Instant Pot vs Slow Cooker: Cooking Time Comparison
Side-by-side cooking times for 8 foods. See which method is faster for each food.
By the CookTimeGuide Editorial TeamKitchen-tested Jan 2026
Foods Compared
8
Instant Pot Faster
8
Slow Cooker Faster
0
| Food | Instant Pot Temp ? | Instant Pot Time | Slow Cooker Temp ? | Slow Cooker Time | ← Instant Pot fasterSlow Cooker faster → |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Back Ribs | high-pressure | 25-30 min | low | 420-480 min | ← 422 min slower |
| Beef Short Ribs | high-pressure | 45-55 min | low | 480-600 min | ← 490 min slower |
| Beef Stew Meat | high-pressure | 30-40 min | low | 420-480 min | ← 415 min slower |
| Corned Beef | high-pressure | 70-90 min | low | 480-600 min | ← 460 min slower |
| Lamb Shanks | high-pressure | 40-50 min | low | 420-540 min | ← 435 min slower |
| Pot Roast (Chuck Roast) | high-pressure | 60-80 min | low | 480-600 min | ← 470 min slower |
| Pulled Pork | high-pressure | 60-80 min | low | 480-600 min | ← 470 min slower |
| Whole Chicken | high-pressure | 25-30 min | low | 360-480 min | ← 392 min slower |
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 Instant Pot faster than Slow Cooker?
Instant Pot is faster for 8 out of 8 foods in this comparison. Slow Cooker is faster for 0 foods.
Should I use Instant Pot or Slow Cooker?
Both methods produce great results. Instant Pot and Slow Cooker 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 Instant Pot and Slow Cooker?
8 foods on CookTimeGuide have cooking times for both Instant Pot and Slow Cooker. See the full comparison table above.