Raise your hand if you’re tired of boring sandwiches and sad salads for lunch! 🙋♀️ We’ve all been there – the clock is ticking, your stomach is rumbling, and the thought of choking down another bland meal deal is just…depressing. But what if I told you that you could have a delicious and healthy lunch ready in minutes, all thanks to the magic of an Instant Pot? That’s right, your favorite kitchen appliance isn’t just for dinners anymore.
In this post, we’re diving into 9 incredible Instant Pot lunch recipes that are quick, easy, and will make you actually excited for lunchtime again. Let’s get cooking.
Soups & Stews for Satisfying Instant Pot Lunches 🍲
Nothing beats a warm and comforting bowl of soup or stew for lunch, especially on chilly days. But who has time for simmering and stirring when you’re short on time? Enter: the Instant Pot! These recipes are perfect for meal prepping on Sunday and enjoying all week long.
Instant Pot Tomato Soup (Ready in 30 minutes)
This isn’t your childhood canned tomato soup. This Instant Pot version is creamy, flavorful, and bursting with fresh tomato goodness. Pair it with a grilled cheese sandwich (also made in the Instant Pot – recipe below!) for the ultimate comfort food lunch.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Fresh, ripe tomatoes (or canned diced tomatoes)
- Onion
- Garlic
- Vegetable broth
- Heavy cream or coconut milk (for creaminess)
- Dried herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make It (It’s SO Easy!):
- Sauté your onions and garlic in the Instant Pot using the “Sauté” function.
- Add in your tomatoes, broth, and seasonings.
- Close the lid, set the vent to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then release the remaining pressure manually.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in your cream or coconut milk and adjust seasonings to taste.
Pro Tip: Roast your tomatoes in the oven for 30 minutes before adding them to the Instant Pot for an even richer, more intense flavor!
Chicken Tortilla Soup (A Fiesta in Your Lunch Break)
Warm, spicy, and oh-so-satisfying, this Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup is like a party in your mouth! Packed with protein and flavor, it’s the perfect way to fuel your afternoon.
Ingredients to Grab:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Chicken broth
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies
- Black beans
- Corn (fresh or frozen)
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Toppings: Tortilla chips, shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, cilantro
Let’s Get Cooking:
- Season your chicken breasts with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and brown the chicken on both sides.
- Add in your broth, diced tomatoes, beans, corn, onion, and garlic.
- Secure the lid, set the vent to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the soup and stir to combine.
- Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite toppings!
Pro Tip: For an extra flavor boost, char your onions and garlic under the broiler for a few minutes before adding them to the Instant Pot.
Lentil Soup (Hearty, Healthy, & Budget-Friendly)
Looking for a vegetarian lunch option that’s both satisfying and packed with nutrients? This Instant Pot lentil soup is a winner! It’s also incredibly budget-friendly, making it a great choice for weekly meal prep.
What You’ll Need:
- Green lentils (brown or red lentils work too!)
- Vegetable broth
- Diced tomatoes
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Garlic
- Bay leaf
- Dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Let’s Make It Together:
- Rinse your lentils in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear.
- Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and heat a bit of olive oil.
- Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, lentils, diced tomatoes, broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Secure the lid, set the vent to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the bay leaf and adjust seasonings to taste.
Pro Tip: Stir in a dollop of plain yogurt or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving for an extra flavor boost!
Quick & Easy Instant Pot Bowls for Lunch on the Go 🏃♀️
Lunch bowls are all the rage these days, and for good reason! They’re quick, easy, customizable, and perfect for meal prepping. These Instant Pot lunch bowl recipes will make your coworkers envious.
Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls (Hola, Flavor)
Skip the lines at your favorite burrito joint and make these flavorful and healthy burrito bowls right at home! This recipe is incredibly versatile – feel free to customize it with your favorite toppings.
Gather Your Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Chicken broth or water
- Taco seasoning
- Rice
- Black beans
- Corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- Salsa
- Toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, avocado, cilantro, pickled onions
Let’s Get Bowl-ing:
- Place your chicken breasts in the Instant Pot and add your chicken broth or water.
- Sprinkle generously with taco seasoning.
- Secure the lid, set the vent to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 10-12 minutes (depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts).
- Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare your rice according to package directions.
- Assemble your bowls by layering rice, black beans, corn, shredded chicken, and your favorite toppings.
Pro Tip: For an extra flavor boost, add a diced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce to the Instant Pot with the chicken and broth.
Instant Pot Salmon & Veggie Bowls (Healthy & Delicious)
Craving a lighter and healthier lunch option? These Instant Pot Salmon & Veggie Bowls are packed with protein, omega-3s, and a rainbow of colorful veggies.
What You’ll Need:
- Salmon fillets (skin on or off)
- Water or broth
- Your favorite veggies (broccoli, asparagus, carrots, zucchini, bell peppers – get creative!)
- Lemon slices
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- Optional: Fresh herbs like dill or parsley
Let’s Make It:
- Drizzle a bit of olive oil or spray your Instant Pot insert with cooking spray.
- Place your salmon fillets in the Instant Pot and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Top with lemon slices and fresh herbs (if using).
- Pour in your water or broth.
- Arrange your veggies around the salmon.
- Secure the lid, set the vent to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes (for medium-rare salmon) or 7 minutes (for well-done salmon).
- Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the salmon and veggies from the Instant Pot.
Pro Tip: Serve your salmon & veggie bowls over a bed of quinoa, rice, or cauliflower rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
Instant Pot Quinoa Salad Bowls (Meal Prep Hero)
Quinoa salad is a meal prep hero, and this Instant Pot version makes it even easier! This recipe is incredibly versatile – you can customize it with your favorite veggies, herbs, and dressings.
Gather Your Ingredients:
- Quinoa
- Water or broth
- Your favorite veggies (cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, corn, etc.)
- Fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, mint, dill – the possibilities are endless!)
- Feta cheese (optional)
- Your favorite dressing (vinaigrette, lemon tahini, hummus dressing – get creative!)
Let’s Make It:
- Rinse your quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear.
- Add the quinoa and water or broth to your Instant Pot.
- Secure the lid, set the vent to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 1 minute.
- Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.
- Fluff the quinoa with a fork.
- While the quinoa is cooking, chop your veggies and herbs.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chopped veggies, herbs, feta cheese (if using), and your favorite dressing.
- Toss to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Pro Tip: Make a big batch of this quinoa salad on Sunday and portion it out into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches all week long.
Beyond the Bowl: More Instant Pot Lunch Ideas to Try 😋
Bowls are great, but sometimes you’re craving something a little different. These Instant Pot lunch recipes will hit the spot!
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese (The Ultimate Comfort Food)
Mac and cheese isn’t just for kids anymore! This Instant Pot version is creamy, cheesy, and ready in a fraction of the time it takes to make on the stovetop.
You Will Need:
- Elbow macaroni
- Water or broth
- Milk
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cream cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Here’s How We Do It:
- Add the macaroni, water or broth, milk, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot.
- Secure the lid, set the vent to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
- Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually.
- Stir the mac and cheese until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Pro Tip: For an extra cheesy mac and cheese, stir in a handful of shredded Gruyere or Fontina cheese along with the cheddar.
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos (Taco Tuesday, Any Day)
Skip the takeout and make your own juicy and flavorful chicken tacos right at home in your Instant Pot! This recipe is a blank canvas for your favorite taco toppings.
Grab These Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Taco seasoning
- Water or chicken broth
- Corn or flour tortillas
- Your favorite taco toppings (shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, etc.)
Let’s Make Tacos!
- Season your chicken breasts generously with taco seasoning.
- Place the chicken in the Instant Pot and add your water or chicken broth.
- Secure the lid, set the vent to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 10-12 minutes (depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts).
- Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually.
- Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and shred it using two forks.
- Warm your tortillas and assemble your tacos with your favorite toppings!
Pro Tip: For extra flavorful tacos, sear your seasoned chicken breasts in a hot skillet for a few minutes per side before adding them to the Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Pasta Salad (A Classic for a Reason)
Pasta salad is a classic for a reason – it’s easy to make, perfect for meal prepping, and incredibly versatile! This Instant Pot version is a game-changer, ensuring perfectly cooked pasta every time.
What You’ll Need:
- Your favorite pasta shape (rotini, penne, farfalle, etc.)
- Water or broth
- Your favorite veggies (cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, olives, etc.)
- Fresh herbs (basil, oregano, parsley)
- Your favorite dressing (Italian, Greek vinaigrette, ranch)
Let’s Get Cooking:
- Add the pasta and water or broth to your Instant Pot.
- Secure the lid, set the vent to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for half the time listed on the pasta package directions.
- Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- While the pasta is cooking, chop your veggies and herbs.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped veggies, herbs, and your favorite dressing.
- Toss to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Pro Tip: For a creamier pasta salad, stir in a few spoonfuls of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt along with your favorite dressing.
Conclusion:
Say goodbye to boring lunches forever! With these 9 easy Instant Pot lunch recipes, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal even on your busiest days. So dust off your Instant Pot, and get ready to take your lunch break from drab to fab! What recipe will you try first? 😉
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