This Instant Pot cheat sheet is designed to save you time and stress when life gets busy and hunger strikes. It provides clear, reliable cooking times for common ingredients so you can prepare family meals quickly and confidently. Whether you are converting a slow cooker recipe or adapting a stovetop favorite, this guide helps you get consistent results from your pressure cooker.
Why the Instant Pot Saves Time—and Preserves Nutrients
Pressure cooking reduces overall cooking time by creating a sealed, high-pressure environment that cooks food faster than conventional methods. Because food cooks more quickly and in less water, more vitamins and minerals tend to remain in the food. According to Nutrition Facts, studies suggest that boiling can eliminate a large portion of water-soluble nutrients, while pressure cooking typically results in substantially less nutrient loss.
Aside from faster meals, the Instant Pot frees you to step away after the pot reaches pressure, making it perfect for busy schedules. This cheat sheet focuses on the manual high-pressure setting and includes notes about natural release when applicable.
Your Instant Pot Lifesaver Cheat Sheet
These times are based on the manual high-pressure setting.
- White Rice — 4 minutes
- Wild Rice — 15 minutes
- Brown Rice — 20 minutes
- Hard-Boiled Eggs — 4 minutes
- Fresh Corn on the Cob — 4 minutes
- Gluten-Free Pasta — 4 minutes
- Whole Potato — 13 minutes
- Coarsely Chopped Vegetables — 3 minutes
- Steel-Cut Oats — 10 minutes
- Quick Oats — 1 minute
- Meatballs — 7 minutes
- Chicken Breast — 10 minutes
- Chicken Thighs — 10 minutes
- Whole Chicken — 6 minutes per pound
- Frozen Chicken Pieces — add 3 minutes per pound
- Beef Pot Roast — 15 minutes per pound
- Beef Stew Meat — 40 minutes, then naturally release for 10 minutes
- Pork Chops — 5 minutes
- Pork Roast — 15 minutes per pound
- Pork Ribs (rack) — 20 minutes
- Brown and Green Lentils — 10 minutes
- Kidney Beans — 40 minutes, then naturally release for 10 minutes
- Chickpeas — 50 minutes, then naturally release for 10 minutes
Foods to Avoid Cooking in an Instant Pot
Not every ingredient fares well under pressure. Most dairy—such as milk, cream, or sour cream—can curdle at high heat, so add these after cooking is complete. Two notable exceptions that work well are yogurt and cheesecake when made with methods specific to pressure cooking.
The Instant Pot doesn’t produce a crispy crust or crunchy coating. For recipes that require a crisp finish—like fried chicken or a browned gratin topping—use the Instant Pot for cooking, then transfer the dish to a hot oven or broiler for a few minutes to achieve crispness.
Our Best Instant Pot Gluten-Free Recipes
Below are featured gluten-free Instant Pot recipes. Images are included for reference.
Instant Pot Beef and Vegetable Soup with Gluten-Free Mini Dumplings
Instant Pot Borscht – Ukrainian Recipe
Instant Pot Thai Chicken Vegetable Soup
Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef
Instant Pot Spiced Beef Stew with Mung Beans
Instant Pot White Bean Minestrone
Instant Pot Mediterranean Lentil & Collard Soup
Instant Pot Creamy Mushroom & Asparagus Risotto
Gluten-Free Instant Pot Spaghetti Bolognese
For more gluten-free Instant Pot recipes and ideas, search the recipe collection on Only Gluten-Free Recipes to find soups, stews, grains, and one-pot meals tailored for pressure cooking.
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