There’s something uniquely satisfying about recreating your favorite restaurant dishes at home, especially when you can do it with the convenience of an Instant Pot. These kitchen marvels not only save time but also capture the essence of complex flavors, bringing the restaurant experience to your dinner table.
Whether it’s the rich, hearty stews from your local bistro or the creamy pastas from that famous Italian chain, the Instant Pot makes it all possible with a fraction of the effort.
From savory soups that warm the soul to decadent desserts that satisfy your sweet tooth, these Instant Pot copycat recipes will take your home cooking to a new level.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting with your Instant Pot, you’ll find these recipes approachable and incredibly satisfying.
Dive in and discover how easy it is to bring the flavors you love from your favorite restaurants right to your own table.
Copycat Instant Pot Recipes
15. PF Chang’s Mongolian Beef from The Kitchen Magpie
This recipe recreates the popular Mongolian Beef dish from PF Chang’s using an Instant Pot for quick and easy preparation. Thinly sliced flank steak is browned, then cooked in a savory-sweet sauce made from soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger, resulting in tender, flavorful beef.
Once pressure cooked, the sauce is thickened directly in the pot to create a glossy finish that clings to the meat. Serving it over steamed white rice completes the dish, offering a satisfying meal that can be made at home in about 20 minutes.
14. Chipotle’s Barbacoa Beef from Sweet C’s Designs
This item features a recipe for making tender, smoky barbacoa meat inspired by the flavors of Chipotle, using an Instant Pot or alternative cooking methods. The meat is infused with a rich blend of chipotle peppers, spices, and tangy ingredients like lime juice and apple cider vinegar to create a deeply flavorful dish.
The recipe guides through browning the meat, blending the sauce, and cooking it until it’s perfectly shreddable and juicy. It also offers tips for customizing the heat level, using different proteins, and enhancing the final dish with fresh toppings and acidity.
13. Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken from Mama Needs Cake
This recipe demonstrates how to make crispy, tender orange chicken using an Instant Pot, replicating the popular Panda Express dish. It combines a quick sauté to brown the chicken with pressure cooking to infuse flavor and achieve the perfect texture in just minutes.
The process involves coating bite-sized chicken pieces in a seasoned flour and cornstarch mixture before browning them in the pot. A flavorful sauce made from orange juice, soy sauce, ginger, and other ingredients is added, then thickened with a cornstarch slurry for a sticky, vibrant finish best served immediately.
12. Chipotle Pork Carnitas from Culinary Hill
This item demonstrates how to create tender, flavorful carnitas similar to those served at Chipotle using simple ingredients like pork shoulder, juniper berries, thyme, and bay leaves.
The recipe relies on slow cooking or pressure cooking to achieve meat that easily shreds and melts in your mouth, perfect for tacos, burritos, or bowls.
It also offers tips for reheating and storing leftovers to maintain the dish’s quality over several days or months. The method includes options for crisping the carnitas after cooking, adding a satisfying texture contrast to the tender pork.
11. PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps from Cooking with Karli
These chicken lettuce wraps combine ground chicken, crunchy water chestnuts, and green onions in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, hoisin, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
The dish offers a fresh, low-carb meal that is both flavorful and satisfying for all ages.
The recipe can be prepared using either an Instant Pot or stovetop method, making it convenient for different cooking preferences. The Instant Pot option allows for hands-off cooking and easy cleanup, while the stovetop method is quick and straightforward.
10. Skyline Chili from Yellow Bliss Road
This item features a recipe for Cincinnati-style chili made quickly in an Instant Pot, combining lean ground beef with a unique blend of spices and cocoa powder for rich flavor.
The chili is served traditionally over spaghetti noodles and can be topped with cheese, onions, and beans in various classic ways.
The recipe offers a fast alternative to slow-simmered chili, delivering tender meat and deep flavors in under 30 minutes. It also includes tips for storing, freezing, and reheating leftovers to maintain freshness and taste.
9. Chipotle Chicken and Rice Bowls from Simply Recipes
This recipe demonstrates how to prepare flavorful chipotle chicken and rice bowls using an Instant Pot. The chicken is cooked in a spicy, smoky chipotle sauce while the rice is steamed simultaneously using a pot-in-pot method, allowing both components to finish cooking together.
The rice is flavored with fresh jalapeños, cilantro, and green onions, adding brightness and heat to the dish. Serving suggestions include topping the bowls with sliced jalapeños, lime wedges, and crumbled cotija cheese for a balanced and vibrant meal.
8. Copycat Hamburger Helper from 365 Days of Slow and Pressure Cooking
This recipe creates a creamy, tomato-basil beef pasta dish using an Instant Pot, combining ground beef, pasta, diced tomatoes, and cheese for a comforting meal. It offers a homemade alternative to boxed hamburger helper, delivering richer flavors with minimal extra effort.
The cooking process involves browning the beef and onions, then pressure cooking the mixture with uncooked pasta and broth for just a few minutes. Finishing with sour cream and mozzarella creates a creamy texture, and optional cornstarch thickens the sauce for a satisfying dinner.
7. Taco Bell Beef from The Salty Pot
This recipe demonstrates how to make tender, flavorful taco meat that mimics the taste and texture of Taco Bell’s signature beef using an Instant Pot. It guides you through cooking frozen or fresh ground beef in two stages, followed by sautéing to concentrate the flavors and achieve the signature moistness.
The seasoning can be customized with homemade or store-bought taco mixes, allowing control over ingredients and spice levels. Large batches can be prepared and frozen for convenient use in various meals like tacos, salads, or breakfast dishes.
6. Cafe Rio Chicken from 365 Days of Slow and Pressure Cooking
This item features a recipe for making shredded Café Rio-style chicken using an Instant Pot. The chicken cooks quickly under pressure with just a few simple ingredients, resulting in tender, flavorful meat perfect for Mexican dishes like salads, burritos, and enchiladas.
The recipe combines chicken breasts and thighs with Italian dressing, broth, and spices, then cooks for about 17 minutes under pressure. After cooking, the chicken is shredded and mixed back into the flavorful juices, ready to serve with rice, beans, or tortilla chips.
5. Better Than Take-Out Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken from Adventures of a Nurse
This item features a recipe for making General Tso Chicken using an Instant Pot or slow cooker. It combines tender chicken with a balanced sauce that is both sweet and spicy, delivering a homemade version of a popular takeout dish.
The recipe includes simple steps to sauté the chicken, prepare the flavorful sauce, and cook everything quickly under pressure. It also offers options for garnishing with sesame seeds and green onions, and suggests serving the dish over jasmine rice for a complete meal.
4. Olive Garden’s Italian Chicken from The Tasty Travelers
This recipe combines boneless skinless chicken breasts with Olive Garden Italian salad dressing and parmesan cheese, cooked quickly in an Instant Pot. The pressure cooking method infuses the chicken with rich, tangy flavors while keeping it tender and juicy.
The dish can be served alongside pasta and vegetables, with extra dressing poured on top for added taste. Adjustments can be made to the type of chicken used or the amount of dressing to suit personal preferences or serving sizes.
3. Cracker Barrel’s Chicken and Dumplings from A Little Moore
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2. P.F. Chang’s Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps from Tidbits
These Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps combine ground chicken with fresh vegetables and a tangy, savory sauce, all cooked quickly in an Instant Pot. The mixture is served in crisp lettuce leaves, creating a light and refreshing alternative to traditional wraps or sandwiches.
The recipe includes ingredients like carrots, jalapenos, water chestnuts, and fresh herbs, adding texture and flavor to each bite. The result is a flavorful, easy-to-make meal that balances sweet, salty, and spicy notes without the heaviness of bread.
1. Honey Baked Ham from A Mind”full” Mom
Can I adjust the serving sizes in Instant Pot copycat recipes?
Yes, one of the benefits of making copycat recipes at home is the ability to adjust serving sizes. Most Instant Pot recipes can be easily scaled up or down by modifying the quantity of ingredients.
However, be mindful of the Instant Pot’s fill line and cooking times, which may need slight adjustments when altering portion sizes.
Are there specific Instant Pot settings that work best for copycat recipes?
The “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting is commonly used for many Instant Pot copycat recipes, as it allows for quick cooking at high pressure, which is ideal for dishes like stews, soups, and meats.
Additionally, the “Sauté” function is frequently used for browning meats and sautéing vegetables before pressure cooking, to build deeper flavors similar to the original restaurant dishes.
How do I replicate the exact flavors of restaurant dishes in an Instant Pot?
Achieving authentic flavors involves using the right combination of spices, sauces, and cooking techniques. For instance, using a sauté function to brown ingredients can enhance flavor depth.
Some copycat recipes may also require specific brand-name ingredients or condiments to closely match the restaurant’s unique taste. Don’t hesitate to taste and adjust seasonings during the cooking process.
Can I make desserts using Instant Pot copycat recipes?
Absolutely! The Instant Pot is versatile and can be used to make a variety of desserts, from cheesecakes to puddings. Many popular restaurant desserts, like molten lava cakes or crème brûlée, can be recreated using an Instant Pot.
Just follow the specific instructions for desserts, as they require different settings and timings compared to savory dishes.