Search Chitra's Food Book

March 23, 2020

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

Print Friendly and PDF

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.








  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1.  Soup/Broth Button
  • Use this smart program to make vegetable soup and broth.
  • Always do Natural Release.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. Keep Warm:

  • It goes on by default for all smart programs except sauté, sous vide and yogurt.
  1. 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”
  1. 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






Related Posts


2 comments :

Rajanirajesh said...

What model & capacity of instant pot you are using. Where did u get it ? Approx price ?

Chitra said...

Hi, I bought from Costco. Please check this link : https://www.costco.com/instant-pot-duo-sv-6qt-multi-use-pressure-cooker.product.100492932.html