Homemade Instant Pot Versions of Processed Foods—Wanting to cook more from scratch and use less processed foods? Try these 14 boxless, jarless and canless alternatives!
Homemade Instant Pot Versions of Processed Foods
Cherry Pie Filling
Homemade cherry pie filling is a snap in the Instant Pot! Add cherries, lemon juice and sugar to your pot and pressure cook for 1 minute! Use cherry pie filling in pies, bars and dump cakes.
Spaghetti Sauce
Homemade spaghetti sauce seems a lot harder than buying a jar of Ragu but it really isn’t hard at all. I have two different Instant Pot spaghetti sauces. One is a meaty sauce and the other is a basic (but delicious) marinara sauce.
Creamed Corn
When I was young, I always thought it was such a treat to go to my grandma’s house because she would buy foods my mom wouldn’t. One of my favorite things was a canned creamed corn. Looking back I have to laugh because now I don’t like the canned creamed corn at all. However Instant Pot creamed corn with bacon is an over the top delicious side dish that adults will love.
Pancake Bites
I am not a fan of pancake mixes. I can’t explain the taste but I do know that I don’t like it. However, homemade sunshine pancakes are the best pancakes on the planet and they have ingredients that you probably have at home. You can make this batter into pancake bites or just make the batter and cook the pancakes on a griddle. Either way you win breakfast!
And if you love whole wheat pancakes I have a delicious homemade mix with whole wheat flour and oatmeal. It’s my kids’ favorite!
Strawberry Jam
I have nothing against Smuckers but homemade strawberry jam with fresh, juicy, sweet strawberries really can’t be beat! Instant Pot strawberry jam can be made with less sugar and it only takes 3 ingredients.
Shells and Cheese
I remember seeing Velveeta Shells and Cheese on commercials and at the store as a kid and just wishing so much that we could have it at our house. No such luck. My mom never bought processed foods for us kids. Now, looking back I can see that was a good thing! My son, Skyler, is in love with my homemade shells and cheese so much that he asks for it at least once a week.
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
I love those bags of Flips Pretzels with the white chocolate or milk chocolate covered pretzels. But if you’re in the mood to dip your own pretzels the Instant Pot method is the way to go! Use the Instant Pot as a double boiler to keep your melting chocolate at the perfect temperature.
Rice-A-Roni
Rice-A-Roni makes a great side dish for grilled meats or many other meals. You can make your own at home in the Instant Pot with just a few pantry items.
Hummus
I love the big tubs of Sabra Hummus at the grocery store but did you know you can make your own hummus at home for a fraction of the cost? It’s easy with your Instant Pot!
Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
Move over Swiss Miss! Make homemade hot chocolate. It’s so creamy and chocolaty and my version is over the top! It’s more like dessert than a drink.
Sloppy Joes
Sure a can of Manwich is easy but have you tried making your own sloppy joe sauce? It tastes amazing and you just need a few ingredients.
Chicken Noodle Soup
No more Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup! Make your own. Replicate the comforting bowl of chicken noodle soup that Grandma used to make at home in your Instant Pot.
Greek Yogurt
For yogurt lovers like me making Greek yogurt in my Instant Pot with a $2 gallon of milk has been a game changer. It’s incredibly inexpensive and tastes creamy and delicious. I do love Fage yogurt at the store but I don’t love the $6 price tag on one carton of it. Now I can make 5 times that much yogurt for the same price.
Hamburger Helper
I remember one time as a child camping in Yellowstone and my mom cooked hamburger helper for us over a camping stove. I thought it was the best thing I’d ever tasted. Haha!!! Now I know better and I know that homemade Hamburger Helper tastes 100 times better than the boxed stuff.
More Ideas from Other Food Bloggers…
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Hi there I’ve been a fan of your for many many years and have shared your slow cooker cookbook with many many women! Now trying to get on board with the pressure cooker. I just bought your Pressure Cookbook. Are these recipes in there that I can just tag them? Perhaps you could include the page number if they are in there. PS These recipes look AmaZing!!!!
Yes they are in my book! I should do that with the page numbers!
Thank you for the many recipes for the instant pot. I have had my cooking abilities and experiences expanded.
You’re so welcome! I’m so happy to hear you are learning something 🙂
THANK YOU! I have fought daily migraines for 45+ years. My neurologist has tried just about everything that she can. I’ve recently learned that canned foods contain preservatives, although the label does not indicated that! So, I’ve resorted to frozen and fresh veggies and fruits. I’ve ALSO resorted to making everything from scratch! I’ve noticed over the years how many recipes call for tomato sauce, which I always thought was a migraine trigger for me. However, in recently learning that my own Homemade Sauce, as “Slow Cook” is safe for me! I didn’t know that I could use the Pressure Cook button! Please keep these types of recipes coming? I know that there are many people who only eat homemake foods!
I’m so glad you are learning and getting help. Migraines are so frustrating!
Just love your recipes. They are for the real everyday family. I can’t wait for your cookbook. So looking forward to it.
Thanks Dolores!!!!
Yours is my favorite, most used, and successful recipe site. Thank you for all the great InstantPot ideas!!
I have to agree with Vicki, I get more recipes off your site than any other single source. I love that you publish delicious recipes that I would actually make and my family would actually eat. So many other sites and especially paper magazines have what I call “look what I can do” recipes, that most people would never make. Thanks for such a great site.
Ahhhh, thanks that is so nice Will!
You’re so nice Vicki! Thank you so much!
So many great recipes. I can’t wait to try them. Very excited that you are putting out a cookbook.
Me too June! So fun and exciting.