Pot-In-Pot Cooking with Instant Pot

Discover the easy pot-in-pot cooking style with your Instant Pot! Find easy-to-follow tips and recipes to cook multiple dishes at once, save time, and keep flavors intact. Learn how to make the most of your Instant Pot with our beginner-friendly guide.

Pot-in-Pot cooking is particularly useful for preparing multiple components of a meal at once, such as cooking rice or vegetables in the secondary container while the main dish cooks below. It's a great technique that maximizes the efficiency of your Instant Pot and saves time by cooking multiple dishes in one go.

Jump to:

• What is Instant Pot Pot-in-Pot cooking?
• Pot-In-Pot Cooking Benefits
• How To Cook using pot-in-pot?
• When to Use the Pot-in-Pot Method?
• Tools/accessories for Pot In Pot Cooking
• Can I Use Pyrex In The Instant Pot?
• Rice in the Pot-in-Pot Method
• Pasta in the Pot-in-Pot Method
• Potatoes in the Pot-in-Pot Method
• What Recipes Should I Make With Pot-In-Pot Cooking?
• The Ultimate Guide to Pot-In-Pot Cooking with Instant Pot

What is Instant Pot Pot-in-Pot cooking?

Instant Pot Pot-in-Pot cooking is like cooking two different dishes at the same time in your Instant Pot. Instead of just cooking one thing in the main pot, you can put another smaller pot or bowl inside with a different dish. Both dishes cook together using steam and heat.

It's handy when you want to make a main dish and a side dish at once. Just make sure both dishes have enough liquid and are sealed properly. Then, set the cooking time and let the Instant Pot do its magic!

Pot-In-Pot Cooking Benefits

Pot-in-Pot (PIP) cooking with an Instant Pot offers several benefits and uses:

Cook multiple Dishes Together

PIP cooking lets you cook multiple different dishes at the same time in your Instant Pot. It's like cooking dinner and a side dish together.

Save Time

Instead of cooking dishes separately, PIP cooking helps you save time by cooking them together in one pot.

Use Space Efficiently 

You can use PIP cooking to make the most of the space in your Instant Pot, cooking more than one thing at once.

Cook Just Right 

You can adjust each dish to taste how you like it, adding spices or changing ingredients to make them perfect.

Prepare Meals Ahead

PIP cooking is great for preparing meals ahead of time, like making dinner and lunch for the next day all at once.

How To Cook using pot-in-pot?

Here's a simplified guide on how to cook using Pot-in-Pot (PIP) method, focusing on the most important step of adding liquid:

Gather Ingredients: Get ingredients for all the dishes.

Choose Pots: Pick a heatproof pot for the secondary dish.

Add Liquid: Pour water into the main pot, and add liquid to the secondary pot.

Place Secondary Pot: Put the secondary pot with ingredients and liquid inside the Instant Pot.

Seal Instant Pot: Close the lid securely.

Select Program and Time: Choose a cooking program and time.

Start Cooking: Press the start button.

Release Pressure: After cooking, release pressure naturally or manually.

Open Lid: Carefully open the lid.

Serve: Remove the secondary pot and serve all the dishes.

When to Use the Pot-in-Pot Method?

1. Cooking multiple dishes at the same time

Pot-in-Pot (PIP) cooking allows you to cook more than one dish simultaneously in your Instant Pot. 

This is especially handy when you're preparing a meal with multiple components, such as a main dish and a side dish, or a main course and dessert.

2. Pressure Steaming

As the Instant Pot pressurizes, the water in the main pot turns into steam. This steam rises and surrounds the secondary pot, cooking the food inside it through indirect heat transfer. 

The sealed environment created by the Instant Pot ensures that the steam remains trapped, effectively cooking the food inside the secondary pot using steam instead of direct contact with liquid.

Check out the khaman dhokla recipe cooked with pressure steaming.

3. Steaming delicate foods such as vegetables

Delicate foods like vegetables can benefit from the gentler cooking environment provided by the PIP method. 

By cooking them in a separate container within the Instant Pot, you can prevent them from becoming overcooked or mushy.

4. Prevent Scorching (Burn Error)

To avoid burning food while using the pot-in-pot method in your Instant Pot, food is cooked indirectly, so it's not directly exposed to the heat source.

Ensure there is enough liquid, place a hot pad in the bottom of the pot, check liquid levels during cooking, and make sure the pot seals properly.

5. Reheating Food

To reheat food using the pot-in-pot method in your Instant Pot, add water to the inner pot, place a trivet/ hot pad inside, place the food in a heatproof dish on the trivet/ hot pad, pressure cook for a few minutes, and allow natural pressure release before serving.

6. Easier cleaning

This technique cooks food in a separate container, so there's less mess in the main pot.

Food is less likely to stick, so cleaning is simpler. Just wash the removable pot used for cooking, and the main pot stays clean.

7. Bain-Marie Recipes

Using a bain-marie, also known as a water bath, in an Instant Pot opens up a world of possibilities for cooking delicate dishes, custards, desserts, and more.

Using a bain-marie in an Instant Pot provides a controlled and gentle cooking environment, perfect for recipes requiring precise temperature control or for cooking delicate foods that may curdle or overcook with direct heat.

Tools/accessories for Pot In Pot Cooking

You can use different kinds of containers for Pot-in-Pot (PIP) cooking in your Instant Pot. Here are some good options:

1. Stainless Steel: Bowls or pans made of stainless steel work well because they're strong and safe for pressure cooking.
2. Silicone: Steamer baskets or baking molds made of silicone are flexible and heat-resistant, so they're good for PIP cooking.
3. Glass: Look for oven-safe glass containers, like Pyrex, that can handle the heat and pressure of the Instant Pot.
4. Ceramic: Some ceramic dishes are okay for PIP cooking, but make sure they're labeled as oven-safe or safe for pressure cooking.
5. Heatproof Plastic: You can also use BPA-free plastic containers that are heat-resistant and safe for pressure cooking, but they're less common.

When picking containers for PIP cooking, keep these things in mind:

• Choose containers that fit well inside your Instant Pot without touching the sides.
• Straight-sided containers are better than tapered ones for even cooking.
• Make sure the containers are sealed tightly to keep steam in.
• Check the manufacturer's instructions to make sure the containers are safe for pressure cooking.

Can I Use Pyrex In The Instant Pot?

Make sure the Pyrex dish says it's safe for use in the oven. This means it can handle high heat, which is important for the Instant Pot.

When using Pyrex in the Instant Pot, don't put it directly on the bottom. Use a trivet or rack to lift it up above the water.

Handle the Pyrex dish carefully before and after cooking. Let it cool down slowly to avoid breaking.

Rice in the Pot-in-Pot Method

To cook rice using the Pot-in-Pot (PIP) method in an Instant Pot, rinse the rice and place it in a heat-proof container along with the water.

Seal the Instant Pot, and cook on high pressure for 4-5 minutes (medium grain white rice) or 20-22 minutes (brown rice). 

Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then fluff and serve.

If the rice isn't fully tender, simply cover it and let it sit for a few minutes; it will keep cooking and soften further.

Pasta in the Pot-in-Pot Method

To cook pasta using the Pot-in-Pot (PIP) method in an Instant Pot, place broken pasta in a heatproof container and cover with water or broth (about 4 cups per 8 ounces of pasta). Add seasonings if desired. 

Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for half the pasta's recommended cooking time (usually around 5 minutes). 

Release pressure quickly, check for doneness, and cook more if needed. Drain excess liquid and serve with sauce.

Potatoes in the Pot-in-Pot Method

To cook potatoes in the Instant Pot using the Pot-in-Pot (PIP) method, wash and cut them into pieces. Place them in a heatproof container with water, seal the Instant Pot, and cook on high pressure for 6-8 minutes. 

Let the pressure release naturally, then check if the potatoes are tender with a fork. 

Serve hot as a side dish with your favorite toppings.

What Recipes Should I Make With Pot-In-Pot Cooking?

• Basmati rice and kadhi
• Rajma and brown rice
• Chickpea curry, and basmati rice

If you liked this Pot-In-Pot Cooking with Instant Pot guide or any other recipe on Indianveggiedelight, then don’t forget to rate the recipe. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see the latest recipes!