Can you put dairy products in Instant Pot?

Using an Instant Pot to cook dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, etc. is possible, but requires some special considerations. The high heat and pressure environment inside an Instant Pot can cause dairy products to curdle or separate if not handled properly. However, with the right techniques, many dairy-based dishes can be successfully made in the Instant Pot.

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Can you put milk in Instant Pot?

Yes, you can put milk in an Instant Pot. However, plain milk will likely curdle and separate when cooked under pressure. This is because the combination of high heat and pressure causes the proteins in milk to denature, resulting in curdling. Some tips for cooking milk in an Instant Pot without curdling:

Use an ultra-pasteurized or boiled milk – these have already been heat-treated to stabilize the proteins.
Add an acid like lemon juice or vinegar – the acid helps stabilize the milk proteins so they don’t curdle.
Thicken the milk with a roux or cornstarch slurry before pressure cooking.

Only cook milk mixtures, not plain milk – recipes like creamy soups, risottos, etc. where the milk is mixed into other ingredients.
Use the lowest possible pressure setting and natural pressure release method.
Stir the milk mixture continuously for a few minutes after cooking before serving.

Can you put cream in Instant Pot?

Yes, cream can be used in an Instant Pot as well. Heavy cream, half-and-half, and even whipping cream can all be added to Instant Pot recipes. The higher fat content in cream makes it less likely to curdle than regular milk. Here are some tips for cooking with cream:

Always mix the cream into other ingredients like soups, sauces, etc. rather than pressure cooking plain cream.
Add cream at the end of cooking as a finishing touch whenever possible.

Use the lowest pressure setting and natural release method.
Stir in cream after pressure cooking and allow the residuals heat to warm it through.
Avoid boiling cream for long periods as the fat can separate.

Can you put cheese in Instant Pot?

Cheese requires some finesse to cook in an Instant Pot without becoming grainy or rubbery, but it can certainly be done. Here are some tips:

Grate hard cheeses or cut into small cubes before pressure cooking to help it melt evenly.
Add cheese on top of dishes at the end to allow residual heat to melt and prevent over-cooking.

Use processed sliced cheeses in sandwiches and wraps.
Make cheese dips, fondues, and sauces using queso blanco, cream cheese, or processed cheese.
Make ahead and freeze cheese-based dishes like mac and cheese, lasagnas, etc. then reheat in pot.

Use a gentler steam function if available rather than high pressure.
Avoid excessive stirring after adding cheese to prevent it from breaking.

Can you put sour cream in Instant Pot?

Yes, sour cream holds up well to pressure cooking. The cultured bacteria and acidic nature of sour cream makes it stable when cooked. Some tips for using sour cream:

Mix some flour, cornstarch, or roux into the sour cream before pressure cooking to stabilize it further.
Add sour cream at the end of cooking as a topping or finish for dishes like soups, stews, etc.
If cooking sour cream for dips or sauces, cook on low pressure and stir well after cooking.

Avoid holding finished sour cream mixtures on the “keep warm” setting as the heat can cause curdling over time.

Can you put yogurt in Instant Pot?

Making yogurt in the Instant Pot is easy thanks to its ability to hold an exact temperature. Here are some tips for making yogurt in the Instant Pot:

Use the yogurt or steam program set to hold around 110°F.

Heat milk to 180°F first to pasteurize then cool to 115°F before adding culture.
Whisk in yogurt starter culture and pour into jars in pot.
Let ferment for at least 8 hours undisturbed.

For thicker yogurt, strain through cheesecloth to remove whey.
The natural cultures in yogurt help it remain stable under pressure.
Always use fresh, active cultures and follow brand instructions.

Can you put butter in Instant Pot?

It’s generally not recommended to cook butter alone in the Instant Pot. The combination of pressure and heat can cause the milk proteins in butter to separate from the fat. Small amounts of butter can be used to saute ingredients at the start of pressure cooking. When cooking dishes with butter:

Use clarified butter, ghee, or oil instead of regular butter.
Add regular butter at the end of cooking as a flavor finish.

Mix butter into other ingredients like rice, oatmeal, etc. before pressure cooking.
Limit butter to a couple tablespoons per cup of food.
Use lower pressure settings and natural release method.

Can you put buttermilk in Instant Pot?

Buttermilk is a dairy product often used in many recipes, and it can be adapted for the Instant Pot with care. Here are some tips for cooking with buttermilk:

Mix buttermilk with cornstarch, flour, or eggs to help stabilize it before pressure cooking.
Cook in mixtures and batters rather than plain buttermilk.

Add some lemon juice or vinegar to buttermilk before cooking.
Use in savory dishes like chicken or rice recipes where buttermilk adds tang.
Substitute buttermilk powder reconstituted with water in some recipes.

Add buttermilk after pressure cooking and just warm through if possible.

Can you put condensed milk in Instant Pot?

Sweetened condensed milk can be tricky in the Instant Pot because the added sugar causes it to caramelize and burn easily. Here are a few tips for using condensed milk:

Dilute condensed milk before pressure cooking – start with a 1:1 ratio with water.

Cook condensed milk mixtures on low pressure and/or use steam function if possible.
Stir continuously with a silicone spatula when cooking to prevent burning.
Add directly to servings of desserts like rice pudding or cheesecake instead of cooking.

Reduce other liquids in a recipe to allow for additional moisture from condensed milk.

Can you put whey in Instant Pot?

Whey is the liquid byproduct drained from yogurt or strained cheeses. It is high in proteins and minerals. Whey can be used in Instant Pot recipes:

Substitute whey for water or other liquids in recipes like soups, grains, etc.

Use whey to cook tough cuts of meat to help tenderize them.
Make ricotta cheese by heating whey to 200°F and curdling with an acid like vinegar.
Simmer whey to reduce and concentrate it, then use in smoothies or as a cream substitute.

Feed leftover whey to pets, plants, or compost – it’s very nutrient rich.

Dairy substitutions for Instant Pot

If you need or want to avoid dairy when pressure cooking, there are many possible ingredient swaps:

Dairy Product	Substitution
Milk	Soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, water or broth
Heavy Cream	Coconut milk or cream, cashew cream, blended silken tofu
Butter	Olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil
Cheese	Nutritional yeast, dairy-free cheese subs, left out entirely
Yogurt	Coconut or soy yogurt alternative
Sour Cream	Tofu, lemon juice + oil dressing, plain Greek yogurt
Ice Cream	Sorbet, coconut milk ice cream, banana “nice” cream

Tips for cooking dairy in Instant Pot

Here are some general tips and best practices for cooking dairy products in the Instant Pot successfully:

Always start with high-quality, fresh dairy products.
Use lower pressure settings like low or medium when possible.
Allow for natural pressure release to prevent boiling and churning.

Thicken and stabilize dairy with starch, roux, egg yolks, etc. as needed.
Mix dairy into other ingredients rather than cooking plain.
Add dairy at the end of cooking as a finishing touch when you can.

Stir gently after cooking, allowing residuals heat to warm through dairy.
If curdling occurs, blend vigorously with immersion blender to re-emulsify.

Conclusion

Cooking dairy products in an Instant Pot is very doable with some adaptions to ingredients, cooking methods, and general care. Many delicious soups, stews, desserts, and more can be made in the Instant Pot with milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products. Follow the tips above for best results when Instant Potting with dairy!