Hop Into Spring with These Light & Easy Instant Pot Recipes

Just because the weather is getting warmer, that doesn’t mean you have to put your Instant Pot away. Keep that handy little appliance on the counter, and try some of these light and easy recipes this spring.

There’s no doubt that the ultimate appeal of owning an Instant Pot is the set-it-and-forget-it promise of a warm meal at the end of the day. However, you don’t have to wait all day. Your Instant Pot can also cook fast (hence, the name). Here are a few spring favorites you and your Instant Pot can whip up in mere minutes.

White Chicken Chili

While spring days tend to be warmer, evenings can still be quite chilly (pun intended). A hot chili will surely do the trick and warm your belly up in no time.

This is where your Instant Pot comes in handy. From start to finish, this white chicken chili will be done in less than one hour, and it truly delivers. It’s lighter than traditional, meaty chilis, and it tastes perfect with some tortilla chips.

Chili Garlic Noodles

Noodles smothered in sticky chili garlic sauce and topped with peanuts, green onions, and sesame seeds make for a fantastic weeknight meal. They also only take a few minutes to prep and three minutes of cooking time in your Instant Pot.

Can you even fathom a well-rounded meal cooked to perfection in under 10 minutes? Well, this recipe is here to prove it can be done. Switch out the green onions for spring onions to take advantage of seasonal produce.

Lemon Dill Salmon and Asparagus

After just 10 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes in your Instant Pot, you’ll be able to craft this gorgeous Lemon-Dill Salmon dish. Not only is it light and delicious, but you’ll also get the opportunity to eat a variety of seasonal ingredients.

Lemon and asparagus are both in harvest and taste better than ever in spring, so perfect timing! Out-of-season produce that sits on the shelf for longer tends to lose its valuable nutrients. So, take advantage of fresh produce and celebrate the tasty flavors of spring with this impressive (and easy) meal.

Tuscan Chicken Pasta

This Tuscan Chicken Pasta recipe is packed with extreme flavor but made with healthy ingredients.

Not only is this recipe light and low in calories, but your Instant Pot does all the hard work for you! Enjoy this delicious meal with a side salad and some warm multigrain bread.

Cheesy Carrots and Parsnips

Parsnips are another tasty springtime delight that don’t always get the credit they deserve. This recipe combines them with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Once you taste this delight, you’ll want to eat it year-round.

This rich, creamy side dish is even more appealing to those who don’t particularly enjoy cooked carrots because, well, cheese! While this side dish is popular in the fall, we recommend enjoying it in the spring, as well, because you can take advantage of those in-season veggies.

Tomato Basil Spaghetti Squash

This recipe walks you through the steps of using your Instant Pot to cook up some spaghetti squash. You’ll have perfectly shredded squash in under 10 minutes, rather than waiting and waiting for your oven to do the job.

After sautéeing some grape tomatoes and garlic in olive oil, you then add the squash, chopped basil, and cheeses. Everyone is sure to enjoy every mouthwatering (but still healthy) bite.

Chicken Broccoli and Rice

If you’re looking for a meal that has all the comforting qualities of a casserole dish, but can also be made in no time, you’ve come to the right place!

This Chicken Broccoli and Rice recipe has it all! The lean protein of chicken, broccoli as your main vegetable, and rice for grains. You finish it all off with cheddar cheese for a meal made in foodie heaven.

Bacon Brussels Sprouts

We found the perfect side dish to accompany just about any main course: Bacon Brussels Sprouts. This Instant Pot version combines the briny flavors of bacon with onions and garlic to create a perfect enhancement for the robust sprouts.

Three minutes in your Instant Pot is all it takes, and you’ll have perfectly steamed (and not mushy) mini cabbages that’ll melt in your mouth.

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Most of us bought an Instant Pot because of its slow-cooking feature, but after all, “Instant” isn’t in the name for nothing! These spring recipes are all quick, easy, and best of all, super-fast to prep and make. With all the time you save, you might even decide to do some batch cooking.