Looking for delicious and easy side dishes to make in your Instant Pot? You’re in the right place! This collection brings together some of the most popular recipes loved by home cooks in the Instant Pot® community.
From tender, juicy corn on the cob and creamy mashed potatoes to flavorful vegetables and comforting family favorites, these side dishes make putting together a complete meal so much easier.
Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight dinner, planning a holiday feast, or simply looking for new ways to use your pressure cooker, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here.
Explore everything from simple instant pot vegetable side dishes to rich, savory additions that pair beautifully with chicken, beef, pork, and seafood.
These reader-approved recipes have been tested and enjoyed by Instant Pot® fans around the world, making them wonderful additions to your regular meal rotation.
If you’re always searching for new ways to get the most out of your pressure cooker, this roundup is also a great place to discover your next favorite instant pot recipes.
Bookmark this collection and check back regularly! We’ll continue adding more tested Instant Pot and pressure cooker side dishes, so you’ll always have fresh ideas ready whenever you need a tasty, fuss-free addition to your meal.
18. Delicious and Healthy Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
This Asian-inspired Instant Pot vegetable soup is a simple, comforting way to add more vegetables to your family’s meals. It’s perfect as a side dish alongside your favorite main course, but hearty enough to enjoy on its own, too.
One of the best things about this recipe is how flexible it is: you can use up those leftover vegetables sitting in the fridge instead of letting them go to waste.
With minimal preparation and plenty of savory, umami-rich flavor, it’s an easy recipe to make any day of the week.
17. Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, and this Instant Pot version makes preparing it easier than ever. Made with two kinds of cheese and topped with crispy bacon, it’s a delicious meal the whole family can enjoy.
You get all the rich, satisfying flavor and velvety texture of traditional homemade mac and cheese without spending ages in the kitchen.
Even better, the recipe relies on simple pantry staples and shredded cheese, making it a convenient choice for busy weeknight dinners.
16.
These Instant Pot baked beans are a fantastic side dish for summer barbecues, family gatherings, and potlucks.
Preparing baked beans from scratch is much quicker when you use a pressure cooker, saving you plenty of time without sacrificing that delicious homemade flavor.
The beans turn out rich, tender, and wonderfully savory, making them a perfect match for grilled meats, burgers, and other barbecue favorites. Once you try this easy homemade version, canned baked beans may not seem quite as appealing!
15. Quick and Easy to Make Pressure Cooker Steamed Broccoli
Need a quick and effortless way to prepare broccoli? This pressure cooker method makes steaming vegetables incredibly simple, with the whole process taking less than 10 minutes.
You don’t need complicated ingredients or much hands-on preparation to get tender, delicious broccoli ready for the table.
It’s an easy side dish to serve with almost any meal, and once you see how little effort it takes, you may find yourself making it regularly.
14. Vegan Mashed Potatoes with Homemade Hazelnut Milk In Pressure Cooker
These creamy vegan mashed potatoes are made with Idaho potatoes, homemade hazelnut milk, and plant-based butter for a comforting side dish without dairy.
Thanks to the pressure cooker, you can have them ready in around 10 minutes, making this recipe especially convenient when you’re short on time. They’re smooth, flavorful, and delicious alongside all kinds of main dishes.
You might want to prepare an extra batch, because these homemade mashed potatoes have a way of disappearing quickly!
13. Easy and Healthy Spiced Instant Pot Chickpeas Salad
This colorful Instant Pot chickpea salad combines fresh vegetables with a delicious lemony baharat dressing inspired by Middle Eastern flavors.
Sweet, juicy tomatoes, crunchy bell peppers, crisp radishes, and fresh cilantro bring plenty of freshness and texture to every bite.
The pressure cooker makes preparing the chickpeas much more convenient, so you can put together this satisfying salad without spending too much time in the kitchen. It’s a lovely choice for summer lunches, picnics, or a refreshing side dish any time of year.
12. Vegan & Gluten-free Sesame Orange Instant Pot Quinoa
This sesame orange quinoa is an easy, flavorful side dish that pairs beautifully with Asian-inspired meals. The Instant Pot takes much of the guesswork out of cooking quinoa, leaving you with a convenient dish that fits into a variety of menus.
It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free, making it a useful option when you’re cooking for different dietary preferences.
The combination of sesame and orange gives the quinoa a lovely balance of savory and citrusy flavors, turning a simple grain into something special.
11. Delicious Vegetarian Instant pot Easy Mexican Rice (Spanish Rice)
This easy vegetarian Spanish rice is a flavorful side dish that deserves a place on your next taco night menu. It also pairs wonderfully with burritos, burrito bowls, and plenty of other Mexican-inspired meals.
The recipe uses simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry, so there’s no need for a special shopping trip.
Whether you’re serving it alongside a family dinner or using it as part of a larger Mexican-inspired spread, this rice is an easy way to add more flavor to the table.
10. Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower (Paleo, Whole 30, Dairy Free, Vegan, Sugar-Free, Low Fat, and Low Carb!)
Looking for a simple vegetable side dish that works with a variety of eating styles? This Instant Pot mashed cauliflower is a delicious alternative to traditional mashed potatoes.
It’s quick to prepare, wonderfully versatile, and suitable for several dietary preferences, including Paleo, Whole30, vegan, dairy-free, and low-carb diets.
The pressure cooker makes the cauliflower tender in less time, so it’s easy to turn it into a smooth, comforting dish. Whether you’re following a specific meal plan or simply want to add more vegetables to your menu, this recipe is worth trying.
9. Try to Make Salt Potatoes In The Instant Pot
If you’ve ever visited the Syracuse, New York area, you may already know about the local favorite known as salt potatoes.
These little potatoes are famous for their salty exterior and wonderfully creamy centers, and now you can make them easily in your Instant Pot! You don’t need to find specially packaged salt potatoes at the grocery store, either.
Regular small potatoes or baby potatoes work just as well, making this regional classic easy to recreate wherever you live.
8. Tender and Nutritious Pressure Cooker Beets
Want perfectly tender beets without spending ages cooking them? This pressure cooker method makes preparing fresh beets quick and straightforward, with the whole process taking less than 20 minutes.
It’s a convenient way to cook beets for salads, side dishes, or meal prep, and the recipe is suitable for both Whole30 and Paleo meal plans.
Unlike methods that require peeling hot, freshly cooked beets, this approach helps simplify the preparation and makes handling them much less messy.
7. Loaded Baked Potato Salad without Mayo for Your Next BBQ
This creamy loaded potato salad is a fantastic addition to your next barbecue, picnic, or family gathering. Made in the Instant Pot and prepared without mayonnaise, it’s a refreshing alternative to traditional potato salad that can be served chilled.
Russet potatoes are a great choice because they hold their shape well through cooking, mixing, and refrigeration. If you’d rather keep the potato skins on, red or Yukon Gold potatoes work nicely, too.
You can even combine different varieties to get the texture you like best.
6.
These garlic butter herb potatoes are a wonderfully easy side dish with fluffy centers, golden skins, and plenty of savory flavor. They’re perfect for holiday meals, whether you’re planning a Thanksgiving feast or a Christmas dinner.
For an especially attractive presentation, try combining small red potatoes with Yukon Gold varieties. The Instant Pot makes the whole process surprisingly quick, taking less than 15 minutes from start to finish.
With buttery richness, fragrant garlic, and aromatic herbs, these potatoes are so delicious that they might become a regular favorite long after the holidays are over.
5. Keto Cauliflower Mash with Cream Cheese for Thanksgiving Dinner
This creamy cauliflower mash is a wonderful low-carb alternative to traditional mashed potatoes, especially when you’re planning a holiday dinner. Cream cheese gives it a rich, velvety texture, making it feel every bit as comforting as a classic side dish.
It’s a great addition to a keto-friendly Thanksgiving menu, but there’s no reason to save it just for special occasions. Serve it alongside roasted meat, chicken, or your favorite vegetables whenever you want a smooth and satisfying side.
4. Amazing Instant Pot Frozen Broccoli
Cooking broccoli straight from the freezer has never been easier! With this Instant Pot method, you can turn a bag of frozen broccoli into a delicious vegetable side dish with very little preparation.
There’s no need to thaw it beforehand, and the pressure cooker makes the process incredibly convenient when you’re short on time.
It’s an especially useful recipe for busy weeknights when you want to get some vegetables onto the dinner table without extra chopping or fuss. Even family members who usually prefer fresh broccoli may be surprised by how good it tastes.
3. Make BLT Pasta Salad Recipe in Your Instant Pot
This BLT pasta salad takes all the familiar flavors of a classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich and turns them into a creamy, crowd-pleasing side dish.
Tender pasta is combined with crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, fresh lettuce, and a delicious dressing for a satisfying mix of flavors and textures.
It’s a wonderful choice for potlucks, barbecues, and family gatherings, but also works beautifully as a side for everyday dinners. If you enjoy simple salads that make a meal feel a little more special, this recipe is definitely worth trying.
2. Chinese-style Instant Pot Brown Fried Rice
This Instant Pot brown fried rice is a lighter take on traditional Chinese-style fried rice and an easy way to make plain brown rice much more exciting.
The pressure cooker takes care of most of the cooking, while a few simple additions bring plenty of flavor to the finished dish.
You can enjoy it as a vegetarian side or turn it into a more substantial meal by mixing in diced ham, shredded rotisserie chicken, or a fried egg. It’s a versatile recipe that makes a great accompaniment to Asian-inspired dinners.
1. Sesame Ginger Rice – Easy and Delicious Instant Pot Side Dish Recipe
Plain rice doesn’t have to be boring, especially when you can transform it with just four simple ingredients. This Instant Pot sesame ginger rice combines rice, fresh ginger, sesame oil, and salt to create a fragrant, flavorful side dish with very little effort.
The ginger adds a gentle warmth, while sesame oil brings a lovely nutty aroma that pairs beautifully with Asian-inspired meals. It’s quick, easy, and delicious enough to replace ordinary steamed rice as your new go-to side.
18 Easy Instant Pot Side Dish Recipes for Every Meal
Discover 18 quick and easy instant pot side dish recipes to elevate every meal. Explore simple, delicious instant pot side dishes for any occasion.
Ingredients
- Delicious and Healthy Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
- Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Macaroni and Cheese
- Best Instant Pot Baked Beans for Barbecue or Potluck
- Pressure Cooker Steamed Broccoli
- Vegan Mashed Potatoes In Pressure Cooker
- Spiced Instant Pot Chickpeas Salad {Gluten Free, Vegan}
- Gluten Free Sesame Orange Instant Pot Quinoa (Vegan)
- Instant pot Easy Mexican Rice (Spanish Rice) Recipe
- Paleo Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower
- Salt Potatoes In The Instant Pot (Plus Some Salt Potato Facts)
- Pressure Cooker Beets {Instant Pot Beets}
- Loaded Baked Potato Salad Without Mayo
- Garlic Butter Herbs Instant Pot Potatoes
- Keto Cauliflower Mash with Cream Cheese
- Instant Pot Frozen Broccoli
- BLT Pasta Salad Recipe that your neighborhood will Buzz About!
- Healthy Chinese Style Instant Pot Brown Fried Rice
- Instant Pot Sesame Ginger Rice
Instructions
- Choose any Instant Pot Side Dish Recipes from the post that you like.
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best Instant Pot Side Dish Recipes and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
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