Instant Pot is a multi-function cooker that can save us time and energy in any season. But when the days are short, and we’re preoccupied with holiday prep and school breaks, Instant Pot meals are a particularly valuable weapon to have in your kitchen hack arsenal. 

And since it cooks most meals faster and more efficiently than other methods, with less water and less heat loss, Instant Pot meals can save us money, too. Instant Pot saves up to 70% electricity compared to other appliances, including the oven, stove, and steamer. 

Six Favorite Instant Pot Meals for Cold Days 

As we get ready to ring in a new year, now is a great time to add some easy and affordable Instant Pot meals to your rotation. Here are our favorite instant pot meals for cold days: 

1. Chilis 

Whether it’s made with beef, turkey, or chicken, who doesn’t love a steaming bowl of chili on a cold day? Each of these three recipes takes less than an hour to make but with the flavor punch they pack, you’d think it took all day. 

2. Soups and Stews

In just a few quick minutes, you can find dozens of Instant Pot soup and stew recipes on Pinterest. Next time someone in your house is feeling under the weather or you’re having trouble staying warm on some of the coldest days of the year, try this simple, classic, and comforting Instant Pot chicken soup recipe.

If you’re looking for something heartier and more flavorful, try this Instant Pot Mexican chicken stew recipe instead. With easy ingredients like bite-sized chicken pieces, colorful bell peppers, fresh garlic, and plenty of spices, it’s easy to see why so many people love this recipe. 

3. Pulled Plates 

Pulled pork is a fan favorite. You can make it spicy or sweet and put it on a sandwich or serve it with sides. But traditional recipes tend to require a lot of time and effort. That changes when you make an Instant Pot pulled pork recipe. 

Prefer turkey to pork? Try this Thanksgiving-inspired Instant Pot pulled turkey recipe. With the addition of cranberry sauce and shredded sweet potato, this dish is basically comfort in a bowl. 

4. Butter Chicken 

Keto-friendly and restaurant-quality, this Instant Pot butter chicken is the perfect recipe to make when you want to treat yourself to an incredible meal without leaving the house. In less than 30 minutes, you can have a plate ready and be back on the couch. 

5. Ribs  

These fall-off-the-bone Instant Pot savory ribs have become a fast favorite. While regular ribs take hours to prepare and cook, this shortcut recipe packs in the same amount of flavor in just under an hour. And as they cook, your home will start to smell heavenly. 

The steps are easy to follow, ingredients are relatively basic, and you can choose between making your own barbecue sauce or using your favorite bottle of store-bought. Pair them with these Instant Pot mashed potatoes for a full and delicious dinner plate. 

6. Pot Roast 

With the year coming to a close, we thought it would be fun to end this list with the perfect meal for a cozy at-home New Year’s Eve celebration. This Instant Pot pot roast recipe is quick and easy to make, but you wouldn’t know that when you tasted it. 

At two hours and ten minutes, it takes longer to prepare and cook than most of the recipes on this list, but it’s still less time than traditional pot roast recipes take, and according to the reviews, it’s well worth the effort. 

And the good thing about the timing for this one is that it only takes 15 minutes to prep. Then, you throw it in the Instant Pot and let it take care of the rest. When dinner is done, throw in one of the delectable treats on this list of the 30 best Instant Pot desserts. 

Whether you choose cake, brownies, pie, or something fruity, you’ll have something tasty to enjoy while you wait for the ball to drop at midnight. And maybe that extra hit of sugar will even help you stay awake through it this year!