TL;DR
Yes, you can cook two or more foods at the same time in an Instant Pot. The key is choosing foods that have similar cook times and cooking methods. Some good options for cooking two foods together include:
- Meat + vegetables (like chicken thighs + potatoes)
- Dry beans + rice
- Chili + corn
- Steel cut oats + apples
When cooking two foods together, put the ingredient that takes longer on the bottom closest to the heat source. You may need to increase cook time slightly compared to cooking each item alone. Check food is fully cooked before serving.
What is an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is a popular electric multi-cooker that serves as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker and more. It speeds up cooking times by building up steam pressure, allowing food to cook faster.
Some key features of the Instant Pot include:
- Comes in 3-8 quart sizes
- Has pre-set buttons for modes like pressure cook, sauté, rice, and slow cook
- Seals tight with a locking lid to build pressure
- Has safety mechanisms like pressure release valve and overheat protection
- Made of stainless steel inner pot with ceramic non-stick coating
The Instant Pot is popular for weeknight cooking because it can drastically reduce cook times for dishes like beans, stews, chilies, braised meats, and more. For example, dishes that may take hours to simmer on the stove can be ready in minutes using the Instant Pot’s pressure cooking setting.
Can You Really Cook 2 Foods at Once?
Yes, the Instant Pot is large enough to cook two foods together at the same time. However, there are some guidelines to follow:
- Choose ingredients with similar cook times to avoid over or undercooking
- Place longer cooking ingredient on bottom near heat source
- Make sure there is enough liquid for both ingredients
- Adjust cook time or pressure level as needed
- Do a natural pressure release to prevent boiling over
- Check food is fully cooked before serving
As long as you follow these tips, it is possible to cook two compatible foods together in the Instant Pot successfully.
Best Food Combos for Cooking Together
Here are some of the best food combinations for cooking two meals at once in the Instant Pot:
Meat + Vegetables
Cooking meat and veggies together is a common way to make a whole meal in the Instant Pot at once. Some good combos include:
- Chicken thighs + potatoes
- Pork shoulder + cabbage
- Beef stew meat + carrots
- Sausages + bean & veggie medley
- Meatloaf + roasted vegetables
For these dishes, place vegetables on top of or around meat and adjust cook time as needed. Meat helps add flavor to veggies.
Beans + Grains
Cooking beans and grains together is a handy way to make a plant-based main meal. Some ideas are:
- Dry beans + rice
- Lentils + quinoa
- Chickpeas + farro
- Black beans + brown rice
- Pinto beans + bulgur wheat
Put beans on bottom and grains on top. Beans take longer to cook. The grain soaks up flavorful bean broth.
Stews, Chilies or Curries
Hearty stews, curries and chilies are great for cooking two veggies or proteins at once. You can do:
- Beef chili + corn
- Vegetable curry + chickpeas
- Chicken stew + squash
- Pork carnitas + bell peppers
For these wet dishes, order doesn’t matter as much since ingredients cook in sauce.
Porridge + Fruit
For breakfast, cook steel cut oats and fruit together:
- Steel cut oats + apples
- Oatmeal + blueberries
- Grits + peaches
- Porridge + dried fruit
The fruit breaks down and sweetens the porridge.
Yogurt + Granola
You can make homemade yogurt in the Instant Pot, then combine:
- Yogurt + homemade granola
- Greek yogurt + fresh berries
- Yogurt + muesli
The options are endless for yummy parfaits and breakfast pots!
Tips for Successful Cooking
Here are some top tips to ensure food turns out well when cooking two meals at once:
Cut Ingredients to Similar Size
Cut all ingredients to roughly the same size to ensure even cooking. Large uneven pieces may undercook.
Layer Denser Items on Bottom
Arrange ingredients with denser items like meat or grains on the bottom closest to the heat source. More delicate items can go on top.
Increase Liquid
Include extra liquid like broth or water to account for the increased food mass. Use about 1/2 cup extra liquid.
Use Natural Pressure Release
Do a natural pressure release to prevent food from spewing out the valve. Let pressure come down naturally for 10-15 minutes before quick releasing remaining pressure.
Extend Cook Time If Needed
Add 5-10 extra minutes to cook time if one ingredient takes longer. Check food is fully cooked through before serving.
Keep an Eye on Browning
If sautéing foods like meat first, keep an eye so browning doesn’t burn. Remove pieces as they brown.
Stir Before Serving
Give a gentle stir before serving to distribute flavors and ingredients evenly.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes when cooking two meals at once:
- Choosing foods with vastly different cook times
- Not increasing liquid
- Quick pressure releasing causing a mess
- Not cooking long enough for dense ingredients
- Burning food when sautéing first
As long as you choose compatible ingredients and adjust cook time and liquid, you’ll get delicious results cooking two meals at once. It just takes some trial and error.
Sample Instant Pot Recipes
To get you started, here are some delicious sample recipes for cooking two meals at the same time in an Instant Pot:
Chipotle Lime Chicken Bowls
Ingredients:
- Boneless chicken thighs
- Diced potatoes
- Onion
- Chipotle peppers
- Lime juice
- Cilantro
- Oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Mix lime juice, chipotle pepper, cilantro, oil, salt and pepper into a marinade. Add chicken and let marinate 15 minutes.
- Layer potatoes on bottom of Instant Pot then top with marinated chicken and onions.
- Pour over 1 cup chicken broth.
- Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes then allow natural pressure release 10 minutes.
- Shred chicken and mix with potatoes and juice to serve.
Sausage and Cabbage Dinner
Ingredients:
- Smoked sausage
- Chopped cabbage
- Onion
- Chicken broth
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Brown sausage in Instant Pot using Sauté setting.
- Add chopped cabbage, onions, garlic, broth, salt and pepper.
- Pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. Allow natural release 10 minutes.
- Serve sausage over wilted cabbage.
Red Beans and Rice
Ingredients:
- Dry red kidney beans
- Long grain white rice
- Onion, celery, bell pepper
- Ham hock or andouille sausage
- Garlic, thyme, bay leaves
- Chicken broth
Instructions:
- Rinse beans and add to Instant Pot with broth.
- Chop veggies and add on top of beans along with sausage, herbs and spices.
- Cook on high pressure 35 minutes.
- Release pressure and remove sausage. Add rice.
- Close lid and allow rice to steam in residual heat 10 minutes.
- Fluff rice and beans gently before serving.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking two meals at once in the Instant Pot:
Should foods be layered or mixed together?
In most cases layering is better, with denser items like meat or beans on the bottom. But foods can be mixed for very liquidy dishes like stews or curries.
How much extra liquid is needed?
Increase broth, water or sauce by about 1/2 cup to account for the extra food. Make sure all ingredients are immersed.
Should cook time be increased?
Yes, add 5-10 extra minutes if one ingredient takes considerable longer. Check food is fully cooked through.
What about quick release vs. natural release?
Natural release is recommended to prevent a mess. Do a quick release only for the final 5-10 minutes after allowing a natural release for 10-15 minutes first.
Can any two foods be cooked together?
No, choose foods with similar cook times and methods to avoid under or overcooking. Very delicate ingredients like fish may not work well.
Conclusion
Cooking two meals at once is possible in the Instant Pot with the right recipe combos and techniques. Choose ingredients with harmonious cook times and use natural pressure release. Adjust liquid and cook time as needed. With some trial and error, you’ll get the hang of making tasty double duty Instant Pot meals!