Find the very best easy and healthy Instant Pot side dishes in this recipe round-up. All of these recipes are gluten-free using real food ingredients. Whether you’re cooking for a family meal, potluck, barbecue, or holiday gathering, you’re sure to find a delicious recipe to take along.

photo collage of instant pot side dishes

Healthy Side Dishes

No matter what type of diet you’re on, if you’re looking for real food, easy side dishes, then you are in the right place. The Instant Pot is particularly great for making side dishes, as you can set it and forget it.

If you haven’t yet jumped on the Instant Pot bandwagon, I recommend getting a 6-quart Duo. In my opinion, this is the easiest model for getting started. You might also want to check out my post on how to use the Instant Pot.

Pro Tips

  • As with any Instant Pot dish, you always need 1 cup of liquid to make sure the pot can come up to pressure. That’s because a pressure cooker works by trapping the steam made by heating up the liquid.
  • So, even when you are making a side dish, it’s important to have liquid which can come from water, broth, canned tomatoes, or other liquid ingredients.
  • You might also benefit from getting a few Instant Pot accessories. A steamer basket is great for cooking vegetables. A 2nd insert for your Instant Pot can help with meal prep.

Now, let’s get to the round-up of the best healthy Instant Pot side dishes! Whether you’re going to a potluck, barbecue, or a holiday gathering, there is certainly a recipe here that will make your cooking easier.

Instant Pot Side Dishes

1. Instant Pot Whole Red Potatoes

You’re going to love how easy it is to make red potatoes in the pressure cooker. They get cooked perfectly and are an easy, healthy side dish.

red potatoes served in a bowl

2. Instant Pot Artichokes

Cooking artichokes has never been easier than using the pressure cooker. They turn out tender and sooooo delicious.

close up of artichokes on a platter.

3. Instant Pot Carrots

Even kids will eat this healthy carrot side dish that has just a few simple ingredients.

cooked carrots made in the instant pot

4. Instant Pot Baked Potatoes

Everyone loves these delcicious, tender baked potatoes that get cooked perfectly in the pressure cooker. Serve them with your favorite toppings.

baked potato on a plate

5. Instant Pot Cauliflower Mash (Low-Carb)

This is a low-carb version of mashed potatoes, but using cauliflower instead! This healthy side dish is full of fiber and flavor.

bowl of mashed cauliflower

6. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Making mashed potatoes has never been easier. This recipe is perfect for holidays, or any special occasion when you want a batch of mashed potatoes.

instant pot mashed potatoes in bowl

7. Instant Pot Sweet Potato Mash

You’re going to love this easy recipe for Mashed Sweet Potatoes that is both paleo and vegan diet friendly.

bowl of instant pot mashed sweet potatoes

8. Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Everyone needs this easy recipe in their back pocket. This pressure cooker rice is such an easy side dish. And, the rice is so fluffy!

bowl of cooked white rice.

9. Instant Pot Beets

Making cooked beets has never been easier. This mess-free method is so great. And, cooked beets are absolutely delicious!

beets in instant pot pressure cooker with water and trivet

10. Instant Pot Whole Sweet Potatoes

Make a big batch of sweet potatoes in your pressure cooker. This is the easiest method for cooking them.

baked whole sweet potato on a white plate with polka dots

11. Instant Pot Whole Butternut Squash 

Cooked butternut squash is a great healthy side dish. Cook the squash whole and then mash it with your favorite butter, ghee, or vegan butter.

whole butternut squash cooked in instant pot

12. Instant Pot Cabbage

Don’t wait for St. Patrick’s Day to make cook cabbage. This is a great healthy side dish.

instant pot cooked cabbage in a serving bowl

13. Instant Pot Mexican Rice 

This rice dish goes with almost any main dish. It’s flavorful and easy to make.

bowl of instant pot spanish rice with fresh lime

14. Instant Pot Coconut Rice 

Here’s another easy rice dish you can make in your pressure cooker.

instant pot coconut rice.

15. Instant Pot Potato Salad

This Instant Pot Potato Salad is a summertime favorite. This recipe is vegan and gluten-free.

bowl of instant pot potato salad

16. Instant Pot Asparagus

Everyone loves tender asparagus! Skip the oven and cook in the pressure cooker instead. It’s a simple and tasty side dish.

Red chili flakes sprinkled on asparagus spears on a white platter.

17. Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

You’ll never boil corn on the stovetop again after you’ve made it in the pressure cooker. It turns out crisp and perfectly cooked. So easy!!!

corn inside of an instant pot pressure cooker

18. Instant Pot Stuffing

This Instant Pot side dish is great for holidays, but can be served at other times of the year, too. This recipe is made gluten-free and is full of flavor.

instant pot sausage stuffing served in a white platter

19. Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs

Use the 2-minute method to make hard boiled eggs for snacks. You can also try my Healthy Egg Salad for a great meal prep lunch recipe.

eggs cooked in an instant pot

20. Instant Pot Acorn Squash

Don’t worry about cutting squash in half anymore. Cook them whole in the Instant Pot and then easily slice through them with a butter knife.

acorn squash cooked in a pressure cooker

21. Instant Pot Cauliflower Florets

One of my favorite hacks for making healthy breakfast smoothies is to steam and then freeze cauliflower to add to my blended drinks. Steam cauliflower florets in the Instant Pot and then lay them on a baking sheet to freeze. So easy!

cauliflower cooked in instant pot

22. Instant Pot Zucchini Slices

Zucchini slices are also great for steaming and freezing for smoothies. Or, you can serve the steamed zucchini as a super easy side dish.

Zucchini slices inside an Instant Pot

23. Instant Pot Zucchini & Tomatoes

This is one of my favorite ways to use up abundant zucchini in the summertime. Cooked with chopped canned tomatoes, onion, and garlic, this dish screams summer flavors.

cooked zucchini and tomatoes on a plate

FAQs

Can I make these side dish recipes using a 3-quart mini Instant Pot?

Most recipes are written for a 6-quart Instant Pot, but can be adapted to using the 3-quart. It might take some tinkering. You can start by cutting the ingredients in half. Just always remember to include 1 cup of liquid to ensure your pot comes up to pressure.

Conclusions

I hope you found this round-up of Instant Pot Side Dish recipes helpful.

Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or you’re cooking side dishes for Sunday dinner, you should have plenty of recipes to choose from. I think you’ll find that a pressure cooker cuts down on the work, but still produces side dishes that are healthy, easy, and delicious!

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