From creamy peach cheesecake to tender ribs, these summer Instant Pot recipes serve up flavorful meals while keeping your kitchen cool.
1/22
Instant Pot Fajitas
From the Recipe Creator:
When friends call to ask for new recipes to try, suggest these tasty fajitas. Top as you like to add healthy color and extra flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 fajita: 314 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 374mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat.
2/22
Instant Pot Potato Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Starting this potato salad off in the Instant Pot speeds up the potato prep and creates a creamy and satisfying potluck and party favorite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 245 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 294mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
3/22
Instant Pot Baked Beans
From the Recipe Creator:
I was under doctor's orders to reduce the amount of sodium I was eating, but I just couldn't part with some of my favorite foods. After many experiments I came up with this potluck favorite—now everyone's happy! —Sherrel Hendrix, Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 238 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 347mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 8g fiber), 10g protein.
4/22
Pressure-Cooker Memphis-Style Ribs
From the Recipe Creator:
After my dad and I had dinner at the legendary Rendezvous restaurant, I was inspired to create my own version of tasty dry-rub Memphis ribs. Smoked paprika in the rub mimics the flavor the ribs would get from grilling over hot coals. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 509 calories, 35g fat (13g saturated fat), 136mg cholesterol, 1137mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 38g protein.
5/22
Instant Pot Beef Carnitas
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this pressure-cooker beef carnitas recipe while cleaning out my refrigerator, and trying to figure out what I could do with a pot roast that had been in the freezer. I LOVE how easy this is. —Ann Piscitelli, Nokomis, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 415 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 830mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein.
6/22
Pressure Cooker Beer-Braised Pulled Ham
From the Recipe Creator:
To jazz up leftover ham, I cooked it with a beer sauce. Buns loaded with ham, pickles and mustard are irresistible. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 378 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 1246mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
7/22
Pressure Cooker Peach Salsa
From the Recipe Creator:
Fresh peaches and tomatoes make my salsa a hands-down winner over store versions. As a treat, I give my co-workers several jars throughout the year. —Peggi Stahnke, Cleveland, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 28 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 59mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
8/22
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
From the Recipe Creator:
An instant pot cuts down the time it takes to cook this pulled pork by at least three hours. It's still just as irresistibly flavorful, though! —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 297 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 465mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 26g protein.
9/22
Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto
From the Recipe Creator:
This speedy method of making risotto works every time! —Kim Gray, Davie, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 424 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 157mg cholesterol, 661mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein.
10/22
Instant Pot Brisket
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked beef: 268 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 375mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 39g protein.
11/22
Pressure-Cooker Lemon Red Potatoes
From the Recipe Creator:
Butter, lemon juice, parsley and chives enhance this simple side dish. I usually prepare these potatoes when I'm having company. Since they cook in the pressure cooker, there's plenty of room on the stove for other dishes. —Tara Branham, Austin, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 150 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
12/22
Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
From the Recipe Creator:
I had this dish at a local Mexican restaurant when celebrating a friend's birthday. I fell in love with the spicy, smoky flavor from the tequila and decided to try Instant Pot salsa chicken at home. Boy, was it a success! It's also great stuffed into flour tortillas or for making nachos. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 187 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 1107mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein.
13/22
Pressure-Cooker Red Clam Sauce
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe tastes as if you've been working on it all day. What a classy way to jazz up pasta sauce! —JoAnn Brown, LaTrobe, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 302 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 667mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 5g fiber), 17g protein.
14/22
Instant Pot Ribs
From the Recipe Creator:
When we're missing the taste of grilled food during winter, these tangy ribs give us that same smoky barbecue flavor we love. They're so simple, and they're fall-off-the-bone delicious too! —Sue Evans, Marquette, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 329 calories, 21g fat (8g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 678mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein.
15/22
Pressure-Cooker Molten Mocha Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
When I first made my decadent chocolate cake, my husband's and daughter's expressions said it all. She says it's one of her "most favorites." Later, I took one of these to our next-door neighbors. Their teenage son, who answered the door, ate the whole thing without telling anyone else about it! —Aimee Fortney, Fairview, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 482 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 165mg cholesterol, 269mg sodium, 71g carbohydrate (51g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.
16/22
Pressure-Cooker Thai Coconut Beef
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights can be challenging with busy schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an easy lunch the following day. The beef is fantastic in this dish, but chicken or pork would be equally delicious!—Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 421 calories, 28g fat (14g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 731mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein.
17/22
Pressure-Cooker Peachy Summer Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a cool, always refreshing dessert that is fancy enough to take to a gathering. You can make this ahead of time and freeze it. Make sure you cover it well in an airtight container and add the peaches only after the cheesecake thaws. —Joan Engelhardt, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice with 3 tablespoons peach: 268 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 342mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein.
18/22
Pressure Cooker Hearty Pork & Black Bean Nachos
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I are both graduate students right now, so we don't have a lot of time to cook dinner. Our family loves coming home to this incredible nacho platter, and I love how easy it is to prepare. —Faith Stokes, Chickamauga, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 469 calories, 24g fat (9g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1055mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 7g fiber), 33g protein.
19/22
Pressure-Cooker Cajun Pork and Rice
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe after returning home from a trip and finding little food in the house. I used ingredients already available in the refrigerator and pantry. My husband loves this pork dish because it's tasty, and I love it because it's easy. —Allison Gapinski, Cary, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 423 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 573mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 38g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable.
20/22
Pressure-Cooker Chinese-Style Ribs
From the Recipe Creator:
It's nice to walk in after a hard day's work and have dinner ready in a short amount of time. I hope you agree these ribs are quick, easy and delicious. Enjoy! —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 493 calories, 22g fat (8g saturated fat), 132mg cholesterol, 1115mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 2g fiber), 42g protein.
21/22
Pressure-Cooker Chicken Mole
From the Recipe Creator:
Chocolate with chicken? If you’re not familiar with mole, don’t be afraid of this versatile Mexican sauce. I love sharing this recipe because it’s a great one to experiment with. —Darlene Morris, Franklinton, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 311 calories, 18g fat (5g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 378mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 medium-fat meat.
22/22
Instant Pot Pork Loin
From the Recipe Creator:
Even though a co-worker gave me this recipe more than 20 years ago, my family still enjoys it today.—Martha Nickerson, Hancock, Maine
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 312 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 592mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
Summer Instant Pot Recipes FAQ
What are the best Instant Pot summer meals I can make for dinner?
The best Instant Pot summer meals are quick, low-effort options that make the most of the season’s best produce, or scratch that itch for tender, slow-cooked meats, like pulled pork. Make barbecue classics quickly, like ribs or baked beans, without a grill, smoker or oven, because when the weather is nice, quick summer dinners are a must.
What fresh, summer pressure cooker recipes can I bring to a potluck?
Some of the best summer potluck dishes you can make in a pressure cooker are cookout favorites or ones that highlight seasonal ingredients, like peach-topped cheesecake or potato salad. These recipes hold their flavor well and are easy to pack and transport. Since an Instant Pot doesn’t need much attention while it cooks, use that time to make a few potluck salad recipes for a crowd, and you will have a full spread in no time.
What Instant Pot vegetable dishes can I meal prep for side dishes?
The Instant Pot really shines when cooking sturdy vegetables like potatoes and carrots that won’t break apart under pressure. Saucy dishes, like ratatouille, develop flavor at an accelerated pace, turning a medley of vegetables into a unified dish. You can also use an Instant Pot to steam a batch of simply seasoned vegetables and then add a vinaigrette or sauce once they are cooled, for flavorful sides you can eat cold or warm all week.
