Instant Pot Bascis – How To Use Instant Pot Buttons, Cooking Times Chart/list

In this post, I have discussed how to use Instant pot buttons / Preset Programs also known as IP cooking modes and Instant pot cooking time chart/ table or cheat sheet for beginners. Hope the chart/list would be useful for beginners to get some idea.  Please adjust the quantity of water and cooking time for Indian dishes based on your Instant pot model, quantity and usage. Do check out my first post on Instant pot.  

In my Instant pot, there are 10 preset modes /smart programmable options. I have shared how to use each mode for people who are getting started with Instant pot. Please check this link to view my instant pot model. 

1. Saute

2. Pressure cook ( In some IPs, its mentioned as Manual button)

3. Slow cook

4. Steam

5. Yogurt

6. Rice

7. Porridge

8. Soup / broth

9. Bean chili

10. Multigrain.

Smart Programs / Instant Pot Buttons

1. Sauté Button

• Don’t use the lid on sauté mode.
• Press the “Sauté” button.
• You can choose to sauté in Normal, More or Less temperatures.
• Press sauté (also works as an adjust button) several times to toggle between the   temperature levels.
• Use Normal sauté for Pan searing.
• Use Less sauté for Simmering & thickening sauce.
• Use More sauté for stir-frying & browning.
• Press +/- keys to adjust the sauté time.
• You can sauté for a maximum of 30 mins.
• When you press the saute, the display changes to “ON” after ten seconds and starts heating up.
• Then it shows “Hot”, and you can start adding the ingredients.

2. Pressure Cook Button (Manual)

• Use this smart program for Manual Programming.
• Lock the lid in pressure cook mode, or it will prompt you to lock the Lid.
• Turn the steam release handle to “Sealing” position.
• Now press the “Pressure Cook” button.
• You can pressure cook in Normal, More or Less temperature settings.
• Use the “Pressure Level” button to cook in “High” or “Low” pressure your recipe calls for.
• Use +/- keys and set the pressure cook time.
• Instant Pot will show “ON” to indicate the cooker is heating up and developing pressure.
• Once pressurized, the timer will start a count-down.
• When cooking is done, the instant pot will beep and goes to “Keep Warm” mode.
• Do a quick release or natural release based on the food type.  

• Natural Release: Leave the steam release handle in “Sealing” position. The cooker will depressurize naturally over time and the float valve pops down. May take 10-40 mins based on the quantity of food.
• Quick Release : Turn the steam release handle from “Sealing” to “Venting” position. For precaution don’t stay close while doing a quick release.

3. Slow cook Button

• Use this smart program for All-day-cooking.
• Lock the Lid and remember to keep the steam release handle in “Venting” position since it is going to cook all day long.
• Press the “Slow Cook” button.
• You cannot use +/- keys in this mode.
• Press the slow cook button several times to choose Normal (Medium cooking time 6 hrs), More(Fastest cooking time 4 hrs) or Less(More cooking time 8 hrs).
• When cooking is complete, the instant pot will beep and goes to “Keep Warm” mode.

4. Steam Button

• Steaming creates more pressure than pressure cooking.
• Always use a trivet or steamer basket to elevate the food and fill the bottom of the pot with water. 
• Lock the lid and turn the steam release handle to “Sealing” position.
• Press the “Steam” button.
• Choose between Normal, More or Less temperature settings based on the food type.
• Always do a Quick release to prevent overcooking and preserve the nutrients.

5. Yogurt Button

• Use this smart program to make fresh home-made yogurt.
• Pour milk into the Instant Pot.
• Press the “Yogurt” button several times until it shows “boil”.
• Instant Pot beeps when boiling is done.
• Let the milk cool down for 15-20 mins.
• Add some yogurt (with live cultures) into the cooled down milk.
• Whisk well.
• Lock the Lid, no need to keep the steam release handle.
• Press the “yogurt” button until it shows 8 hrs.

6. Rice Button

• It is an Automated cooking program to cook rice.
• Lock the lid and turn the steam release handle to “Sealing” position.
• Press the “Rice” button.
• You can choose between Normal(12 mins), More(15 mins) or Less(8 mins) setting based on the type of rice.
• Instant pot displays “Auto” while heating up and then the timer starts a count-down. 
• Wait for Natural Release to get fluffy rice, or you can also opt  to do Quick Release after 10 mins of Natural Release.

7. Porridge Button

• Use this smart program to prepare oatmeal, porridge, kheer etc.
• Lock the lid and turn the steam release handle to “Sealing” position.
• Press the “Porridge” button.
• You can cook in Normal, More or Less heat based on the grain you use for porridge.
• Always do Natural Release when cooking food that expands.

8.  Soup/Broth Button

• Use this smart program to make vegetable soup and broth.
• Always do Natural Release.

9. Bean/Chilli Button

• Use this smart program to cook beans or legumes.
• Choose temperature setting based on the type of bean and texture (soaked/dry).
• Ensure the food is completely immersed in water.
• Always do Natural Release.

10. Multigrain Button

• Use this smart program to cook tough grains or mixture of grains and beans.
• Choose temperature setting based on the type and texture.
• Always do Natural Release.

Other Controls / Buttons

1. Cancel:

• Press the Cancel button any time to stop a smart program.

2. Delay Start:

• Use this to postpone cooking up to 24 hours.
• Select any smart program (except sauté) and then press the “Delay Start” button.
• Use +/- button to adjust the hours & minutes before cooking will begin.

3. Keep Warm:

• It goes on by default for all smart programs except sauté, sous vide and yogurt.

4. Sound On/Off:

• Press and hold – key for 5 secs or until the display shows “S off”.
• Press and hold + key for 5 secs or until the display shows “S on”

5. Temperature unit F or C:

• Press and hold + and – keys together for 5 secs to toggle between F and C.

Instant Pot Cooking Time Chart

Here is the basic times chart for Instant Pot Cooking, however it may vary based on your instant pot model. Please do some experiment with your instant pot to come up with the exact cooking time based on size, texture & quantity of food you prefer to cook.

Rice / Grains (cook on HIGH pressure)
Rice/Grains	Rice : Water Ratio	Cooking Time (mins)	Release Mode
Rice – Sona Masoori	1:2.5 (adjust)	4 – 5 mins	NR
Rice – Basmati	1:1.25 (adjust)	4 – 5 mins	NR
Brown Rice	1:1.5 (adjust)	20 – 22 mins	NR
Rice Congee	1:4	16 – 20 mins	NR
Millets	1:2	10 – 12 mins	NR
oats	1:2	3 – 4 mins	QR

Vegetables (Cook on HIGH pressure, +2 mins if using steamer basket or Pot-in-Pot)
Vegetables	size	Cooking Time (mins)	Release Mode
Cabbage	shredded	3 mins	QR
Carrot	whole / sliced	3 – 4 mins	QR
Green Beans	whole / sliced	3 – 4 mins	QR
Beets	sliced	4 mins	QR
Corn	whole	5 mins	QR
Corn	kernels	2 mins	QR
Cauliflower	florets	2 – 3 mins	QR
Broccoli	florets	1 – 2 mins	QR
Potato	whole	8 mins	QR
Potato	cubed	4 – 5 mins	QR
Sweet Potato	cubed	2 – 4 mins	QR
Eggplant	cubed	3 – 4 mins	QR
Okra	Thick cut	3 mins	QR
Raw Banana	cubed	3 – 4 mins	QR
Pumpkin	cubed	2 – 3 mins	QR
Chayote	cubed	3 – 4 mins	QR
Mixed Vegetables	any	3 – 4 mins	QR

Lentils & Beans (immersed in water, cook on HIGH pressure)
Lentils & Beans	Dry / Soaked	Cooking Time (mins)	Release Mode
Toor Dal/Split pigeon pea	Dry	8-10 mins	NR
Masoor Dal	Dry	8 – 10 mins	NR
Moong Dal / Green gram	Dry	8 mins	NR
Chana Dal	Dry	8 mins	NR
Black Gram / Urad Dal	Soaked	20 mins	NR
Red Kidney Beans	Soaked	25 – 30 mins	NR
Black Eyed Peas	Soaked	15 – 20 mins	NR
Black Beans	Soaked	25 mins	NR
Chickpeas	Soaked	25 – 30 mins	NR
Lima Beans	Soaked	15 – 20 mins	NR
Peas	Soaked	15 mins	NR