Guide
Instant Pot Cooking Times
Pressure cooking times for every ingredient
The Instant Pot changed weeknight cooking. Dried beans in 30 minutes, fall-apart chicken in 20, rice in 3. But pressure cooking times are counterintuitive. The pot takes 10–15 minutes to come to pressure before the timer even starts, and some foods need natural release after. This guide covers every Instant Pot-friendly ingredient with exact times.
Instant Pot Tips
- Always add at least 1 cup of liquid for the pot to pressurize.
- Factor in 10–15 minutes for the pot to reach pressure before the cook time starts.
- Natural release (NR): let pressure drop on its own. Best for meats and grains.
- Quick release (QR): flip the valve immediately. Best for vegetables to prevent overcooking.
- Don't fill past the 2/3 line (1/2 for foods that expand, like beans and grains).
- Frozen proteins add 5–10 minutes to cook time. No need to thaw first.