The Best Prep-Ahead Instant Pot Freezer Meals

A tri-fold header image featuring three of nine recipes included in this article. The left image is of peanut chicken satay from Happy Money Saver, the middle image is of beef ragu and the right image is of Korean beef tacos both by Pinch of Yum. — Happy Money Saver/ Pinch of Yum/ Pinch of Yum

Want to take the time-saving powers of your Instant Pot to a whole new level? These recipes all allow you to prep (and freeze!) ahead so you can pull them out and pop them in the pot!

The Instant Pot is perfect for anyone who loves (or doesn’t love) to cook. It’s for busy days with little opportunity for time-consuming recipes and a great excuse to save yourself from yet another takeout dinner.

If you love dump-and-go crockpot recipes, then you will really appreciate the ones that are Instant-Pot-friendly, too. Check out these tasty dinner recipes that you can prepare, freeze, and cook in your instant pot whenever your heart desires.

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The Instant Pot is the perfect all-in-one culinary workhorse.

Korean Beef Tacos

Street food meets Instant Pot in this melt-in-your-mouth Korean beef taco recipe. After blending a scratch sauce made with pears, ginger, soy sauce, and a few others, you’ll let the steak soak in the flavorsome marinade. Enjoy it now or freeze it until you are ready to devour; it only takes 45 minutes to cook from frozen.

The sirloin will break down into an incredibly tender bite filled with sweet and savory flavors from the sensational sauce it cooks in. Once you add the sour kimchi, chopped peanuts, and other toppings, you’ll fall in love with this one-of-a-kind meal.

Get the Recipe: Pinch of Yum

Lemon Garlic Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin and asparagus, on a lovely decorated plate, served with fresh lemon wedges, along side an instant pot. — The Kitchn

This easy Instant Pot meal requires minimal prep work and can easily transform from a frozen chunk of meat into a delicious dinner even the kids will love.

The classic lemon-butter combo delivers tasty results in such a short amount of time; you’ll love making it again and again. Serve this simple family meal with a side of French green beans and mashed potatoes.

Get the Recipe: The Kitchn

Better Than Take-Out Beef and Broccoli

White rice topped with pressure cooker beef and broccoli. — Adventures of a Nurse

Check out this affordable beef and broccoli meal that boasts all the flavors of take-out but better. The best beef cuts for this recipe include the flat iron, sirloin, and flank steak, each offering different textures but all yielding gratifying results.

Like most other simple freezer meals, you’ll whip up the sauce, add your meat, and throw it in a freezer bag for later. Once you are ready, in under thirty minutes, you’ll have a meal that’ll melt in your mouth, no thawing necessary.

Get the Recipe: Adventures of a Nurse

White Chicken Chili

Find time on a Sunday to whip up a hearty soup filled with wholesome and savory ingredients. The brothy white chili boasts all sorts of fresh and flavorful ingredients, and you’ll feel good slurping down each pure and natural bite.

After combining all the veggies, beans, and chicken into a large Ziplock freezer bag, you can freeze your meal for up to three months. Once you are ready, Instant Pot it up for thirty minutes and enjoy with a dollop of sour cream and freshly sliced avocado.

Get the Recipe: Eating Well

Beef Ragu with Pappardelle

A two-fold image including beef ragu on a wooden spoon, recently scooped out of the instant pot (on the left) and fresh beef ragu, topped with a dollop of ricotta on top (on the right). — Pinch of Yum

The prep work involved in this beef ragu recipe is minimal, but the results really deliver a meal you’ll be proud of. The garlic and thyme coupled with crushed tomatoes coupled with tender shredded beef create a tasty experience for your tastebuds in such a simplistic way.

This cold-weather comfort meal tastes fantastic on pasta, polenta, or even with mashed potatoes and crusty bread. Enjoy this quick and easy meal any night of the week.

Get the Recipe: Pinch of Yum

Thai Peanut Chicken Satay

A bowl and a plate of white rice topped with hot peanut chicken satay, with a side of peanut sauce and white rice. — Happy Money Saver

Whether you make it in the instant pot or a crockpot, this freezer meal recipe makes the perfect quick fix for weeknight meals. The creamy coconut milk, combined peanut butter, tamari sauce, and spices combined to create a celebration for the tastebuds.

After combining and freezing, follow the recipe’s simple instructions and enjoy each tangy bite. Serve the chicken with rice as a burrito bowl or in lettuce wrap form.

Get the Recipe: Happy Money Saver

Pasta E Fagioli

If you are looking for a hearty and delicious soup to add to your list of winter comfort foods, this Pasta e Fagioli is a solid choice. Filled with chunks of ground beef, flavorful aromatics, beans, and tomato soup, this soup truly delivers weeknight gold. Be sure to scroll all the way down for the freezer instructions or follow the video for extra guidance.

Get the Recipe: Sparkles to Sprinkles

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Chicken pot pie is one of those classic homecooked meals filled with all the warm fuzzies. The only problem is this homestyle favorite is super time-consuming to make.

Now you can enjoy this tasty treat in casserole form, made just right—with egg noodles. What’s even more exciting is that you can prep and freeze this meal and enjoy it when you are ready. It’s beyond simple to put together, and the results are just, yum! Serve with fresh croissants for the bread fix you might be missing.

Get the Recipe: Adventures of a Nurse

Shredded Beef Fajitas

You will love these authentic shredded beef Fajitas enough to make two batches— one for now and one for later. With only seven ingredients, these fall-apart-tender fajitas truly deliver a satisfying flavor you’ll adore.

Follow the instructions for freezing, and be sure to thaw before letting your pressure cooker do all the work.

Get the Recipe: Happy Money Saver

Whether you are hoping to save money on weekly takeout splurges or looking for weeknight dinner tweaks that’ll save you time, these recipes are a sure way to accommodate.