These 25 quick pressure cooker recipes are a treasured collection of family favorites passed down through generations. From my great-grandmother’s fall-off-the-bone pot roast to my aunt’s legendary butter chicken, each dish holds special memories of sunlit kitchen counters and the comforting aromas of slow-simmered meals.
Thanks to the pressure cooker, those same time-honored recipes can now grace your table in a fraction of the time without sacrificing flavor. Busy weeknights are made for the pressure cooker’s quick cook times and easy cleanup.
1. Pot Roast with Vegetables
Beefy flavor with tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat and savory vegetables.
Ingredients: Chuck roast, carrots, potatoes, onions, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper.
Instructions
- Sear the seasoned chuck roast in oil in the pressure cooker
- Remove roast and sauté onions
- Deglaze with broth, scraping up browned bits
- Return roast to pot and add remaining ingredients
- Cook on high pressure for 90 minutes, then natural release
Cook Time: 90 mins high pressure + natural release.
2. Chicken Tikka Masala
Rich, creamy tomato sauce with warmly spiced yogurt-marinated chicken.
Ingredients: Chicken, yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, cumin, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, cream, butter, cilantro
Instructions
- Marinate chicken in yogurt, spices, lemon for 30 mins
- Sauté garlic and ginger, add tomatoes, spices, cream
- Add marinated chicken and sauce to pot
- Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, quick release
Cook Time: 10 mins high pressure + quick release
3. Beef and Broccoli
Perfectly cooked beef with a savory brown sauce and crisp-tender broccoli.
Ingredients: Flank steak, broccoli, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch.
Instructions
- Toss beef in cornstarch mixture and sear in batches
- Cook aromatics, deglaze with soy sauce mixture
- Return beef and add broccoli
- Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes, quick release
Cook Time: 3 mins high pressure + quick release.
4. Vegetable Soup
Hearty and comforting vegetable-packed soup.
Ingredients: Vegetable or chicken broth, carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, green beans, peas, thyme, bay leaf.
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics in oil or butter
- Add broth and vegetables
- Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes, quick release
- Season with salt, pepper, herbs as desired
Cook Time: 4 mins high pressure + quick release.
5. Chili
Thick, rich, and smoky beef chili with a kick of heat.
Ingredients: Ground beef, onions, garlic, chili powder, cumin, tomatoes, kidney beans, broth, peppers.
Instructions
- Brown beef and drain excess fat
- Sauté aromatics and spices
- Add remaining ingredients to pot
- Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, natural release
Cook Time: 20 mins high pressure + natural release.
6. Spaghetti Squash with Marinara
Delightfully stringy spaghetti squash drenched in zesty marinara sauce.
Ingredients: Spaghetti squash, olive oil, garlic, crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, pepper.
Instructions
- Pierce squash and cook on trivet with 1 cup water, 7 mins high pressure
- Make sauce while squash cooks
- Release pressure, remove squash and shred flesh
- Toss squash strands with warm sauce
Cook Time: 7 mins high pressure.
7. Lentil and Sweet Potato Curry
Warmly spiced, creamy, and satisfyingly hearty vegetarian curry.
Ingredients: Lentils, sweet potato, coconut milk, curry powder, garlic, ginger, spinach, cilantro.
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics in oil
- Add lentils, sweet potato, spices, and broth
- Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes
- Stir in coconut milk and spinach after cooking
Cook Time: 10 mins high pressure.
8. Barbecue Pulled Pork
Incredibly tender, saucy, smoky-sweet shredded pork.
Ingredients: Pork shoulder/butt, barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, spices.
Instructions
- Rub pork with spices and sear all over
- Add vinegar and 1/2 cup broth/sauce
- Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes per pound of pork
- Shred and toss with remaining barbecue sauce
Cook Time: 60 mins per lb high pressure.
9. Steamed Artichokes with Garlic Butter
Tender, briny artichoke leaves ready for dipping in luscious garlic butter.
Ingredients: Artichokes, lemon, water or broth, butter, garlic, parsley, lemon zest.
Instructions
- Prepare artichokes and trim stems
- Add trivet and water/broth to pot
- Cook artichokes stem-side down for 9-12 mins on high pressure
- Make garlic butter while artichokes cook
Cook Time: 9-12 mins high pressure.
10. Risotto with Mushrooms and Peas
Unbelievably creamy risotto loaded with savory mushrooms and sweet peas.
Ingredients: Arborio rice, mushrooms, onion, garlic, broth, white wine, Parmesan, peas.
Instructions
- Sauté onions and mushrooms, add garlic
- Add rice and toast for 1 min, then deglaze with wine
- Add hot broth and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes
- Stir in peas and Parmesan after cooking
Cook Time: 6 mins high pressure.
11. Teriyaki Salmon and Broccoli
Tender, flaky salmon in a sweet and tangy teriyaki glaze with crisp broccoli.
Ingredients: Salmon fillets, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, ginger, broccoli florets.
Instructions
- Place trivet in pot and add 1 cup water/broth
- Whisk together teriyaki sauce and seasonings
- Place salmon and broccoli on trivet
- Brush salmon with teriyaki sauce
- Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes, quick release
Cook Time: 3 mins high pressure + quick release.
12. Chicken and Dumplings
Hearty chicken and savory soft dumplings in a rich herby broth.
Ingredients: Chicken, carrots, celery, onion, broth, cream, biscuit mix, eggs, herbs.
Instructions
- Cook chicken, veg, broth on high 15 minutes
- Remove chicken, shred and return to pot
- Mix dumpling batter and drop spoonfuls over chicken
- Cook on high pressure for 8 more minutes
Cook Time: 23 mins total high pressure.
13. Vegetarian Chili
Smoky, spicy, and satisfyingly chunky meatless chili.
Ingredients: Beans, lentils, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin.
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics and spices
- Add remaining ingredients and broth
- Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, natural release
Cook Time: 20 mins high pressure + natural release.
14. Beef Stew
Rich, thick beef stew loaded with tender meat and hearty veggies.
Ingredients: Beef chuck, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, broth, tomato paste, red wine, thyme, bay leaf.
Instructions
- Sear beef in batches and set aside
- Sauté aromatics and deglaze with wine
- Return beef and add remaining ingredients
- Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes, natural release
Cook Time: 35 mins high pressure + natural release.
15. Coconut Curry Lentils
Fragrant and creamy coconut lentil curry with a hint of sweetness.
Ingredients: Lentils, coconut milk, vegetable broth, curry powder, garlic, ginger, honey.
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics
- Add all ingredients except coconut milk
- Cook on high pressure for 15 mins
- Stir in coconut milk after cooking
Cook Time: 15 mins high pressure.
16. Shredded Chicken Tacos
Juicy and flavorful Mexican shredded chicken for taco night.
Ingredients: Chicken breast, salsa, taco seasoning, chicken broth.
Instructions
- Place chicken in pot and cover with broth
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over top
- Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes
- Allow natural release, then shred chicken
- Mix in desired amount of salsa
- Serve in warm tortillas with favorite toppings
Cook Time: 25 mins high pressure + natural release.
17. Macaroni and Cheese
Unbelievably creamy and decadent mac and cheese.
Ingredients: Elbow macaroni, cheddar, Parmesan, milk, butter, flour, salt, pepper, dry mustard.
Instructions
- Cook macaroni per package instructions
- Make cheese sauce by melting butter, whisking in flour
- Whisk in milk and simmer until thickened
- Stir in cheeses until melted and season
- Combine cooked macaroni and cheese sauce
- Cook on high pressure for 1 minute to meld flavors
Cook Time: 1 min high pressure.
18. Cheesy Baked Potato Soup
Thick, velvety potato soup with all the loaded baked potato flavors.
Ingredients: Russet potatoes, chicken broth, milk, cheddar, bacon, sour cream, green onions.
Instructions
- Cook potatoes on trivet with 1 cup water for 15 mins
- Mash potatoes with milk and butter
- Stir in warm broth and toppings reserving some for garnish
- Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes
- Garnish with reserved toppings
Cook Time: 20 mins total
19. Sausage and Peppers
Sweet and savory sausage with tender bell peppers and onions.
Ingredients: Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, garlic, chicken broth, Italian seasoning.
Instructions
- Brown sausage in batches and set aside
- Sauté peppers and onions
- Deglaze with broth, scraping up browned bits
- Return sausage to pot and cook on high for 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 mins high pressure.
20. Chicken Cacciatore
Rustic Italian chicken simmered in a rich, zesty tomato sauce.
Ingredients: Chicken thighs, tomatoes, garlic, onions, bell peppers, red wine, oregano, basil
- Brown chicken and set aside
- Sauté veggies and deglaze with wine
- Return chicken and add tomatoes and herbs
- Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 mins high pressure.
21. Vegetable Frittata
Fluffy baked egg frittata loaded with your favorite veggies.
Instructions: Eggs, milk, cheddar, salt, pepper, broccoli, tomatoes, onions, spinach.
Instructions
- Sauté veggies and set aside
- Whisk eggs with milk and seasonings
- Layer veggie mixture in greased pot
- Pour over egg mixture
- Cook on high pressure for 5 mins, then natural release 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins total.
22. Quinoa and Black Bean Burrito Bowls
Protein-packed vegetarian burrito bowls with zesty Mexican flavors.
Ingredients: Quinoa, black beans, corn, salsa, avocado, cilantro, lime.
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa and cook with beans/corn on high 1 minute
- Allow natural release, then fluff quinoa
- Top cooked quinoa with salsa, avocado, cilantro, lime
Cook Time: 1 min high pressure + natural release.
23. Thai Peanut Chicken
Tangy, nutty, and slightly spicy Thai-inspired chicken dish.
Ingredients: Chicken, peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, carrots, bok choy.
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics in oil
- Add chicken and sear for 2 mins
- Whisk together sauce ingredients and add sauce/veggies to pot
- Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes
Cook Time: 12 mins high pressure.
24. Beef Barbacoa
Richly spiced and fall-apart tender Mexican shredded beef.
Ingredients: Beef chuck, chipotle chiles, lime juice, cumin, garlic, oregano, beef broth.
Instructions
- Sear seasoned beef in batches
- Make sauce with the remaining ingredients
- Add beef and sauce to the pot
- Cook on high pressure for 90 minutes
- Shred beef and toss with sauce
Cook Time: 90 mins high-pressure.
25. Butter Chicken
Creamy, aromatic, and slightly sweet Indian butter chicken.
Ingredients: Chicken, butter, tomato sauce, cream, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, fenugreek.
Instructions
- Cook chicken in butter for 2 mins
- Add spices and tomato sauce
- Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes
- Stir in cream and fenugreek after releasing pressure
Cook Time: 10 mins high-pressure
Conclusion
Pressure cooking slashes meal prep time without compromising flavor. These 25 quick pressure cooker recipes deliver bold, homestyle tastes from savory pot roast to creamy mac and cheese. Unlock intense flavor in minutes with simple, passed-down family favorites made effortless by the pressure cooker’s quick cooking times.