We’ve compiled the best Thanksgiving Instant Pot recipes for pressure cooker omnivores. Our list includes savory main courses, side dishes and desserts. We have a whole turkey, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie on the Thanksgiving dinner menu, to name just a few!
It’s the time of year when you can eat whatever you want with a fabulous great excuse: Thanksgiving! But, if you’ve ever cooked a full Thanksgiving menu or just committed to bringing in a few dishes, it may take a lot of preparation and planning. Instant Pot can give you plenty of shortcuts to make planning Thanksgiving dinner much easier (and faster too!).
There are so many great Thanksgiving recipes you can make in the instant pot from cozy soups, hearty appetizers, delicious turkey and beef mains, fabulous sides, and desserts. It’s one of those kitchen gadgets that can really shine this time of year.
Why Use the Instant Pot for Thanksgiving Instant Pot Thanksgiving Sides Instant Pot Thanksgiving Pot Thanksgiving Pot Thanksgiving Pot
- Appetizers Instant Pot Thanksgiving
- Soups
- Instant
- Pot Thanksgiving Desserts & Drinks
Looking for something more plant-based and dairy-free? We’ve rounded up the best vegan Thanksgiving Instant Pot recipes here and even more vegan holiday sides here.
WHY USE THE INSTANT POT FOR THANKSGIVING
- Reduce time in the kitchen! If you have an Instant Pot, Thanksgiving is almost the best time to put it on. It will make your prep day more efficient, whether you’re making side dishes ahead of time or an Instant Pot dessert. This will give you more time to hang out with the family.
- Save on space on the stove or oven. Many Thanksgiving side dishes and desserts are cooked in the oven, but what if it’s occupied by a juicy turkey or whole chicken? Well, that’s when you can make a delicious instant pot side dish or cake at the same time without needing that oven space.
- Makeup magic! We love using the Instant Pot to batch cook and prepare food ahead of time. You can prepare mashed potatoes, precook vegetables, make a delicious starter soup or appetizer sauce, all before the big holiday. The same goes for desserts, as you can usually pressure cook them the day before.
Let’s make this year’s Thanksgiving dinner easy, quick and stress-free with these comforting and delicious Instant Pot recipes that the whole family will love. INSTANT
POT
THANKSGIVING MAIN COURSE
COOKING A WHOLE TURKEY IN INSTANT POT
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img src=”https://instantpoteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/instant-pot-turkey.jpg” alt=”Instant Pot Whole Turkey” />
Let’s start with the food star. Most people make a big turkey for Thanksgiving. If you’ve used your pressure cooker for long enough, you know it’s fantastic for reducing the time to cook large chunks of meat, including but not limited to whole poultry. Yes, it is possible! You can cook a whole turkey in the instant pot. Using an 8qt model of the Instant Pot, you can handle an 8-9 pound turkey in a trivet. The Bacon Is Magic recipe
Check out Instant Pot Turkey
& Gravy from The Novice Chef blog Check
out Instant Pot
Sausage Stuffing by Sweet and Savory By Shinee
Instant Pot
Turkey Breast Recipe
Sometimes you just don’t want to fix a whole turkey. So why follow a tradition just for a picturesque table? The turkey breast comes out juicy and tasty with pan drops that are perfect for the sauce. If you want a crispy skin, simply place the turkey breast under the grill for a few minutes. Crunchy Creamy Sweet Recipe
Check out What to do with leftover turkey
. Instant Pot
GLAZED HAM
Maybe your family makes a ham instead of turkey on Thanksgiving. The same rule still applies here: you can use your Instant Pot for that. An example? This beautiful Instant Pot ham is juicy, tasty and very easy to make in the pressure cooker in less than 30 minutes. It is made with a delicious low-carb frosting, Keto, Paleo. Life Made Sweeter Whole
Blackened Chicken Recipe
When you’re not a fan of turkey but still want to have a bird on the table, try a whole chicken instead. Serve with green beans, garlic and lemon asparagus or baby potatoes for a full meal. Check out the tastiest and juiciest Instant Pot whole chicken recipes here.
You may also like our
Instant Pot Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf
instant
chicken cake (two forms)
There’s something completely different from tradition here, but it’s definitely going to be a celebration with every bite. Bacon always takes food to the next level. Get the recipe here
Easy Instant Pot Pork Shoulder
& GRAVY
With our pictures and step-by-step instructions, you will be able to master this classic pressure cooker to make succulent, juicy and delicious pork. The sauce is made with the cooking broth incorporating all those wonderful flavors of meat, onion, garlic and seasoning. A great alternative to turkey or chicken! Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot
turkey dumplings and sauce
The ground turkey dumplings
are cooked in the instant pot in a delicious broth which is then thickened into a creamy sauce. This spicy meatball dish is ideal on mashed potatoes or pasta noodles and a side of vegetables. Get the recipe here.
Roast Beef
&
Gravy
Warm, abundant and full of flavor. Chuck or beef from the top is scorched and pressure-cooked roast-style in a delicious brown red wine sauce that results in tender, crumbling meat. Served with a side of mashed potatoes and vegetables for a perfect dinner. Get the recipe here.
Roast
chicken and potatoes
Fall in love with our juicy Instant Pot roast chicken and potatoes spread with garlic butter and herbs. Pressure cooked for added speed, then roasted with the lid of the air fryer or in the oven for a golden and crispy perfection. The cooking broth and drips are loaded with flavor and make the best sauce to pair with potatoes. Get the recipe here.
SEE OUR 10 BEST RECIPES ON VIDEO
INSTANT THANKSGIVING POT
WITH CREAM CHEESE MASHED POTATOES IN INSTANT
POTATO <
img src=”https://instantpoteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/instant-pot-mashed-potatoes-cream-cheese-1.jpg” alt=”Cream cheese Instant mashed potatoes” />
Fluffy and tasty, this mashed potatoes with cream cheese with fresh dill is the perfect side dish that will please the whole family. The secret to a good puree is all the other things you add to make it rich, lush, and creamy, such as butter, milk or sour cream, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, garlic or mustard, chives or dill, and lots of salt. It is quick and easy to prepare and is gluten-free and suitable for vegetarians. Get
the recipe here Check out
The Salty Marshmallow’s regular mashed
potato recipe Check out
the perfect pressure cooker Delish Instant Pot Low Carb Cauliflower Rice
Sweet Potato Puree
This sweet potato puree is just heaven! Pure buttery sky and garlic that you can eat every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This dish has a permanent place at any Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Yellow Thyme recipe.
Instant Pot Ranch Potatoes
Simply put, ranch potatoes are cooked red potatoes flavored with ranch seasonings. To make things even better, hot ranchera potatoes can be transferred to a casserole dish and baked with grated cheese on top. Get the recipe here.
Paleo sweet potato
casserole
A simple and paleo-friendly garnish made entirely in the pressure cooker, saving you valuable oven space. No pre-boiling of potatoes is required! Life Made Sweeter Easy Macaroni
& Cheese Recipe
Creamy macaroni and cheese are a dish that everyone should master. Who doesn’t love a good creamy cheese paste? Get the recipe here.
Candied potatos pressure cooker
Do you have your
sweet potatoes candied
with or without marshmallows? Either way, this pressure cooker recipe only took 4 minutes to cook! Make It Love It recipe.
Braised green beans with tomato and onion
If you fancy doing something a little different (and healthier) than cream-laden green bean casserole, we can’t recommend these
braised
green beans! sufficiency! This Turkish-inspired recipe will delight your dinner guests and become a crowd favorite. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Green Beans
&
Potatoes
It all starts by sautéing the bacon to take this Southern dish of green beans and potatoes to the next level. Oh Sweet Basil Recipe
Check out Meatloaf and Melodrama 5-Minute Pressure Cooker Cranberry Sauce Instant Pot Orange Ginger Carrots
This sauce is too good to be just with turkey. Think pancakes, sandwiches, cream cheese with crackers, whey cookies, swirled in oatmeal, over vanilla ice cream. Mel’s Kitchen Cafe Recipe
MAC & CHEESE WITH CORN
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img src=”https://instantpoteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/corn-mac-cheese-instant-pot-recipe-2.jpg” alt=”Corn Mac And Cheese In Instant Pot” />
A big twist on a traditional macaroni and cheese dish using the best of summer produce. Frozen or canned corn can also be used to make this macaroni and cheese dish. Get the recipe here.
Macaroni and cheese WITH CRISPY BACON
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img src=”https://instantpoteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/The-Best-Instant-Pot-Macaroni-and-Cheese.jpg” alt=”Macaroni and cheese with crispy bacon” />
Homemade food essential for any table with children. Now just sprinkle some bacon on top for the adults at the table. Deliciously Sprinkled Recipe
Check out Instant Pot Spicy Creamed Corn from Went There 8 This
Instant Pot
Green Beans With Butter & Pepper
Try these simple Instant Pot green beans with melted butter, sea salt, and cracked pepper for a perfect hit of nutrients and fiber. The key to using the pressure cooker for lightly steamed vegetables is to use LOW pressure and this is where the adjustability of the instant cooker comes in handy. Get the recipe here
Check out Instant Pot Cornbread With REal Crispy Crust from Imagelicious
Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes
When you don’t have
Space in the oven, but you don’t have time for slow cooker, instant cooker is an excellent solution. You can use cheddar cheese, or a combination of cheddar cheese and mozzarella or even Monterey Jack or Colby cheese, basically cheese is good no matter what. Get the recipe here
Check out Instant Pot Polenta from Feasting At Home Instant Pot
Creamed Beets
These creamy Instant Pot beets are a perfect accompaniment (especially for Thanksgiving or Christmas) and can also be served as a vegetarian main course. Similar to creamy spinach, this recipe features diced cooked beets (we use the Instant Pot for that), softened onions, garlic, and heavy cream and everything is topped with some feta cheese and chives. Get
the recipe here
BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH CRISPY BACON AND GARLIC
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img src=”https://instantpoteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/instant-pot-brussels-sprouts-bacon-2.jpg” alt=”Brussels sprouts in instant pot with bacon and garlic” />
With just a handful of ingredients, this Brussels sprouts Instant Pot recipe with crispy bacon and garlic is a must-have not only for Christmas or Thanksgiving, but for any day of the week. These mini cabbages have a sweet, nutty flavor and are a great side dish to any main course. Get the recipe here
Smoky Instant Pot Pecan Brussels Sprouts
Smoky Pecan Brussels Sprouts
: a little sweet, a little smoky, with a
nutty crunch. Only four ingredients and it only takes about 15 minutes to make! Glue & Glitter recipe.
PUMPKIN RISOTTO WITH BLUEBERRIES AND WALNUTS
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img src=”https://instantpoteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/instant-pot-pumpkin-risotto-with-cranberries-3.jpg” alt=”Instant pumpkin risotto with blueberries and walnuts” />
Add a festive touch to your pumpkin risotto with some spicy dried cranberries and earthy nuts, as well as delicious hot spices. Made in the Instant Pot, this pumpkin risotto can be cooked with any type of sweet winter squash or pumpkin and is perfect as a side dish on a Thanksgiving table. Get the recipe here.
Buckwheat with mushrooms
Made with mushrooms, onions, and garlic to add flavor, it’s a fantastic vegetarian or vegan option. In addition, it is gluten-free and economical. Get the recipe here.
Mashed potatoes loaded with Instant Pot
Creamy, buttery and perfectly collectable, this fusion of loaded baked
potato
casserole
and a classic mash is irresistibly delicious. Super easy and perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, grilled dinners and to prepare in advance. Get the recipe here.
Cheesy
Brussels Sprouts
This dish is a cross between Brussels sprouts au gratin and a good creamy vegetable baking. Brussels sprouts are cooked in a creamy broth in the instant pot, then transferred to a baking dish and finished with cheese under a rotisserie. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Creamed
Corn
Super creamy, perfectly sweet and salty and so easy to make you’ll never buy canned creamy corn again! Serve this classic Southern dish at your next barbecue or as part of the holiday table. This corn recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. Get the recipe here.
Devilish eggs with bacon, cheddar and chives
A fun and festive twist on the classic party appetizer. They are perfect for the 21-day solution, Weight Watchers, and anyone following a Keto or low-carb plan. This devilish egg mixture has bacon, cheese, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, salt and a little mustard. Then topped again with extra bacon, chives and cheddar because why not? Confessions Of A Fit Foodie Creamy Spinach
& Artichoke Dip
Recipe 
This
Instant Pot spinach and artichoke
sauce is
an imitation Applebees recipe and is very addictive. It’s the perfect combination of flavors that will complement any Thanksgiving table. Garlic, spinach and artichokes are a classic trio of flavors, and then you add the different cheeses, and make this a dynamite starter. Recipe for The Adventures of a Nurse.
For more sauce recipes you can make in the Instant Pot, check out this collection.
Instant
Pot Cocktail Dumplings
The delicious homemade dumplings cooked in a rich sticky sauce are juicy and tasty in just 30 minutes. Ideal for holiday food! Prescription of Appetizer Addiction.
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Creamy and cheesey sauce with a characteristic buttery hot sauce flavor. The chicken and sauce are easily cooked in the Instant Pot and the sauce can be finished in the oven with extra grilled cheese on top. Dip in your favorite cookies, corn chips, or celery sticks, and enjoy while watching the next game or movie. Get the recipe here.
INSTANT THANKSGIVING SOUPS
Panera-inspired Instant Pot tomato soup
Velvety soft and full of flavors that provides comfort and nutrients in a bowl. Made with canned Roma tomatoes, garlic, onions, Italian herbs and a secret little ingredient that brings out the umami flavor in the soup. It’s rich, creamy and delicious! Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Pasta e Fagioli
A thick, comforting soup, almost like a stew, that’s perfect for a cold or rainy day or when you need a touch of comfort food. It’s super simple, vegetarian and vegan and is made with a little trick that makes it creamier. Get the recipe here.
Creamy mushroom and wild rice soup
<img src="https://instantpoteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/instant-pot-wild-rice-soup-with-mushrooms-1.jpg" alt="Instant
wild rice soup with mushrooms” /> Loaded with vegetables and thick with some cream and Parmesan cheese, this
wild rice and mushroom soup
for
beginners is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Get the recipe here.
Broccoli cheese soup
<img src="https://instantpoteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/instant-pot-broccoli-soup-with-cheese-5.jpg" alt=
“Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup” /> The creamy cheese and
broccoli
soup
at Instant Pot is perfect for Thanksgiving and can be made in advance. It’s a classic recipe that everyone will love. Get the recipe here.
SPICY Instant pot Carrot Soup
<img src="https://instantpoteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Instant-Pot-Carrot-Soup.jpg" alt="SPICY INSTANT POT CARROT SOUP" /
>
This carrot soup is like bomb diggity and is made with only 5 ingredients! It’s also vegan, clean, inviting, and easily freezeable and shareable, all of which make for an amazing recipe for all occasions. Recipe for Pinch Of Yum.
ZUCCHINI SOUP CREAM
<img src="https://instantpoteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/creamy-zucchini-soup-instant-pot-recipe-2.jpg" alt="Creamy zucchini soup
(instant pot recipe)” />
This creamy
zucchini soup is smooth and creamy, but it’s still pretty light, so it won’t overfill your dinner guests. It is also very easy to do in the Instant Pot. Get the recipe here.
INSTANT THANKSGIVING DESSERTS
PUMPKIN & PECAN INSTANT POT CHEESECAKE
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img src=”https://instantpoteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/instant-pot-pumpkin-cheesecake-with-pecans-2.jpg” alt=”Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake (Instant Pot Recipe)” />
When it comes to seasonal fall and winter recipes, you can’t miss a good pumpkin or walnut dessert, and with this Instant Pot pumpkin cheesecake with nut rind and coverage, we are combining both! With creamy and decadent pumpkin filling with butter dressing and caramelized walnut, this cheesecake is absolutely to die for and would be perfect for Thanksgiving. Get the recipe here.
CLASSIC Pumpkin Pie
Some traditions are simply delicious and pumpkin season doesn’t seem to last long enough. So take advantage while you are in stores. Pressure Cooking Today Recipe
Check out Instant Loss’s grain-free instant pumpkin pie
INSTANT POT STEWED APPLES IN MULLED WINE
<img src="https://instantpoteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/instant-pot-apples-stewed-mulled-wine-1.jpg" alt="Instant pot stewed apples in
mulled wine” /> Instant Pot Stewed apples in wine
hot. It’s exactly what it sounds like: apples stewed with brown sugar in red wine and spices, resulting in smooth, sweet, spicy, and slightly alcohol-flavored (but not alcoholic!) fruits. You can serve these press-cooked apples as dessert with delicious vanilla ice cream. Get the recipe here.
Chocolate cake with salted caramel and pretzels
Amazing Instant Pot chocolate cake with salted caramel and pretzels
sounds more forgiving than cake, right? An absolute pleasure for the public. Get the recipe here
Instant Pot Apple, Pear & Hinnel Crisp
Some
people like pumpkin, but others like
an apple. This rustic crunch is the perfect way to end the night with a fun fennel addition to really embrace that seasonal product. Your food-loving friends and family will love this dish, and it may feel good to serve it because it’s grain-free and refined sugar. No one will know, and you’ll do everyone a favor by serving something healthy after that big meal! Recipe of Recipes to Nourish.
GINGER BARK EGGNOG CHEESECAKE
<img src="https://instantpoteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/instant-pot-eggnog-cheesecake-recipe-3.jpg" alt="Eggnog cheesecake with ginger rind and caramel
(instant pot recipe)” />
For a dessert in the holiday spirit, make this fabulous Instant Pot cheesecake with ginger crust and caramel drizzle. Enriched with a little rum, cinnamon and nutmeg, this pressure-cooked cheesecake is creamy and decadent, perfect with some whipped cream or ice cream. Get the recipe here.
