37 Low-Calorie Recipes You Can Make in Your Instant Pot

Can your pressure cooker really help you eat healthier? You bet! We rounded up our favorite low-calorie Instant Pot recipes, including lettuce wraps, roasts, soups and much more.

1 / 37

Pressure Cooker Shredded Beef Lettuce Cups

I love this light yet lively dinner for busy days that are filled with swim lessons and outdoor activities. If you can't find Bibb or Boston, green leaf lettuce is less sturdy but works in a pinch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
2 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Red Beans and Rice

My family loves New Orleans–style cooking, so I make this dish often. I appreciate how simple it is, and the smoky ham flavor is scrumptious. —Celinda Dahlgren, Napa, California
3 / 37

Pressure Cooker Saucy BBQ Chicken Thighs

Barbecued chicken gets a makeover in this recipe. The combination of ingredients makes for a mellow, not-too-sweet flavor that's more grown-up than the original and super over rice, pasta or potatoes. —Sharon Fritz, Morristown, Tennessee
4 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Beef and Rice Cabbage Rolls

My family can't wait for dinner when I serve my tasty cabbage rolls. The dish comes together in a pinch and always satisfies. —Lynn Bowen, Geraldine, Alabama
5 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Spicy Beef Vegetable Stew

This zesty ground beef and vegetable soup is flavorful and comes together so quickly. It makes a complete meal when served with warm cornbread, sourdough or French bread, if you can squeak in a few more calories. —Lynnette Davis, Tullahoma, Tennessee
6 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Sauerbraten

One of my all-time favorite German dishes is sauerbraten, but I don't love that it normally takes five to 10 days to make. Using an electric pressure cooker, I think I've captured that same distinctive flavor in less than two hours. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
7 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Curried Chicken Meatball Wraps

My strategy to get picky kids to eat healthy: Let everyone assemble their dinner at the table. We love these easy meatball wraps topped with crunchy veggies and peanuts, sweet raisins and a creamy dollop of yogurt. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia
8 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Orange Chipotle Chicken

The citrus in this delicious chicken dish keeps things fresh and lively. We're big on spice in our house, so sometimes I use two chipotle peppers. —Deborah Biggs, Omaha, Nebraska
9 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Tomato-Poached Halibut

Simple halibut with a burst of lemon comes together easily. Serve it with bread or, even better, try it with polenta or angel hair pasta. —Danna Rogers, Westport, CT
10 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Caribbean Pot Roast

This dish is definitely an all-year recipe. Sweet potatoes, orange zest and baking cocoa are my surprise ingredients. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
11 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Teriyaki Pork Roast

I'm always looking for no-fuss recipes, so I was thrilled to find this one. The tender teriyaki pork has become a family favorite. —Roxanne Hulsey, Gainesville, Georgia
12 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Coq au Vin

Don’t be intimidated by the elegant name. The classic French dish is now made easier in one appliance! This Instant Pot coq au vin has all the classic flavors of a rich red wine-mushroom sauce but is so simple to make. My family loves it with whole grain country bread or French bread for dipping into the extra sauce. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
13 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Pork with Apples and Dried Plums

The classic flavors of herbes de Provence, apples and dried plums make this easy cooked pork taste like a hearty meal at a French country cafe. For a traditional pairing, serve the pork with braised lentils. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
14 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Caponata

This Italian eggplant dip preps quickly and actually gets better as it stands. Serve it warm or at room temperature. Try adding a little leftover caponata to scrambled eggs for a savory breakfast. —Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana
15 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Pork Chops

Everyone will enjoy these fork-tender pork chops with a creamy, light gravy. Serve with a green vegetable, mashed potatoes or a salad. —Sue Bingham, Madisonville, Tennessee
16 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Swiss Steak

Swiss steak has a been a standby for family cooks for decades, and this no-fuss way to cook it promises to keep the entree popular for years to come. Best of all, it's low in calories and fat. —Sarah Burks, Wathena, Kansas
17 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Salmon

I love this recipe because it’s healthy and almost effortless. The salmon always cooks to perfection and is ready in hardly any time! —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York
18 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Healthy Steamed Dumplings

My family loves Chinese food, but it’s hard to find healthy choices in restaurants or at the grocery store, so I make my own. The recipe makes a lot; I freeze big batches so we can enjoy these dumplings later. —Melody Crain, Houston, Texas
19 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Chickpea and Potato Curry

I make chana masala, the classic Indian dish, in my slow cooker. Browning the onion, ginger and garlic first really makes the sauce amazing. —Anjana Devasahayam, San Antonio, Texas
20 / 37
21 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Beefy Cabbage Bean Stew

While we were on a small-group quilting retreat, one of my friends made this wonderful recipe for dinner. We all loved it and have since passed the recipe around for others to enjoy—now I'm passing it on to you. —Melissa Glancy, La Grange, Kentucky
22 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Manchester Stew

While in college, I studied abroad. A vegetarian at the time, I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious and diverse vegetarian food in Britain could be. After returning to the States I re-created my favorite meal from my favorite restaurant and named it after the University of Manchester. When the enticing aroma fills the kitchen, I'm back in England!—Kimberly Hammond, Kingwood, Texas
23 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Pot Roast with Asian Black Bean Sauce

I love stir-fry with black bean sauce. This recipe takes that same delicious flavor and combines it with fork-tender pot roast. —Judy Lawson, Chelsea, Michigan
24 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Black Bean Soup

Life can get really crazy with young children, but I never want to compromise when it comes to cooking. This recipe is healthy and so easy thanks to my one-pot cooker! —Angela Lemoine, Howell, New Jersey
25 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Chicken Chop Suey

If you’re in for a busy evening, here’s a wonderful way to ensure you can still have a healthful supper. It’s tasty, traditional—and easy, too. —Melody Littlewood, Royal City, Washington
26 / 37

Pressure Cooker Spice-Braised Pot Roast

Herbs and spices give the beef an excellent flavor. I often serve this roast over noodles or with mashed potatoes, using the juices as a gravy. —Loren Martin, Big Cabin, Oklahoma
27 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa

I've made quite a few tacos in my day, but you can't beat the tender filling made in a pressure cooker. These are by far the best pork tacos we've had—and we've tried plenty. Make the mango salsa from scratch if you have time! —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
28 / 37

Pressure Cooker Chicken with Raisins and Capers

Capers, golden raisins and fresh basil give this dish a sweetly savory flavor. And what's even better than that? The kids love it! —Nadine Mesch, Mount Healthy, Ohio
29 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Spicy Pork and Squash Ragu

This recipe is a marvelously spicy combo perfect for cooler fall weather—so satisfying after a day spent outdoors. —Monica Osterhaus, Paducah, Kentucky
30 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Creamy Cauliflower Soup

I love indulgent cream soups but not the fat that goes along with them. The velvety texture of this healthier cauliflower soup makes it feel so rich, and the spicy kick warms you from the inside out. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
31 / 37
32 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Pork and Apple Curry

Here's a gentle curry dish that's won't overwhelm more delicate palates. For fun, try varying the garnish—add a few chopped peanuts or a little chutney. —Nancy Reck, Mill Valley, California
33 / 37

Pressure Cooker Beef Daube Provencal

My dish is perfect on chilly nights, especially after we have been out chopping wood. The melt-in-your-mouth goodness makes it a staple in my menu rotation. —Brenda Ryan, Marshall, Missouri
34 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Red Pepper Chicken

Chicken breasts are treated to black beans, red peppers and juicy tomatoes in this southwestern supper. We love it served with rice cooked in chicken broth—and it would also make a great filling for tacos or burritos. —Piper Spiwak, Vienna, Virginia
35 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Light Deviled Eggs

Our updated version of a classic appetizer uses only half the egg yolks of traditional deviled eggs and calls for soft bread crumbs to help firm up the filling. Light ingredients lower the fat grams even more. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
36 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Coffee Beef Roast

Coffee is the key to this flavorful beef roast that simmers until it's fall-apart tender. Try it once, and I'm sure you'll cook it again. —Charles Trahan, San Dimas, California
37 / 37

Pressure-Cooker Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Scoops

I came up with this recipe when I was preparing for a large party and wanted a healthy Tex-Mex chicken appetizer. The dish can be made ahead of time, and leftovers make for a tasty next-day burrito filling. —Lori Terry, Chicago, Illinois

Katie Bandurski
As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments. When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.