Effortless Instant Pot Thanksgiving Dinner

Transform your holiday cooking with this comprehensive guide to the best Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes. From the star of the show, a succulent pressure cooker turkey, to an array of delectable side dishes and effortless desserts, we’ve curated the perfect list to simplify your holiday preparations throughout November and beyond. Say goodbye to oven space woes and hello to a stress-free Thanksgiving feast!

Welcome back to our festive culinary journey! This roundup features the absolute best easy Instant Pot recipes specifically tailored for the Thanksgiving holidays. While our site boasts over a hundred more fantastic Instant Pot creations, these selections are handpicked to make your holiday meal both memorable and remarkably easy. (Affiliate links may be present in this article, which help support our content creation.)

Mastering Thanksgiving with Your Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker

I’m thrilled to share some of my favorite pressure cooker holiday recipes, perfect for any brand of electric pressure cooker you own, including the popular Ninja Foodi. If you have a Ninja Foodi or a pressure cooker with an air fryer lid, you’ll unlock even more possibilities for crispy finishes and diverse cooking methods. This extensive list provides everything you’ll need to prepare a magnificent dinner for everyone in record time, freeing up your conventional oven for those dishes that truly demand its space.

If you’re new to the world of pressure cooking, rest assured you’re in good hands. We offer a wealth of easy, one-pot meal recipes. Let’s start with a few fundamental tips to get you acquainted with your appliance:

• Make sure to bookmark our Instant Pot recipes page, as we consistently add new, exciting dishes each week!
• For quick reference, print our essential Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet. This valuable tool will help you effortlessly determine how long various ingredients like meat, vegetables, and beans need to cook in your pressure cooker.
• I highly recommend investing in a non-stick inner pot. While it’s important to understand how to deglaze a pressure cooker after sautéing, a non-stick liner significantly minimizes issues and makes cleanup a breeze.

For context, the Instant Pot model I personally use for all my recipe creations, and which is featured in this guide, is a versatile 6-quart unit.

Our collection features a fantastic recipe for the traditional main dish: Instant Pot turkey. However, if turkey isn’t your preference, a pressure cooker ham makes an equally delicious dinner, suitable for any time of year. This versatile list is also perfect for planning your Instant Pot Christmas recipes. The ability to prepare so many dishes quickly and efficiently is precisely why we adore using this appliance during the demanding holiday season.

The Unbeatable Advantages of Hosting an Instant Pot Thanksgiving

Embracing the Instant Pot for your Thanksgiving preparations brings numerous benefits that transform a potentially stressful day into an enjoyable one. Here’s why we wholeheartedly recommend it:

1. Maximizes Oven Space: The Instant Pot handles many dishes that would otherwise compete for valuable oven space on Thanksgiving Day, allowing your oven to focus on the largest items, like a whole turkey or roasted vegetables that benefit from crisping.
2. Remarkably Fast Cooking: Pressure cooking significantly reduces cooking times for many traditional dishes. This means less time hovering over the stove and more time enjoying family and friends.
3. All-in-One Convenience: Many models offer multiple functions, allowing you to sauté, pressure cook, and even keep food warm, all within a single pot. This streamlines the cooking process and minimizes cleanup.
4. Consistent Results: The sealed environment of a pressure cooker ensures even cooking and moist, flavorful results every time, taking the guesswork out of holiday cooking.
5. Reduced Stress: With dishes cooking hands-free in the Instant Pot, you can multitask, relax, or focus on other aspects of your holiday celebration without constant supervision.

Without a doubt, the Instant Pot is one of the best kitchen inventions for holiday cooking, especially for Thanksgiving. The #1 dish I consistently prepare in it are Instant Pot mashed potatoes, or the equally delicious Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes. If you only make one thing, make that!

What’s Your Must-Make Thanksgiving Instant Pot Recipe?

For smaller gatherings of 3 or 4 people, the Instant Pot truly shines by allowing you to prepare dishes quickly and in smaller, manageable batches. For instance, you can use our pressure cooker turkey breast recipe. If you desire a crispy skin finish, simply utilize an air fryer lid for a few minutes after pressure cooking, or pop it under the broiler.

Any brand of electric pressure cooker will work for these recipes. I recently acquired the beautiful Pioneer Woman Instant Pot, which comes with a non-stick pot, but a Crockpot Express or Ninja Foodi will also yield excellent results. For cooking vegetables, a steamer basket is an absolute essential accessory.

Effortless Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes for Every Course

A 6-cup bundt pan that fits into your 6 or 8-quart Instant Pot is incredibly useful for creating beautiful side dishes like corn casserole and cornbread. I also recommend investing in mini mitts; they are incredibly handy for easily removing hot dishes from the pot.

• Making Pressure Cooker turkey is not only possible but cooks in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.
  • Don’t forget to make delicious gravy! You can prepare pressure cooker gravy or even Instant Pot sausage gravy using all the wonderful drippings from your turkey.

Instant Pot ham is a fantastic alternative if turkey isn’t your top choice, or if you’re serving a smaller crowd of 2-4 people and want to minimize leftovers.

No Thanksgiving meal is complete without stellar Instant Pot Side Dishes. Honestly, many times I think we could happily enjoy an entire meal composed solely of these delicious accompaniments! If you’re hosting an all-day affair, consider starting your Thanksgiving morning with an amazing breakfast quinoa. Set up a fun toppings bar to let everyone customize their bowl!

Incredible Side Dishes Cooked Entirely Without an Oven or Stove

• Instant Pot Brussels sprouts with bacon are unbelievably delicious and always disappear quickly from the serving table.
• Pressure cooker baked potatoes are economical and straightforward to make, but for easier serving and a rich flavor, Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes are truly unparalleled.
• A must-try dish for the holidays is this creamy Instant Pot corn casserole recipe.
• For a delightful and unique addition, cheesy Instant Pot cauliflower is sure to impress your guests.

Our recipe for the best Instant Pot cheesy bacon ranch potatoes is a crowd-pleaser. Experiment with a mixture of different cheeses to elevate their flavor profile. And for a classic sweet and savory side, try Instant Pot sweet potato casserole, either topped with pecans or served simply as creamy mashed sweet potatoes.

• Homemade holiday Instant Pot cranberry sauce is incredibly easy to make and an absolute essential for Thanksgiving.
• Instant Pot artichokes are a favorite year-round, adding an elegant touch to any meal.
• This versatile Instant Pot stuffing, whether made with or without butternut squash, turns out perfectly every time.
• Indulge in cheesy Instant Pot scalloped potatoes, also known as potatoes au gratin, for a rich and comforting side.

Instant Pot cornbread, baked in a small bundt pan, makes for a beautifully presented and delicious addition to your meal.

Revolutionize Your Thanksgiving Dinner Prep: Smart Time-Saving Strategies

The key to saving time on Thanksgiving? Strategic planning and the brilliant efficiency of your Instant Pot! You can prep all your oven-bound dishes ahead of time, then organize them by jotting down precise cooking and insertion times to ensure everything finishes simultaneously. In between those oven cycles, your electric pressure cooker can handle a variety of “set-it-and-forget-it” tasks like rice and vegetables, reducing your active cooking time dramatically.

Instant Pot white rice is a basic yet essential recipe for perfectly cooked rice, far simpler and more consistent than stovetop methods. We use this several times a week! For a healthier option, try Instant Pot brown rice, which turns out incredibly fluffy. Homemade Instant Pot spaghetti squash can be cubed or scraped to create a delicious gluten-free noodle alternative.

• The best Instant Pot spinach, made buttery and tender, is a healthy and quick side choice.
• Easy Instant Pot artichokes make for an impressive and flavorful side dish.
• For a hearty and delicious option, prepare pressure cooker fried cabbage with bacon, a comforting classic.

If you anticipate picky eaters among your guests, a simple pot of creamy Instant Pot macaroni and cheese is always a guaranteed way to keep everyone happy.

• Flavorful Instant Pot potatoes seasoned with Italian herbs are a simple yet satisfying side.
• Creamy Instant Pot potato salad offers a fresh take on a picnic favorite, perfect for a less traditional Thanksgiving.
• For a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, try buttery Instant Pot cauliflower mash.
• The best Instant Pot green bean casserole recreates a holiday staple with ease.
• Pressure cooker Amish macaroni salad can be an unexpected but welcome addition to your spread.

We often like to serve a fruit dish alongside our meal, and homemade Instant Pot applesauce is a delightful and healthy choice that works wonderfully.

You can also make Instant Pot quinoa as a healthier, protein-packed side dish alternative to rice.

• Instant Pot popcorn is a fun treat, especially if you have children attending. It provides a great opportunity to discuss how Native Americans made popcorn centuries ago.
• Easy Instant Pot Indian vegetable rice offers an interesting and flavorful twist to your holiday menu.

Irresistible Instant Pot Desserts for Thanksgiving

No Thanksgiving meal is truly complete without a sweet ending. The Instant Pot can handle desserts with surprising ease and delicious results.

This Instant Pot pumpkin apple cake is simply wonderful, offering comforting fall flavors. You can even use our pressure cooker pumpkin recipe to create your own homemade puree, which can also be enjoyed as a sweet spread on toast in the mornings.

While not strictly traditional, people consistently rave about our creamy Instant Pot rice pudding. It’s a personal favorite for any holiday! For chocolate lovers, try the equally delightful Instant Pot chocolate rice pudding.

• For a sweet brunch or a decadent dessert, whip up fresh Instant Pot banana French toast.
• Our 1-minute Instant Pot apple crisp is always a hit, reminiscent of the classic Cracker Barrel version.
• An easy Instant Pot cheesecake recipe is surprisingly simpler to make than its baked counterpart.
• Have fun with the kids making Instant Pot caramel popcorn. Watching the kernels pop under a glass lid is always entertaining.
• Rich Instant Pot brownies are a decadent treat (consider adding peanut butter for an amazing twist!).
• If you prefer to bake your dessert, we also have a collection of easy pumpkin desserts perfect for your oven.

Don’t forget to PIN this invaluable roundup of Instant Pot recipes for future holiday planning, including Christmas brunch menu ideas and December Instant Pot recipes. And be sure to use our leftover turkey recipe to make the most of any remaining meat – no waste here! You can even transform the bones into a flavorful turkey stock.

Fun Thanksgiving Activities for the Family

Beyond the delicious food, keep the holiday spirit alive with engaging activities:

• Enjoy a lively game of Thanksgiving bingo.
• Provide free printable coloring Thanksgiving placemats to keep the younger guests entertained at the table.