When the heat of summer rolls in, the last thing anyone wants is to spend hours in a hot kitchen. This is where the Instant Pot becomes your best friend.
This versatile appliance is perfect for whipping up delicious meals without adding to the heat. From light salads to savory main courses, the Instant Pot is ideal for creating dishes that are as refreshing as they are effortless.
Summer cooking is all about simplicity and flavor, and these Instant Pot recipes deliver just that. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or looking for a quick family dinner, these recipes will help you keep your cool while serving up mouthwatering dishes that celebrate the best of the season.
With a few easy steps, you can create meals that capture the essence of summer, all without breaking a sweat.
Summer Instant Pot Recipes
15. Baby Back Ribs from I Wash, You Dry
These Instant Pot Baby Back Pork Ribs become tender and flavorful in just 25 minutes, offering a quick alternative to traditional slow-cooked ribs. The ribs are seasoned with a blend of spices, pressure cooked with a mix of water, apple cider vinegar, and optional liquid smoke, then finished under the broiler for a caramelized texture.
The process starts by removing the membrane from the ribs, then applying a dry rub before cooking them elevated inside the Instant Pot. After pressure cooking, the ribs are brushed with BBQ sauce and broiled briefly to create a delicious, fall-off-the-bone meal in under 45 minutes.
14. Pulled Pork from The Salty Marshmallow
This item demonstrates how to prepare tender, flavorful pulled pork using an Instant Pot. It involves seasoning cubed pork loin with a spice blend, searing the meat, and cooking it under high pressure with a mixture of barbecue sauce, broth, and apple cider vinegar.
The process includes deglazing the pot to enhance flavor and prevent burning, then cooking the pork for 40 minutes followed by a natural and quick pressure release.
The result is juicy pulled pork ready to be shredded and served on buns with your favorite toppings.
13. Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork from Adventures of a Nurse
This item highlights a recipe for Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork, where pork is slow-cooked in a mixture of Dr. Pepper soda and barbecue sauce. The cooking process infuses the meat with a unique sweet and tangy flavor while making it tender enough to shred easily.
Users can prepare the dish using various methods such as a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or oven, allowing flexibility based on available kitchen equipment. The pulled pork can be served in sandwiches, tacos, or alongside sides, making it a versatile option for different meals and occasions.
12. 4-Ingredient BBQ Instant Pot Ribs from Pressure Cook Recipes
This item demonstrates how to prepare tender and juicy baby back ribs using an Instant Pot with just a few simple ingredients. It highlights the process of pressure cooking the ribs to achieve the desired tenderness, followed by finishing them with a flavorful BBQ sauce under a broiler or air fryer for caramelization.
The method includes tips on seasoning, removing the membrane, and adjusting cooking times to suit personal preference. It also offers options for adding smoky flavor and explains how to use different finishing techniques to create a delicious, finger-licking BBQ rib dish quickly and easily.
11. Hawaiian Kalua Pork from Rasa Malaysia
This recipe demonstrates how to prepare tender and juicy Hawaiian Kalua Pork using an Instant Pot. It highlights a simple process that requires minimal active cooking time while delivering flavorful results with just a few ingredients.
The method involves browning the pork, then pressure cooking it with liquid smoke, soy sauce, and seasonings to infuse rich, smoky flavors. The finished dish is shredded and ready to serve, making it an easy and satisfying meal option for busy weeknights.
10. Country Style Ribs from The Salty Marshmallow
These Instant Pot Country Style Ribs are tender, flavorful, and easy to prepare using a simple dry rub and BBQ sauce. The ribs cook quickly under pressure, resulting in juicy meat that falls apart effortlessly, perfect for a satisfying meal.
The recipe uses common spices and beef broth to enhance the flavor while keeping hands-on time minimal. Cooking in the Instant Pot allows the ribs to become tender in about an hour, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights.
9. BBQ Pork Chops from Must Have Mom
This recipe delivers tender, fall-off-the-bone pork chops cooked quickly using an Instant Pot. It combines seasoning, browning, and pressure cooking with a touch of BBQ sauce to create flavorful and moist pork chops in about 10 minutes.
The cooking process includes sautéing pork chops to brown them, deglazing the pot with chicken broth, and pressure cooking to lock in moisture. Finishing under the broiler caramelizes the BBQ sauce, adding a delicious, bubbly glaze to the dish.
8. Hawaiian Pulled Pork from The Typical Mom
This item features a recipe for making Hawaiian pulled pork using an Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi pressure cooker. It highlights the use of a boneless pork loin, combined with a flavorful sauce made from pineapple, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and other ingredients to create tender, savory pulled pork.
The process includes searing the pork pieces, deglazing the pot, and pressure cooking the meat until it is juicy and easy to shred. The pulled pork can be served in sliders with Hawaiian rolls or over rice, offering a quick and satisfying meal option for busy days or gatherings.
7. Kansas City Baby Back Ribs from 365 Day of Slow & Pressure Cooking
These Kansas City baby back ribs are cooked in an Instant Pot, resulting in tender, fall-off-the-bone pork with a flavorful homemade rub and barbecue sauce. The ribs are pressure cooked with a simple water base and finished under the broiler to caramelize the sauce for a delicious, smoky finish.
The process involves marinating the ribs with a spice blend and cooking them quickly in the pressure cooker, saving time compared to traditional methods. A homemade barbecue sauce cooks alongside the ribs, allowing for easy basting before serving a perfectly tender and juicy meal.
6. Sausage and Chicken Jambalaya from Beryl’s Kitchen
This item demonstrates how to make a flavorful sausage and chicken jambalaya using an Instant Pot. It combines Creole-seasoned sausage, chicken, vegetables, rice, and broth to create a hearty, one-pot meal with tender meats and perfectly cooked rice.
The process involves sautéing the meat and vegetables directly in the Instant Pot before layering in the rice and liquids for pressure cooking. It offers a quicker alternative to traditional stovetop jambalaya without sacrificing taste or texture.
5. Hawaiian Pineapple Pork from Mommy’s Home Cooking
This dish combines tender pork with a vibrant Hawaiian pineapple sauce that balances sweet, salty, smoky, and tangy flavors. It includes sautéed onions and red bell peppers, creating a colorful and flavorful meal perfect for serving over rice.
The recipe is designed for quick preparation, ready in under 30 minutes, and can be made on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot. It also offers flexibility with ingredient swaps and simple storage options for leftovers, making it convenient for busy weeknights.
4. Best Instant Pot Short Ribs from The Flavor Bender
These Instant Pot short ribs are cooked to tender, fall-off-the-bone perfection with a rich, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy flavor. The recipe includes a crucial searing step that caramelizes the meat, enhancing its depth and complexity before pressure cooking.
A secret ingredient, bourbon whiskey, is used to deglaze the pot, adding subtle warmth and richness to the dish. The process is straightforward, requiring minimal hands-on time after searing, making it easy to prepare a flavorful, hearty meal quickly.
3. Green Chile Pork Carnitas from Pressure Cooking Today
This item features a recipe for making green chile pork carnitas using a pressure cooker, specifically an Instant Pot. It demonstrates how to cook pork shoulder with a blend of peppers, tomatillos, and spices to create tender, flavorful shredded meat in under an hour.
The process includes browning the pork, pressure cooking it with vegetables and broth, then blending the sauce and mixing it back with the shredded pork. The result is a moist, authentic Austin-style carnitas perfect for tacos, topped with queso fresco, red onion, and cilantro.
2. Pork Adobo from Jays Sweet N Sour Life
This item features a recipe for Pork Adobo made using a pressure cooker, significantly reducing the traditional cooking time from hours to just 15 minutes. It highlights a flavorful blend of garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices, creating a tender and savory dish served over jasmine rice.
The recipe is designed to help users prepare a classic Filipino meal quickly and easily with the convenience of an Instant Pot or similar pressure cooker.
It also includes tips for sautéing, pressure cooking, and finishing the sauce to achieve the perfect balance of taste and texture.
1. Low Carb Greek Pork Tacos from Kalyn’s Kitchen
Can I use frozen ingredients in summer Instant Pot recipes?
Yes, you can use frozen ingredients in your Instant Pot, which can be a lifesaver during summer when you don’t want to spend extra time in the kitchen.
The Instant Pot automatically adjusts cooking times for frozen foods, but keep in mind that it may take longer to reach pressure.
What are some quick and light summer meals I can make in the Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is perfect for preparing summer meals like grilled chicken, vegetable stir-fries, or even fresh corn on the cob. These dishes cook quickly and keep your kitchen cool, making them ideal for warm weather.
Can I cook seafood in the Instant Pot for summer recipes?
Absolutely! The Instant Pot is great for cooking seafood like shrimp, salmon, or mussels. These foods cook rapidly, retaining their flavor and texture, which is perfect for a light summer dinner.
How do I prevent my Instant Pot meals from being too heavy for summer?
To keep your summer meals light, focus on recipes that use fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and broths instead of heavy sauces. You can also adjust the cooking time to ensure your food isn’t overcooked, which can make it feel heavier.
What are some good side dishes to make with summer Instant Pot recipes?
The Instant Pot can make a variety of summer side dishes like quinoa salad, steamed vegetables, or potato salad. These dishes complement many summer main courses and are quick to prepare without heating up your kitchen.