Is your new Instant Pot still in the box? Have no fear! Here are three beginner Instant Pot recipes to get you started.

If you have an Instant Pot but are afraid to use it, I feel your pain. I’m embarrassed to say that mine sat in the box for a solid two months before I worked up the nerve to unpack it and figure it out.

But all it takes is little success to build confidence. After making these three beginner Instant Pot recipes, you’ll be ready to take on the vast and exciting IP world like a pro. And you’ll stock a few healthy staples in the meantime.

Here are a few Instant Pot basics to keep in mind first:

• Be sure your Instant Pot steam release handle is set to “Sealing” during cooking. You’ll find the steam release handle on the top of the lid.

• Always make sure that the silver valve has dropped down completely (it’s next to the steam release handle shown above) before opening the Instant Pot.
• To safely release the pressure, place a kitchen towel over the steam release handle and then push handle to “Venting”. After the steam releases, you will hear the silver valve drop. Then it’s safe to open.
• You need to include some kind of liquid when cooking in the Instant Pot. Do not try to cook without liquid.
• For hard-boiled eggs, place the trivet at the bottom (it comes with the Instant Pot) then place the eggs on top. Here’s what it will look like:

• When making IP chicken, place chicken right into broth, no need for the trivet. Here’s what it will look like:

3 Beginner Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot Brown Rice

Yield: 6 one-half-cup servings

Prep Time: 1 minute

Cook Time Time: 32 minutes

Time to Come Up to Pressure: 10 minutes

Total Time: 43 minutes

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Materials

• 2 cups dry brown rice
• 2.5 cups water

Instructions

1. Place two cups of brown rice and 2.5 cups water in the Instant Pot. Be sure all of the rice is submerged in water.
2. Close and lock lid of Instant Pot. Be sure handle is set to "sealing".
3. Select "Manual" and then set for 22 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure, then cook time will start.
4. When 22-minute cook time is over, allow the Instant Pot to switch into "Keep Warm" mode and count up to 10 minutes. When 10 minutes are over (and valve has dropped), open lid carefully and remove rice from Instant Pot.
5. Refrigerate or freeze rice until ready to serve.

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How to Make Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs

Prep Time: 1 minute

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Time to Come Up To Pressure: 10 minutes

Total Time: 21 minutes

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Materials

• 1 cup water
• 1-10 large eggs

Instructions

1. Add one cup water to the Instant Pot. Place trivet (comes with the Instant Pot) in the bottom.
2. Place 1-10 large eggs on the trivet.
3. Close and lock the lid of the Instant Pot and be sure handle is set to "Sealing".
4. Select "Manual" and set time to 5 minutes.
5. When 5-minute cook time is over, allow the Instant Pot to switch into "Keep Warm" mode and let it to count up to 5 minutes.
6. If valve has not dropped, place a dish towel over the steam release and switch handle to "Venting". When valve has dropped, carefully open Instant Pot.
7. Remove eggs with tongs or a large spoon and place into an ice-water bath for 5 minutes.
8. Refrigerate cooked eggs until ready to serve.

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How to Make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Time To Come Up To Pressure: 10 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

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Materials

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 pounds chicken breasts
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder

Instructions

1. Place one cup of chicken broth in the Instant Pot.
2. Lightly sprinkle chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to taste and place breasts in the broth in the Instant Pot (do not use trivet).
3. Close and lock lid and make sure the handle is set to "Sealing".
4. Select "Manual" and set time to 10 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes to come up to pressure, then cook time will start.
5. When cook time is done, allow the Instant Pot to switch into "Keep Warm" mode and let it count up to 10 minutes.
6. If valve has not dropped, place a kitchen towel over steam release and turn handle to "Venting" mode. When valve has dropped, carefully open Instant Pot.
7. Remove chicken breasts to a cutting board and shred with two forks.
8. Refrigerate or freeze shredded chicken until ready to use.

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Ready to tackle more with your IP? Check out my other Instant Pot recipes:

• Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
• Instant Pot Turkey Soup With Dumplings
• No Knead Bread Using the Instant Pot

Follow my Pinterest Board “Instant Pot Recipes: Fan Favorites” for Real Mom Nutrition readers’ favorite IP recipes.

Listen to the This Unmillennial Life podcast: The Instant Pot Episode to learn about aaaallll the things you can make in your Instant Pot.