Instant Success

If you’d told me 10 years ago one of my favorite kitchen countertop appliances would be a pressure cooker, I’m not sure I would have believed you. I’d heard horror stories of them exploding in kitchens.

But today, next to my rice cooker, it’s a go-to appliance several times a week.

There are plenty of sites and blogs that extol the value of the Instant Pot, and I agree. I also think it’s a great tool for those looking to start a low salt lifestyle.

Soups, Stews & Stocks

I’ve written before about low and no salt chicken stock. While I prefer to make a big batch on the stovetop, an Instant Pot is perfect for making bone broth in less than half the time. 

From stock to chili, beef stew and more, you really can’t go wrong with time and pressure. While I often use the pressure setting, when time is available, slow cooking can deliver even better results. Both tender and sumptuous.

Fresh Veggies in a Flash

This has to be one of the most underrated features of a pressure cooker. While fresh vegetables are often delicious raw, I prefer steamed or roasted..

Pressure cooking vegetables delivers all the health benefits of steaming, but in less than half the cooking time. Plus, unlike steaming, you can add flavor to the cooking liquid and therefore directly into the food.

Use stock, or unsalted bouillon, with a little unsalted butter and garlic for no salt flavor boosts. Check out this cheat sheet on cook times.

All the Meats

The pressure cooker is also great for getting meat tender and flavorful. Thanks to the initial sear setting, you can add that crusty bark to a roast or chicken before pressure cooking.

I like to sear my pork shoulder before pressure cooking to make a delicious mojo pulled pork. You can also sear a chuck roast before slow cooking a Sunday pot roast with unsalted beef bouillon, veggies, a little tomato paste and unsalted better. Add some red wine for extra flavor depth.

Starched!

Yes, a pressure cooker can make rice and pasta. While it may not be exactly the same as what you’d get from the stovetop or a dedicated fuzzy logic rice cooker, it is helpful and timesaving.

My favorite mac and cheese recipe comes together in minutes in the Instant Pot with the starch from the pasta adding to the creaminess. One pot chicken and rice lets the rice absorb all the richness from the chicken itself.

While a pressure cooker is a huge time saver, it also allows for building complex flavors without the need for added salt or often, fat.

What’s your favorite pressure cooker recipe? Share in the comments below.

#staysalty