Cooking keto can be a breeze, especially when you leverage the convenience of an Instant Pot. For those who love cooking and those who see it as a necessary task, Instant Pots offer a way to enjoy fun cooking gadgets without spending countless hours in the kitchen.
The Allure of the Instant Pot for Keto Cooking
The Instant Pot is a fantastic tool for keto enthusiasts. Unlike slow cookers, which require planning meals 6 to 8 hours in advance, the Instant Pot significantly reduces cooking time, often to less than an hour, with minimal effort.
Why Choose an Instant Pot?
- Speed: Most recipes are completed in under an hour.
- Convenience: Requires very little effort.
- Flavor Enhancement: Food cooked in a pressure cooker often tastes more flavorful.
- Versatility: Many recipes can be easily adapted for the Instant Pot.
Keto Basics: Bone Broth
A great starting point is bone broth. Once prepared, it can be frozen in cubes for later use. Enhance the flavor by adding fresh herbs, celery, ginger, turmeric, and MCT oil.
Hearty Keto Recipes for the Instant Pot
Zuppa Toscana
Here is a twist to the classic Zuppa Toscana, in this Instant Pot version. You can swap out Wild Ramps (onions) with any of your favorite greens you prefer.
Italian Beef
Instant Pot Italian Beef is tasty to eat alone or pile on a hearty hoagie bun and make an Italian beef sandwich.
Read also: Ultimate Meal Guide
Pot Roast
If you have a beef roast and looking for an Instant Pot roast recipe, you need to try this recipe. There isn't much better than a classic roast recipe and this one is awesome! Not only can you make it in the pressure cooker, but it's also keto and packed full of flavor.
Butter Chicken
Instant Pot butter chicken is such a delicious recipe. This is a low carb recipe so you don't have to feel guilty for diving into this dish.
Sausage with Peppers
Juicy sausage, fresh bell peppers, onions, tomato sauce, broth, and seasonings marry to create a fantastic supper! The best part it's keto so it will fit your diet. Plus, family that isn't keto won't even know the difference.
Keto Chicken Recipe
Here is an Instant Pot keto chicken recipe that I really have enjoyed making. A simple and quick chicken that is smothered in delicious flavor in each bite.
Meatless Chili
This is a meatless chili recipe that you will really enjoy the rich flavors in each bite. Add a dollop of sour cream or shredded cheese and dive in!
Read also: Healthy Camping Food
Cauliflower Soup
What I enjoy about this cauliflower soup is naturally the way it tastes, but it looks amazing too. Serve it at your next dinner party and watch your guests rave about it.
Chicken Meatballs
Here are some chicken meatballs that are made in the pressure cooker. This is a great side dish or appetizer to whip up.
Philly Bowl
Beef, peppers, and onions form a delicious dinner in this Philly bowl. Skip the bread, and trust me, you will not miss it with this flavorful keto beef recipe.
Chicken Legs
Juicy flavorful chicken legs that are great paired with a bed of cauliflower rice or a side of your favorite veggies.
Mexican Chicken Soup
Looking for a soup that has a hint of spice? This Mexican chicken soup is mindblowing good and has an incredible flavor combination.
Read also: Delicious Keto Vegetarian Meals
Chicken Marsala
Give this chicken marsala a try. This version is loaded with chicken, mushrooms, and a rich creamy sauce.
Cheesy Stuffed Peppers
Cheesy stuffed peppers that are loaded with flavor and will leave you feeling full and fueled ready to tackle the rest of the day.
Lettuce Wraps
If you haven't eaten a lot of lettuce wraps, you should change that. You get healthy food that also is easy to eat and tastes amazing. Plus, it looks terrific too.
Keto Meal
This incredible keto meal will make you feel like you ordered dinner from an Italian restaurant! Grab a glass of wine, sit back, and relax while enjoying this home cooked fancy dinner.
Keto Chili
I am a huge chili fan! If you are on a keto diet, you know that beans are out of the question. But that doesn't mean you can have chili!
Keto Meatloaf
Anyway, you make meatloaf it's bound to taste great! I have found that making it in the Instant Pot, I save time, but more importantly, it is much moister and less likely to dry out like in the oven.
Keto Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are hard to give up when you first switch to a keto lifestyle. Let me just that you won't even remember regular mashed potatoes because these are just as flavorful. This is the comfort food of your dreams.
Keto Egg Roll
Egg roll fanatics are going to be thrilled with this unique spin!
Coconut Shrimp Curry
Holy yum! This coconut shrimp curry is phenomenal and whenever I make it there is never any leftovers…ever! Your next dinner party is going to be next level good. It's kid-friendly too!
Chicken Thighs
Juicy tender chicken thighs and your favorite salsa thrown in your pressure cooker and you will have a meal made for a king! Serve over a bed or fluffy white rice, eat it in a tortilla or by itself.
Smothered Chicken
What could be more scrumptious than smothered chicken? This meal is hearty and will fill up even the hungriest family members. They will be happy to gobble it all up too.
Frittatas
Frittatas are amazing because you can literally eat them any time of day. But they just got so much easier to make now that you can cook them in your Instant Pot.
Pork Carnitas
You have never had anything so good as this yummy pork carnitas. The meat is packed with incredible flavor, and you can eat it so many ways! Watch out because you are likely to become addicted.
Adapting Recipes for the Instant Pot
Many recipes can easily be adapted for pressure/slow cookers even if they weren’t originally designed for it. For example, in a keto recipe, you can brown the meat on the saute setting, then add in the rest of the ingredients and switch to the soup setting. If you like to take things slower, this is a great slow cooker keto recipe, but you could also adapt it to be used in an Instant Pot® by cooking on high pressure for 2 hours. I would also sub out the sauce for this keto sugar-free barbecue sauce. Looking for a carb up? Here is another great keto pot roast recipe if you like to experiment with different versions.
Keto Instant Pot Crack Chicken Recipe
When you are craving easy cheesy comfort food, it doesn't get any better than this Instant Pot Crack Chicken keto-style! It is quick to make and even quicker to disappear.
Ingredients:
- Bacon (sugar-free brand)
- Chicken broth
- Chicken breasts or thighs
- Cream cheese
- Parsley
- Dill
- Chives
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Grated cheese
Instructions:
- Set your Instant Pot to high saute and add the bacon to the pot. Cook until the bacon is crispy. Remove from the pot.
- Add the chicken broth to the pot and then the chicken.
- Place the cream cheese on top of the chicken and then sprinkle with the parsley, dill, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set to seal. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes.
- Do an instant release.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and use forks to shred.
- Stir the cream sauce and add the cheese to the pot. Place the lid back on the pot and allow it to sit until the cheese melts. Stir again.
Tips and Considerations:
- Bacon: Choose a sugar-free brand by reading the label carefully.
- Freezing: This recipe is great to keep on hand in the freezer. Divide it into individual portions and freeze for up to three months.
- Maltodextrin: Be aware of maltodextrin in seasonings like ranch seasoning, as it is not suitable for a keto diet.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with a simple side salad or over cauliflower rice.
- Adjusting Consistency: For a thicker sauce, add ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum to the cheese sauce before returning the chicken and bacon to the pot.
- Chicken Choices: Feel free to use chicken thighs without adjusting the cooking time.
Meal Prepping with the Instant Pot
Just as long as the recipe you make stores well, you will be able to meal prep for the freezer or even for the work week. Make the most of your Instant Pot by preparing meals in advance. Many of these recipes are fantastic for meal prepping, ensuring you have delicious keto-friendly options readily available.