Cooking multiple foods at the same time in an Instant Pot is a great way to save time and effort while making delicious meals. With some planning and preparation, you can easily cook two or more foods together in the Instant Pot. In this article, we’ll go over some tips and tricks for cooking two things at once in your Instant Pot.
Choose foods with similar cook times
The key to successfully cooking two foods at the same time is choosing ingredients that have similar cook times. For example, dried beans and rice are a classic pairing as the beans need to cook for around 30-40 minutes while rice takes 15-20 minutes. Other food combinations with comparable cook times include:
- Chicken and vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or squash
- Pork tenderloin and Brussels sprouts
- Steel cut oats and dried fruit
- Corn on the cob and potatoes
- Meatballs and pasta
Trying to cook foods with very different cook times together, like meat and delicate vegetables, will result in over or undercooked food. Refer to a cooking time chart to determine appropriate pairings.
Use a cooking pot insert
One of the easiest ways to cook two foods at once is by using a stainless steel inner pot. The insert allows you to separate ingredients within the Instant Pot. Here are two options:
- Steam trivet – Place one food in the inner pot insert and the other food on a steam trivet above. The trivet holds the top layer of food away from the bottom layer.
- Stackable inner pots – Some Instant Pot models come with stackable inner pot options. You can cook foods separately by stacking one inner pot on top of another.
When using these accessories, put the ingredient that needs to cook longer on the bottom and the shorter cooking food on top.
Layer ingredients
If your Instant Pot didn’t come with special accessories, you can still cook two foods directly in the inner pot. Try this layering method:
- Add the liquid or sauce ingredients for both foods to the inner pot.
- Place the longer cooking food on the bottom of the pot.
- Layer the shorter cooking food on top.
- Lock the lid and select the cook time for the food on the bottom layer.
- Allow the natural pressure release to finish both foods.
The steam from the bottom layer will cook the top layer. Just make sure not to stir the layers together until both foods are finished.
Adjust the cooking liquid
Having the right amount of thin cooking liquid is key when stacking ingredients. Follow these tips:
- Increase the amount of cooking liquid called for in the recipe. Use at least 1 cup of water or broth.
- If cooking dishes with sauces, like curry, add extra sauce to the bottom layer.
- For foods like rice or oatmeal, increase the normal liquid amount by about 1/4 cup.
- Add moisture-releasing ingredients like tomatoes or zucchini to provide extra steam.
After cooking, you can allow the excess liquid to evaporate using the sauté function if needed.
Use cooking liners
One unique way to cook two foods separately is using Instant Pot silicone cooking liners. Here’s how they work:
- Place the first liner in the bottom of the inner pot.
- Add the first ingredient to the bottom liner.
- Insert the second liner on top and add the other ingredient.
- Cook as usual, keeping time for the bottom layer.
- Remove the liners to easily separate the ingredients after cooking.
The liners prevent mixing flavors or textures between foods. They can be washed and reused as well.
Adjust cooking temperatures
If one food needs high heat and the other lower, you can still cook them together by using the adjustable Instant Pot programs:
- Sauté ingredients that need to brown on the highest sauté setting first.
- Add remaining ingredients and cooking liquid.
- Select a low pressure or steam program to finish cooking without overdoing the delicate food.
This method works well for cooking rice or seafood gently on top of browning meat.
Use a cooking basket
An inner pot cooking basket can hold one food suspended above the other. Follow these instructions when using a basket:
- Add liquid and the longer cooking ingredient to pot.
- Place the shorter cooking food in the basket.
- Lower basket into pot gently.
- Lock lid and cook.
- Lift basket out easily when finished.
The basket catches drippings while allowing steam to circulate all around. It’s great for cooking fruit, vegetables, or delicate proteins oversturdy beans or grains.
Make one-pot meals
With the right recipe, you can prepare an entire dish with two main ingredients in your Instant Pot. Some one-pot meal ideas include:
- Rice and beans – Cook rice layered over beans then stir together for burrito bowls.
- Mac and cheese – Prepare elbow pasta and cheese sauce together for homemade mac and cheese.
- Steel cut oats – Make overnight oats by cooking oats and chia seeds or fruit puree.
- Pot roast dinner – Braise roast and vegetables like potatoes and carrots for an easy dinner.
One-pot meals maximize your Instant Pot’s efficiency while still keeping ingredients separate during cooking. Adjust the amount of liquid and cook times as needed.
Adapt traditional recipes
Many standard Instant Pot recipes can be adapted to cook two foods at once. Here are some examples:
- Chili – Layer beans on bottom, ground meat on top.
- Coq au vin – Put chicken pieces in first, then add mushrooms with wine.
- Beef stew – Arrange potatoes and carrots over stew meat and broth.
- Chicken curry – Cook chicken thighs first, finish with peeled hard-boiled eggs.
Get creative with switching up the layering and liquids in your favorite dishes. The key is putting quick-cooking ingredients on top.
Add ingredients partway through
Another option is to begin cooking a large amount of a base food like beans, stock, oatmeal or rice. When partially cooked, open the pot and add quicker cooking ingredients on top like vegetables, eggs or pre-cooked meat.
Return lid to pressure cook the rest of the time. The steam will finish cooking the add-ins. Just avoid stirring the pot when adding foods to prevent affecting cook times.
Use special equipment
In addition to stackable pots and liners, there are other accessories made for cooking multiple foods in the Instant Pot:
- Steamer baskets – Insert a stainless steamer basket on a trivet over ingredients in the main pot.
- Springform pans – Use pan to contain foods like cheesecake above water or sauce.
- Canning jars – Stack jars on a rack to make layered meals you can store.
Look for accessories made by Instant Pot or other brands designed to fit your specific model.
Follow recipe cook times
When first getting started, follow trusted recipes for cooking layered foods in the Instant Pot. Online sites like PressureCookingToday have guides with cook times and instructions for stacking ingredients. For example:
| Food 1 | Food 2 | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken thighs | Brussels sprouts | High pressure 5 minutes |
| White rice | Salmon fillet | High pressure 2 minutes |
| Dried black beans | Salsa | High pressure 25 minutes |
Once you get the hang of it, you can experiment with your own food combinations and timings.
Adjust recipes as needed
Be prepared to tweak recipes when cooking two foods together. Here are some tips:
- Check doneness and add more cook time if needed.
- Increase liquid, broth, or sauce to account for evaporation.
- Shred or chop lengthy cook time foods like meat to speed up cooking.
- Cut back cook time for fresh vegetables or delicate proteins on top.
- Stir ingredients together after cooking or keep separate.
Test out new ingredient pairings and timings to find what works best for your preferred textures.
Take advantage of your inner pot
One of the Instant Pot’s biggest advantages is that the inner pot transfers heat evenly. Take advantage by:
- Spreading ingredients in an even layer for efficient cooking.
- Avoiding stirring during cooking to prevent uneven doneness.
- Placing denser foods on the bottom and lighter ones on top.
- Adding enough liquid for ample steam circulation.
Understanding how your pot cooks helps you successfully layer and cook two foods at once.
Conclusion
Cooking two foods in your Instant Pot just takes some planning and practice. Choose ingredients with similar cook times and adjust liquid to create steam. Use accessories like liners and steamer baskets to separate foods. Follow recipes at first and then experiment with your own food pairings. With some trial and error, you’ll be able to easily make delicious layered meals.