Easy Instant Pot Stuffing

Discover the ultimate recipe for **Instant Pot stuffing**, a savory and comforting side dish that’s perfect for Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings, or any weeknight meal. Whether you’re using a Ninja Foodi, Crockpot Express, or any other electric pressure cooker, this method promises a moist, flavorful stuffing with minimal effort. Say goodbye to oven-hogging and hello to a perfectly cooked, golden-brown stuffing every time. This recipe delivers the deliciousness of traditional baked Pepperidge Farm sausage stuffing, but with the speed and convenience only a multi-cooker can offer.

This **Instant Pot stuffing** recipe is a fantastic addition to our ever-growing collection of Instant Pot recipes, offering dinner ideas and side dish solutions for months on end. If you’re searching for a standout side for the holidays or simply craving a delicious homemade stuffing, this easy pressure cooker version is an absolute must-try. (Note: Some links may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you).

Pressure Cooker Stuffing: The Ultimate Holiday Hack

Making holiday meals can be stressful, especially when juggling multiple dishes and limited oven space. That’s where your pressure cooker truly shines! We’ve been busy creating a variety of easy Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes to help you relax and enjoy the festive season without the added kitchen pressure. Our pressure cooker stuffing is a game-changer, allowing you to free up your oven for other main courses or desserts.

The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. You don’t need a specific brand to achieve perfect results. Whether you own an Instant Pot, a Ninja Foodi (using its pressure cook function), a Mealthy MultiPot, or a Crockpot Express, the principles remain the same. We regularly make a ton of easy Ninja Foodi recipes, and this stuffing is a staple that works flawlessly across all these popular multi-cooker appliances. Embrace the convenience and incredible efficiency of pressure cooking for your next stuffing creation.

Getting Started with Pressure Cooking: Essential Tips for Success

If you’re new to the world of pressure cooking, don’t worry! It’s an incredibly rewarding way to cook, offering speed and convenience without sacrificing flavor. To ensure a smooth experience with this stuffing recipe and future culinary adventures, here are a few fundamental tips:

• Bookmark Our Recipe Page: Make sure to bookmark our InstaPot recipes page. We’re constantly adding new and exciting recipes each week to inspire your cooking.
• Utilize a Cooking Times Cheat Sheet: Understanding cooking durations is key. We highly recommend you print this Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet. It’s an invaluable resource that will help you gauge how long various meats, vegetables, and beans take to cook perfectly in your pressure cooker.
• Consider a Non-Stick Inner Pot: While not strictly necessary, we highly recommend you invest in a non-stick inner pot. It significantly reduces the chances of food sticking and burning, making cleanup a breeze.
• Even with a non-stick pot, it’s good practice to know how to deglaze a pressure cooker after sautéing. This prevents “BURN” errors and ensures all those flavorful bits are incorporated into your dish. However, a quality non-stick liner makes this process far less problematic.

For your reference, all the recipes we develop and share are tested using a 6-quart Instant Pot model. This size is versatile and perfect for most family meals and side dishes.

Homemade Stuffing in Instant Pot: Boxed Mix vs. From Scratch

While this recipe focuses on making delicious stuffing from scratch, you absolutely can adapt a boxed stuffing mix like Stove Top. Simply follow the instructions on the back of the box for preparing the mix, then refer to our pressure cooking guidelines to cook it using the pot-in-pot method. You’ll need the same type of oven-safe dishes linked below that fit inside your Instant Pot.

For this particular rendition, we’ve incorporated tender air fryer butternut squash, adding a delightful sweetness and texture. However, if squash isn’t your preference, it’s perfectly fine to omit it. Just skip that step and proceed with the rest of the recipe to create a classic, savory pressure cooker stuffing. The addition of squash, if you choose to include it, is the initial step before combining with your stuffing mixture.

Squash, in its many forms, is a truly versatile ingredient that can elevate a wide variety of dishes. I wasn’t fully convinced until recently when we experimented with homemade pumpkin butter and even stuffed spaghetti squash into our Cornbread Dressing with Jiffy Mix. Both creations were incredibly flavorful and cooked remarkably fast. For our Instant Pot stuffing, you will utilize the innovative Pot-in-Pot (PIP) method, which is an incredibly easy and effective way of how to bake stuffing outside the turkey, ensuring even cooking and freeing up your main oven.

What Does PIP Mean and Why Use It for Stuffing?

If you’re relatively new to pressure cooking, the term “PIP” might be unfamiliar. Understanding this technique, along with quick and natural pressure release methods, is crucial for expanding your pressure cooking repertoire. PIP stands for **Pot-in-Pot**.

• **Pot-in-Pot Explained:** This method means you are not placing your food directly into the main Instant Pot liner/pot. Instead, your food is cooked in a separate, smaller, oven-safe container that sits on a trivet above water in the main pot. Essentially, it creates a steaming environment.
• **Why Use PIP for Stuffing?** Stuffing, by nature, doesn’t contain a lot of liquid. If you were to cook it directly in the Instant Pot liner, it would likely burn to the bottom. The PIP method prevents this by gently steaming the stuffing, ensuring it cooks evenly, remains moist, and develops a perfect texture without scorching. It’s ideal for delicate dishes or those that require a less direct heat application.
• **Necessary Accessories for PIP:** To successfully execute the Pot-in-Pot method, you’ll need a few key Instant Pot accessories:
• Trivet with Handles: A trivet is essential to elevate your cooking container above the water. One with handles makes it significantly easier to lower and lift your hot dish in and out of the Instant Pot.
• Oven-Safe Bowl or Pan: You’ll need a heat-resistant bowl or pan to hold your stuffing. A 7-inch springform pan is a popular choice for its shape and easy release, fitting well in both 6-quart and 8-quart Instant Pots. A 1.5-quart glass bowl is another excellent option, offering more capacity if needed and also fitting both common IP sizes. These dishes should always be oven-safe, as they will be subjected to high heat and steam.

To set up the PIP method, simply pour 1.5 to 2 cups of water into the bottom of your pressure cooker’s inner pot. Place the trivet on top of the water, then carefully lower your bowl or pan, filled with stuffing (usually covered with aluminum foil to prevent condensation from dripping in), onto the trivet.

The beauty of the PIP method extends beyond just preventing burning. It allows you to create wonderfully moist cakes, delicate casseroles, and perfectly steamed vegetables. You can use various oven-safe containers, from the aforementioned springform pans to even more creative options like making stuffing in a Bundt pan for a visually stunning presentation.

If you have a cherished family stuffing recipe, you can easily adapt it to the pressure cooker using this very method. The result will be a consistently moist and flavorful stuffing that tastes just like grandma used to make, but with modern convenience.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Stuffing

Crafting the perfect Instant Pot stuffing starts with quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a few notes for best results:

1. Dry Stuffing Mix: We highly recommend Pepperidge Farm’s herb-seasoned stuffing mix for its classic flavor profile and consistent texture. You can also use other dry bread cubes or make your own from stale bread.
2. Olive Oil: Used for sautéing your aromatics. Extra virgin olive oil adds a richer flavor.
3. Celery: Diced celery adds essential crunch, freshness, and aromatic depth to the stuffing.
4. Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred to control saltiness. For a dairy-free alternative, plant-based butter substitutes work wonderfully.
5. Onions: Diced yellow or red onions provide a foundational savory flavor. They are optional but highly recommended for traditional stuffing taste.
6. Spices (Thyme & Rosemary): These classic poultry herbs are key to traditional stuffing flavor. Freshly chopped herbs will provide the most vibrant taste.
7. Butternut Squash (Optional): Pre-roasted butternut squash cubes add a lovely sweetness, vibrant color, and soft texture. It’s a fantastic seasonal addition, especially for fall holidays.
8. Chicken Broth: Essential for moistening the stuffing mix. Chicken broth imparts significantly more flavor than water. For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth.

Essential Equipment for Pressure Cooker Stuffing

Having the right tools makes all the difference when preparing your Instant Pot stuffing. Here’s a list of the equipment you’ll need for this pot-in-pot method:

• Pressure Cooker: A 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, Crockpot Express, or similar electric pressure cooker.
• 7-Inch Springform Pan: This size fits perfectly into both 6-quart and 8-quart models. It’s excellent for easy release of the stuffing.
• Oven-Safe Dish: Alternatively, a sturdy oven-safe casserole dish or a 1.5-quart glass bowl can be used. The glass bowl offers slightly more capacity and is versatile for many other recipes. Choose one that fits comfortably inside your pressure cooker.
• Trivet with Handles: A crucial accessory for the pot-in-pot method. The handles make it easy and safe to lift the hot dish in and out of the Instant Pot.
• Large Mixing Bowl: For combining all your stuffing ingredients.
• Baking Sheet (if adding squash): For roasting your butternut squash prior to mixing.
• Aluminum Foil: To cover your stuffing dish during pressure cooking, preventing condensation from dripping into your stuffing.

How to Make Stuffing in a Pressure Cooker: Step-by-Step

Follow these detailed steps to create a wonderfully moist and flavorful stuffing in your pressure cooker:

• Prepare Butternut Squash (Optional): If you’re incorporating butternut squash, dice it into 1-inch cubes. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil, spread on a baking sheet, and roast in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until just tender. Set aside.
• Sauté Aromatics: Turn your Instant Pot (or multi-cooker) to the Sauté function (Normal setting). Add the butter (or dairy-free alternative) and olive oil. Once melted, add the diced onion and celery. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and slightly translucent.
• Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the dry stuffing mix with the sautéed onions and celery. If you’re adding the roasted butternut squash, fold that in as well. Pour in the chicken (or vegetable) broth and continue to gently fold until the breading is thoroughly moistened. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the stuffing dense.
• Prepare for Pot-in-Pot: Divide the stuffing mixture evenly into two oven-safe casserole dishes or stacked metal cooking pans that fit inside your Instant Pot. Sprinkle the tops with rosemary and thyme. If using casserole dishes, cover them tightly with aluminum foil. If using stacked pans with lids, secure the lids. This recipe yields enough for two batches, so you’ll cook one at a time.
• Set Up Pressure Cooker: Add 1 ½ cups of water to the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Carefully place the trivet with handles into the pot. Lower one of the prepared pans of stuffing onto the trivet.
• Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid and ensure the steam release valve is set to the Sealing position. Select the Manual or Pressure Cook setting and set the time for 20 minutes on High Pressure.
• Release Pressure: Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a Quick Release by carefully moving the steam release valve to the Venting position. Once all the pressure has been released and the float valve drops, open the lid.
• Serve or Cook Second Batch: Carefully lift the hot stuffing dish out using the trivet handles. If you used a casserole dish, you’ll repeat the entire pressure cooking process for the second batch of stuffing. Serve immediately and enjoy!

This recipe makes two generous batches of stuffing. We recommend purchasing a multi-purpose oven-safe dish that you’ll use often for other recipes to get the most value from your kitchen investment. For more delicious **Instant Pot side dishes**, be sure to explore these other fantastic recipes:

Other Pressure Cooker Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

• Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole: A creamy, sweet, and comforting classic.
• Sweet Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce: Fresh, vibrant, and so much better than canned.
• Whole Instant Pot Turkey: A surprisingly easy way to cook a tender, juicy turkey that pairs perfectly with your pressure cooker stuffing.

And for a simple yet satisfying accompaniment, our Italian Instant Pot Diced Potatoes are incredibly easy to make and always come out tender.