Easy and Budget-Friendly Instant Pot Potatoes
Don’t you love a good potato that’s smooshed open and topped with all kinds of deliciousness? Our household does, so Instant Pot Potatoes recipe are a regular around here. They’re easy, budget-friendly, healthy and filling, and give me A Lot of meal possibilities.
The Prep
I like to drop all the potatoes into my big colander, placed in my sink, and then do a little scrubbing to remove dirt and such.
While the potatoes are drying, I’m usually setting up the Instant Pot, and adding a cup of water and the steaming rack.
Next I check and remove bruises or damaged areas from the potatoes. I also poke a few holes through the skin with a fork or knife before setting them in the Instant Pot.
The Instant Pot
Once the ingredients are all in the pot, it’s time to lock the lid, close the vent, set the timer, and walk away.
When cooking red potatoes, I usually set the Instant Pot between 11 and 13 minutes of cooking at manual high pressure. In comparison, if I were doing russet potatoes, I’d probably up the time to between 15 and 18 minutes, depending upon how big the potatoes were.
The Instant Pot takes about 5 minutes to pressure up, then you’ll see the timer turn on.
When you hear the timer going off, open the vent and let the Instant Pot release the pressure, which will take about 5-7 minutes. Once the venting is done, open the lid, and serve up or refrigerate for later meals. 
I love a good potato that's smooshed open and topped with all kinds of deliciousness. So my Instant Pot Potatoes are a weekly regular around here for a nearly hands-off meal addition that Everybody likes, is budget-friendly, and opens our meals up to A Lot of possibilities!
- 8-10 Potatoes (Red, Yellow, or other)
- 1 Cup Water
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Wash potatoes and remove scars and blemishes.
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Prick on each side of each potato 4-8 times with a fork or knife.
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Add water and potatoes to Instant Pot.
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Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set on High Pressure, Manual, lock and seal the lid, and set the timer for 12-17 minutes (depending upon potato size).
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When the timer goes off, release the vent and allow the pressure to release. Once done, open the lid and serve.
- The cook time needed will depend upon the size of the potatoes, so cook potatoes that are close to the same size.
A Few Possibilities
We really do enjoy potatoes on a weekly basis, and just a few ideas to get you started that we love include opening up or smashing out a potato and topping with:
- shredded, flavorful roast beef, sliced green onions or sauteed onion and mushrooms, and maybe some steamed broccoli
- black beans or roasted and shredded chicken with sliced avocado, salsa (or pico de gallo), non-dairy “cheesy” sauce (using cashews, nutritional yeast, etc. for example)
- your favorite soup loaded with a combination of beans, vegetables and spices
Benefits
Potatoes are a nutrient dense complex carbohydrate. Their also fat, sodium, and cholesterol free and a great source of Vitamin C, B6, Potassium.
They’re so filling and versatile. Pick your favorite healthy topping combinations and seasonings and enjoy.
It makes it so much easier during the week for me when I’ve batched cooked potatoes on Sunday. Then I can easily and quickly include them in multiple meals during the week.
I think one of our favorite meals is one of these potatoes topped with beans, guacamole, and salsa. And I Love that it takes about 15 minutes to throw this meal together on a weeknight.
Let me know if you decide to try this recipe, and here are two additional recipes that might give you some ideas:
