These Instant Pot Meal Prep Hacks will save you time in the kitchen and make your weekly meal prep a breeze.
An Instant Pot is a pressure cooker that uses pressure to cook your food faster than traditional appliances, such as a slow cooker. It’s great for one-pot meals like soups because it has a sauté function to brown vegetables before using the pressure cooking function.
Looking for more Instant Pot tips and tricks? Check out our Instant Pot Tips for Beginners + 5 Healthy Weeknight Recipes
If you’re part of the Instant Pot craze, you’ve likely found a few recipes that have completely changed your weeknight dinner game. I’ve tried many Instant Pot recipes, and I can say my favourite things to make using my Instant Pot are meal prep staples.
The Instant Pot makes cooking weekly staples like grains or protein a breeze. It’s hands-off, all you need to do is set it to the right time and these staples basically cook themselves while you check other things off of your to-do list. Continue reading for my favourite Instant Pot Meal Prep Hacks.
Instant Pot Meal Prep Hacks
Make hands-off quinoa your Instant Pot
Quinoa takes no time to prepare in your Instant Pot, and it’s super simple to do!
Step 1: add quinoa and liquid to your Instant Pot in a 1:2 ratio. I suggest using vegetable broth for added flavour, but you can also use water.
Step 2: set your Instant Pot to pressure cook for 1 minute
Step 3: let the pot naturally vent for 10 minutes, then use the quick release (carefully!) and your quinoa is ready!
Save time with cooking dried chickpeas in your Instant Pot
Instant Pot hack. Before trying this, I had a bag of dried chickpeas in my cupboard for months with full intention of cooking them using the stovetop method. But who has that kind of time?!
Cooking dried chickpeas in your Instant Pot takes under an hour, which is a huge time-savings compared to an overnight soak and 4-hour boil that you need to do when using the stovetop method.
Step 1: add chickpeas and water in a 1:3 ratio. You will drain the excess liquid at the end, so you just want to make sure there is enough liquid to properly cook the chickpeas.
Step 2: set your Instant Pot to pressure cook for 40-50 minutes, depending on the consistency you’re looking for. If you’ll be mashing or blending the chickpeas, you can choose the longer cooking time. If you’re eating them whole in a recipe, use the lower end of the range.
Step 3: let your Instant Pot naturally vent for 10 minutes, then carefully use the quick release. Drain your chickpeas and use them in your recipes for the week.
Easily cook dried navy beans in your Instant Pot
I love having navy beans on hand for a quick protein addition to salad or pasta recipes. Using your Instant Pot to prepare them ahead of time will ensure you always have a quick protein source to add to your meals as you need to.
Step 1: add dried beans and water to your pot in a 1:3 ratio.
Step 2: pressure cook for 20-25 minutes, depending on your desired consistency.
Step 3: let the pot vent naturally for 10 minutes, then use the quick release. Strain cooked beans and store them in a sealed container in the fridge to use in salads, pasta, or dips.
Instant Pot Meal Prep Hacks
Cooking dried lentils in 1 minute your Instant Pot
Lentils are one of the quickest protein sources to cook using your Instant Pot – they only take 1 minute!
Step 1: add lentils and water to the pot in a 1:2 ratio
Step 2: set to pressure cook for 1 minute, then use the quick release. Strain and add lentils into your desired recipe.
Quickest cashew cream using your Instant Pot
Making cashew cream in your Instant Pot is so simple and takes only a fraction of the time that it would take using the traditional soak and boil method.
Step 1: add cashews and water in a 1:3 ratio.
Step 2: set the Instant Pot to pressure cook for 1 minute, then use the quick release.
Step 3: strain the cashews and puree using a blender or food processor with an equal amount of water.
Store cashew cream in a jar and keep refrigerated for up to 5 days. Use in coffee or vegan recipes as a cream substitute.
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About Brittany
Hi there! I am a registered dietitian and I ? food! I am passionate about making it easier for busy people to eat well by sharing quick and healthy recipes. Healthy cooking at home can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. I love helping people uncomplicate weeknight dinners and reduce stress around meal time, so I’m so glad you’re here!
