33 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes For Busy Athletes

Instant Pots are electronically controlled pressure cookers. They can cook your food much faster than slow cookers, and are convenient for players and families living in extended-stay style hotels with limited access to a full kitchen. For example, instead of setting a slow cooker on high for 3 hours for my meal prep burrito bowls recipe, you can prepare this in an instant pot (pressure cooker) on high pressure for 14 minutes.

Athletes tend to be more intimidated by pressure cookers than slow cookers, typically because of the dial that’s used to seal and release pressure. One simple way to remember it: turn to seal before cooking, turn to release after cooking – that’s it. You will want the dial to be in the ‘sealing’ position to allow steam to fill the pressure cooker first, then you will want to make sure all of that steam is released after cooking before removing the lid. Here’s a short video for more step-by-step direction.

I’ve gathered 33 healthy recipes you can make anywhere – all you need is an instant pot. 

Poultry

BBQ Chicken from The Foodie Dietitian

Shredded Buffalo Chicken Eleat Nutrition

Teriyaki Chicken from ifoodreal

Chicken Parmesan from Skinnytaste

Chicken Cacciatore from Skinnytaste

Indian Coconut Curry Chicken from Chef Julie Andrews, MS, RDN, CD

Chicken Parmesan Spaghetti from RD and Chef Jessica Ivey

Chickpea Chicken Curry from Meals with Maggie

Chicken Soup from Meals with Maggie

Chicken Sweet Potato Chili from Jessica Ivey RD 

Turkey Chili from Samina Qureshi RDN, LD

Chicken Stew from Leanne Ray, MS, RDN

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup from Meals with Maggie 

Saucy Mexican Chicken from The Cheesy RD 

Hearty Winter Soup from Samina Qureshi RDN, LD

Plant-Based

Ramen Bowls from Peas & Crayons

Red Beans and Rice from A Pinch of Healthy

Lentil Stroganoff from Nourish Nutrition

Quinoa Burrito Bowl from Detoxinista

Vegetarian Chili Mac from The Foodie Dietitian

Sweet Potato Soup with Tofu from Nourish Nutrition

Corn and Potato Chowder from Kroll’s Korner

Barley, Carrot and Chickpea Soup from Liz’s Healthy Table

Broccoli Cheddar Soup from Meals with Maggie 

Black Bean Soup from A Pinch of Healthy

Sous Vide Egg Bites from The Sassy Dietitian

Steel Cut Oats from ifoodreal

Farro Risotto with Mushrooms and Pecans from Mom’s Kitchen Handbook

Perfectly Hard-Boiled Eggs from Damn Delicious

Red Meat

Mojo Style Pulled Pork from Laurel Deininger, MS, RD, CDE

Beef & Butternut Squash Chili from Mom’s Kitchen Handbook

Beef Barbacoa from Real Simple Good 

Pot Roast from Real Simple Good