The Instant Pot is a beloved kitchen gadget for its speed, convenience, and ability to cook a wide variety of dishes. From stews to grains, it seems like the Instant Pot can handle anything. However, despite its versatility, there are certain foods that just don’t work well in the Instant Pot. These foods can end up with the wrong texture, or worse, they can cause the Instant Pot to malfunction. Understanding what foods should not be cooked in an Instant Pot is key to preventing cooking disasters and getting the most out of your device.
Why Some Foods Don’t Cook Well in an Instant Pot
The Instant Pot operates by using high pressure and steam to cook food more quickly than traditional methods. This cooking process works wonderfully for certain ingredients, such as tougher cuts of meat and grains, but it can destroy the texture and flavor of others. The moist environment inside the Instant Pot is not suitable for foods that require dry heat or a crispy finish, which is why it’s important to be selective when choosing what to cook.
The Instant Pot’s high pressure can also lead to overheating or burning with starchy foods, and curdling with dairy products. If you’re unfamiliar with how a pressure cooker works, understanding the science behind pressure cooking will help you make informed decisions about what to cook in your Instant Pot. Here’s a detailed guide to the foods you should avoid and why.
1. Dairy-Based Foods
Dairy products such as milk, cream, cheese, and yogurt do not hold up well under high pressure. When subjected to the Instant Pot’s heat, dairy often curdles, separates, or forms clumps, which can ruin the texture of your dish. This makes creamy soups and cheesy sauces a poor match for pressure cooking. Some common examples of dairy-based dishes that you should avoid cooking in an Instant Pot include:
- Cream-based soups
- Cheese-filled pastas like mac and cheese
- Cheese sauces
Instead of adding dairy to your dish at the start of the cooking cycle, try adding it at the end. Once the pressure cooking cycle is complete, you can stir in your dairy ingredients and allow them to warm gently without curdling. If you love creamy dishes, try alternatives that avoid dairy or incorporate it after pressure cooking. For example, creamy sauces can be added to a chicken Alfredo, but avoid direct pressure cooking. If you need tips for making rich dishes with dairy, consider reading how to make chicken Alfredo taste better.
2. Fried or Crispy Foods
One of the most common misconceptions about the Instant Pot is that it can replace a deep fryer or an oven for frying and crisping foods. Unfortunately, the Instant Pot’s moist environment is the enemy of crispy, golden-brown textures. Foods that need to be fried or baked to achieve that satisfying crunch simply won’t turn out right in the Instant Pot. Examples of foods that should never be cooked in an Instant Pot include:
- Fried chicken
- French fries
- Onion rings
- Tempura
To make crispy foods, it’s best to use an oven, deep fryer, or air fryer. While the Instant Pot can cook proteins and vegetables, the lack of dry heat means it won’t be able to replicate the crispy texture these dishes require. For dishes like fried chicken, finishing in an oven or air fryer is a better option.
3. Delicate Vegetables
Vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, and spinach are far too delicate for the high-pressure environment of the Instant Pot. These vegetables cook very quickly, so when exposed to high pressure, they turn mushy and lose their flavor. If you want perfectly cooked vegetables with the right amount of texture and bite, the Instant Pot is not the way to go.
- Broccoli becomes a soft, unappealing mess when pressure-cooked.
- Asparagus turns limp and soggy.
- Zucchini loses its shape and structure under pressure.
It’s better to steam or sauté these vegetables to preserve their texture and nutrients. Cooking them separately or adding them toward the end of the pressure cooking cycle can help avoid mushiness.
4. Seafood
Seafood is another category of food that doesn’t do well in the Instant Pot. Since seafood is naturally delicate and cooks very quickly, the high pressure and heat from the Instant Pot can easily overcook it, resulting in tough, rubbery fish or shellfish. Common seafood items to avoid in the Instant Pot include:
- Shrimp
- Scallops
- Thin fish fillets, like tilapia or sole
If you’re cooking seafood, it’s best to use more gentle cooking methods like poaching, grilling, or baking. If you love seafood, it’s best to follow recipes that maintain their delicate texture, such as those found in smoked salmon recipes.
5. Pasta
While it’s tempting to throw everything into your Instant Pot for a quick and easy meal, pasta does not always fare well under pressure. Pasta tends to absorb too much water, resulting in mushy, overcooked noodles that have lost their bite. Even worse, depending on the shape and size of the pasta, some parts may be undercooked while others are overdone. Examples of pasta dishes to avoid in the Instant Pot include:
- Spaghetti
- Penne
- Fettuccine
If you want to make pasta in your Instant Pot, it’s important to follow recipes that are specifically designed for pressure cooking. These recipes often include precise water-to-pasta ratios and cook times to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
6. Starchy Foods (Risk of Burning)
The Instant Pot’s high pressure can be problematic for starchy foods like oatmeal, grits, and even some types of rice. These foods tend to thicken as they cook, which can cause them to stick to the bottom of the pot and trigger a burn warning. Additionally, if you don’t use enough liquid, starchy foods can scorch easily. To avoid this issue, follow these tips:
- Always use plenty of liquid when cooking starchy foods.
- Stir starchy ingredients before pressure cooking to prevent them from clumping.
- Avoid thickening sauces or stews until after the pressure cooking cycle.
If you’re following a recipe with starchy foods, make sure to keep an eye on the pot and use the correct amount of liquid to avoid a burn notice.
7. Bread or Baked Goods
While the Instant Pot is great for a wide range of dishes, it’s not ideal for baking bread or other baked goods. Bread dough requires dry heat to rise and set properly, which is not something the Instant Pot can provide. When you try to bake in the Instant Pot, you’ll likely end up with dense, soggy bread. Examples of baked goods that won’t work in an Instant Pot include:
- Bread loaves
- Cakes
- Muffins
For these types of recipes, stick to your oven, where the dry heat will allow the dough to rise and create the perfect crust. If you’re looking for easier dessert recipes, consider browsing easy dessert recipes that are simple and oven-friendly.
Foods to Be Cautious With
While some foods should be completely avoided in the Instant Pot, others can be cooked with caution. These foods may require modifications to avoid overcooking or burning.
Thick Sauces or Stews
If you’re making a thick sauce or stew, such as a tomato-based sauce, be careful not to make it too thick. Thick sauces can prevent the Instant Pot from building pressure properly, which can lead to undercooked food or a burn notice. To avoid this, always add extra liquid to your sauces before cooking. If you want to thicken the sauce, do so after the pressure cooking cycle has finished by simmering the sauce with the lid off.
Lean Cuts of Meat
While tough cuts of meat like pork shoulder and beef brisket do well in the Instant Pot, leaner cuts like chicken breasts or pork tenderloin can dry out quickly. These lean meats don’t benefit from long cooking times, so it’s important to use short cook times and plenty of liquid to prevent them from overcooking.
FAQs About Cooking in an Instant Pot
Can I cook dairy in an Instant Pot?
Dairy does not do well in the Instant Pot due to the high heat and pressure, which can cause it to curdle. It’s best to add dairy ingredients like milk and cream after the pressure cooking cycle is complete.
What vegetables should I not cook in an Instant Pot?
Delicate vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, and zucchini should be avoided in the Instant Pot, as they tend to turn mushy when pressure-cooked.
Can you make bread in an Instant Pot?
No, the moist environment inside the Instant Pot prevents bread from rising and baking properly. Stick to your oven for baking bread or other baked goods.
Why does pasta sometimes turn out poorly in an Instant Pot?
Pasta can easily become overcooked and mushy in the Instant Pot due to the high pressure. It’s best to cook pasta on the stovetop for a more controlled result.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Instant Pot is an incredibly versatile kitchen appliance, there are certain foods that simply do not work well with its high-pressure cooking method. Dairy-based foods, fried or crispy foods, delicate vegetables, seafood, pasta, starchy foods, and baked goods should generally be avoided when using the Instant Pot. However, with proper care and attention, you can still enjoy many delicious meals by selecting the right ingredients and following the correct recipes.
When in doubt, always refer to recipes specifically designed for the Instant Pot to avoid potential pitfalls. For more cooking inspiration and recipes, consider browsing other helpful guides, such as smoked salmon recipes or easy dessert recipes for more ideas.