17 Recipes That Will Keep Your Instant Pot On the Counter All Throughout January
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Your Instant Pot deserves better than being shoved to the back of a cabinet after New Year’s. With the right recipes, it can handle cozy dinners, hands-off meal prep, and “I forgot about dinner” emergencies while you rest, reset, or focus on everything else January throws at you. These recipes cut down on effort, dishes, and stress so you can eat well without hovering over a stove.
Beef Stroganoff
Beef stroganoff gives you classic, creamy comfort without chaining you to the stove. Beef and mushrooms simmer in a velvety sauce that clings to every bite, turning basic ingredients into something rich and homey. A scoop of noodles, rice, or cauliflower mash instantly feels like a proper sit-down meal after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff
Marry Me Chicken
Marry Me Chicken makes regular weeknights feel special without asking much from you. The Instant Pot transforms chicken, garlic, tomatoes, and cream into a velvety sauce that tastes restaurant-level. A simple side of pasta, rice, or greens is all you need to call it a win.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken
Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash soup is the mellow, cozy bowl you reach for when you want something gentle after a stretch of big meals. The squash cooks down into a silky blend with warm spices doing the work in the background while you rest, read, or reset the house. Pouring it into big mugs with a sprinkle of herbs feels like wrapping everyone in a soft, edible blanket.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup
Beef and Broccoli
Beef and Broccoli made in the Instant Pot brings that takeout feel home without the long wait or greasy containers. Beef turns tender in minutes while broccoli soaks up a garlicky, gingery sauce right in the same pot. A scoop over rice or cauliflower rice gives you a cozy, balanced dinner that tastes like a small upgrade to a regular weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Broccoli
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes made in a hands-off way mean no more juggling boiling pots or worrying about overcooking. The potatoes cook gently with butter, garlic, and cream so they mash up fluffy and smooth with almost no effort. One warm bowl on the table instantly turns even the simplest main dish into comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Taco Soup
Taco Soup becomes even more weeknight-friendly when the Instant Pot does the simmering for you. Chicken, meatballs, veggies, and spices all pressure cook together into a bold, hearty bowl that tastes like your favorite taco night in soup form. Toppings like avocado, cheese, or sour cream let everyone customize their own cozy bowl.
Get the Recipe: Taco Soup
Mississippi Pot Roast
Mississippi pot roast comes to the rescue on days when your energy is low, but you still want comfort food. A handful of pantry staples turn into fork-tender beef with tangy peppers and a rich, buttery gravy while you barely lift a finger. Dinner tastes as if you fussed for hours, yet your effort stayed delightfully minimal.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Pot Roast
Chicken Paprikash
Chicken Paprikash in the Instant Pot brings big Hungarian comfort to your kitchen with minimal hovering. Chicken pressure cooks in a paprika-rich, creamy sauce that clings to every bite like a cozy blanket. A quick spoon over noodles, rice, or mash turns it into a complete, soul-warming meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash
Low-Carb Beef Stew
Low-Carb Beef Stew is perfect when you want something rich and comforting without feeling weighed down. Beef cubes, broth, and low-carb veggies pressure-cook into a deeply flavored stew that tastes like it has simmered all day. A warm bowl checks the “comfort food” box while still keeping your reset goals in mind.
Get the Recipe: Low-Carb Beef Stew
Cheesy Ranch Chicken
Cheesy Ranch Chicken turns into a true set-it-and-relax dinner once the Instant Pot takes over. Chicken cooks in a creamy ranch sauce until tender, then gets finished with melted cheese for an ultra-comforting main. A quick scoop over rice, cauliflower mash, or steamed veggies gives you a full meal with barely any effort.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ranch Chicken
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli cheddar soup is that café-style comfort you can enjoy at home in cozy clothes. Broccoli, broth, cheese, and aromatics melt together into a thick, creamy pot that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. Ladling it into deep bowls with a hunk of bread or simple salad makes lunch or dinner feel easy yet special.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Salsa Chicken
Salsa Chicken in the Instant Pot is what you make when you want maximum flavor with almost zero prep. Chicken breasts pressure cook in your favorite salsa until they’re juicy, shreddable, and loaded with bright, tangy goodness. One pot gives you easy fillings for tacos, bowls, quesadillas, or quick lunches all week.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken
Barbacoa Tacos
Barbacoa tacos bring big, bold flavor to the table with almost no active cooking. Beef gently cooks with smoky spices until it falls into juicy shreds ready for tortillas, bowls, or salads. A quick line-up of toppings turns the whole spread into a relaxed, build-your-own meal that everyone can make their own way.
Get the Recipe: Barbacoa Tacos
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs make breakfasts, snacks, and meal prep feel ridiculously easy. You load in the eggs, add water, hit start, and out comes smooth, perfectly cooked eggs that peel like a dream. A full batch is ready in minutes, so the fridge stays stocked with zero drama.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Pot Roast
Pot roast brings that old-school Sunday comfort to even the laziest January evening. Beef slowly softens in rich gravy while carrots and potatoes soak up every drop of flavor, all while you get on with your day. Serving generous spoonfuls over mash or rice turns a few simple ingredients into a complete, no-stress dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pot Roast
Lazy Lasagna
Lazy Lasagna is your “push the button and walk away” comfort food for those January nights when energy is low. Cabbage layers, sauce, meat, and cheese all melt together in the Instant Pot so you still get that cozy lasagna vibe without the noodle fuss. Dinner lands on the table in under an hour, with hardly more effort than stacking everything in the pot.
Get the Recipe: Lazy Lasagna
Chicken Zoodle Soup
Chicken zoodle soup is the lighter cousin of classic chicken noodle, perfect for reset days. Tender chicken, veggies, and a bright broth mingle with zucchini noodles for a bowl that feels both soothing and fresh. A steaming mug at lunchtime or dinner brings gentle comfort without that too-heavy feeling afterward.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Zoodle Soup
