo
A loaded potato salad that skips mayo and leans into baked-potato flavors—complete with bacon and scallions. Whole30-friendly and gluten-free options are included. Very quick to prepare.
Instant Pot Honey Butter Carrots
Sweet carrots glazed with honey-butter—hands-off in the Instant Pot and ready in about 23 minutes from start to table. A simple side that’s easy to scale for family meals.
Easy Instant Pot No-Stir Polenta
No-stir polenta that yields a creamy texture with minimal effort. This one-step pressure-cooker method takes about 20 minutes and uses just a few ingredients. Gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly.
Chickpeas Vegetable Korma / Instant Pot Veg Kurma
A comforting curry of vegetables, chickpeas, warm spices, cashews, and coconut milk. The Instant Pot removes the need to babysit the curry, and the recipe is flexible—swap the chickpeas for another legume if desired. About 14 minutes of cook time.
Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts cooked with bacon, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce for a tangy-salty finish. Quick to prepare in about 10 minutes and full of bold flavor—great as a hearty side.
Teriyaki Instant Pot Rice
A fuss-free teriyaki-flavored rice that cooks without sticking or boiling over. It’s an easy side or light meal base, adaptable with added vegetables or protein. Total time is around 22 minutes.
Mushroom Risotto in the Instant Pot
Classic risotto without constant stirring—creamy mushroom risotto made quickly in the Instant Pot. The recipe simplifies the traditional technique while delivering comfort-food flavor in minutes.
Instant Pot Potato Salad 3 Ways
This potato salad offers three distinct dressings—roasted red pepper, a rosemary-mustard-herb blend, and a wasabi-ginger option—so you can vary flavors without a mayo base. A versatile, 19-minute side with multiple serving ideas.
Instant Pot Ratatouille
A classic stewed vegetable dish made easier in the Instant Pot. Tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, and herbs simmer quickly for a versatile, gluten-free side that can also serve as a main for vegetarian meals. Total cook time is short—about 12 minutes.
Rajas Con Crema y Elote
A comforting mix of roasted poblano peppers, onions, and corn finished with crema. Using the Instant Pot keeps this dish simple—no standing over the stove to char peppers—and the result is creamy and flavorful. Quick 5-minute cook time.
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
A low-carb, cauliflower-based take on cilantro-lime rice with bright citrus and fresh herbs. Super fast—a one-minute pressure-cook step—this makes a light, flavorful side that pairs well with many main dishes.
Homemade Greek Yogurt in the Instant Pot
Homemade yogurt is practical and economical, and the Instant Pot simplifies temperature control for consistent results. This guide walks through pros and cons so you can decide if making yogurt at home is right for you.
Instant Pot Mushrooms
Restaurant-quality sautéed mushrooms in under 15 minutes—an excellent topping for steak or chicken, or a flavorful side. The recipe provides step-by-step directions for consistent results.
Instant Pot Punjabi Kadhi Pakoda
A tangy, spiced chickpea-flour-based gravy with vegetable fritters and yogurt for balance. This authentic Punjabi dish comes with a helpful video tutorial and cooks in about 15 minutes.
Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa
A versatile Mexican-flavored quinoa that works as a side, in tacos or burritos, or as a base for grain bowls. High in protein and fiber, it’s great for meal prep and makes about 25 minutes from start to finish.
There’s a wide variety here—vegetable-forward sides, creamy mash-ups, grain and legume options, and international flavors. If you’re new to Instant Pot side dishes, try a few of these to add quick, reliable options to your weeknight menu. Many of the linked posts include photos, videos, and timing tips to help you succeed.
Looking for More Instant Pot Recipe Ideas?
If you want additional Instant Pot inspiration, check the featured posts within this collection for rice, chicken, and more time-saving recipes.
So, did you find these recipe ideas helpful? Leave a comment on the original posts if you try any of them. Note: you will find affiliate links on some of the pages linked above.