Natural release is a cooking technique used in pressure cookers and multicookers like the Instant Pot. It allows food to come down from pressure gradually rather than quickly releasing it. This extra time under pressure helps food fully cook and allows flavors to develop further. So how long does natural release actually take? There are a few factors that influence the time.
What is Natural Release?
With natural release, you allow the pressure to come down naturally inside the pot over time. This is opposed to quick release where you manually release the pressure immediately by turning the valve.
Here’s a simple overview of how natural release works:
- Food finishes cooking under pressure in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
- You turn the cooker off or press “Cancel.”
- The pressure releases slowly over the next 15-30 minutes.
- You can then open the pot safely once pressure indicator drops.
During natural release, steam gradually escapes through tiny vents in the lid until the pressure comes all the way down. This slow depressurization lets food rest and allows carryover cooking to finish without being disturbed.
Benefits of Natural Release
Some key benefits of natural release include:
- Ensures food is fully cooked through.
- Allows flavors to develop further as food rests.
- Makes meat and starchy dishes more tender.
- Prevents boiling over or sputtering when opening lid.
- Safer – pressure comes down slowly to avoid steam burns.
For these reasons, natural release is recommended for tough cuts of meat, large roasts, stews, chilis, breads, grains, desserts, and recipes with a lot of liquid.
How Long Does Natural Release Take?
The time required for natural release depends on a few key factors:
1. Amount of Pressure
The higher the pressure inside the pot, the longer natural release takes. Most Instant Pot recipes are cooked at high pressure which is roughly 10-12 psi. Here are some estimates for natural release times at different pressures:
| Pressure | PSI Range | Estimated Release Time |
|---|---|---|
| High Pressure | 10-12 psi | 15-30 minutes |
| Medium Pressure | 7-9 psi | 10-20 minutes |
| Low Pressure | 5-7 psi | 5-15 minutes |
As you can see, the higher pressure setting you cook at, the longer natural release will take. High pressure recipes will generally need 20-30 minutes to come down fully.
2. Amount of Liquid
The more liquid a recipe has, the longer natural release takes. Liquid creates more steam which sustains pressurization. For very wet dishes like chili, stew, and soup, allow at least 20-30 minutes natural release. Drier items like meat, rice, or veggies require less time, around 15-20 minutes.
3. Volume of Food
How much food you cooked also impacts natural release time. A full pot with max capacity will require longer. A half full or quarter full pot will have less steam and lose pressure faster. For very large batches, give yourself 30 minutes.
4. Type of Food
Dense foods that are naturally pressurized like meat, beans, rice, or pasta take longer to release pressure. More delicate items like fish, vegetables, or eggs may finish releasing sooner. Go for a minimum of 15 minutes natural release for denser fare.
Natural Release Times for Common Foods
To give you a better idea, here are estimated natural release times for some common Instant Pot recipes:
| Food | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Soup or chili | 20-30 minutes |
| Stew | 25-30 minutes |
| Roast | 20-25 minutes |
| Ribs | 20-25 minutes |
| Chicken breasts | 15-20 minutes |
| Rice or grains | 15-20 minutes |
| Hard boiled eggs | 5-10 minutes |
| Fish fillets | 10-15 minutes |
| Vegetables | 10-15 minutes |
| Cheesecake | 20-25 minutes |
Keep in mind these times are just general estimates. The exact time can vary a bit depending on your specific recipe, amount of food, and model of multicooker. Get to know your appliance and allow sufficient time for release.
How to Tell Pressure Has Released
Here are some signs to check for to determine if natural release is complete:
- The float valve or pressure pin has dropped down.
- No steam escapes when you move the pressure valve.
- The pressure indicator shows zero PSI.
- The lid is no longer domed and sits flat.
- You can open the lid easily.
Do not try to force the lid open until pressure has fully dropped to avoid accidents. Visually inspect the indicators and ensure no steam rushes out when toggling the valve or lid.
Speeding Up Natural Release
If you’re pressed for time, there are a couple ways to speed up the natural release process a bit:
Venting the Pot
After cooking, you can manually turn the pressure valve to vent to speed up steam release. Leave it in the venting position as steam escapes for 5-10 minutes, then return the valve to sealing. Continue allowing natural release until pressure drops fully. This quick venting reduces total time.
Placing a Wet Towel on Top
A wet towel helps draw out some additional steam. Simply drape a wet dish towel over the top as it naturally releases. The cool, damp towel condenses some steam to speed the process along. Just keep an eye on the towel as it can get quite hot.
Running the Pot Under Cold Water
To rapidly cool the pot, you can place it in the sink and run cold water over the lid. Avoid submerging the base that houses heating elements. The cold water cools pot contents faster so steam escapes quicker. Use caution handling the hot appliance.
Releasing Pressure in Intervals
Alternate between natural and quick releasing in short intervals. For example, let naturally release for 5 minutes, quick release for 1 minute, repeat. This allows some natural release while expediting the overall process.
Dangers of Opening Too Soon
It’s important to resist the urge to open the pot prematurely before all pressure has escaped. Here are some risks if you open it too soon:
- Contents can boil over violently from leftover pressure.
- Steam can rush out and cause burns.
- Food is undercooked and unsafe to eat.
- Pan edges may still be hot and dangerous.
- Condensation on the lid can drip onto you.
Letting the appliance fully depressurize keeps you safe and ensures your food turns out properly cooked. Be patient and avoid the temptation to rush the process.
When to Use Natural Release vs Quick Release
Natural release is recommended in most Instant Pot recipes, but quick release can also be useful in some instances. Here is a simple guide on when to use each method:
| Use Natural Release For: | Use Quick Release For: |
|---|---|
| – Meat dishes | – Vegetables |
| – Large cuts of meat | – Delicate seafood |
| – Stews and chilis | – Foods prone to overcooking |
| – Thick liquid recipes | – Foamable foods like grains |
| – Beans, lentils, rice | – Quick weeknight meals |
| – Cheesecakes, custards | – Dishes with thin sauce |
| – Porridge, oatmeal | – Keeping food warm after cooking |
Get to know when your ingredients benefit most from natural vs quick release. Use natural for large dense items and quick for quicker cooking delicate foods.
Tips for Natural Release Success
Follow these tips for best results when using natural release:
- Allow sufficient time – Never rush the release process.
- Vent the steam if needed – Open valve briefly to speed it up.
- Check pressure indicators – Confirm pressure is fully dropped before opening lid.
- Wait for lid to unlock – Ensure it sits flat and opens without resistance.
- Tilt away from you – Open lid by tilting it away to avoid steam.
- Give a quick stir – Stir to distribute moisture and heat if needed.
- Use oven mitts – Protect hands from residual heat.
Natural release can take some getting used to, but becomes second nature. Have patience as you learn your appliance and allow dishes to fully depressurize for safety and optimum results.
Conclusion
Natural release is an important pressure cooking technique that allows food to gradually depressurize. While it takes more time upfront, it delivers better finished results. Most dishes need 15-30 minutes to fully naturally release depending on the pressure, contents, and volume. Get to know your appliance’s indicators, allow sufficient depressurization time, and avoid opening the lid prematurely. Mastering natural release ensures your Instant Pot recipes turn out perfectly cooked and safe to enjoy.