Boil vs Instant Pot: Cooking Time Comparison
Side-by-side cooking times for 4 foods. See which method is faster for each food.
By the CookTimeGuide Editorial TeamKitchen-tested Jan 2026
Foods Compared
4
Boil Faster
0
Instant Pot Faster
4
| Food | Boil Temp ? | Boil Time | Instant Pot Temp ? | Instant Pot Time | ← Boil fasterInstant Pot faster → |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beets | boiling | 30-50 min | high-pressure | 15-25 min | 20 min faster → |
| Corned Beef | low | 180-240 min | high-pressure | 70-90 min | 130 min faster → |
| Hard Boiled Eggs | boiling | 10-12 min | high-pressure | 5-5 min | 6 min faster → |
| Pasta | boiling | 8-12 min | high-pressure | 4-6 min | 5 min faster → |
Times shown are for the default recommended temperature for each method. Actual times may vary based on cut thickness, starting temperature, and equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boil faster than Instant Pot?
Instant Pot is faster for 4 out of 4 foods in this comparison. Boil is faster for 0 foods.
Should I use Boil or Instant Pot?
Both methods produce great results. Boil and Instant Pot each excel with different foods. Use the comparison table above to see which method is faster and at what temperature for your specific food.
How many foods can be cooked with both Boil and Instant Pot?
4 foods on CookTimeGuide have cooking times for both Boil and Instant Pot. See the full comparison table above.