How to Use Your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker - Eating Instantly (2024)

June 17, 2024 by Taylor Stinson

Learn how to use your Instant Pot as a slow cooker! Master your instant pot slow cooker settings with this simple guide.

The Ultimate Guide to Using an Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker

If you’re a proud owner of an Instant Pot, you probably know just how versatile this kitchen appliance can be. While it’s famous for its pressure cooking capabilities, it can also function as a fantastic slow cooker.

That’s right, the Instant Pot can do it all! In this ultimate guide, we’ll show you how to use your Instant Pot as a slow cooker to create delicious, no-fuss meals.

Why use your Instant Pot as a slow cooker?

There are a few different reasons that you may opt to use an Instant Pot to do your slow cooking as opposed to a traditional crockpot:

1. Time-saving: Slow cooking typically requires a separate slow cooker, but your Instant Pot can take on this role as well, saving you precious kitchen space and cleaning time.
2. Versatility: You can prepare a wide range of dishes, from hearty stews to tender roasts, using the slow cooker function.
3. Consistency: The Instant Pot’s precise temperature control ensures even cooking and tender results.
4. Multi-functionality: If you’re short on kitchen gadgets, your Instant Pot’s ability to slow cook, pressure cook, sauté, and more can be a game-changer.

Getting started

Before you dive into slow cooking with your Instant Pot, here are a few essential steps to get you started:

1. Read the manual: The Instant Pot’s manual is your best friend when learning to use the slow cooker function. Familiarize yourself with the appliance’s controls and safety guidelines.
2. Gather the right accessories: You may need additional accessories like a glass lid (for slow cooking), a trivet (for elevating dishes), or silicone liners (for easy cleanup).
3. Choose the right recipe: Almost any slow cooker recipe can be adapted into an Instant Pot recipe. Simply follow the same time and temperature guidelines, and you’ll have delicious results.

The slow cooking process

1. Select the slow cook function: Press the “Slow Cook” button on your Instant Pot. The appliance will default to the “Normal” temperature setting, which is equivalent to a typical slow cooker’s low setting.
2. Adjust the temperature: Depending on your recipe, you can change the temperature to “Low,” “Normal,” or “High.” Most slow cooker recipes use the “Low” setting for gentle, all-day cooking.
3. Set the cooking time: Choose the desired cooking time. Slow cooker recipes usually have a broad time range, so feel free to adapt it according to your schedule.
4. Cover the pot: If you don’t already have a glass lid, you can use aluminum foil to cover the Instant Pot to retain moisture and heat.
5. Let It cook: Once you’ve set the temperature and time, let your Instant Pot do the rest. You can check the progress through the glass lid, but avoid opening it too frequently to maintain an even temperature.

Tips for converting a slow cooker recipe to an Instant Pot recipe

Here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of your Instant Pot’s slow cooking function.

• Plan ahead: Slow cooking takes time, so plan your meals in advance. You can prepare ingredients the night before and set the Instant Pot to start cooking when you’re away.
• Use the right amount of liquid: Slow cooking can evaporate liquid more slowly than other methods, so adjust your recipe accordingly. You may need to reduce the amount of liquid you’d use in a traditional slow cooker recipe.
• Don’t overfill: Avoid overfilling your Instant Pot. Leave some space for ingredients to expand as they cook.
• Add delicate ingredients later: If you have delicate ingredients like fresh herbs or dairy, add them near the end of the cooking time to maintain their flavours and textures.
• Experiment and adapt: Slow cooking is all about personal taste. Don’t be afraid to adjust temperatures and cooking times to perfect your favourite crockpot recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I vent the Instant Pot when slow cooking?

I wouldn’t recommend using your regular Instant Pot lid when slow cooking. Grab a tempered glass slow cooker lid so some steam can escape while it’s cooking or cover the pot in aluminum foil instead.

How do you set it to high or low?

When you select the Slow Cook button on your Instant Pot, it will default set to the ‘Normal’ temperature which is considered low heat. You can adjust it to high heat by clicking the Adjust button and selecting the ‘High’ setting.

Can you leave an Instant Pot on slow cook all night?

If you are slow cooking in the Instant Pot, you should be able to leave your dish cooking overnight for as long as the recipe dictates. Anything that calls for 8 hours cooking time should be sufficient as long as you make sure you’re up in time to take it out of the slow cooker once it’s finished.

Do you need to seal the valve?

No, you shouldn’t seal the lid if you’re using the Instant Pot slow cooker function, as a tight seal will prevent the steam from escaping while cooking. You should use a tempered glass lid or cover the lid in tinfoil instead.

How do you delay a slow cooker in an Instant Pot?

If you don’t want your Instant Pot to start slow cooking right away, you can use your Instant Pot’s delay start function. Specific instructions for your model can be found in the user manual, but for the most part, you’ll press the ‘Timer’ button and use the + and – buttons to set the numbers of hours to delay the start time for.

Slow cooker recipes to try

Here are a few of my favourite slow cooker recipes to try in your Instant Pot! Follow the steps above to learn how to adapt them to your specific pressure cooker’s model.

• Slow Cooker Peanut Stew
• Crockpot Honey Garlic BBQ Meatballs
• Hearty Chickpea Soup
• Crockpot Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
• Slow Cooker Tuscan Sausage and Kale Soup
• Crockpot Vegetarian Lentil Chili
• Shredded Beef Tacos
• The Best Crockpot Vegetable Soup