Instant Pot Cooking Times
Written by Mustapha B. · Updated August 13, 2026
Search pressure-cooking times for any food. “QR” means quick release; “NPR” means natural release.
| Food | Pressure cook | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White rice | 4 min | QR (quick release) |
| Brown rice | 22 min | NPR (natural release) |
| Quinoa | 1 min | NPR 10 min |
| Steel-cut oats | 4 min | NPR |
| Pasta | ½ box time − 1 | QR |
| Dried beans (unsoaked) | 30 min | NPR |
| Dried beans (soaked) | 10 min | NPR |
| Lentils | 12 min | QR |
| Chicken breast (fresh) | 8 min | NPR 5 min |
| Chicken breast (frozen) | 12 min | NPR 5 min |
| Chicken thighs | 10 min | NPR |
| Whole chicken | 25 min | NPR; 6 min/lb |
| Pulled pork | 60 min | NPR; ~20 min/lb |
| Beef stew | 35 min | NPR |
| Pork ribs | 25 min | NPR |
| Hard-cooked eggs | 5 min | 5-5-5: 5 cook, 5 NPR, 5 ice |
| Potatoes (cubed) | 8 min | QR |
| Whole potatoes | 15 min | NPR |
| Soup / broth | 10 min | NPR |
| Corn on the cob | 3 min | QR |
| Risotto | 6 min | QR |
| Spaghetti squash | 7 min | QR |