Soup is a versatile, healthy meal that can be made quickly and easily in an instant pot. Using an instant pot to make soup has many advantages over traditional stovetop cooking. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using an instant pot for soup and provide tips for making delicious soups in your instant pot.
What is an Instant Pot?
The instant pot is a programmable electric pressure cooker that can be used as a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and more. It cooks food quickly by building up steam pressure, allowing dishes like soups, stews, and chilis to be ready in a fraction of the normal cooking time.Models like the Instant Pot Duo have multiple settings that allow you to pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, warm, make yogurt, and more in one pot. The instant pot traps steam to create pressure, raising the boiling point of water above 212°F so food cooks faster. This high-pressure environment tenderizes meat and vegetables quickly while still locking in flavor.
Benefits of Using an Instant Pot for Soup
There are several key reasons why using an instant pot is ideal for making soups:
Saves Time
One of the biggest benefits of using an instant pot for soup is how fast it cooks. Soups that normally take hours to simmer can be ready in 30-60 minutes in the instant pot. You can come home from work and have a hearty soup ready in no time. The instant pot shaves hours off traditional cooking times while still producing flavorful soups.
Convenience
Instant pots are designed for convenience. You can toss in ingredients, set the timer, and walk away. The pot does the work for you with no need to watch a simmering pot. This allows you to multitask while soup cooks hands-free. Many recipes require very little prep work beyond basic chopping and sautéing.
Energy Efficient
Instant pots use less energy than stovetop cooking. Keeping the stove on for hours to simmer soup uses more electricity. The instant pot only runs while coming to pressure and during cooking time. This makes it an energy efficient option for soup making.
Nutrient Retention
The quick cooking time and steam environment helps retain more nutrients in instant pot soups. Vitamins like Vitamin C and minerals are better preserved compared to boiling on the stove. Making soup in the instant pot results in a nutritious meal.
Flavor Extraction
The pressurized environment extracts more flavor from soup ingredients like vegetables and seasoning. Soups made in the instant pot taste richer and more flavorful compared to stovetop versions. The flavors meld together beautifully.
Safety
Instant pots have built-in safety mechanisms including lid locks, pressure releases, and more. They will not allow the pot to open while still pressurized, avoiding burns. The sealed pot also eliminates stovetop spatter messes.
Versatility
Almost any soup recipe can be adapted for the instant pot. Hearty bean soups, chicken noodle, loaded potato, and more are all options. You can make vegetarian, meat-based, creamy, broth-based, and ethnic soups in your instant pot.
Tips for Making Soups in an Instant Pot
Making delicious soups in the instant pot is easy once you know some basic tips:
Sauté First
Many soup recipes start with sautéing aromatics like onion and garlic. The instant pot makes this simple with a built-in sauté function. Sauté your ingredients first for a flavor boost before adding broth or water.
Cut Ingredients to Size
Cut vegetables and meats into small, uniform pieces no larger than 1-2 inches. This allows them to cook through fully in the short cooking time. Avoid oversized chunks.
Use Enough Liquid
There should be at least 1 cup of broth or water per 1 cup of ingredients in the pot. The extra moisture helps create steam and cook the contents. Add more liquid if needed.
Stir Before Serving
Contents can separate while cooking under pressure. Give soups a good stir after cooking to recombine them before serving.
Quick Release for Vegetables
Use the quick release method for vegetable-heavy soups to avoid overcooking. Quick release immediately drops the pressure so vegetables retain texture.
Natural Release for Meat
Let soups with meat and beans naturally release pressure. This allows the extra time to fully tenderize the ingredients.
Thicken Afterwards
If you want a thicker soup, stir in a slurry of cornstarch and water after cooking to reach the desired consistency.
Adjust Seasoning
Taste soups after cooking and add any additional salt, pepper, herbs, or spices to taste.
Garnish Individual Servings
Top each bowl of soup with fresh garnishes like herbs, croutons, or a drizzle of cream to finish them off.
Delicious Instant Pot Soup Recipes to Try
Here are some delicious, easy soup recipes to make in your instant pot:
| Soup Recipe | Prep Time | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup | 10 mins | 15 mins |
| Instant Pot Lentil Soup | 10 mins | 30 mins |
| Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup | 5 mins | 10 mins |
| Instant Pot Split Pea Soup | 10 mins | 60 mins |
| Instant Pot Vegetable Soup | 15 mins | 5 mins |
| Instant Pot Potato Soup | 15 mins | 25 mins |
| Instant Pot Chili | 15 mins | 30 mins |
| Instant Pot Mushroom Soup | 15 mins | 10 mins |
| Instant Pot Beef Stew | 15 mins | 35 mins |
| Instant Pot Tomato Soup | 10 mins | 8 mins |
Types of Soup to Make in an Instant Pot
The versatility of the instant pot allows you to make all different kinds of soup recipes with ease. Here are some of the most popular:
Bean Soups
High in protein, fiber, and nutrients, bean soups are ideal for the instant pot. Try black bean, white bean, lentil, split pea, and chickpea soups.
Chicken Soups
Chicken noodle and chicken tortilla soup are comforting classics perfect for instant pots. The chicken cooks up tender and moist.
Vegetable Soups
Make vegetable soup packed with produce like carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and more for a healthy, filling meal.
Potato Soups
Creamy potato soups are easy to make in the instant pot. Potatoes cook up soft and creamy when pressure cooked.
Chilis
Warm up with chili made with ground meat, beans, tomatoes, peppers and spices. Chili is a quick and protein-packed dinner.
Stews
Hearty beef, chicken, or vegetarian stews are simple one-pot meals in the instant pot. Stew meat comes out fall-apart tender.
Bisques
Make rich seafood bisques with shrimp, crab, or lobster cooked in broth and cream. Puree for a smooth, decadent soup.
Chowders
Clam, corn, and other chowders featuring potatoes and cream also cook up nicely in the instant pot for cozy meals.
Pureed Soups
Smooth pureed soups are easy by cooking ingredients in the instant pot then blending until creamy and smooth.
Conclusion
From short cook times to enhanced flavor extraction, the instant pot offers many benefits for soup making. You can create a wide range of delicious soups with minimal effort. Follow the tips above for preparing and cooking soup ingredients in your instant pot.Experiment with different soup recipes to enjoy hearty bowls of soup anytime with the convenience of this kitchen favorite.