Using an Instant Pot can significantly reduce the cooking time for many dishes compared to conventional cooking methods. When it comes to cooking meat in the Instant Pot, one of the most common questions is: how long should you cook meat for per pound?
The answer depends on a few factors:
Type of Meat
Different meats have different cooking times. For example, chicken and pork cook faster than beef or lamb. Here are some general guidelines for minutes per pound for various meats:
| Chicken | 5-8 minutes |
| Pork | 8-10 minutes |
| Beef (roasts/large cuts) | 25-30 minutes |
| Beef (ground) | 5-8 minutes |
| Lamb | 30-35 minutes |
Cut of Meat
The specific cut of meat also affects cooking time. For example, chicken breasts will cook faster than chicken thighs. Fattier cuts of meat may need longer cook times than leaner cuts.
Precooking
If meat has been browned or partially cooked before going into the Instant Pot, the cook time can be reduced. Pre-seared meat may only need 1/3 to 1/2 of the cook time of raw meat.
Amount of Liquid
More liquid in the pot will increase the cooking time. For dishes like stews and braises, the meat may take longer to become tender. For quicker cooking, use less liquid in the Instant Pot.
Boneless vs. Bone-In
Meat with bones, such as chicken thighs or lamb shanks, will take longer to cook than boneless cuts. The bones help insulate the meat, so it cooks more slowly. For boneless meat, reduce cook time by 5-10 minutes per pound.
Frozen vs. Thawed
Always thaw meat completely before cooking in the Instant Pot. Frozen meat can significantly increase cook times. Cooking frozen meat in the Instant Pot can lead to unsafe food handling.
Altitude
Higher altitudes will increase the cooking time. At altitudes above 2000 feet, increase cook time by 5-10%. Refer to the manual for your specific model.
Size of Pieces
Larger, thicker cuts of meat will take longer to cook than thinner pieces. Try to keep pieces fairly uniform in size so they cook evenly.
Pressure Cooking vs. Slow Cooking
Cooking under pressure significantly reduces cooking time. Using the slow cooker function will increase cook times similar to a standard slow cooker.
Recipe Directions
Always refer to recipe directions for specific cook times. Depending on the other ingredients and liquid, cook times may vary from basic guides.
Conclusion
As a general rule of thumb, these minutes per pound for meat can help estimate Instant Pot cook times:
| Chicken | 5-8 minutes |
| Pork | 8-10 minutes |
| Beef (roasts/large cuts) | 25-30 minutes |
| Beef (ground) | 5-8 minutes |
| Lamb | 30-35 minutes |
However, cook times can vary based on many factors. Get to know your model and adjust cook times as needed. Use a food thermometer to confirm meats reach a safe internal temperature. Refer to recipe cook times as a starting guide, and adjust as needed for your altitude, model, and size of meat.
Tips for Cooking Meat in the Instant Pot
Use Natural Release for Tender Meat
Allowing the pressure to release naturally after cooking meat allows the temperature to come down slowly, resulting in extra tender meat. Quick releasing can make meat tougher.
Don’t Overfill the Pot
For meat to cook properly, the Instant Pot should be less than 2/3 full. Overfilling will lead to uneven cooking.
Use a Trivet or Steam Rack
Keep meat elevated off the bottom of the pot by using a trivet or steam rack. This allows steam to circulate all around the meat for even cooking.
Brown the Meat First for More Flavor
Browning meat before pressure cooking yields deeper, richer flavor. Use the saute function on the Instant Pot to sear meat before pressure cooking.
Lock in Moisture with a Roast
Place a roast or large cuts of meat on a bed of aromatic veggies. The vegetables release moisture during cooking which helps keep the meat tender.
Cook Similar Cuts Together
When cooking large batches, try to use uniformly sized pieces of meat so they all cook in the same amount of time.
Let Meat Rest Before Serving
Allow meat to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. This allows juices to redistribute evenly for moist, tender meat.
Tips for Common Meats
Chicken
– Bone-in chicken can take 10-15 minutes longer than boneless.
– Cook chicken breasts for 0-5 minutes for tender, juicy meat.
– Cook chicken thighs with bones for 15-20 minutes.
Pork
– Cook pork tenderloin for 1-2 minutes per pound.
– Cook bone-in pork chops or ribs for 8-10 minutes per pound.
– Chop pork shoulder or roasts into 1-inch pieces to reduce cook time.
Beef
– Place roasts fat-side up to baste meat as it cooks.
– Cook stew meat or cubed beef for 15-20 minutes for tender pieces.
– Ground beef only needs 5-8 minutes to cook through fully.
Lamb
– Cook lamb roasts for 30-40 minutes for rare, 35-45 minutes for medium.
– Lamb chops only need about 5 minutes since they are small.
– Add moisture like broth or water when cooking lamb.
Common Instant Pot Recipes
To get an idea of cook times for different cuts of meat in dishes, here are cook times for some popular Instant Pot recipes:
Chicken
– Whole Chicken: 20-25 minutes
– Chicken Breasts: 5-8 minutes
– Chicken Soup: Cook thighs for 15 minutes
– Chicken Chili: Cook boneless thighs for 8-10 minutes
Pork
– Pork Roast: 30-40 minutes per pound
– Pork Tenderloin: 1-2 minutes per pound
– Pork Carnitas: Cook chops for 10 minutes
– Pork Ragu: Cook ground pork 8-10 minutes
Beef
– Beef Roast: 25-30 minutes per pound
– Beef Stew: 15-20 minutes for 1-inch pieces
– Beef Chili: 8-10 minutes for ground beef
– Beef Short Ribs: 25-30 minutes
Lamb
– Lamb Shanks: 30-40 minutes
– Lamb Curry: 25-30 minutes for cubed lamb
– Lamb Stew: 35 minutes for 1-inch pieces
– Lamb Chops: Only 5 minutes
Conclusion
Calculating how long to cook meat in the Instant Pot is an art that takes some practice. Get familiar with general guidelines based on the type and cut of meat, and make any necessary adjustments based on your specific model and the recipe you are following. With some trial and error, you will get the hang of how long to cook your favorite meats to tender, juicy perfection in the Instant Pot!