Instant Pot Cooking Times: 37+ Foods

The Instant Pot does not actually cook faster than the stovetop for most foods. The 10-minute cook time on a recipe ignores 10-15 minutes of pressurizing and 10-20 minutes of natural release. Where it wins: tough cuts that take 2-3 hours on the stove (beef stew, pork shoulder, dried beans) finish in under an hour total. It also frees up the stovetop and holds temperature more consistently than a burner on low.

Food	Temp	Time	Tip
Chicken Breast (fresh)	High Pressure	8-10 min + 5 min NPR	6-8 oz breasts. Add 1 cup liquid.
Chicken Thighs (bone-in)	High Pressure	12-15 min + 10 min NPR	Natural release for tender meat.
Beef Stew Meat	High Pressure	20-25 min + 15 min NPR	1-inch cubes. Saute first for browning.
Pork Shoulder (3-4 lb)	High Pressure	60-75 min + 15 min NPR	For pulled pork. Shred at 205F internal.
Baby Back Ribs	High Pressure	25-30 min + 10 min NPR	Finish under broiler 3-5 min for bark.
Hard Boiled Eggs	High Pressure	5 min + 5 min NPR	5-5-5 method. Ice bath after.
White Rice	High Pressure	3 min + 10 min NPR	1:1 water ratio (not 2:1 like stovetop).
Brown Rice	High Pressure	22 min + 10 min NPR	1:1.25 water ratio.
Dried Chickpeas (soaked)	High Pressure	12-15 min + 15 min NPR	Soak 8 hours first. 1 tsp salt per cup.
Dried Black Beans (soaked)	High Pressure	8-10 min + 15 min NPR	Unsoaked: 25-30 min.
Corn on the Cob	High Pressure	2-3 min + QR	Quick release. 1 cup water. Do not overcook.
Whole Chicken (4-5 lb)	High Pressure	25-30 min + 15 min NPR	6 min per lb. 165F internal.

Food ▲	Temp ?	Time	Safe Temp ?	Category
Baby Back Ribs	high-pressure	25-30 min	145°F	Pork
Baked Potato	high-pressure	12-18 min	n/a	Vegetables
Barley	high-pressure	20-25 min	n/a	Grains
Basmati Rice	high-pressure	4-5 min	n/a	Grains
Beef Short Ribs	high-pressure	45-55 min	145°F	Beef
Beef Stew Meat	high-pressure	30-40 min	145°F	Beef
Beets	high-pressure	15-25 min	n/a	Vegetables
Brown Rice	high-pressure	15-18 min	n/a	Grains
Butternut Squash	high-pressure	8-12 min	n/a	Vegetables
Chicken Breast	high-pressure	10-12 min	165°F	Poultry
Chickpeas (Instant Pot)	high-pressure	35-45 min	n/a	Grains
Chole (Pressure Cooker)	high-pressure	35-45 min	n/a	Indian Foods
Corned Beef	high-pressure	1.2-1.5 hrs	145°F	Beef
Dal (Chana)	high-pressure	18-22 min	n/a	Indian Foods
Dal (Masoor)	high-pressure	6-8 min	n/a	Indian Foods
Dal (Moong)	high-pressure	8-10 min	n/a	Indian Foods
Dal (Toor)	high-pressure	12-15 min	n/a	Indian Foods
Dal (Urad)	high-pressure	25-30 min	n/a	Indian Foods
Dried Beans (Instant Pot)	high-pressure	25-35 min	n/a	Grains
Egg Bites	high-pressure	8-10 min	160°F	Eggs
Farro	high-pressure	10-12 min	n/a	Grains
Frozen Chicken Breast	high-pressure	12-15 min	165°F	Frozen Foods
Frozen Chicken Thighs	high-pressure	15-18 min	165°F	Frozen Foods
Hard Boiled Eggs	high-pressure	5 min	160°F	Eggs
Jasmine Rice	high-pressure	3-4 min	n/a	Grains
Lamb Shanks	high-pressure	40-50 min	145°F	lamb
Lentils	high-pressure	8-12 min	n/a	Grains
Pasta	high-pressure	4-6 min	n/a	Grains
Pot Roast (Chuck Roast)	high-pressure	1-1.3 hrs	145°F	Beef
Pulled Pork	high-pressure	1-1.3 hrs	145°F	Pork
Quinoa	high-pressure	1-2 min	n/a	Grains
Rajma (Pressure Cooker)	high-pressure	25-35 min	n/a	Indian Foods
Spaghetti Squash	high-pressure	7-10 min	n/a	Vegetables
Sweet Potato	high-pressure	15-20 min	n/a	Vegetables
White Rice	high-pressure	3-4 min	n/a	Grains
Whole Chicken	high-pressure	25-30 min	165°F	Poultry
Wild Rice	high-pressure	25-30 min	n/a	Grains

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