17 Low-Carb Instant Pot Recipes (2024)

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Rashanda CobbinsUpdated: Jan. 05, 2022

Use your Instant Pot to make meaty mains and other low-carb recipes.

1/17

Taste of Home

Pressure-Cooker Spicy Lime Chicken

This tender chicken with light lime flavor is a natural filling for tacos, but my son Austin also loves it spooned over cooked rice and sprinkled with his favorite taco toppings. —Christine Hair, Odessa, Florida

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2/17

Pressure-Cooker Light Deviled Eggs

Our updated version of a classic appetizer uses only half the egg yolks of traditional deviled eggs and calls for soft bread crumbs to help firm up the filling. Light ingredients lower the fat grams even more. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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3/17

Taste of Home

Pressure-Cooker Coffee Beef Roast

Coffee is the key to this flavorful beef roast that simmers until it's fall-apart tender. Try it once, and I'm sure you'll cook it again. —Charles Trahan, San Dimas, California

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4/17

Taste of Home

Pressure-Cooker Healthy Steamed Dumplings

My family loves Chinese food, but it’s hard to find healthy choices in restaurants or at the grocery store, so I make my own. The recipe makes a lot; I freeze big batches so we can enjoy these dumplings later. —Melody Crain, Houston, Texas

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Pressure-Cooker Swiss Steak

Swiss steak has a been a standby for family cooks for decades, and this no-fuss way to cook it promises to keep the entree popular for years to come. Best of all, it's low in calories and fat. —Sarah Burks, Wathena, Kansas

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6/17

Pressure-Cooker Marinated Mushrooms

Here's a terrific healthy addition to any buffet spread. Mushrooms and pearl onions seasoned with herbs, balsamic and red wine are terrific on their own or alongside a tenderloin roast. —Courtney Wilson, Fresno, California

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7/17

Pressure-Cooker Salmon

I love this recipe because it’s healthy and almost effortless. The salmon always cooks to perfection and is ready in hardly any time! —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York

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8/17

Pressure Cooker Hoisin Meatballs

I love the start of fall because that means it's football season! Meatballs are filling and hearty and great for a tailgate. I served this for the first time at my favorite team's home opener. My best friend, who hates meatballs, couldn't get enough of them! I created a meatball convert! Woo-hoo! If you are serving children and prefer not to add the wine, substitute beef broth instead.—Lisa de Perio, Dallas, Texas

Pressure-Cooker Lemon Chicken with Basil

No matter when I eat it, this tangy chicken dish always reminds me of summer meals with friends and family. The recipe produces a lot of lovely sauce; serve it as is or spoon it over some lightly herbed couscous. —Deborah Posey, Virginia Beach, Virginia

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10/17

Pressure-Cooker Beef Brisket in Beer

One bite of this super tender brisket and your family will be hooked! The rich gravy is perfect for spooning over a side of creamy mashed potatoes. —Eunice Stoen, Decorah, Iowa

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11/17

12/17

Pressure-Cooked Broccoli Egg Cups

Serving brunch? These delicious Instant Pot egg cups are filled with crunchy bites of broccoli and served in ramekins. I promise your company will love this tasty recipe! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

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13/17

TMB STUDIO

Pressure-Cooker Garlic-Dill Deviled Eggs

Easter isn't complete without deviled eggs. I like to experiment with my recipes, and was pleasantly surprised with how the fresh dill really perked up the flavor of these irresistible appetizers. —Kami Horch, Frankfort, Maine

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14/17

Pressure Cooker Herbed Chicken and Shrimp

Tender chicken and shrimp make a flavorful combination that's easy to prepare, yet elegant enough to serve at a dinner party. While I clean the house, it practically cooks itself. I serve it over hot cooked rice with crusty bread and a green salad. —Diana Knight Reno, Nevada

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15/17

Pressure-Cooker Chicken Thighs in Wine Sauce

I love this recipe for its incredible flavor—and it seems everyone who tries it does, too. For an easy pairing, try mashed potatoes and peas.—Heike Annucci, Hudson, North Carolina

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16/17

Pressure-Cooker Teriyaki Pork Roast

I'm always looking for no-fuss recipes, so I was thrilled to find this one. The tender teriyaki pork has become a family favorite. —Roxanne Hulsey, Gainesville, Georgia

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17/17

Originally Published: October 07, 2019

Rashanda Cobbins

Rashanda is a former food editor for Taste of Home. While studying for her bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, Rashanda interned in Southern Living’s test kitchen and later spent nearly a decade developing recipes and food content at ConAgra Brands. In her spare time, she loves scoping out local farmers markets and having picnics in the park.

FAQs

What foods should not be cooked in an instant pot? ›

6 Things You Should Never Cook in an Instant Pot

Creamy Sauces. If there's one food group you should avoid in the Instant Pot, it's dairy. ...
Fried Chicken. The best fried chicken is crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside and perfectly golden brown. ...
Cookies. ...
Burgers. ...
Pie. ...
Steak.

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Are instant pot meals healthy? ›

Cooking in an “instant pot” or pressure cooker is a great method for preparing your food on many levels — including the nutritional level, according to registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD. “Instant pot recipes are absolutely healthy as long as what you put in the recipe is healthy,” she says.

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What is the disadvantage of Instant Pot? ›

Con– If you don't pay attention to setting the vent properly you will have to extend your cooking time. I can't tell you how many time I forgot to seal the pot and the steam was escaping rather than building up inside and cooking my food. Pro– Like I said earlier, you are not limited to soups and stews.

What should never go in a pressure cooker? ›

Foods containing dairy, like milk, cream, or yogurt, should not be pressure-cooked. The high heat and pressure can cause dairy products to curdle or separate, ruining the texture, taste and flavour of the dish. Cooking fried foods is a strict no no, when it comes to pressure cookers.

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What size Instant Pot are most recipes for? ›

Benefits of a 6-quart Instant Pot: The 6-quart (and new 6.5-quart variation) Instant Pot is the most popular size for home cooks, as most recipes are written for that size. Generally, a meal cooked in a 6-quart model feeds three to six people.

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How full is too full for Instant Pot? ›

Also, an overly-full Instant Pot can lead to a clogged pressure release knob, because food and liquid can get sucked up inside. To stay on the safe side, don't fill your pot over that two-thirds line, and stay below half full for foods that expand while cooking, such as beans and lentils.

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How many pounds of meat can you put in a 6 quart Instant Pot? ›

For a 6 quart you could probably fit a 4-5 lb roast easily inside, if you like a lot of potatoes and carrots to go with your roast or want to cook a larger size Instant Pot, I recommend buying the 8-quart size. The 6 quart is great for this! It can fit one 5-6 lb chicken in it.

Are there side effects to using Instant Pot? ›

Even though some studies suggest that pressure cooking isn't the best way to preserve nutrients in food, no research exists to suggest that pressure cookers of any model or brand pose health risks. If you're a fan of your Instant Pot, don't worry: You can continue to safely use your appliance without worry.

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What are the disadvantages of a pressure cooker? ›

Advantages of pressure cooking include reduced cooking times and retention of nutrients, plus it's a great way to make energy-efficient, one-pot meals. The downsides include problems with foods that have different cook times and not being able to check the progress of the food cooking.

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Do professional chefs use Instant Pot? ›

They are most commonly used in industrial settings to quickly prepare meat or stocks. However, in most scenarios, Elite Chefs avoid using pressure cookers because they provide less control over the final dish. Chefs often prefer slow cooking techniques that accentuate and pull out the flavors of the food.

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Is Pyrex safe in a pressure cooker? ›

One is about using Pyrex® inside the electric pressure cooker. According to Corelle Brands, makers of Pyrex®, it is not recommended to put this glassware in these appliances. The glass is not made to be put under pressure and it could crack or explode.

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Is there anything you can't cook in an Instant Pot? ›

Among them are dairy and fried foods, as well as burgers and steaks. These foods are not Instant-Pot-friendly for a multitude of reasons. And while Instant Pots are a useful tool when baking cheesecake, custard, or mousse, it's definitely not the best method for other types of desserts.

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Why shouldn't potatoes be cooked in a pressure cooker? ›

Mostly we boil potatoes in a pressure cooker, but like rice, potatoes also contain a lot of starch. This is the reason why boiling or cooking in this pressure cooker is not considered good for health. If you still plan to use cooker for the same, add a lot of water and wash them thoroughly post cooking.

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What burns in Instant Pot? ›

Some of the most common culprits include using a damaged or dirty sealing ring, not closing the lid all the way, and a dirty Instant Pot. If there is food debris in your Instant Pot, it can compromise the pressure by blocking a part, such as the float valve, or simply burn up along the inner pot's underside.

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Is cooking in a pressure cooker unhealthy? ›

Yes, cooking in a pressure cooker is healthy as it uses steam to cook food, the insulated and sealed body does not allow the water to evaporate thus preserving the nutrients in the food. Pressure cookers do not require oil to cook making them even healthier.