It might seem like an exaggeration to say that the Instant Pot will change your life. But it really isn’t. Believe me when I say that the Instant Pot will save you money, make you friends, win you competitions, give you a greater feeling of enjoyment and provide you extra free time!
5 ways the Instant Pot will change your life
#1: You will save money on your food budget
Raise your hand if you go out to eat way too much? Hitting the drive thru on the way to kids activities or on the way home from work? I get it. Life can be busy and making dinner can be at the bottom of the priority list.
The cool thing about the Instant Pot is that there are a lot of great recipes out there that can be made in 30 minutes from start to finish. So even if you’re short on time you can still make dinner.
By eating at home you’ll save money and the food will most likely be more healthy for you too. Plus any leftovers can be used for lunch the next day which will save you even more money! I always warm up the leftovers and send them with Skyler to school. We bought a thermos type of container from Walmart that keeps foods warm. And last year he had access to an outlet so I sent him with his food in a mini lunch crockpot*.
If you choose to take a few minute once a week and plan out a menu and grocery list you’ll save even more money. By only buying the needed grocery items you’ll be buying and wasting less food.
#2: You’ll find that cooking is fun again
I’ve received so many comments since I started posting Instant Pot recipes 3 ½ years ago. They usually go something like this “I am so happy I discovered the Instant Pot! I am cooking more and I actually enjoy it.” If you’re in a cooking rut try using the Instant Pot! You might just be the next person to comment how grateful you are to have discovered it.
Just look at these comments…
“I’m new to IP cooking. I received a bum 6 quart IP as a Christmas gift but lucked out when I finally received an 8 quart to replace it! I now enjoy cooking again (WooHoo) and I am amazed at the length of time it takes to prepare a meal and how delicious they turn out!!! I used to cook once a week, if that. Now I do 2 -3 times but the most important point is is that I enjoy doing it!” -Terry
“I’m so happy I bought an IP, I started cooking again and actually enjoy it.” -Melissa
“I’m enjoying cooking again” -Beverly
“Thanks so much for your inspiration and getting me cooking again” -Susan
” I love your recipes. I was in such a rut, but now I enjoy cooking again.” -Cheri
“The Instant Pot seemed like the answer to a prayer.” -Beverly
“I’m back to cooking again.” -Susan
“I love cooking again!” -Gail
“I Love my IP I haven’t used my oven or stovetop since I bought it last year” -Chris
#3: You’ll have more free time
The first several times you use your Instant Pot you’ll probably be really worried and wonder if everything is working the way it is supposed to. You might even hang out by your Instant Pot and watch the time count down. Once you get past this phase you will really start seeing one huge benefit of the Instant Pot and that is you will have more FREE TIME!!!! Once you have set the Instant Pot you can forget it. No babysitting. It’s the best. If you’ve ever made risotto on the stove you need to try making it in the Instant Pot. You’ll be shocked at how you don’t have to stir and stand and stir and stand. Oh, and don’t forget that many recipes are one pot meals so you’ll only have one pot to clean at the end of dinner!
#4: You’ll make new friends
Since so many people have recently purchased Instant Pots there are some really great communities out there to share recipes and tips. Greg and I host a Facebook group called 365 Days of Instant Pot Recipes. There are some really wonderful people there that feel like friends even though we have never met them in real life. You can ask a question and get a handful or more of responses within minutes. Instant Pot friends are the best types of friends. They like food and there is no talk of politics.
#5: You might win the chili cook-off
I am a competitive person. I like to win. I have gotten less crazy about this over the years but as a kid I really was the worst. I must admit that I still get quite a bit of satisfaction when I win something. One time I won my church chili cook-off with the help of the Instant Pot and I was secretly so proud. Some of you have also won your chili cook-off…
Speaking of the Buffalo Chicken Chili, Kurt said, “Just made the Instant pot version of this for a chili cook off…i won. What an amazing amazing taste… I’ll be making this for years to come”
Mel said, “I WON!!! 1st place Crack Chicken Chili!!!”
Dawn said, “I have made this White Chicken Chili several times & won the Chili competition at work as well.”
Now that I’ve hopefully convinced you of how the Instant Pot will change your life you have to commit to actually learning it and using it. If not it will do you absolutely no good! So check out my top 5 easiest recipes to cook in and Instant Pot. And if you’re even apprehensive to start there watch this video on how to use an Instant Pot. It will make give you the confidence to start.
Want tried and true Instant Pot recipes?
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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
My IP has definitely changed our lives! The other day at our family Memorial Day cookout I overheard my husband, who typically doesn’t have an opinion about food, telling another guy all about everything I fix in the IP! LOL! I had made the potato salad I took in it. I also forgot my IP (gasp) last year when we went on vacation and he took me to the nearest Walmart to buy another one to leave in our trailer! Thank you for all your wonderful recipes!
Haha that’s so great! We had one sent to a VRBO we stayed at during spring break 🙂
I just found frozen chicken breast chunks in Costco! For some reason I was so excited…..
Another step I don’t have to do when cooking! I usually chop most of my chicken into pieces before freezing, so I thought this was a real win. Yay Costco!
What? That is huge! I will check next time I go.
Hi ya hun i love my instant pot just need recipes just for instant pot please and ty
Costco sells their rotisserie chicken shrredded and packaged usually in refrigerated section right across from their prepared meals like mac & cheese, and stuffed peppers.
My 6 quart IP is my first choice for most recipes, even those that are usually cooked in a pan on the stove. I recently tried something new with a 3 quart insert and it worked brilliantly. As well as using it on a trivet for pot in pot, I now use it as a second liner for sauteeing. Sitting directly on top of the 6 quart liner it works perfectly. Now I have a virtual 3 quart IP as well, simply by using the smaller liner inside the larger one. Perfect.
Love these tips! Thanks!
I forgot to mention that I have done this with slow cook as well.
My husband passed away 6 years ago and in my grief I stopped cooking for myself. Then I bought a 6 qt duo and found Karen and her recipes. I haven’t looked back. Probably 5/7 meals a week are IP recipes. I bought an 8 qt for my daughter and got her hooked as well.
Thanks Karen!
Ahhh, thanks Irma. I’m glad you are cooking again!!!
My husband died 6 years ago too.
I have been using my IP for a while
but not as often as you do. It is just me now.
I guess I use it because I can make a simple recipe that will be 4-5 meals.
Even tho I’m a widowed empty nester, glad I got the 6 qt IP. Have made many of your soups and rice dishes that freeze well into individual servings. And just purchased the iP air fryer lid and it’s perfect for one 1 or 2 servings. In just a week, have made a quarter pound hamburger patty, fried chicken thighs and fried sweet potato fries – all came out great with easy clean up. And no oil needed except very little needed to spray on basket. The lid does not come with a recipe book – hoping you might come out with air fryer recipes soon.
I need to get that lid Nancy!!
Please do – I really thought you would have one already. And when you do, look forward to some recipes since you are my go-to for pretty much all my instant pot recipes.
Is the IP air fryer lid really good? I hot one for Christmas and have a regular air fryer and I don’t know if I should keep the lid or not. I was thinking of putting the IP and lid in my RV for the winter. What would you suggest.
Thanks
For me, the lid is perfect as I’m cooking for one now. For larger family, the lid would mean mean cooking batches of food, too time consuming for me. Using in your RV sounds perfect. My daughter takes her IP and air fryer lid on trips in RV and works for her and hubbie.
Thank you for your great emails and fabulous recipes. I look forward to making new recipes virtually with a friend each week!
You’re so welcome! I love that idea Maureen!
I really enjoy your emails and videos! They are so informative. I love how you explain everything. Keep up the good job!! 🙂
Thank you so much Alisha!
I’m having a hard time finding accessories for my 10 quart. Any suggestions?
I found quite a selection on Amazon
Everything I see is for 6 or 8 qt. Will those work in my 10?
I would repost your question to Karen, but can’t see why they wouldn’t as they should be smaller in some fashion. If you had a smaller pot like the 3 qt, then I would think you might be outa luck. The thing that I find is that the accessories keep getting better and the minute that you buy one, the next day there is something better
Yes they will work for the 10 quart!
How about I have three IP’s–one has the Air Fryer.
Lol that’s awesome!
Girl please!!! LOL>…the IP has changed my whole family’s life—now i cook!!!
LOL
😂😂😂 That is great!
I love my Instant pot and am purchasing the mini as my situation has changed recently to cooking for one person. I would appreciate recipes that make smaller portions and that will work in the mini pot.
Okay!
You can also check out how to halve recipes: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/how-to-halve-instant-pot-recipes/
And here are tips on using the 3 quart pot: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/how-to-halve-instant-pot-recipes/