🍲 Instant Pot Recipe Converter
Convert any stovetop or oven recipe to Instant Pot — adjust cook time, liquid & servings instantly
| Food Item | Stovetop | Oven | Instant Pot | Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast (boneless) | 20 min | 35 min | 8–10 min | Natural 5 min |
| Chicken thighs (bone-in) | 30 min | 45 min | 12–15 min | Natural 5 min |
| Whole chicken (3–4 lb) | — | 75 min | 25–30 min | Natural 15 min |
| Beef stew chunks | 90 min | 120 min | 35 min | Natural 10 min |
| Beef pot roast (3 lb) | 180 min | 180 min | 60–70 min | Natural 20 min |
| Pork shoulder (3 lb) | — | 210 min | 60 min | Natural 20 min |
| Pork ribs | 60 min | 120 min | 25–30 min | Natural 10 min |
| White rice (per cup) | 18 min | — | 3 min | Natural 10 min |
| Brown rice (per cup) | 45 min | — | 22 min | Natural 10 min |
| Dried black beans | 90 min | — | 25–30 min | Natural 15 min |
| Dried chickpeas | 120 min | — | 35–40 min | Natural 15 min |
| Lentils (red/green) | 30 min | — | 8–10 min | Quick release |
| Pasta (al dente) | 10 min | — | 4–5 min | Quick release |
| Potatoes (chunks) | 20 min | 60 min | 8–10 min | Quick release |
| Hard boiled eggs | 12 min | — | 5 min | Quick release |
| Fish fillet (1 inch) | 8 min | 15 min | 3–4 min | Quick release |
| Original Method | Reduce Liquid By | Why? | Minimum IP Liquid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stovetop / Simmering | 25–30% | No evaporation in IP | 1 cup (240 ml) |
| Oven / Braising | 20–25% | Sealed environment | 1 cup (240 ml) |
| Slow Cooker | 50% | Slow cooker uses excess | 1 cup (240 ml) |
| Already IP recipe | 0% (scale only) | Already optimized | 1 cup (240 ml) |
| Pot Size | Total Capacity | Max Fill (2/3) | Max Fill Foam (1/2) | Ideal Servings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Qt (Mini) | 2.84 L (3 qt) | 1.89 L (~8 cups) | 1.42 L (~6 cups) | 1–3 people |
| 6 Qt (Standard) | 5.68 L (6 qt) | 3.78 L (~16 cups) | 2.84 L (~12 cups) | 3–6 people |
| 8 Qt (Large) | 7.57 L (8 qt) | 5.05 L (~21 cups) | 3.78 L (~16 cups) | 6–10 people |
Instant Pot is the brand that many folks know with quick cooking devices, that became very popular. They offer a wide range of products… Of cookers, air fryers, layered toasters and ovens, to milk frothers and various helpful tools that go with them.
What sets their multicookers apart are the electrical controls, that allow to switch between pressure cook and slow cooking in one same machine. The first versions were launched as 6-in-1 devices, with the idea that one can handle almost all preparations and cooks of foods, without needing several tools that take space in the kitchen.
Instant Pot: What it is and how to use it
Instant Pot has various possible sizes according to the needs of your family. There is the little 3-quart mini, the reliable 6-quart that most people choose, and the 8-quart for those that cook for many. The 6-quart model, that is the most liked, fits well, whether for a little meal or for feeding four to eight people, without too much effort.
The Duo version measures around 13.4 inches long and about 12.2 inches wide, while it stands around 12.5 inches tall. If you cook for one or for a little group and do not want a lot of leftovers, the Duo Mini anwsers perfectly. It is also ideal for picnics and outdoor gatherings, because it weighs little and takes only a bit of space.
The Duo Plus 9-in-1 deserves your attention, if you want many options. Besides pressure and slow cooking, it prepares rice, steams, sautés, makes yoghurt, warms and sterilizes. It comes with an app full of more than 800 recipes, which helps when you do not know what to cook.
The cover and inner jar go directly in the dishwasher, so the cleanup is easy. It uses 700 watts and has more than ten whole safety features, among them protection against overheating and a simple closing valve key. In the package it also includes a stainless steel steam basket.
Here is the Instant Pot Rio, that follows a simpler principle of “less is more”. It has smooth lines, that do not dominate your workspace. The touchscreen display looks more modern then that of the original Duo, without too many options.
Thirteen programs for cooking give real freedom, without making the panel too complex. It has a tough finish against fingerprints, an easy to use cover and inner jar that does not slide, and they both work for the dishwasher. Even so, it comes only in one size and lacks some advanced functions, like air frying, barbecue and making of bread.
For everyday cooking, Instant Pot can replace a rice cooker and slow cooker. The results commonly match or beat what separate devices would give, although one loses a bit of control over texture and the simplicity of slow cookers. Pressure cooking works especially for tough meat…
It makes it tender and falling apart after an hour, while traditional slow cooking would need eight hours. The browning function does not reach the level of a kitchen stovetop, so the color is not as good. The machine reaches at most about 11 psi, while stovetop pressure cookers come to almost 15 psi.
Foods that usually need hours to cook genuinely shine in Instant Pot. For fast preparations it does not help a lot with time. A nice feature is the option to start late, so that it ends some hours later, useful for long plans, when you do not want to stand beside it.
Foods from Instant Pot commonly are healthierthan from oven or stovetop cooking.
