Meal Prep For Instant Pot (Effortless Meal Planning And Cooking Made Easy)

As someone who’s always on the go, I know how difficult it can be to find the time to make nutritious meals.

However, I also know that proper meal planning and preparation can help ensure I’m fueling my body with healthy, homemade meals throughout the week.

And when it comes to meal prepping, one of my favorite kitchen appliances to use is the Instant Pot.

If you’re not familiar with meal prepping, it’s a method of preparing meals in advance, typically for a week’s worth of food, so that you can save time and effort during the week.

By prepping meals in advance, you can make sure that you always have healthy meals on hand, even when you’re short on time.

And by using an instant pot, you can make the process even easier, as it allows you to quickly cook and prepare meals in one pot.

In this complete guide to meal prepping with an instant pot, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started.

From planning your meals to properly using your instant pot to storing and reheating your prepped meals, we’ll walk you through the process step-by-step.

So whether you’re a seasoned meal prepper or new to the game, you’ll find plenty of tips and tricks to help you get started.

Mastering the Instant Pot with Advanced Planning

Personally, I find that the key to successful meal prepping is to start with a plan.

Without a plan, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and end up with a fridge full of random ingredients that don’t make sense together.

To help get you started, here are some tips for planning your meal prep:

Setting Meal Prep Goals

a lady planning her meal plan on  a notebook

The first step to successful meal prepping is to set your goals. What do you want to achieve with your meal prepping?

Are you looking to save time during the week? Eat healthier? Save money? Whatever your goals may be, make sure you clearly define them before you start planning.

Identifying Meals to Prep

a photo different food dish in a white table

Once you’ve set your meal prep goals, the next step is to identify which meals you want to prep. Do you want to prep breakfast, lunch, dinner, or all three?

How many meals do you need to prep for the week? Consider your schedule and your personal preferences when making these decisions.

Making a Meal Plan

Young chubby woman standing in kitchen sitting at table reading say menu on meal plan smiling cheerful side view close-up

Once you’ve identified which meals you want to prep, it’s time to make a meal plan. This can be as simple or as detailed as you want it to be.

Some people prefer to plan out every meal and snack for the week, while others prefer to keep things more flexible.

Whatever your preference may be, make sure you have a general idea of what you’ll be eating each day.

Grocery Shopping List

Young woman carries a shopping basket filled with fresh produce. She is shopping for fresh fruit and vegetables in a grocery store.

With your meal plan in hand, it’s time to make a grocery shopping list. This is an essential step to ensure that you have all the ingredients you need for your meals.

Be sure to take inventory of what you already have on hand and only buy what you need for the week. This will help you save money and reduce food waste.

Remember, the key to successful meal prepping is to start with a plan.

By setting your goals, identifying your meals, making a meal plan, and creating a grocery shopping list, you’ll be well on your way to meal-prepping success.

Efficient Meal Planning and Preparation with the Instant Pot

Now that you have your meal plan and grocery list ready, it’s time to start prepping your meals with the instant pot.

Here are some tips and recommendations to help you get the most out of your instant pot meal prep:

How to Properly Use an Instant Pot

Before you start cooking with your instant pot, make sure you read the manual and understand how to properly use it.

This will help you avoid any mistakes that could lead to undercooked or overcooked meals.

Here are some basic steps to follow when using an instant pot for meal prep:

  1. Add ingredients to the pot
  2. Seal the lid
  3. Set the cooking time and pressure level
  4. Wait for the instant pot to come to pressure
  5. Cook for the specified time
  6. Release the pressure
  7. Open the lid and enjoy your meal!

Expert Tips for Streamlining Meal Prep with the Instant Pot

When it comes to meal prepping with the instant pot, there are a few tips and tricks that can help make the process even easier:

  • Cook in batches: Use the instant pot to cook large batches of food at once.

    This will help you save time and ensure that you have enough food for the week.
  • Freeze extra portions: If you end up with extra portions, freeze them for later use.

    This will help you reduce food waste and always have healthy meals on hand.
  • Use the right setting: The instant pot has a variety of settings, including pressure cooking, slow cook, sauté, and more.

    Make sure you’re using the right setting for your recipe to ensure the best results.
  • Prep ingredients in advance: Save time by prepping your ingredients in advance.

    Chop vegetables, measure out spices, and do any other prep work before you start cooking.
  • Invest in accessories: There are many accessories available for the instant pot, such as steaming racks and silicone molds, that can help you get even more use out of your appliance.

Top Meal Prep Recipes to Try with Your Instant Pot

Finally, here are some of the best instant pot meal prep recipes to help you get started:

Breakfast Recipes

healhty vegan lunch bowl with ingredients. Avocado, quinoa, sweet potato, tomato, spinach and chickpeas vegetables salad. Top view
  • Instant Pot Egg Bites
  • Steel Cut Oats
  • Breakfast Quinoa Bowl

Lunch/Dinner Recipes

Chicken tikka masala with Basmati Rice and Naan Bread
  • Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl
  • Beef Stew
  • Chicken Tikka Masala

Snack Recipes

Lifestyle vegan diner
  • Homemade Yogurt
  • Hard-Boiled Eggs
  • Hummus

By following these tips and trying out some of these recipes, you’ll be well on your way to successful instant pot meal prepping!

Ready to Start Meal Prepping? Get Your Free Meal Prep Plan Now!

Free meal prep plan

As a busy woman, I know how hard it can be to find the time to eat healthy and stay on top of meal planning.

That’s why I’m excited to share with you our free meal prep plan, designed specifically for instant pot users like you!

With our meal prep plan, you’ll get access to a variety of delicious and healthy recipes, shopping lists, and prep guides to help you save time, eat healthier, and reduce food waste.

Don’t let a busy schedule hold you back from achieving your health goals.

With our meal prep plan, you’ll be able to stay on track and ensure that you always have healthy meals on hand, even on your busiest days.

So why wait? Sign up for our free meal prep plan today and take the first step towards a healthier, more organized life!

FAQ’s

Is an Instant Pot good for meal prepping?

Absolutely, not only do pressure cookers save your time while meal prepping, but they also create fewer dishes and stress during your prep.

You could have chicken for the week in the oven and a soup, tacos, stir fry, or even just your rice for the week going in the Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi.

What is the first thing I should make in my Instant Pot?

Recipe #1: Water!

Cooking water in your Instant Pot as soon as you get it out of the box is a must…..for two reasons: It lets you quickly learn and experience just how your pot works, exactly.

What size Instant Pot do I need for meal prep?

Large Quantity Recipes for Meal Prepping: I highly recommend a larger size instant pot, like the 8 quarts or 10 quarts, for meal prepping, big batch cooking, and making freezer meals.

A lot of my recipes, like beans, chili, rice, and more, can be doubled or even tripled, which works best in the largest instant pot size.

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