Finding yourself drawn to the keto diet for weight loss? This approach, characterized by high fat but low carbohydrate intake, has gained significant popularity over the years.
By harnessing the capabilities of your Instant Pot, you can create a range of delectable meals that align with the keto lifestyle. In this article, we will present 34 effortless keto Instant Pot recipes, carefully curated for your convenience and dietary needs.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Renowned for its simplicity, this broccoli cheddar soup requires only five fundamental ingredients, making it an ideal option for a quick yet satisfying meal. The end result is a smooth, creamy, and indulgently cheesy soup that can be elevated with the addition of sriracha to give it an extra kick if desired. Whether you prefer using fresh or frozen broccoli, this recipe offers flexibility in its preparation.
Furthermore, by substituting vegetable stock for chicken stock, you can easily make the recipe vegetarian-friendly.
Butter Chicken
Just like many Indian recipes, this simple butter chicken recipe relies on a few key ingredients to create its rich and creamy flavor. Unlike some more complex variations, it uses boneless and skinless chicken thighs or breasts as the base, which are then seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices including paprika, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala powder.
The sauce itself is made up of full-fat coconut milk and canned roasted tomatoes, which come together to create a velvety texture that’s both indulgent and delicious.
Cauliflower And Cheese
Zestfully embracing the comfort food cravings of low-carb and keto enthusiasts, macaroni and cheese can be cleverly substituted with a creative alternative. This delectable side dish boasts a robust and satisfying texture, courtesy of cauliflower rice, cream cheese, and an abundance of shredded cheddar cheese. For those struggling to resist the allure of cheese, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings.
Cauliflower Rice
Elevating keto recipes has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason – it’s a flexible and low-carb alternative that can be seamlessly integrated into various dishes. Cauliflower rice, specifically, is a staple in many keto households due to its ability to substitute traditional rice in numerous recipes. With its exceptionally low carb count, cauliflower rice makes an excellent side dish accompaniment to an array of foods.
One of the best aspects of cauliflower rice is its simplicity – it requires only a few minutes to prepare and can be enjoyed on its own or paired with your favorite seasonings. Its ease of preparation makes it a go-to option for those looking for a quick and healthy solution.
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Delighting in a healthier twist on traditional wraps, this recipe replaces bread or tortilla with lettuce leaves as the wrapping vessel. The end result is not only more nutritious but also crunchy and refreshing. This dish can be prepared and cooked in approximately 30 minutes, making it an ideal option for those seeking a quick and effortless meal solution.
Chicken And Mushrooms
Flavorful chicken breasts are cooked in a rich and creamy mushroom sauce that’s surprisingly easy to make. To start, the chicken is seared in your Instant Pot until browned on all sides, then set aside before adding sliced mushrooms to cook down until they release their liquid. Next, the chicken stock is added to create a savory base for the sauce, which is then finished with heavy cream and a tangy kick from Dijon mustard.
For a complete meal, pair this dish with a variety of low-carb vegetables to balance out the flavors.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Zestfully, this ‘noodle’ soup is actually a zoodle soup, as the noodles are made from zucchini, as seen in our article ’34 Delicious Zoodle Recipes’. By substituting traditional pasta with zucchini noodles, you’ll significantly reduce the carb content. The soup itself is crafted from chicken broth and features spinach and celery for added nutrition.
For this recipe, it’s recommended to use skinless chicken, but either chicken breasts (refer to our collection of ’27 Incredible Chicken Breast Recipes To Try’) or thighs can be used with great success.
Crack Chicken
Crafting the perfect Instant Pot crack chicken is just the beginning. This versatile recipe can be repurposed in countless ways once it’s prepared, offering a variety of low-carb options for mealtime. Enjoy it as a filling in a crunchy lettuce wrap, serve it with tacos, or transform it into a satisfying sandwich or low-carb pasta dish.
The combination of chicken breasts, crispy bacon, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning mix creates a rich and creamy flavor profile that’s perfect for those following a low-carb diet.
Creamy Cheddar Broccoli Soup
Filling your belly and warming your soul, this recipe creates a rich and satisfying soup that’s perfect for chilly winter evenings. The generous helping of cheese and broccoli not only adds flavor but also texture, while the cream provides a luxurious thickness that’ll keep you cozy on even the coldest nights. For an extra boost of flavor, consider adding a pinch of paprika powder to your taste.
Creamy Chicken With Bacon And Cheese
Often overlooked is the perfect combination of bacon and cheese, which takes on an entirely new level of flavor when paired with succulent chicken. This recipe leverages a rich blend of heavy whipping cream, chicken broth, and cream cheese to create a luscious sauce that expertly highlights the natural flavors of your chicken.
Fried Cabbage
Renowned for its rich southern flavor profile, this classic side dish has become a staple in many households. In fact, we’ve shared our favorite Southern side dishes on the blog before. For those following a keto diet, cabbage is an excellent vegetable choice due to its low carb content. By keeping the amount of onion minimal, you can further reduce the carb count and make this dish even more suitable for your dietary needs.
The addition of chicken broth, crispy bacon, and a pinch of red pepper flakes not only enhances the flavor but also adds a delightful texture to each bite.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
Often overlooked when following a keto diet are the small pleasures of snacks and appetizers, but these chicken wings prove that you can have your cake and eat it too – or rather, enjoy your wings while watching the big game. Firstly, preheat your oven to cook your chicken wings for around 40 minutes.
Once cooked, they can be tossed in a mixture of melted butter, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, pepper, onion powder, and parsley before being baked for an additional 10 to 20 minutes to achieve the perfect crispiness. The exact cooking time will depend on your personal preference for crispiness.
Jambalaya
Observing its rich flavors and diverse influences, Jambalaya has become a staple in various cuisines. The distinctive Creole or Cajun seasoning plays a significant role in infusing this dish with an unparalleled depth of flavor. Its robust character is further accentuated by the generous amount of protein it contains, courtesy of the savory andouille sausage (for alternative options, see ‘5 Great Andouille Sausage Alternatives’ ) and boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
Despite its high meat content, Jambalaya’s nutritional balance is well-maintained due to the presence of low-carb vegetables and cauliflower rice.
Lasagne
Exploring alternative lasagna options, this particular dish deviates from the traditional pasta sheets found in typical lasagnas. Instead, layers of ground beef are used, separated by layers of cheese for a richer flavor profile. This recipe is ideal for those with a strong affinity for cheese, as it incorporates not one but three types: ricotta, Parmesan, and sliced mozzarella.
Lemon Garlic Salmon
Having flexibility when it comes to ingredients is always a bonus in the kitchen, especially when it comes to cooking fish like salmon. Fortunately, this recipe makes it easy by allowing you to cook the salmon straight from frozen without having to worry about defrosting first. This means you can simply use whatever salmon you have on hand, whether that’s fresh or frozen, and get started with cooking.
To begin, fill your Instant Pot with a mixture of water, lemon juice, and some fresh herbs, making sure to place the steamer rack in position as well. Next, season your salmon with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, before adding some slices of lemon on top for extra flavor. With the high pressure setting engaged, your salmon will be cooked to perfection and infused with a delicious blend of flavors that are sure to please.
Loaded Cauliflower Soup
Creating a rich and satisfying cauliflower soup requires a few key ingredients, not least among them six generous slices of crispy bacon. Cooking the bacon until it’s golden brown sets the stage for the rest of the recipe. With its smoky flavor and crunchy texture, the bacon is a crucial component that elevates this creamy soup to new heights.
The foundation of the soup is built on chicken broth, which provides a depth of flavor that’s expertly balanced by the addition of sour cream and melted cheese.
Low-Carb Keto Chili
Many people adore a good chili recipe, and this one is no exception. By leaving out the beans, it not only satisfies our taste buds but also fits perfectly into low-carb and keto diets. The spices that give traditional chili its signature flavor are still present in this version, ensuring that the essence of chili remains intact. For those who crave an even spicier kick, simply substitute the green chilis with jalapeños for an added layer of heat.
Meatballs
Joining the ranks of instant pot recipes that have taken the culinary world by storm, these meatballs stand out for their ease of preparation. Unlike other meatball recipes, you don’t need to bother with preparing the individual components beforehand. Simply combine all the necessary ingredients, including ground beef or turkey, spring onions, parsley, oregano, and garlic puree, in your Instant Pot. The result is a delicious and hassle-free meal that’s ready in no time.
Mexican Cauliflower Rice Bowl
Whether you’re craving a flavorful and spicy meal, this Mexican cauliflower rice bowl is sure to become a go-to option for both lunch and dinner. This recipe eliminates traditional rice in favor of cauliflower rice, making it an excellent low-calorie choice suitable for keto diets (see also ‘33 Easy And Wholesome Keto Casseroles‘). The bold Mexican flavors are achieved through the use of Taco seasoning and ingredients such as black beans and avocado (see also ‘16 Easy Navy Bean Recipes‘).
What’s more, this dish is incredibly quick to prepare, making it an ideal option for a weeknight dinner or even a weekend lunch.
Sausage And Peppers
Taking advantage of Italy’s rich sausage-making tradition, this recipe allows you to use any type of Italian sausages you prefer – whether they’re fresh or still frozen. If you do choose to use frozen sausages, don’t forget to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure they’re fully cooked. To prepare the dish, simply combine all the ingredients in your Instant Pot and set it to high pressure for 20 minutes.
The harmonious blend of red and green peppers with Italian seasoning will undoubtedly make these sausages a crowd-pleaser among family and friends alike.
Smothered Pork Chops
Pork chops are an excellent dinner recipe option that can be paired with a multitude of side dishes to create a satisfying and filling meal. Since this particular keto recipe has been formulated, it omits the flour that is typically required for gravy-smothered dishes, yet retains the butter and heavy cream. The rich onion gravy used in this dish ensures that your pork chops remain juicy and flavorful.
Taco Meat
Adding an extra layer of depth, taco meat can be repurposed in a variety of dishes beyond traditional tacos. The ground turkey or beef is first seasoned with a blend of fajita and taco seasoning, which can either be homemade or store-bought for convenience. Furthermore, sautéed onion and bell peppers are incorporated into the meat mixture to amplify its flavor profile.
Taco Soup
Writing this taco soup recipe is a delight because of its simplicity. With just five essential ingredients, anyone can make it with ease, even on a busy day. Among these fundamental components are the taco seasoning, which you have the option to either purchase or create from scratch by mixing and blending your own spices. It’s worth noting that this particular soup recipe does not include any pre-made taco shells, giving you the freedom to customize the dish according to your preferences.
Feel free to add a few extra ingredients as garnishes towards the end of cooking if you want to give it an extra flair. The core elements that bring this soup together are ground meat, diced tomatoes, water, cream cheese, and a bouillon or soup stock (for those who’d like to explore alternatives, see our article ‘Chicken Bouillon Granules: Top 5 Substitutes’ for more information).
Thai Coconut Curry
Smoothly blend your favorite spices with fresh coconut milk for a delicious and hassle-free curry experience. Simply add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot, skipping any pre-preparation steps. The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility – the level of spiciness can be tailored to suit individual tastes by adjusting the amount of curry powder used, resulting in a smooth and creamy coconut curry that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Tikka Masala
Among the array of international cuisine-inspired dishes we’ve created, an Indian-style curry takes center stage next to our Thai-style version. Aromatic and flavorful, this chicken tikka masala sauce is crafted with a blend of onion, ginger, garlic, garam masala, cumin, and turmeric, resulting in a complex and layered taste experience. The richness of the dish is further enhanced by the addition of yogurt and heavy whipping cream, making it a decadent treat for those who indulge.
Laura Hauser is a food writer and editor passionate about authentic, approachable home cooking.
