The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook: 100 Simple Recipes for Spectacular Results -- with Photographs of Every Step

by Jeffrey Eisner

The easiest-to-follow Instant Pot cookbook ever: 100 delicious recipes with more than 750 photographs guiding you every step of the way

Jeffrey Eisner's popular Pressure Luck Cooking website and YouTube channel have shown millions of home cooks how to make magic in their Instant Pots. Now Eisner takes the patient, fun, step-by-step approach that made him an online phenomenon and delivers a cookbook of 100 essential dishes that will demystify pressure cooking for Instant Pot users of all abilities--and put an astounding dinner on the table in a flash.
Every flavor-filled recipe in this book is illustrated with clear photographs showing exactly what to do in each step. There are no surprises: no hard-to-find ingredients, no fussy extra techniques, and nothing even the most reluctant cooks can't master in moments. What you see is truly what you get, in delicious and simple dishes such as:
Mac & Cheese
Quick Quinoa Salad
French Onion Chicken
Eisner's popular Best-Ever Pot Roast
Ratatouille Stew
And even desserts such as Bananas Foster and Crème Brulée.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Reference, Culinary, Nutrition

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2020

About the author

Jeffrey Eisner is the creator of Pressure Luck, an easy-to-follow Instant Pot recipe video blog. A former PR executive, he now runs his website full time from his apartment in Queens.

Reviews

[Heather Baez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never put a cookbook on my goodreads profile before, but I actually did read this one cover-to-cover. I've had an Instant Pot for nearly two years but it felt intimidating so I left it in the cupboard. I've decided to give myself "mini challenges" each month in 2021, and for February, it's figuring out how to use the Instant Pot, and then use it once a week. Enter this book ...

First of all, if you're like me and have an Instant Pot but are scared of it, get this book! I read the whole introduction on how to use it, the different buttons, how to depressurize, everything. And this book really does cover it all - with lots of photos. It also shows different models of Instant Pots so you can recognize those buttons (which apparently vary slightly) on your model. The recipes not only include step-by-step instructions, but there are multiple photos of each recipe in the various stages, as well. The recipes also include helpful hints like, "It's going to feel like theres a lot of spinach in there and it will come up to the brim of the pot, but don't worry-it cooks down to nothing!"

After reading this book, I decided I was ready. I started with the "Best Ever Pot Roast" as the author said it was his most popular recipe. Early in the cooking process I unfortunately discovered a fatal flaw. MINE, not the book's. I had an Instant Pot MINI! The mini will not fit a 3 pound roast. However, I did manage to get the recipe to work with a smaller piece of meat and no carrots. LOL. There are tons of good, basic recipes in here. From hard boiled eggs and rice (so easy!), to soups, pastas, chicken, meat, even desserts. I have a few highlighted to try later this month. The author says himself that he's not a trained chef, just someone who fell in love with the ease of using his Instant Pot. So, the recipes aren't gourmet by any stretch, but they're good, basic recipes. I also have The Ultimate Instant Pot Cookbook: 200 Deliciously Simple Recipes for Your Electric Pressure Cooker and it has a lot more recipes, many that look delicious, and impressive. But it doesn't have the introduction that The Step-by-Step book has, and not nearly as many photos. If you're a beginner, get this one. If you're more seasoned, get the other too. They're both really good, but this one helped me overcome my intimidation of pressure cooking. The recipes are not going to blow you away, but they're basic, weeknight cooking type meals.

Lastly, my pro tip - do not buy an Instant Pot Mini at all unless you're obsessed with Instant Pot cooking and want to use it for side dishes, traveling (it's apparently portable, but it's still really big!) or cooking for two. This cookbook doesn't really have recipes for two, but that's fine by me. I'm going to ditch my mini anyway!

[Ina Sassoon-Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Jeff for letting my husband eat a home cooked meal other than a TV dinner!

Because it deserves it! Step by step directions with humor whoever heard of that? But Jeff knows how to do it!

I'm not a cook but not I've made some awesome dinners! All because of Mr. Eisner!!!

Thank you Jeff ! I can now cook and my husband can enjoy a real meal!!

[Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of different recipes to make. Some are easy and some are complicated. But all are good!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use my Instant Pot a few times each month -- I make a lot of hard-boiled eggs and steel-cut oatmeal in it (it's the best!).

I have a few cookbooks for using the IP, but I really, really like the simplicity of this one and I love the photos. I'll be looking to buy this and the "lighter" cookbook version by the same author.

[Mary Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book after reading multiple glowing reviews in an Instant Pot Facebook group I am in. I had (and still have, but rarely use) a different cookbook for electric pressure cookers and wasn't having a lot of luck with those recipes turning out - they lacked flavor. THIS book, however, has been amazing. I started near the beginning and have mostly tried the soups: The Spinach and Sausage Soup is similar to that of a certain chain "Italian" restaurant, but better. This one has been declared "my new favorite" by one member of the family. Vietnamese Pho was way out of my comfort zone, having never tried anything like it before, or used star anise before. This was very good, and I was surprised at how much I liked it. Jeffrey's Blue Ribbon Chili was definitely worthy of the blue ribbon. And in the Basics section in the beginning of the book is Garlic Marinara Sauce. The recipe makes three quarts, and it's so good I have made it four times - I actually have three jars cooling on my counter as I type. As the name implies, there is a lot of garlic - 30 cloves - and because this is so good I broke down and bought a garlic slicer to save myself a little prep time. Moving past the soups, there are a lot of recipes I plan on trying: Sausage and Shells, Jambalaya, Chicken Shawarma, and Sesame Beef to name a few. He even has desserts in here. Peanut Butter Fudge Cookie Dough Tart sounds like it has to be delicious. The recipes are true to the name; step by step, picture by picture. The author explains the steps well, and offers substitutions for some ingredients, such as cooking wine and the condensed broth he seems to favor. The book has some introductory information about Instant Pots in the very front which I imagine would be helpful if that is the brand you own. I have a Farberware, but pressure is pressure and these recipes are easily adaptable. This is a great book for those not sure how to use their pressure cooker and need a liitle help getting started, and for people like me, who want to use theirs more, and just want a good variety.

[Bettendorf Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had my Instant Pot for nearly a year before I got around to figuring out how to use it. For someone that isn’t overly skilled in the kitchen, this new device seemed a bit overwhelming. After searching out and watching some walkthrough videos, I stumbled upon Jeffrey Eisner’s YouTube channel, which provided me with the motivation to put the gadget to use. Mr. Eisner walks the viewer through making a recipe in an Instant Pot with very easy to follow step-by-step instructions. His channel has numerous recipes, many of which look delicious. In addition to his YouTube channel, Mr. Eisner also has a website (https://pressureluckcooking.com/) that contains plenty of Instant Pot information. It was on his site that I discovered his book, The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook, and was happy to see it on the shelves at BPL. Just like his instructive videos and website, this book shows how to make each recipe with easy to follow steps and plenty of color photographs.
The book opens with an overview of how the Instant Pot works, discusses pressure cooking basics, and goes over some essential pressure cooking ingredients and tools. Following that, Eisner breaks the remaining sections up into broad categories with nearly a dozen popular recipes within each section, and photographs showing nearly every step of the recipe. I was happy with the pulled pork recipe, and was amazed at how easy some recipes can be when using an Instant Pot. If you have an Instant Pot, or are considering purchasing one, I highly recommend reading this book to learn of all the amazing and simple recipes that await you.

-Cody

[Aprilleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given the way this book is talked up my expectations were pretty high, possibly even a little too high, but the book delivers! He tells you exactly what to do, including which buttons to push, in recipes that have consistently wowed the folks on my Instant Pot groups. They're nearly foolproof according to those people, with the biggest problems typically being a cracked cheesecake when the recipes are followed exactly. That's pretty impressive, so I had to take a closer look.

He covers some basic information in the first 21 pages (how to use the Instant Pot, what the buttons and display symbols mean, FAQs, etc.) and then jumps into the recipes. Most of these cover 2-3 pages, not because they're complicated, but because "Step-by-Step" means exactly that, and each step is illustrated with a small photograph. This is the perfect book for someone who's a little afraid of their Instant Pot. There's no nutrition information included in the recipes, but all the other information (servings, timing information, etc.) is easily located. The recipes themselves are written in a clear, yet often conversational, style with occasional word choices that seem a little unusual until you remember this is not a professional chef. He's just like the rest of us, and that's how he comes across. Bonus points for that.

You'll also enjoy the author's sense of humor. It's not the best part of the book (the variety of recipes wins that honor), but it's a wonderful bit of seasoning.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The good and the bad

This is a great cookbook in regards to telling you what to do and when. For this novice instant pot user this helped me get over my fear of this device and become familiar with it at the same time. That was great and I feel more confident now to explore this cooking style.

The bad... the two recipes I tried- beef short ribs (Asian style) and chicken and broccoli (also Asian style) were good, but not great. The flavors weren’t as intense as I expected and the liquid was by far way too much even with the cornstarch slurries (both recipes had them). I feel like it decreased the flavor.

I have always been a big slow cooker fan and I was curious as to how the instant pot would be as far as taste and ease... so far, I can say that the slow cooker is still my favorite as far as ease, hands down. The instant pot is great as far as time constraints- I made a chicken noodle soup (recipe from a friend) in less than an hour that was fantastic!

I have a feeling I will come back to this recipe book once I get more confident in my instant pot skills because I believe, once tweaked a bit, there are some recipe keepers here. Overall, I’m happy with the instruction and still have much to explore with this book.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many great things here! Well written and concise instructions for the novice (which I am!) I resisted getting another kitchen gadget but when temps soared this summer to triple digits in June, I knew I was going to get tired of grilling and getting an Instant Pot made sense so I wouldn’t be heating up the kitchen. The Facebook Instant Pot community recommended this cookbook to get started and I actually have read it cover to cover. I have some recipes I love (Vodka Penne) and others that were good but I probably won’t make again(Moroccan beef) but they all turned out perfectly. I love that he offers options on ingredients that may be hard to find because I am in rural area. A great cookbook for the Instant Pot beginner.

[Altivo Overo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and imaginative

I finally broke down and bought an Instant Pot. While I knew that this tool combines a pressure cooker, a slow cooker, and a sauté pan in one, I simply had no idea how versatile it can be. I just wanted to retire 3 slow cookers, an ancient pressure cooker, and the rice cooker to make some room in the kitchen. Jeff Eisner shows how to make dozens of exotic and old favorite dishes, from appetizers to desserts, using this invention. Every step is carefully described and illustrated in color photos. I expect to add some new meals to our repertoire of favorites and also to adapt some of the old ones.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best instant pot book by far. Great recipes and understanding my IP Cooking pot.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step by step, you can't go wrong. Perfect for those who are not kitchen savvy (ahem, people like me!)

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this cookbook from the library on the recommendation of a friend, and love it so much I bought it. So many great recipes!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Hot and Sour Soup

Jeffrey Eisner belongs to one of the Facebook groups I follow. In fact, his Hot and Sour Soup recipe is so good, I bought this cookbook. His recipes are detailed, come with pictures, and I have marked quite a few to try. I'm lactose intolerant so there are a number I can't try, but they look and sound delicious. I was one of those that received an Instant Pot as a gift and didn't know what to do with it. At about the same time, my favorite Chinese takeout place changed their Hot and Sour soup recipe from a nice broth to one that has an over abundance of tofu, which I don't like. Went searching for a recipe that is easy to make and that could be frozen in serving portions.

There are comments and notes on how to make some of these recipes vegan, vegetarian, Keto friendly, etc. There are pictures for those of us that just stare and wonder what to do with this one kitchen appliance. There is plenty of variety. I am more than happy with this purchase, and I highly recommend.

[Lafourche Parish Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Dewey Decimal number is 641. That number means food. Since my favorite thing to do besides reading is eating, I spend a lot of time in this section at the library. Santa Claus gave me an Instant Pot a few years ago and I’ve mastered the techniques, but I’m always looking for new recipes to try. Our fabulous Technical Services librarians are continuously adding the newest cookbooks available to the collection, so I am frequently finding new recipes to test in my kitchen.

I stumbled upon Jeffrey Eisner’s recipes and loved them. He is a regular guy who started testing out various recipes in the Instant Pot and found a following when he posted these on his website and blog. He has appeared on Good Morning America and Rachael Ray’s shows. He recently published his first cookbook. I immediately put in an order at my local library branch. (You don’t have to work at the library to request books be ordered, just tell a library staff member what you would like and they will try to purchase it.)

The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook has 100 simple recipes with pictures! I really appreciate when cookbooks have photographs. It give me something to strive toward when I create the food. He even puts step-by-step pictures with directions. Eisner’s recipes are filled with easy to find ingredients and simple steps. The recipes in this cookbook range from soups to desserts. Each section has a variety of cuisines represented like Hungarian Goulash or Jambalaya. With this cookbook, you can create yummy meals in no time. So far, I’ve made Apple Crumble Cobbler and Barbecue Ribs and have my eye on a few other recipes to try.

The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook is available at your library. Happy Reading and Eating!

Availability: Book
Rating: ***** Stars (I loved it)
Reviewer: Dione, Reference/Branch Librarian

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a friend to help me get over my fear of the instant pot. And it's a great cookbook - the style is conversational, there are photos for every step, the timing for each step is accurate. Eisner really did his work here.

The recipes are pretty basic, and that was part of the problem. Like, he starts with mac & cheese, but I already have a great recipe that my family loves. Granted, it takes longer to make - but not if I've prepped it and have it waiting for me in the freezer. Hard boiled eggs are perfect, but I can buy those. . . Eisner won me over with his style, but I'm still not sold on the Instant Pot. Most of the recipes didn't save me a ton of time, because you do have to stand around and work the pot. I'm a huge slow cooker fan, so I'm still not sure this style of cooking is going to work for me.

But if you are eager to try the Instant Pot (these recipes at least got me over my initial fear), this is the best book to try. I have read probably a dozen instant pot books, and this is the first that's moved me to action with it's friendliness and simplicity. The photos and really explaining the steps are great.

I've given this four stars even though I am still on the fence because the author totally did his job. He's really selling the instant pot as a lifesaver. I never give 5 stars unless nutritional information is included, which it's not.

[The Contented · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooooh - plenty to try here!

Greek Avgolemono

Instant pot lemon asparagus risotto

Or maybe, butternut squash risotto

Instant Pot chicken enchiladas (which still take 15 minutes to coo) - note to self: I shall still have to try this as a blend with my fiery hot chicken enchiladas recipe from 1994. That came from a South African magazine article based on the favourite foods of US presidents (Bill Clinton)

Or perhaps I will learn how to cook and make the instant pot chicken tacos. This is almost Prairie kitchen good

The meatloaf and mashed potatoes remind me of what my sister used to make way back when

The Instant Pot lobster rolls look awesome and The illustrations almost make me feel like I might be able to do this myself. But hey there’s a lovely lobster roll place that does these on brioche buns in Theatreland in Covent Garden

(I do wonder how Theatreland is coping during the coronal crisis)

And in case I should run out of ideas there is also an instant parts miso glazed salmon recipe, and oooh creme brûlée’s


All easy peasy and illustrated

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun cookbook! It's enjoyable for reading and meal planning, moreso than the average cookbook. This is a great way to get to know your way around an instant pot. It's as if the author is your witty friend, in your kitchen talking, and guiding you. The pictures and tips are phenomenal. It only lost a star for me because I can't say I've loooooooved all of the actual food. Some were good, some were great, none were bad. Perhaps after trying a few more recipes I'll be able to knock it up to five stars. It does seem like I have a newer instant pot with more/different setting than the ones the book refers to but it was all still fairly intuitive. This book really helped me dive right in and become comfortable with using my instant pot. It's been my sole method of cooking for the three weeks and I'm unsure I want to ever use anything else. I'm a convert and this book is largely responsible.

[Jo C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought my Instant Pot and it sat in the box for a couple of weeks while I eyed it warily and tried to ignore the visions in my head of the lid blowing off and becoming part of a ceiling fixture. To overcome this fear, I needed step by step, absolutely idiot proof directions. Then I found them in this cookbook.

While I still have a twinge of nerves when I pull my Instant Pot out of the cabinet, I am happy to report that to date there have been no explosions. Instead, there has been an amazing roast (with red wine!), super cheesy enchiladas, and the easiest salsa chicken I have ever made. After a few more recipes, I may have the confidence to try the creme brûlée. Does Mr. Eisner have directions for using one of those torches?

[Zachary Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this before getting an actual Instant Pot for two reasons. One, by committing to a purchase over finding recipes online, it was my first step to most likely getting one. Secondly, because finding a good recipe in a book just feels better than sharing a link. I'm not even that old (27 years old) but I feel a sense of pride owning a cookbook.

A lot of the recipes in this book sounded phenomenal! Even seafood recipes, which I tend to eat sparingly with my gout, I plan to make! The Shrimp Boil is at the top of THAT list!

Lastly, I want to say that I really enjoyed the writing style of each dish descriptor. The author personalized how he came to making the dish in question and had a fun coulple sentences you could optionally enjoy before reading the recipe.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

definitely a few recipes in here i want to make that i don't have yet, like the chicken shawarma. where there is overlap with recipes i do have i feel confident i can combine them into what i want. this book calls for a lot more pre-made or store-bought pre-made ingredients than the first IP cookbook i bought, and i took a star off for that combined with fewer ingredient substitutions in case of allergies or dietary restrictions or if you just don't have access where you live to an ingredient mentioned. still, it will definitely be put to good use and has far more international and ethnic recipes than many other IP books, even though i know i would make adjustments to many, as well as more recipes that include rice and pasta where the rice isn't always risotto or brown.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is an amazing book and eye-candy for all foodies and aspiring home instant pot chefs.

The step by step photo instructions make things super simple and will excite even the most timid first time instant pot user. While there are several recipes to gradually introduce instant pot newbies to the appliance, advanced users will also find dozens and dozens of recipes they can try out. So really this book is for newbies and advanced users alike.


The only reason I gave the book four stars instead of five was because I’m a huge fan of make ahead or prep ahead dishes and this recipe book is not meant for that.

However it is still a fantastic book and one which I will use.

[Sam Daab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite cookbooks ever. I really like the fact that there’s a good variety of dishes that a real life person (and not a celebrity chef or something) would want to and could actually make, like fried rice and spaghetti carbonara. Well organized and literally step by step…with photos! The photos are great quality and look delicious, and my results usually look almost exactly the same! Easy to read and follow along with, plus it includes small and simple additions or substitutes in the recipes. This was the first cookbook I bought after getting an instant pot and it definitely made me feel less intimidated about using it.

[Tj Dellinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent instant pot starter manual!

I was riding my instant pot around in my truck after Black Friday purchase, scared to test drive it. The manuals that came with it were only marginally useful. After this book, which took me step by step through, literally, all the beeps and buttons, I learned. I actually bought this book for my kindle, then bought a hard copy to scribble notes in. The soup recipes in here are awesome. An excellent book for someone just starting out or for a senior learning a new appliance.

[Mo Coghlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The food is fantastic, but the recipes are not easy. This was the first cookbook recommended to me when I got my instant pot. The food comes out amazing. The risotto is some of the best I have ever had. But, no joke on the "step by step", there are a lot of steps. These are not set it and forget it recipes. For example, you'll start on the saute function, then move on to the pressure cook function, then remove or add some more ingredients and pressure cook again. If you have the time, the result is delicious.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as many interesting recipes -- for us -- in this one. BUT, it does clearly and concisely walk you through the instant pot basics which is excellent for newbies like us. The family favourite was the Pulled Pork recipe. We also liked the Dijon Dill Pork Tenderloin. Super easy to make but we were unprepared for the amount of time it took to cook -- but that was our bad. It was an unfortunate misstep on our part for a "work and school night." I may end up purchasing this one -- if only for how informative this book is.

[Marcia Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for me. I just bought an Instant Pot and it seemed impossible to me until I found this cookbook. The beginning tells you everything you need to know about operating it and then gets in to all of the recipes. It’s great because each recipe has a picture with instructions for each step. I just made the rigatoni bolognese tonight and it was delicious. I can’t wait to try more of the recipes.

[Annemi Morkel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Expected more and easy recipes

Far too elaborate recipes with far too many ingredients, you may cook faster, but too many stepa. I vook better meals faster with the same or bettet tastenin my old pressyre cooket. Will,try my,own recipes using IP as normsl pressure cooker. Totally disappointng recipe book.

[Tracy Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually, I'll flip through cookbooks and pick out a handful of recipes to copy down in a Word document for my own collection. With this book, I kept picking out more and more recipes! I wanted to copy down nearly every recipe in the book! So I've purchased it (I had checked it out from the library).....I can have ALL the recipes at my fingertips!!! Yay me!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection!

I've never laughed reading a cookbook before but Jeffrey had me cracking up! I want to be his friend lol. The recipes may look like a lot of ingredients but there are just a lot of spices which means amazing flavor! I bought all.jis.cookbooks now! And one is even in KU which is awesome!