13 Instant Pot Tips, Tricks and Hacks

Learn how to use an Instant Pot with these helpful Instant Pot tips, tricks and hacks for beginners and experienced users alike. Whether you just unboxed your pressure cooker or want to get more out of it, these tips will help you cook faster, easier, and with better results.

Try these 20 No-Fail Instant Pot Recipes once you learn all these amazing Instant Pot tips, or try my Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff!

Must Know Instant Pot Tips And Tricks

1. Convert Your Favorite Recipes

Did you know you can convert many traditional recipes to work in the Instant Pot?

Once you understand the basics of pressure cooking, you can adapt many stovetop or slow cooker recipes. However, dishes that rely heavily on dairy (like cream sauces) sometimes need adjustments because dairy can curdle under pressure.

2. Remember the Instant Pot Needs Time to Reach Pressure

The Instant Pot doesn’t start cooking immediately. It usually takes 8–12 minutes to reach pressure before the cooking timer begins.

For example, if a recipe says it cooks for 4 minutes, the total time may be closer to 14–16 minutes when you include the pressure-building time.

Also remember to factor in pressure release time if the recipe uses a natural release.

3. Always Add Liquid

The Instant Pot needs liquid to create steam and build pressure. Most recipes require at least 1 cup of liquid.

If you want to cook foods that shouldn’t sit in liquid, simply use the trivet and place your food in a heat-safe dish above the liquid.

4. Keep a Cooking Time Cheat Sheet Handy

When you’re first learning to use your Instant Pot, it can help to keep a cooking time chart nearby.

Print one out and tape it inside a cabinet door. Over time, you’ll start to remember common cooking times for things like rice, beans, vegetables, and meats.

5. Understand Quick Release vs Natural Release

Knowing when to use each release method makes a big difference.

Quick Release

• Best for delicate foods
• Pasta
• Vegetables
• Seafood

Natural Release

• Best for meats
• Stews
• Beans
• Soups

Natural release allows the meat to relax and become more tender.

6. Learn What the Buttons Actually Do

Many Instant Pot users feel intimidated by all the buttons—but most of them are just preset cooking programs.

Spend a few minutes experimenting with:

• Pressure cook/manual
• Sauté
• Slow cook
• Rice
• Yogurt
• Keep warm

Once you learn these settings, using the Instant Pot becomes much easier.

7. Clean Your Instant Pot Properly

Regular cleaning keeps your Instant Pot working well and prevents lingering odors.

Make sure to clean:

• The inner pot
• Lid and sealing ring
• Steam release valve
• Condensation collector

Occasionally deep clean the lid and sealing ring to prevent smells from building up.

8. Adjust Cooking Times for High Altitudes

If you live at a higher altitude, cooking times may need to be adjusted slightly because water boils at a lower temperature.

Generally, you’ll need to add a few extra minutes to pressure cooking time.

9. Use the Instant Pot for Meal Planning

The Instant Pot can make weekly meal planning much easier.

Many people use it to prepare:

• shredded chicken
• soups
• rice
• beans (try my Instant Pot Black Beans)
• meal prep proteins

Planning meals around Instant Pot recipes can save time during busy weeks.

10. Never Overfill the Pot

One of the most important Instant Pot safety rules is not overfilling the pot.

Foods that expand during cooking—like rice, beans, and pasta—should never fill more than half the pot.

For other foods, stay below the 2/3 max fill line.

11. Cooking Pasta in the Instant Pot

Cooking pasta in the Instant Pot is popular but requires the right method.

A good rule of thumb is: Cook pasta for half the time listed on the package, minus one minute.

This helps prevent mushy pasta.

12. Use Separate Sealing Rings

The silicone sealing ring absorbs odors over time.

Many Instant Pot users keep two rings:

• one for savory foods
• one for sweet foods like cheesecake or desserts

Color-coded rings make it easy to keep them separate.

13. Add Dairy After Cooking

Dairy products like cream, sour cream, and cheese can separate under pressure.

Instead of adding them at the beginning, stir them in after cooking is complete for the best texture.

Bonus Instant Pot Tips for Beginners

Use the Sauté Function First

You can brown meat or sauté vegetables directly in the Instant Pot before pressure cooking. This adds extra flavor to soups, stews, and sauces.

Deglaze the Pot

After sautéing, add liquid and scrape the bottom of the pot to remove browned bits. This prevents the “burn” warning and adds flavor to your dish.

Use the Pot-in-Pot Method

The pot-in-pot method lets you cook multiple items at once by placing a smaller dish on the trivet above the main dish.