Instant Pot Cooking Programs

Instant Pot cooking programs

Below we have listed the most common Instant Pot programs for you, including some tips on how to use them.

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PRESSURE COOK / MANUAL

You will probably use this setting the most. You can set the temperature, pressure and cooking time yourself with the control panel. Press Pressure Level to adjust the pressure (high or low) and use the +/- keys to adjust the cooking time.

SOUP / BROTH

Gently cooks soup allowing you to make clear broth. For soup without meat, use Less; for soup with meat, use normal and for soups that have longer cooking times, such as bone broth, use the More setting. Always use NR to release the pressure from the pan due to the large amount of liquid in soup.

MEAT / STEW

The best program for large pieces of meat at high pressure. For soft texture use Less, for even softer use Normal and for fall-off-the-bone soft use More. Let the meat rest for 5-30 minutes (depending on size) after the program, so that the cooking liquid can be absorbed. This gives you wonderfully soft, juicy and tender meat.

POULTRY

Poultry program. Use Less for a soft texture, Normal for a very soft texture and More for fall-off-the-bone. Choose the setting based on the desired texture, or set the cooking time manually. Let the poultry rest for 5-10 minutes (depending on size) after the program to allow the cooking liquid to be absorbed. This gives you wonderfully soft, juicy and tender meat.

BEANS / CHILE

Use this program for different textures for beans. For firm beans use Less, for something softer use Normal and for very soft use More. Always use NR with beans to release the pressure from the pan. Make sure beans are always completely submerged.

CAKE

With this high-pressure program you can make a smooth, compact cake or pie. For a lighter, smoother cake use Less, for a more compact cake use Normal and for a really compact cake, such as New York Style cheesecake, use More. Please note that these are steamed cakes, the only Instant Pot model that you can really bake with is the Instant Pot Duo Crisp!

EGG

This program has been developed for extra large eggs so you will need to adjust the time slightly for smaller eggs. For a soft-boiled egg use Less, for medium use normal and for hard-boiled eggs use More. Shock the eggs under cold water immediately after cooking to prevent them from cooking through.

SAUTÉ

Yes, you can sauté/sauté in your Instant Pot® just like you would normally use a pan or frying pan. Use Less to simmer, thicken, evaporate moisture or for products that burn quickly. Use Normal for searing and More for roasting and stir-frying. The maximum time for Sauté is 30 minutes at a time, this has been developed as an extra safety measure. Always use sauté without a lid.

SLOW COOK

Program similar to traditional slow cooker. Use Less as similar to the Low (8 hours) slow cooker setting, Normal is similar to Medium (6 hours) and More is like High (4 hours) in a traditional slow cooker.

RICE

This program cooks at low pressure and is best suited for white rice. For rice with a bit of bite use Less, for normal texture use Normal and for an echt soft texture you use More. Use 10-minute NR for optimal results.

MULTIGRAIN

Use the multigrain program for brown rice, wild rice and other grains and beans. This program has a pre-week function. For a firmer texture, use Less; for a normal texture use Normal and for a soft one use More. The More setting is for firm grains or a mix of grains and beans, including pre-soaking before cooking (soaking 45 minutes in hot water followed by 60 minutes of pressure cooking). Make sure that dry beans are always completely submerged in water.

PORRIDGE

Use the Less option for oatmeal/oatmeal, Normal for rice porridge (congee/yoke), and use More for porridge or congee with beans or firmer grains. Always use NR on food that expands during cooking.

STEAM

To steam vegetables, use Less mode; for fish and seafood use Normal; for meat you use More. Always use the steam rack to keep your food above the water and use Quick Release to prevent overcooked food.

STERILIZE

This program is designed to sterilize baby bottles, jars and other utensils. Use Less to pasteurize dairy products; Normal mode for low pressure sterilization and canning of sour fruits and vegetables. Use More for high pressure sterilization and acidic fruit and vegetable canning.

YOGURT

Less was developed for Jiu Niang, a sweet fermented rice dish. Normal is for fermenting milk for yogurt after the culture is added, and More is for pasteurizing milk. Default fermentation time is 24 hours, set the time according to the recipe. Normal and More will show yogt when the program is complete, More will show boiL while the program is running.

SOUSVIDE

Special program to use your Instant Pot as a sous-vide water bath. More information about this preparation you can on our sous-vide assistance page at find.

KEEP WARM

3 different temperatures to keep your food warm, up to 10 hours after the end of the cooking program.

AIRFRY (Duo Crisp)

Works like any airfryer, frying by baking your dishes crispy with hot air circulation. Healthier by frying with less or even without oil. Use the Airfryer lid for this function, you put it straight on the device, without turning it. If you don't hear the jingle, press the lid a bit to allow the sensors to connect. Can be used with the supplied basket or your own oven-safe accessories. You can set the temperature from 82°C to 204°C and the cooking time between 1 minute and 1 hour. After use, place the Airfry lid on the supplied plate to cool down and for storage, turn the plate over, make sure the lid connects to the OPEN mark and then turn it clockwise to the LOCK position. The plate is now attached to the lid. During the Airfry program, the appliance will beep to indicate that the food needs to be turned. When the lid is lifted off, the program will automatically pause for 3 minutes. If you don't put the lid back on the device within 3 minutes, it will switch to Standby. If the food does not need to be turned, the program will continue after 10 seconds.

ROAST (Duo Crisp)

Roast is very suitable for large pieces of meat, but also for roasting vegetables and potatoes. Use the supplied basket or your own oven-proof accessories for this. The temperature is adjustable from 82°C to 204°C and the time from 1 minute to 1 hour.

BAKE (Duo Crisp)

Bake actually works like a small oven with which you can make cakes, pies, muffins, brownies, bread, rolls and much more. The temperature is adjustable from 82°C to 204°C and the time from 1 minute to 1 hour.

BROIL (Duo Crisp)

Works as a top grill in an oven or microwave, withdirect heat from above. Ideal for au gratin casseroles, nachos, melting cheese on onion soup. Place your dish on the supplied plate or your own accessory that ensures that it comes close to the lid. Make sure that the food does not touch the lid to prevent burning! Temperature is not adjustable, it is standard at 204°C, the time is adjustable from 1 minute to 40 minutes.

DEHYDRATE (Duo Crisp)

Food dehydrator function, operates at a low temperature for a longer period of time allowing food to dry safely. When drying meat, make sure that the recipe you follow is familiar and that the hygiene rules are observed. Place the food in the basket provided and, if necessary, on the separator plate provided, or use your own accessories. Suitable for fruit leather, jerky, dried fruit, vegetables and, for example, homemade vegetable broth powder. The temperature is adjustable from 41°C to 74°C and the time from 1 to 72 hours. Make sure you leave enough space between the food, so that the air can circulate sufficiently.