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    Home » Freezer Friendly » 7 Prep Ahead Friendly Recipes for the Instant Pot Newbie!

    7 Prep Ahead Friendly Recipes for the Instant Pot Newbie!

    Published: Jul 14, 2017 · Modified: Jan 4, 2023 by Steph · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · About 6 minutes to read this article.

    7 Prep ahead friendly recipes for the Instant Pot newbie
    7 Prep ahead friendly recipes for the Instant Pot newbie
    7 Prep ahead friendly recipes for the Instant Pot newbie

    7 Prep Ahead Friendly Recipes for the Instant Pot Newbie

    For the second year in a row, the Instant Pot was the top selling product for Amazon Prime Day! So, naturally I jumped in and picked myself up the 8 quart DUO model (the 7 in 1).

    I currently have the smaller 6 quart LUX model (6 in 1) and never thought I would be one of those people with 2 pots, but well... here I am with 2 Instant Pots!

    I am actually excited because now I have the ability to compare the models for myself and can borrow less instant pots from my family when I run my hands on Instant Pot Masterclass Workshops in Airdrie, Alberta at Social Supper!

    With all the people taking advantage of Amazon Prime days this year, there is a whole new generation of IP newbies that all want to get started but don't know where to start.

    Today, I have compiled my list of easy recipes that are perfect for the IP newbie! 

    I like these recipes because they use the basic functions, and no added accessories that don't come with the Instant Pot from factory. I also think these recipes use pretty common ingredients that many people have on hand pretty regularly.

    I have been a part of the Instant Pot Community on Facebook and have seen a few waves of viral recipes and think that these are almost like a right of passage now into Instant Pot cooking.

    I also rarely make a recipe that can't be prepped ahead in some way or another.

    Related Post - How to use the Instant Pot for Once a Week Meal Prep.

    So, here is a round up of some easy, make ahead friendly Instant Pot recipes for the IP newbie!

    HONEY BOURBON CHICKEN 

    This is one of those recipes that is a right of passage. It is an IP classic. My personal modification is to scale back the brown sugar and honey - but you do you and modify to your tastes.

    For Prep Ahead

    • Dump all ingredients into a freezer safe container, EXCEPT the cornstarch, and freeze. On cook day, thaw (or don't!) and pop into your pot. Add the cornstarch after it is cooked, as per the recipe!
    • I have also cooked this, and stored in single serve containers with rice in the freezer for grab and go lunches.

    FAUX- TISSERIE CHICKEN (WHOLE CHICKEN) 

    7 Prep Ahead Friendly Recipes for the Instant Pot Newbie

    If you are looking for THE easiest thing to make in your IP - this is it! It really is as simple as adding 1 cup of water, your chicken, and your flavours of choice and setting your pot for 25 - 30 minutes.

    For Prep Ahead

    • In a foodsaver bag, or a freezer bag, combine your chicken with seasoning of choice and freeze.
    • On cook day, cook from frozen (set to 50-60 minutes) or from thaw (25 mins). The cook time depends on the size of your chicken so make sure it reaches an internal temp of 165F.

    PULLED PORK  

    7 Prep Ahead Friendly Recipes for the Instant Pot Newbie

    I have tried a few different recipes for pulled pork in my Instant Pot, and this version from Prairie Californian is my absolute fav.

    For Prep Ahead

    • Dump all ingredients into a freezer safe container and freeze. On cook day, thaw (or don't!) and pop into your pot and cook as per the recipe!

    BUTTER CHICKEN

    7 Prep Ahead Friendly Recipes for the Instant Pot Newbie

    This is probably one of the most viral instant pot recipes right now. I tried many versions of butter chicken in the IP and this was the winner - by a landslide.

    For Prep Ahead

    • Dump all ingredients into a freezer safe container and freeze. Omit the butter and cream in the prep. Add them only on the day of cooking.
    • I also cook this completely, portion into single lunches and freeze. This recipe reheats beautifully!

    APPLE HONEY PORK TENDERLOIN

    7 Prep Ahead Friendly Recipes for the Instant Pot Newbie

    So few ingredients, such huge taste. Pork tenderloin cooks so quick in the IP. I had never really cooked a lot of pork tenderloin before my IP. But now, 7 minutes on manual is all it takes for awesome pork tenderloin. This is also a great budget friendly meal!

    For Prep Ahead

    • Dump all ingredients into a freezer safe container and freeze. On cook day, dump in your pot and that's it!

    HARD BOILED EGGS

    7 Prep Ahead Friendly Recipes for the Instant Pot Newbie

    I was so late to this game, but am making up for lost time making a dozen eggs each Sunday for my snacks throughout the week. You will be shocked at how easy eggs peel when cooked IP style. It is mind blowing actually! I posted a little video on my Instagram if you would like to see that!

    I will warn you - there are many variations on how people make these. I think it depends how you like yours, and I have found I have to increase my times when I have jumbo eggs.

    I like mine fully cooked and am even ok with a bit of a grey yolk. You may need to play with cook times a bit to get exactly what you like, but this is now a key "recipe" in my once a week meal prep plan!

    WEEKNIGHT RIBS

    7 Prep Ahead Friendly Recipes for the Instant Pot Newbie

    There is definitely a camp of people that would say cooking ribs in the IP is breaking some sort of cooking law (my husband is one of these people). He feels low and slow is THE ONLY way. I disagree. I love having fall off the bone ribs without waiting all day - so I do weeknight IP ribs - and he whines.

    For Prep Ahead

    • Rub the spice mix on the ribs. Seal in foodsaver bag or freezer bag and freeze.
    • While you can cook from frozen, I have tried it and the ribs cooked VERY uneven, so I personally don't suggest cooking from frozen, but that is just my opinion.

    So, there you have it, my personal tried and tested EASY Instant Pot recipes that are prep ahead friendly and perfect for the Instant Pot Newbie!

    This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase your Instant Pot using these links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Allison says

      July 14, 2017 at 4:05 pm

      These look great!! If you're cooking from frozen, does the cooking time change? Do you have a suggestion regarding how to freeze so that the frozen mass will fit in the pot when it's time to cook it? Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Steph says

        July 14, 2017 at 4:52 pm

        Hi Allison, typically cooking time doesn't change. The exception is a frozen whole chicken - you do double the time on that one. But... when cooking from frozen, the pot takes SIGNIFICANTLY longer to get to pressure and cook. I talk about how to prep meals specifically for the IP in this post -> https://mealplanaddict.com/2017/01/how-to-prep-freeze-instant-pot-suppers-plus-recipes/

        Reply
    2. Carol best says

      July 28, 2017 at 7:18 pm

      I am a nube, the recipes I have looked at doesn't say what size put you are using . I have a 4 qt. Electric pot. Not knowing what size your re ice is for I don't know how to adjust. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
      Carol

      Reply
      • Steph says

        August 09, 2017 at 9:19 pm

        Hi Carol, for these recipes I use the 6 quart Instant Pot. Cook time may change if the power to your pot is different than that of the 6 quart IP.

        Reply
    3. Kristina says

      July 30, 2017 at 6:50 pm

      Ha! I am one of those suckers who bought the 8qt IP on Prime Day at the urging of my cousin. She also bought her 2nd IP that same day. I am looking forward to trying these reciepes. This whole IP thing is overwhelming. I am also looking forward to more of your blogs of IP meal preps. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Steph says

        August 09, 2017 at 9:18 pm

        Thanks! Feel free to come join the Confessions of a Meal Plan Addict Community (group on Facebook) where we talk a lot about the IP and meal prep.

        Reply
    4. Rufus Klawitter says

      April 27, 2021 at 2:42 am

      The first thing you need to consider when buying a food vacuum sealer is what kind you should get. There are actually a lot of options available. You can get small ones for home use or large commercial ones. In this article we will look at some features to consider when buying one of these units.

      Reply

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