I Reluctantly Traded My Beloved Slow Cooker for an Instant Pot—And Now I'm So Happy I Did
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For a long while now, I would've considered myself something of a slow cooker connoisseur. So much so, that I was almost stubbornly against the Instant Pot when it first came out. It felt like a betrayal to my favorite slow-cooker soup—this Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Chowder recipe is so good that it inspires that sort of loyalty—as well as to my endless batches of carnitas pork tacos, shredded buffalo chicken bowls, and red beans and rice that would make any Cajun mother proud. (Mine's only from Georgia, but I can imagine.)
Yet after hearing the Instant Pot could actually perform like a slow cooker—as well as a rice cooker, pressure cooker, and steamer for starters—I decided to take the plunge when my old slow cooker was on the brink of its last breath. Now, I'm so glad that I did. (RIP, trusty slow cooker.) Here's why if you're looking to trade in your slow cooker for an Instant Pot, you won't regret it.
Firstly, I still get to make all of my favorite slow-cooker recipes—like Mississippi pot roast, slathered babyback ribs, and homemade spaghetti sauce—without having to dirty up any other pans for searing or steaming. (It can act as a sauté pan to sear your meats before switching the multicooker over to another function to finish the job. So, yea, that's cool.) Secondly, I have also gotten to try out some truly surprising recipes for things I already make and had no idea would become even easier in an Instant Pot. For example, it's a life-saver for making perfectly hard-boiled eggs for deviled eggs or egg salad. You can make homemade chicken and dumplings in under an hour or chicken-sausage jambalaya in a flash, including rice, veggies, searing the meat, and all. Here are some incredible Instant Pot recipes to get you inspired.
Basically if you can't already tell, I've been blown away by the sheer versatility and how much less cleanup is required once you don't have to use any other pots or pans. You can still have all of your slow-cooker favorites and so much more, too. Make a cheesecake! Or chicken wings! Or casseroles! Possibilities are endless. So if you're in the market to trade your slow cooker for a multicooker Instant Pot, shop these top picks below.
Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker
This super popular Instant Pot model is great for beginners who are new to pressure cooking, thanks to a smart seal lid that automatically seals shut safely. You can also release the steam with the push of a button. (This is my first Instant Pot ever, and I've loved it.)
Shop It: $99.95; amazon.com
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
This is the best-selling Instant Pot model, and for good reason. It combines seven appliance functions into one: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute pan, yogurt maker, and warmer.
Shop It: $79 (on sale!); amazon.com
Instant Pot Duo Crisp Pressure Cooker 11-in-1 with Air Fryer
Say hello to the coolest Instant Pot in the whole bunch, because you can also use it as an air fryer to turn out mouthwateringly crispy wings, Brussels sprouts, and homemade French fries with less oil and all the flavor.
Shop It: $179.95; amazon.com
