Top 10 Instant Pot Recipes to Try When Moving
Each year, 40 million Americans pack up their homes and move somewhere new. If each of those folks takes about two months to move and eat three meals a day, that's three billion, six hundred million meals!
Now, how many of those meals do you think are pizza delivery or fast food?
A move is a stressful and physically taking experience, so if there was ever a time to eat healthy, it's now! Instead of settling for fast food burgers, you should investigate easy instant pot recipes. It's the simplest way to keep hot and complete meals coming, even if you've packed half the kitchen!
Getting hungry? If you'll be making meals when moving, this list of instant pot recipes is just one way that your College H.U.N.K.S. can make your move easier. Keep reading to find recipes for ten great meals for families in transition!
Recipe One: Boxed Mac and Cheese
Did you know that you can make your favorite boxed mac and cheese in your instant pot with no draining required? This one's perfect for when the kids are hungry, and you've already packed the colander.
Open your instant pot and add the noodles and the amount of water indicated on the box. If you're looking for sources of protein, pop in some cut-up hotdog, too! Cook on high pressure for three minutes and then allow it to naturally release before adding the butter and your cheese packet.
Stir and enjoy!
Recipe Two: Teriyaki Chicken
We know that meals with chicken feel more like home cooking, even if you're in transition between homes. To make this easy teriyaki chicken, just add some cooked chicken, diced onion, garlic, and ginger to your instant pot. Add store-bought teriyaki sauce until your ingredients are nicely coated. Close the lid, set the pressure to high for about three minutes, and then unplug and stir.
Recipe Three: Hard-Boiled Eggs
Don't forget breakfast, lunch, and snacks! Hard-boiled eggs are a quick and easy source of protein that you can enjoy whole or chopped up to make egg salad sandwiches.
Pour a cup and a half of water into your instant pot, then add a few eggs. Set the pot to pressure on high and cook for five minutes. Do a five-minute natural release and then release the remaining steam.
Add the eggs to a cold or ice water bath and then peel and enjoy!
Recipe Four: Cherry Cobbler
Don't forget dessert! For this cherry cobbler, spray a 7" pan with nonstick spray then pour two 20oz cans of cherry pie filling into the bottom. Pour half a box of yellow packaged cake mix over the top, covering all of the visible filling.
Top that layer with 4 Tbsp of cold, cut up butter. Cover the pan with foil and pour a cup of water into the bottom of the instant pot. Add the pan and pressure cook for 25 minutes, allowing it to naturally release for five minutes. Sprinkle with a tablespoon of sugar, let cool a bit, and enjoy with ice cream or cool whip!
Recipe Five: Buttery Potatoes
All types of potatoes make great side dishes during a stressful move, but these easy buttery potatoes are our favorites. Cut two pounds of baby red potatoes in half and add them to the instant pot with 3/4 cup of chicken stock, Italian seasoning, and salt to taste. Set to high pressure for seven minutes, quick release, stir in some butter, and serve!
Recipe Six: Oatmeal
You can make oatmeal in your instant pot by adding a ratio of one cup of rolled oats to two cups of liquid (water, milk, or plant-based milk). Use the manual setting to cook on high for three minutes, and then release the steam for 20 minutes. From there, add your favorite toppings, like berries, brown sugar, or a pat of butter.
Recipe Seven: Corn on the Cob
A summer move calls for seasonal favorites like corn on the cob! Add your corn and a cup of water to the pot, cook for three minutes on high, then quick release! Add butter and enjoy it with your hands!
Recipe Eight: Instant Pot Popcorn
You've packed up all the toys and now the kids (and the parents) want snacks! Set your instant pot to saute on high and wait two or three minutes so it has time to heat up. Add 2 tablespoons of oil, 1/2 cup of unpopped popcorn kernels, and some seasoned salt, then add your glass lid and wait!
Turn off the heat when 2/3rds of the kernels have popped and you'll have fresh, delicious popcorn, ready to enjoy!
Recipe Nine: Hot Dogs
Once you've packed your plates into boxes, enjoy a meal you can eat with your hands! Pour a cup of water into your instant pot and add as many hot dogs as you'd like. Select high pressure and simply wait for the instant pot to heat to pressure—vent, stick on a bun, and enjoy hot dogs in under five minutes!
Recipe Ten: Instant Pot Taco Bar
Make taco filling by adding oil to your instant pot and using the sauté function to brown one and a half pounds of stew meat. Stir in one cup of salsa, cover, seal, and use the "stew meat" button. Release the pressure manually, then use a fork to shred the beef mixture.
Serve with tortillas and all of your favorite taco fixings! These also taste great in a lettuce cup.
Instant Pot Recipes To Feed You Through Your Move
No matter who you are or where you'll be moving, you must eat! As tempting as it might be to order in every night, you'll find that it quickly gets old—even the kids will start complaining after a while! Having a few fresh and healthy instant pot recipes on hand will give the whole family the energy they need to make the big move!
We promise that feeding your family during a move can be easy, and we want to help make it even easier. If you could use an extra hand, reach out to College H.U.N.K.S. today. Whether you need full-service movers, or just a bit of help while you chop those veggies, we've got your back!