20 Cheap Instant Pot Recipes

One of my very favorite kitchen tools is my Instant Pot and I’m always on the lookout for easy Instant Pot recipes. With the current economy the way it is, cheap Instant Pot recipes are a must, especially when I’m feeding my large family. In this post I’ve rounded up 25 of the best Instant Pot recipes that can be on the cheap! If you’re looking for delicious meals you can make on a budget, you’ll definitely want to check out some of these recipes.

Favorite Cheap Instant Pot Recipes

The recipes down below are some of my favorite cheap Instant Pot meals. I thought about only including recipes that can be made for a certain dollar amount, but with the way food prices are changing these days and the variation in prices between regions, I decided not to do that to myself.

So, I’m including recipes that can be made with relatively common and budget friendly ingredients. I even have some great Instant Pot side dishes for you, too!

Instant Pot Wild Rice Pilaf – One of my favorite side dishes is wild rice pilaf. If you’re looking for a fancy side dish that you can easily make at home, you’ll find that this wild rice pilaf is one of those healthy Instant Pot recipes that can be made quickly!

Brown Rice in the Instant Pot – Don’t have a rice cooker? You can use your Instant Pot pressure cooker to make brown rice! All you need is rice and water and a bit of time with your Instant Pot. Plus, rice is an economical dish that can be added to any main entree to bulk it up.

Instant Pot Black Beans – When we are pressed for money, I always reach for black beans. Dried black beans are inexpensive and can be used in so many different dishes. My favorite way to use them is in simple bean and rice burritos. You can use your Instant Pot to meal prep your black beans and have them ready to go for any easy dinner.

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes – Are you looking for an easy way to make your favorite sweet potato side dish? Cooking them in the Instant Pot is the best thing you can do to make your sweet potatoes super delicious!

Instant Pot Refried Beans – Beans are definitely my go-to when making cheap, easy meals. My kids go crazy for refried beans. With just a few simple ingredients you can whip up this delicious refried bean recipe in your six quart Instant Pot!

Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot – I love making a whole roast chicken in a cast iron skillet, but you can make this meal even easier by cooking it in the Instant Pot. Don’t forget to use your leftover chicken meat by checking out this post on how to use one whole chicken three ways.

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes – Mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish for almost any meal. This inexpensive recipe combines basic potatoes with a few extra ingredients to make them extra creamy and delicious!

Easy Instant Pot Meals

Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowls – My family is obsessed with chicken tacos. This easy recipe is incredibly delicious and is thrown together quickly in the electric pressure cooker. Chicken taco bowls always please the whole family! If you want to make this recipe for even less, swap the chicken breasts for chicken thighs.

Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken – If you’re craving Chinese, but don’t want to spend the money on take-out, you can make this simple and delicious teriyaki chicken in your pressure cooker with a few simple ingredients!

Instant Pot Pork Carnitas – When I’m grocery shopping on a budget, I tend to reach for a picnic roast. It’s budget friendly and I can usually get at least two delicious recipes out of it to feed my large family. This pork carnitas recipe is full of flavor. Of course, you can eat it in a bowl like a burrito bowl, but you can also eat it in tortillas if you want a filling and healthy meal that is full of so much flavor!

Instant Pot Spaghetti – Spaghetti is the ultimate, cheap comfort food, and yes, it can be made in the Instant Pot! The beauty about this recipe is that it is a one-pot meal that makes a quick dinner on busy weeknights.

Instant Pot Orange Chicken – The only Chinese food my husband will eat is orange chicken. Getting takeout can be pricy, especially for our large family, so this easy Instant Pot orange chicken recipe is my go-to when the craving hits.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken – I absolutely adore Indian food, but Indian takeout options are limited where I live. It also saves a lot of money to make the meal myself. With a stocked spice cabinet, this meal is relatively inexpensive and made with chicken thighs.

Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Soup – One of my favorite soups is chicken fajita. It has all of the amazing flavors of a juicy fajita in a big, warm bowl of comforting soup. This recipe includes simple ingredients of juicy chicken breasts, red and green bell peppers, onions, and any other add-ins you’d like. I especially love this soup topped with cheese and sour cream.

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup – Chicken noodle soup is my go-to anytime anyone in the house comes down with a cold. I keep the ingredients needed to make this soup on hand. It’s pretty inexpensive to create this soup and using the Instant Pot makes it so easy!

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup – If you need another comforting soup recipe, you’ll definitely want to give this one a try! Made with cheap canned ingredients plus chicken, this soup is delicious topped with crushed tortilla chips.

Instant Pot Pork Chops – Pork chops are relatively inexpensive to purchase and this delicious and creamy pork chop recipes makes the ultimate comforting meal on a busy weeknight.

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup – If it’s fall, you’ll be able to find butternut squash for a reasonable price. Give this delicious simple soup recipe a try as an appetizer or pair with some crusty bread for a comforting meal.

Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo – If I’m in the mood for a fancy meal, I make chicken alfredo. It looks dressy, but it’s made with simple and inexpensive ingredients. You’ll love how easy it is to make in the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage – Corned beef is a relatively inexpensive cut of meat when compared to roast. Adding in cabbage, carrots, and potatoes create a delicious and filling meal on the cheap!

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken – Need a simple recipe for busy weeknights? I don’t think anything can get easier than two ingredient Instant Pot BBQ chicken.