An instant pot is a useful multi-purpose kitchen essential. It does the work of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, and even rice cooker and is amazing for steaming, warming, sautéing, and air-frying foods. It cooks food faster than normal cooking aids and is a breeze to clean.
So, when you're looking to make side dishes to complement your main course, instant pot cooking should be your first choice! With that in mind, here are 14 of the best instant pot side dishes you can make to spruce up your dinner menu.
Asparagus has an impressive nutritional profile, so it's a good idea to include this quick-cooking veggie in your diet. Cook it tender yet crunchy in an instant pot with salt, pepper, and a spritz of lemon, then top it with some delicious and aromatic butter garlic sauce and grated Parmesan to produce a wonderful side dish.
Instant pot green beans are so good, you're going to want to make them again, and again, and again. You just need to toss steamed green beans in a sauce prepared with umami soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sweet honey, and aromatic garlic and shallots. The result is a fresh and tasty side dish that can be served warm or cold!
Want to learn how to cook butternut squash in an instant pot? This recipe comes with detailed instructions on how to cook it both whole and cubed, so you can prepare it however you like. It doesn't use butter or olive oil in the process, making it perfect for those watching their calories.
The healthy and hearty Mexican black beans come together beautifully in an instant pot. You can prepare it by cooking dried black beans with juicy tomatoes, cilantro, and lots of spices and herbs. These cooked beans are rich in protein and are wonderful in tacos, burritos, salads, soups, and even with nachos and rice.
Brussels sprouts have great health benefits, which is why you need to add this instant pot recipe to your arsenal. The Brussels sprouts are cooked with garlic cloves, kosher salt, chicken stock, and some black pepper in an instant pot until they're mildly crisp yet tender. Make sure you don't overlook them though, as they can become mushy and smelly.
This side dish is prepared by steaming carrots in an instant pot, then coating them with a dressing prepared with extra virgin olive oil, seasonings, and fresh herbs. It produces a sweet-savory, tender yet crunchy dish that will be a hit with everyone at your dinner table. If you've got some leftovers, you can easily store them in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Healthy and delicious, this Instant Pot cauliflower dish is a quick and easy side you can prepare even on hectic weeknights. The bite-sized florets are tender without being mushy. You can also make them crispier by cooking them for longer. Flavor them Mediterranean-style with olive oil, Italian seasoning, lemon zest, salt, and pepper to enjoy yummy flavors in every bite.
You can never go wrong with the classic corn on the cob! Make it in an instant pot, and then stir it with lots of Cajun butter - which is flavored with garlic, herbs, spices, and seasonings - and lime juice. It's perfect to serve with a BBQ to elevate your dinner nights.
Cilantro lime rice is a one-size-fits-all side dish, making it perfect to serve with just about any main dish. Simply cook rice with water, oil, and salt until fluffy, then add in some lime juice, cilantro, and olive oil for a boost of flavor. If you've made a large batch, you can store extras in freezer bags for later use.
Creamy hummus is a great side dish that's healthy and super delicious! This traditional Middle Eastern dip is made in two steps. First, cook the beans in water in an instant pot, then drain them. Next, process the beans, warm cooking liquid, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, kosher salt, and ground cumin until smooth. Serve it garnished with zaatar, smoked paprika, and olive oil.
This classic side dish becomes so much better when prepared in an instant pot! It also comes together in just 20 minutes. The addition of sour cream, milk, and spices like garlic powder and pepper gives the plain potatoes an otherworldly flavor and texture. Spruce it up with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and serve!
A hearty comfort soup to warm you up on cold winter days, make it in under 30 minutes! It is loaded with healthy veggies and beans and flavorings to satisfy both your palate and health. The recipe is super customizable, so you can easily tweak it to complement your dietary preferences. It's also filling enough to be served on its own!
Risotto can be a bit tricky to perfect, but this recipe will help you make the perfect creamy risotto in less than 30 minutes! It uses Arborio rice, broth, Parmesan cheese, dry white wine, thyme, and lemon juice to produce a dish that's bursting with flavors. You can also add peas, butternut squash, mushrooms, pesto, and more to tailor it to your preference.
This recipe will quickly become a go-to in your house. It's that good! You can make it by steaming whole artichokes with various aromatics like bay leaves, rosemary, and sliced lemon in an instant pot until the knife easily slides into the bottom. You can serve it with lemon mayo, plain mayo, melted butter, garlic butter, or your favorite dipping sauce to enjoy amazing flavors in every bite.
