As summer holidays come around the typical place we find ourselves is outside by the grill. However there are plenty of delicious foods that you can serve alongside that grilled meat that you can prepare easily and quickly in your Instant Pot. Give these 18 Instant Pot summer sides a try at your next backyard barbecue.
Get the SLOW COOKER version here

Instant Pot Summer Sides
I don’t know about you but secretly I live for the side dishes that go alongside the grilled meats. I’ll take a tiny piece of steak or chicken and then fill my plate with lots of salads and sides. They are my favorite! I have lots of recipes that you can make this summer in your Instant Pot to go alongside that grilled steak, chicken or hamburgers. You can prepare these dishes quickly and they might become the most popular thing at the party!
Instant Pot Boston Baked Beans
Navy beans with molasses and salt pork pressure cooked in a fraction of the time it would take to cook in the oven.
Instant Pot Potato Salad
My version of potato salad–half olive oil and half mayo, chopped pickles, garlic and more.
Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy Caviar is a fresh and colorful dip that is perfect to serve at any party. Everyone will be asking you for the recipe! This version uses ingredients you can get any time of the year.
Instant Pot Mississippi Sin Dip
An addictive warm dip that is perfect for any party, potluck or get together. Or if you want to eat it in the closet by yourself. No judgment.
Instant Pot Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Say goodbye to boring pasta salads and hello to this pasta salad that is infused with pickle flavor! Make the pasta quickly and easily with your Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Creamed Corn with Bacon
Instant Pot Creamed Corn with Bacon—a delicious side dish of corn with cream cheese and bacon. This will become a favorite at every family dinner and potluck! Make it in the Instant Pot or slow cooker. Pin this recipe for later! SLOW COOKER creamed corn recipe instructions listed in the recipe card below. Each week
Life Changing No Peel Cheddar and Chive Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
If you’re a fan of lazy cooking then you’ll love these most scrumptious french-fried onion topped Cheddar and Chive Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. These potatoes require no peeling, no cutting and hardly any work at all. Pin this recipe for later! Note: the SLOW COOKER instructions are listed in the recipe card below Cheddar and
Instant Pot Greek Green Beans
Tender cooked green beans with potatoes, tomatoes, olive oil and feta. Serve as a side dish or make it a main dish by serving with a loaf of crusty bread.
Instant Pot Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese
A copy cat version of Chick-fil-A mac and cheese. It’s a classic macaroni and cheese recipe with 3 types of cheeses made easy with your Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Ruth’s Chris Copycat Potatoes
A creamy, cheesy and indulgent potato dish that you can make in your Instant Pot at home for a fraction of the cost you’d spend at the restaurant.
Instant Pot Mashed Ranch Cauliflower
The yummiest cauliflower you’ll ever eat! Cauliflower is steamed until soft and then mashed with butter and dry ranch dressing mix. An easy 3-ingredient recipe with lots of flavor. My only regret was that we didn’t have enough.
Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Avocado Salad
Shredded chicken breasts and hard boiled eggs are cooked at the same time in your Instant Pot and then combined with corn, bacon, green onion, tomatoes and a lemon dill dressing. A fresh and surprisingly filling entree or side dish.
Instant Pot Tomato Basil Parmesan Orzo
Orzo pasta is tossed with fresh basil, garlic, halved cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese for a perfect side dish or meatless meal.
Instant Pot Ranch Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Ranch Mashed Potatoes–creamy, buttery mashed potatoes with flavorful ranch dressing mix that gives the potatoes a tangy twist. And they are made so fast in your electric pressure cooker! Pin this recipe for later! Instant Pot Ranch Mashed Potatoes I love making marinated meats on the grill this time of year. Greg and
Instant Pot Homemade Pork and Beans
Your childhood favorite pork n’ beans made at home in your Instant Pot with dried beans and lots of crispy bacon and just a couple other pantry staples.
Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Make fluffy, moist baked potatoes in your Instant Pot without foil and in just a few minutes!
Instant Pot Mexican Black Beans and Rice
The easiest and tastiest rice ever! Brown rice is cooked in flavorful salsa with garlic salt, a bay leaf and cumin. Canned black beans make this recipe very convenient. And my favorite part is a squeeze of lime juice and a dollop of sour cream on top. Make this as a meal or as a side dish.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.

*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.
just started following you and I’m excited to get busy with my instant pot, thanks so much!
Glad you are here Juanita!
I made the Greek pita salad last night and it is to die for!! I really love your recipes; they’re right up my alley of food taste!!
Thank you!!
Ahhh, thanks Joanne 😊
I just want to say a BIG TEXAS THANK YOU!!! You have made learning how to use the instant pot fun and easy! I have used several of your recipes but I get so busy eating it that I forget to leave a message! lol. If you are reading this and have not subscribed yet, I recommend you doing so if you want to love your instant pot! Thanks again!
Thanks so much Sharon!!!
Hi there 👋🏻
This chicken salad recipe looks interesting but I am wondering about the corn you have listed in the ingredients.
You are requiring frozen corn but you don’t say what to do with it other than adding it to the chicken after it’s been cooked and chopped. Is it supposed to be added frozen to the other ingredients or cooked separately, cooled and then added?
You can just add the frozen corn straight into the salad. It just takes a couple minutes for it to thaw out. No need to cook the corn. You could also add in in canned corn if you prefer.