20+ Lunch Meal Prep Ideas to Prepare Before the Week Starts

Why is it good to cook in a pressure cooker?

Pressure cooker recipes are very useful because of the time you will save. And even though it cooks so quickly, it doesn’t leave your food dry like other quick cooking methods do.

What cannot be cooked in a pressure cooker?

You’ll want to avoid cooking crispy foods like French fries in a pressure cooker. We recommend that you use a air fryer instead, you’ll still save time, but you won’t have to worry about them getting mushy. (Same with noodles. Stick to your favorite stovetop method!)

What are the best things to cook in a pressure cooker?

You can turn all kinds of dishes into pressure cooker recipes! From Pad Thai to soups to perfecting the black beans you serve at your taco bar, keep reading to discover the best foods to cook in a pressure cooker.

The best easy pressure cooker recipes

The only thing better than a homemade pho recipe is a easy homemade pho recipe. Nothing beats the taste of this homemade broth, and the basil, jalapeño, lime, and chili sauce garnish is the perfect finishing touch! (via Brit + Co.)

Casserole eggs sound fancy, but these slow-cooked eggs, cooked in ramekins, can be whisked together and pressure cooked in minutes. (via Brit + Co.)

Fun fact: Your pressure cooker’s rice setting does more than just cook one type of grain. Try quinoa, then top it with your favorite salad toppings. (via Brit + Co.)

Salmon, sweet potatoes, and broccoli can be steamed in three minutes thanks to the ~wonders~ of the Instant Pot. This healthy choice has obtained being one of our favorite pressure cooker recipes. (via Brit + Co.)

These flavorful carnitas start with pork shoulder, aromatic vegetables, adobo sauce and beer, but add your favorite herbs and seasonings to make it your own in this simple pressure cooker recipe. (via Brit + Co.)

Eight different vegetables, mild Italian sausage, cannellini beans, San Marzano tomatoes, lemon and fresh parsley make up this unforgettable hearty soup. (via Brit + Co.)

Weekday BBQ Chicken Bowls with Pineapple Sauce

This easy pressure cooker recipe reminds us Exactly summer nights (hello, juicy pineapple), and makes for an easy weeknight meal! (via Half-cooked harvest)

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Make this super easy shredded chicken in the pressure cooker to have it on hand for salads, tacos, wraps and more on weeknights. (via Feeling very greedy)

Believe it or not, the types of mushrooms you choose for this dish will have a huge impact on its flavor. Try porcini mushrooms, oysters or enoki! (via Culinary Hill)

Instant Pot Dandelion Greens with Caramelized Onions

The best part of this pressure cooker recipe is the balance of flavors. It’s not too bitter and balances deep, bright flavors for a side dish you’ll always want as a main! (via Forks and foliage)

Smoky Miso Soup with Mustard Greens and Navy Beans

It’s soup season! This choice is vegan, and the liquid smoke and paprika add just the right amount of smoky flavor you’ll need on the rainiest of days. (via No eggs or ham)

Simple and nutritious Lima Beans and Ham is a dish that anyone can master in their pressure cooker. The ham gives every bite a smoky flavor, while the beans become tender and creamy without having to soak the day before. (via The blond cook)

We will literally never say no to Pad Thai. It’s the perfect dish any time of year because even though it’s served hot, the flavors are still bright enough to make it totally irresistible in spring. This recipe will take you less than 10 minutes and will become one of everyone’s favorites. (via The Girl on Bloor)

Zuppa Toscana Instant Pot

This soup recipe copied from Olive Garden is concocted in the pressure cooker, allowing all the good comforting flavors to soak in. (via Salt & Lavender)

Soy sauce and hoisin do a great job transforming the stench from the flanks in your pressure cooker. This pressure cooker recipe is a sweet and savory dish that you should certainly serve with soft white rice. (via The blond cook)

Curry dishes should be part of your winter meal rotation when you’re craving something different. They also contain just the right amount of spice to open up the sinuses. This one is full of protein and vegetables. (via Completely delicious)

Spicy, flavorful and tender chicken for tacos, burritos and more is super easy to make in your pressure cooker. Best of all, this recipe only requires three ingredients, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time rummaging through your cupboards before you start cooking. (via Give me some oven)

Piña Colada Steel Cut Instant Oatmeal

We suggest making a massive batch of these Instant Pot Oatmeal to have a reliable breakfast on hand whenever you (or your family) needs it. (via The Girl on Bloor)

Vegan BBQ Jackfruit “Pulled Pork”

Make this amazing vegan pulled pork in the pressure cooker to top healthy tacos! (via Chef Bai)

When you think of pressure cooker recipes, you probably picture a giant roast or stew loaded with meat. This vegetarian soup is just the opposite and is perfect as a light starter for any weeknight meal. (via My culinary story)

Instant pot risotto

Manufacturing Risotto can sometimes be a feat, but with the pressure cooker it doesn’t have to be. This easy recipe makes a delicious bowl of risotto in just minutes. (via Two spoons)

The way you cook ribs will be forever changed after using a pressure cooker. This simple recipe features ingredients you probably already have in your cupboard. (via Culinaria de Leite)

Pressure Cooker Recipe for Chicken Lemon Soup

This soup is so comforting, but still light, thanks to the citrus from the lemon. (via The endless meal)

We tend to break out our pressure cooker at dinner time, but it’s just as effective for making hands-off breakfasts. Blueberry-studded cornmeal cake stays super moist in your stovetop, making it an indulgent morning meal. (via Kitschen Kat)

Instant Pot Lentil Stew

When you just need a cozy meal, this lentil stew is the perfect solution. It’s even more appealing now that the cooking process is reduced when you use a pressure cooker. (via Salt & Lavender)

Cooking homemade baked beans from dried legumes literally takes hours to yield a tender result. With the pressure cooker, all that flavorful sauce is transferred to the beans in a fraction of the time for a flavorful side dish. (via Kitschen cat)

There’s no need to make a questionable dinner from a box when you can make the same thing from scratch and feel good about it. (via Chattavore)

Steel cut oats usually take longer than breakfast in the morning, but with a pressure cooker you can make them before perfecting your mascara. (via Kitschen cat)

This rice pudding is a versatile dish that you can enjoy for breakfast, dessert or for a quick snack. Serve it hot straight out of the pressure cooker or refrigerate it for a few hours if you like it cold. (via Pressure cooking today)

This is a delicious recipe that you can make with pretty much what you almost always have in your fridge and pantry: spaghetti, pepper, grated cheese, butter and broth. Mix up your pasta rotation with something a little creamy and peppery this week! (via Instant Pot)

Homemade whole artichokes make a delicious and impressive appetizer for a fancy dinner. Make a huge batch for your next girls’ night out, and the ladies will thank you almost as quickly as they dip them in melted garlic butter or lemon aioli. (via Kalyn’s kitchen)

A tip for preparing a fantastic meal when using a pressure cooker is to finish your dish with fresh ingredients to balance the taste of the cooked food. This Italian chicken stew is full of marinated flavors and garnished with lots of fresh herbs. (via Name Name Paleo)

Instant Pot Paleo Beef Stew

Paleo friends, unite! This pressure-cooked beef stew is super easy to make and will fill you with all the good, hearty flavors you crave. (via The endless meal)