The Instant Pot is a popular electric pressure cooker that can significantly reduce cooking times for many dishes. However, figuring out how long to set the timer can be tricky, especially for beginners. The cooking time depends on several factors, including the specific model of Instant Pot, the amount and type of food, and the desired texture.
In this article, we’ll go over the basics of how Instant Pot cooking times work and provide tips on how to estimate cooking times for different foods. We’ll also give examples of cooking times for common Instant Pot recipes.
How Instant Pots Work
Instant Pots use electric pressure to cook foods faster. When the lid is sealed and the cooker reaches high pressure, the boiling point of water inside is elevated above 100°C or 212°F. This allows foods to cook faster under pressure.
The main cooking programs on an Instant Pot are:
- Pressure Cook – The main pressure cooking function. Food cooks quickly under high pressure.
- Manual or Pressure Cook – Allows you to set a custom cook time under pressure.
- Slow Cook – Food cooks slowly like a regular slow cooker.
- Sauté – Browning and simmering food without pressure.
- Rice – Preset program for cooking rice.
- Steam – Gentle cooking with steam under pressure.
- Yogurt – Incubates yogurt at a precise temperature.
The pressure cooking functions (Pressure Cook, Manual, Rice, Steam) will have the shortest cook times. Slow Cook will take longer but doesn’t require pressure. Sauté just cooks on the inner pot like a skillet.
Factors That Affect Instant Pot Cooking Times
There are a few key factors that determine how long food needs to cook in the Instant Pot:
1. Amount of Food
The more food in the pot, the longer it takes to come up to pressure and to cook through. For example, cooking 1 pound of dried beans takes about 30-40 minutes under pressure. But 2 pounds of beans could take 50-60 minutes.
2. Liquid Content
Foods that are juicy or contain a lot of liquid come up to pressure more quickly. Drier foods like grains and beans require extra water to create steam and pressure. Make sure to follow recipe guidelines for liquid.
3. Size of Food Pieces
Cutting food into smaller uniform pieces allows it to cook faster. Larger pieces of meat or veggies will need extra time to cook through. Make sure to cut ingredients to recommended sizes.
4. Density and Type of Food
Dense, compact foods like meat, potatoes, and thick sauces cook slower under pressure than soft foods like rice, fish, and vegetables. Meat and root veggies may need extra time compared to delicate ingredients.
5. Instant Pot Model
Some Instant Pot models come up to pressure quicker than others. Check your user manual, as newer models may cook slightly faster. For example, the Duo Plus has extra power to speed up pressurization.
6. Amount of Pressure
Most recipes are written for high pressure (10-11 psi). If your recipe calls for lower pressure like 5-7 psi, the cook time will be longer. Always cook according to recipe instructions.
7. Elevation
Higher elevations above sea level can increase cook times. Water boils at a lower temperature with less atmospheric pressure. You may need to add 5-15% to the cook time.
8. Full vs. Natural Pressure Release
Releasing pressure instantly after cooking stops the cooking process completely. Allowing a natural release continues to cook the food as pressure gradually lowers. This means natural release adds a bit more cook time.
Estimating Instant Pot Cooking Times for Common Foods
Here are some estimates for cooking times for common Instant Pot ingredients:
Meat
- Chicken breasts or thighs – 5-8 minutes
- Pork chops or tenderloin – 3-8 minutes
- Beef or lamb stew meat – 15-30 minutes
- Meatloaf – 20-25 minutes
- Ribs – 25-40 minutes
Seafood
- Fish fillets – 2-5 minutes
- Shrimp – 1-2 minutes
- Mussels or clams – 2-4 minutes
- Crab legs – 4-8 minutes
Vegetables
- Broccoli or green beans – 1-3 minutes
- Carrots or potatoes – 5-10 minutes
- Beets – 15-20 minutes
Beans and Grains
- Dried beans – 25-50 minutes
- Brown or white rice – 4-15 minutes
- Oatmeal or quinoa – 2-5 minutes
- Barley – 10-20 minutes
These cooking time ranges are approximate. Always follow recipe instructions when available, and adjust cooking times as needed based on the factors mentioned above. Get to know your Instant Pot and ingredients through trial and error.
Tips for Calculating Instant Pot Cooking Times
Here are some useful tips when figuring out how long to set your Instant Pot:
- Search for Instant Pot recipes similar to what you want to make. Borrow their cook times as a starting point.
- For converted stovetop recipes, reduce cook times by half to 2/3rds.
- Add thin, tender ingredients like seafood, eggs, or vegetables at the end to prevent overcooking.
- Read your Instant Pot manual for cook time tables and preset programs.
- Cut food into even sizes 1-2 inches for most consistent cooking.
- Don’t overload the pot. Leave at least 1/2 cup space at the top for expansion.
- Add an extra 5-15 minutes for larger quantities of food or denser ingredients.
- Allow for natural release time in your timing for dishes like stews, large cuts of meat, beans, etc.
- Get an separate timer to track the total cooking time if needed.
With some trial and error, you’ll get the hang of how long different ingredients take to cook. Take notes so you can adjust times and learn from experience.
Sample Instant Pot Cooking Time Tables
To give you an idea of approximate cook times, here are some cooking time tables for common Instant Pot recipes:
Meat
| Food | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Chicken breast | 5-8 minutes |
| Beef stew meat (1-inch cubes) | 15-20 minutes |
| Pork shoulder or butt (2 pounds) | 55-75 minutes |
| Meatloaf | 15-18 minutes |
| Pork ribs | 25-30 minutes |
Vegetables
| Food | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Broccoli (florets) | 1-2 minutes |
| Carrots (1-inch pieces) | 4-6 minutes |
| Potatoes (1-inch cubes) | 6-8 minutes |
| Butternut squash (1-inch chunks) | 4-6 minutes |
Grains
| Food | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| White rice | 4-6 minutes |
| Brown rice | 15-20 minutes |
| Steel cut oats | 10-15 minutes |
| Pearled barley | 12-15 minutes |
These tables provide rough estimates, but always defer to recipe instructions for exact cook times. Write down times that worked well for your own reference.
Conclusion
Estimating Instant Pot cook times takes some experimentation, but gets easier with practice. Key factors to consider are the amount and type of food, pressure settings, release method, and elevation. Start with cook times from Instant Pot recipes for similar ingredients or cut stovetop times in half or more. Adjust pressure cook times up or down as needed based on texture and doneness. With trial and error, you’ll learn how long different foods take to cook perfectly in your Instant Pot.