Cooking meat in an instant pot (also known as a pressure cooker) is a quick and convenient way to prepare delicious recipes. But how long should you cook meat for? The general rule of thumb is that meat takes about 10-15 minutes per pound to cook in an instant pot. However, the exact cooking time can vary depending on the cut and thickness of the meat.
In the opening paragraphs, let’s answer some common questions about instant pot cooking times for meat:
How long does it take to cook chicken in an instant pot? Whole chickens take around 15 minutes per pound to cook in an instant pot. Chicken breasts take around 10 minutes per pound. Chicken thighs and legs take 12-15 minutes per pound.
How long does it take to cook beef in an instant pot? Tougher cuts of beef like chuck roast and brisket take 15-20 minutes per pound. More tender cuts like steak and ground beef take 10-15 minutes per pound.
How long does it take to cook pork in an instant pot? Pork chops and tenderloin take around 8-10 minutes per pound. Pork shoulder takes 15-20 minutes per pound. Ribs take around 15-18 minutes per pound.
How long does it take to cook lamb in an instant pot? Lamb chops and leg of lamb take around 15 minutes per pound. Lamb shoulder takes 18-20 minutes per pound.
Now let’s take a more in-depth look at how to determine the right instant pot cooking time for different cuts of meat.
Cooking Time by Meat Type
Chicken
Chicken cooks quickly in the instant pot so it generally takes less time than other meats. Here are some estimates for instant pot chicken cooking times:
| Chicken Cut | Minutes per Pound |
|---|---|
| Whole Chicken | 15 minutes |
| Chicken Breasts | 10 minutes |
| Chicken Thighs | 12 minutes |
| Chicken Legs | 15 minutes |
For bone-in chicken pieces, use a cooking time towards the higher end of the range. Boneless breasts and thighs will cook faster.
For a whole chicken, make sure to take the internal temperature in multiple spots to ensure no pinkness remains when finished. The juices should also run clear.
Beef
For tender beef cuts like steaks or ground beef, instant pot cooking times are shorter. For tough cuts like roasts or brisket, longer cook times are needed.
| Beef Cut | Minutes per Pound |
|---|---|
| Steaks | 10-12 minutes |
| Ground Beef | 8-10 minutes |
| Roasts | 15-20 minutes |
| Brisket | 20-25 minutes |
When cooking larger roasts or briskets, you may want to increase cook time slightly. Use a meat thermometer to confirm beef reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F.
Pork
The thickness of the cut of pork will determine the cooking time. Thinner pork chops and tenderloins cook faster than thick pork shoulder or ribs.
| Pork Cut | Minutes per Pound |
|---|---|
| Pork Chops | 8-10 minutes |
| Pork Tenderloin | 10 minutes |
| Pork Shoulder | 15-20 minutes |
| Pork Ribs | 15-18 minutes |
Use a meat thermometer to ensure pork reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F before removing from the instant pot. The juices should run clear.
Lamb
Lamb cooks quickly in the instant pot. Thinner cuts like chops will be done faster than shoulder or leg of lamb.
| Lamb Cut | Minutes per Pound |
|---|---|
| Lamb Chops | 15 minutes |
| Lamb Shoulder | 18-20 minutes |
| Leg of Lamb | 15-20 minutes |
For food safety, lamb should reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F before removing from the instant pot.
Factors that Affect Cook Time
MeatThickness
The thickness of the meat cut will impact the cooking time. Thinner cuts will cook faster while thicker roasts or chicken pieces will take longer. For example, boneless chicken breasts may only need 5 minutes per pound but bone-in chicken thighs may need the full 15 minutes per pound.
Bone In vs. Boneless
Bone-in meats will take longer to cook than an equal weight of boneless meat. The bones help insulate the meat and shield it from the pressure cooking. Removing the bone allows the meat to cook more quickly and evenly.
Quality of Meat
Higher quality or well-marbled meats may cook faster than lean or grass-fed varieties which are lower in fat. The fat helps tenderize the meat during cooking.
Frozen vs. Thawed
Always thaw frozen meats before pressure cooking. Starting with frozen meat can significantly increase cook times. For food safety, only thawed meats should be used.
Quantity of Meat
Cooking a larger quantity or roast will require slightly longer cook time than a single pork chop or chicken breast. Add a few extra minutes per pound when cooking over 2 pounds of meat.
Altitude
Higher altitudes above sea level will increase pressure cooking time. An extra 5% cooking time per 1,000 feet above sea level is a good guideline.
Other Liquids
Adding liquid such as broth or sauce along with the meat can help the meat cook faster than just dry on its own. Liquid helps transfer heat and pressure.
Tips for Cooking Meat in an Instant Pot
Here are some useful tips to ensure your meat turns out perfectly cooked when using an instant pot:
– Always use a natural release method when cooking meat. Do not do a quick pressure release as this can cause meat to toughen.
– Use cooking times at the higher end of ranges for thick, bone-in cuts to ensure meat is fully cooked through.
– Use a meat thermometer to test doneness, especially for larger roasts and whole chickens.
– Let meat rest 5-10 minutes before slicing or serving for juices to redistribute.
– Add liquid to pot when cooking meat to help it cook evenly. Chicken or beef broth, water, or sauce all work well.
– Trim excess fat from meats which can cause spattering inside the instant pot.
– Flavor meat with spices, herbs, sauces like barbecue before cooking. The pressure cooker seals in flavors nicely.
Conclusion
The basic rule of thumb for meat in an instant pot is 10-15 minutes per pound, but the exact time depends on the cut, thickness, and other factors like bone-in vs boneless. Smaller tender cuts like pork chops and chicken breasts take less time while larger tough cuts like roasts or ribs take longer. Use the times in this article as a starting point, and always check internal temperature and doneness before serving. With the right timing, the instant pot is a great way to quickly cook meat that turns out moist and flavorful.