It is not as straightforward as you would think to use your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker. However, with these tips, you CAN use your Instant Pot for slow cooking.
Many people purchased an Instant Pot to make their lives easier and to cut down on appliances. While the Instant Pot does a wonderful job making Instant Pot Rice, replacing the need for a rice cooker, and is superb at making yogurt, replacing the need for a yogurt incubator, an Instant Pot DOES NOT make a great replacement for a Crockpot.
While the slow cook function on a pressure cooker is not a useless Instant Pot Setting, like Porridge or Beans, it requires modifications.
Important to Remember When Using an Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker
- You must still have thin liquid in the inner pot. For the Instant Pot to reach and maintain a consistent temperature, it is crucial to have at least 1 cup of thin liquid in the inner pot. The slow cooker function will not work without the addition of thin liquid (water, broth, juice, etc).
- Layer correctly. Just like pressure cooking, be sure the thin liquid is on the bottom of the inner pot. If you have a thick sauce, such as BBQ sauce or tomato sauce, your pressure cooker will struggle to reach and maintain temperature.
- You have to modify the setting and time. The heat settings of low, normal, and high do not equally equate to the keep warm, low, and high settings on a slow cooker. Use my guide for converting recipes below.
- It shouldn't take more than 15-20 minutes to heat up. If after 20 minutes your Instant Pot is still heating, rather than counting down the cooking time, it is likely struggling to reach temperature. To override this, you can take the lid off your pressure cooker, press saute, and saute for 2-4 minutes. Hit cancel, and then reset the cooking time using the slow cook function.
- No pressure will be reached. When using the slow cook function on your pressure cooker, pressure will not be reached. Therefore, you don't need to worry about locking your lid or vent knob into place and you can remove the lid to check on your dish as desired. If you would like, you can use a glass lid, which will allow some of the liquid to evaporate, as a traditional slow cooker lid does.
Instant Pot Slow Cook Temperatures Explained
The Slow Cook Function on the Instant Pot can be adjusted to Low, Normal, or High Temperature.
- Low on the Instant Pot Slow Cooker Function is like the keep warm on a traditional slow cooker. The low setting reaches about 170 degrees F.
- Normal on the Instant Pot Slow Cooker Function is equivalent to low heat on a traditional slow cooker. Normal reaches 200 degrees F.
- High on the Instant Pot Function does not get as high as high heat on a slow cooker, but by adding 15 minutes per hour of slow cooking, you can experience similar results. High reaches about 210 degrees F, which is 10-20 degrees less than a slow cooker on high.
How to Use the Slow Cook Setting on the Instant Pot
Below this explanation, you will find a printable chart you can keep on hand to help you quickly remember how to slow cook your favorite slow cooker recipes using the Instant Pot.
- To turn on the slow cook function, hit the slow cook button on your pressure cooker.
- Hit adjust/pressure or toggle your knob to select between low, normal and high temperature.
- Use the knob or +/- buttons to adjust the cooking time, which should be able to be set in 30 minute increments. Remember to add 15 minutes of cooking time per hour if cooking on High.
- Once the cooking time is set, the Instant Pot will heat and once fully heated, the cooking time will begin.
- After the cooking time elapses, most models will default to keep warm (be sure it is selected by hitting the keep warm button if not lit up.)
Click on Picture to access the DOWNLOAD and print.
Should I Get Rid of My Slow Cooker?
NO! If you have space for both a traditional slow cooker and an Instant Pot, I would highly recommend keeping both, as both serve their purpose. A slow cooker will produce more consistent results for crockpot recipes and you don't need to worry about adding thin liquid.
However, if you only have space for one appliance, I would still recommend purchasing the Instant Pot and with this guide, you CAN slow cook using your Instant Pot.
Slow Cooker Recipes to Instant Pot Recipes
While this post was designed to teach you how to use your pressure cooker as a slow cooker, the whole purpose of the Instant Pot is to SPEED up cooking.
Here are some of my favorite Slow Cooker Recipes that I have used as inspiration to create Instant Pot versions.
- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas to Instant Pot Pork Tacos
- Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas to Instant Pot Steak Fajitas
- Slow Cooker Baked Ziti to Instant Pot Creamy Pasta
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork to Instant Pot Pulled Pork
If you still have questions, please leave them in the comments and I will do my best to answer!
Vanessa
Hi
I’m thinking of trying a slow cooker vegetable lasagne tomorrow - most recipes seem to layer the ingredients straight into the pot but thus will make a very large lasagne! Could I use a foil tray to make it in - will it affect the temp the instant pot reaches? Should I give it a little longer do you think?
Thanks in advance
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Vanessa!
That is a TRICKY recipe for the pressure cooker if you are using as a slow cooker. I would instead follow my method to making Instant Pot Lasagna (just use the vegetables that your veggie Lasagna calls for.) That method uses an oven safe dish or springform pan. Here is my recipe: https://amindfullmom.com/instant-pot-lasagna/. I would be happy to help further if you need it.
Vanessa
Thank you so much for your speedy reply!
I will try your recipe instead - what’s best to do (givenntgst I will be out if the house for 12 hours!) - assemble it all and leave in fridge then pressure cook when I get in or use delay start function? Or will it keep ok on keep warm? Or maybe not do lasagne tomorrow ?! Lol
Nakita
I just got the Insta pot for Christmas. Today I wanted to make French dip sandwiches for dinner, I have the roast cooking on the slow cook option on normal for 7 hours. I'm I doing this wrong?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi there! So yes, normal setting is low. You would want to cook this on high setting.or use this recipe for a faster version: https://amindfullmom.com/french-dip-sandwiches/
Anne
Very helpful! I was trying to figure out why my Instant Pot Slow Cook Low setting was not cooking. (Making chili.) Ended up setting it on high to get the slow, low level barely bubbling that I was used to seeing in my old Crockpot on low. So, I think the IP is fine for slow cooking as long as you assume it will always have to be set on medium or high and for longer (low cook) times. No more 3-hour high-setting cooks. OK with me as I can pressure cook if in a hurry. (BTW, the chili was great!)
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad your chili turned out and this post was helpful.
Michele
If you use the slow cook method for beef stew and it's not tender...cant you just pressure cook for 15 min or so and correct the time difference?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Michelle! That would be a great time to use your pressure cooker. Just be sure to let pressure release naturally after the cook time elapses. And if your meat is still NOT tender, it is more than likely the cut of meat, NOT your cooking method 🙂
Ayanna
Kristen, do you know which cuts of meat are best choices for slow-cooking, as well as those that are best for pressure cooking? If not, can you direct me to a trusted source?
It's too bad the IP's slow cooker disappoints - I've heard there are digestion issues that resolve with low&slow cooking and do not resolve with pressure cooking!
Thanks for your dedication!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Ayanna! In my personal opinion, any meat that is suitable for braising is good for slow cooking or pressure cooking. This would be roasts that are less expensive and have a good amount of marbling. Lean cuts of meat can be tricky when it comes to pressure cooking. My favorite cuts are chuck roast, pork butt, pork shoulder, and stew meat. I hope that helps!
Kristy
Hi I’m new to this insta pot and to be honest it scares me! Lol I’m making chili right now put it on slow cooker and just threw everything in like I normally do. It’s on high and says 8:00. Is that 8 hrs? Or done at 8:00 lol I’m sorry I feel so dumb. I’d love to really understand how this thing works. Really like to understand the pressure cooking part and rice, please help. Thank you Kristy
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Kristy! I understand the pressure cooker is intimidating until you really understand it. I have this post on Instant Pot 101 to help OR I have a course with videos explaining everything--sometimes it helps to watch the video.
As for your chili recipe--once you place all your ingredients into the Instant Pot, you hit slow cooker, then adjust the timer with +/- buttons to set time you want. So right now it is set for 8 hours. You can stop it before, but 8 hours on the Instant Pot under slow cooker function would be about the equivalent to 6 hours in a traditional slow cooker.
You may also want to use my recipe for IP Chili that is much quicker.
Please reach out any time with questions.
Ana
Wow! I’m really glad I came across this post. Trying a new crock pot soup recipe that requires sautéing so I thought I’d give my IP a try and use one less bowl/keep all those delicious bits together. I had originally set it at less thinking it was equivalent to low. We have company coming and that would’ve been a disaster! Soup is cooking away now. Fingers crossed.
Kristen Chidsey
Yay!!! So glad this post helped you out. Enjoy that soup.
cindy
I tried cooking a pot roast the other night. I used the normal setting for 12 hours and vegetables were hard and the roast was not cooked through. I set on high until the vegetables were cooked but I found later that the roast was still pink. I had to finish cooking the roast in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes and I sliced up the roast. I have not attempted slow cooking again yet. It seems that maybe the only setting that would work is the more (high) setting.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Cindy! Isn't frustrating that the slow cooker function is not easy and straightforward as you would think? I wish you would have found this BEFORE you made your roast. In the future, here is my Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe you may want to try. https://amindfullmom.com/instant-pot-pot-roast/
Shelly Smith
I have search forever for how to cook my pre cooked ham in my instant pot. I'm actually fixing 2 hams. One in reg crock and one for IP. Do you suggest setting it on medium for 4 hours? Also should my ham take a cup of liquid? What liquid do you suggest? Fixing early am for 12 lunch.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Shelly! I am so glad you reached out about your ham--here is my brand new recipe for Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham. It takes 2 minutes on high pressure per pound and I wrap in foil on the trivet over 1 cup water. However, you can cook in 1 cup pineapple juice directly in the inner pot. Here is my recipe and all the tips: https://amindfullmom.com/instant-pot-honey-baked-ham/
Terry
When using the slow cooker do you Vent or Seal?
Kristen Chidsey
Either is fine, but with slow cooker function, the instant pot will not reach a high enough pressure on slow cook function to seal.
Kate @ Framed Cooks
This was SO helpful - thank you so very much! I was wondering why my favorite slow cooker short ribs recipe didn't cook all the way after 9 hours on the low setting with the Instant Pot - now I know! I have a beef barley soup in there on Normal and I am much more confident about it now.
Kristen Chidsey
Yay. I am so glad those tips helped you. It really is not as straightforward as you would think. And enjoy the soup
Pat Tucker
My instant pot duo does not have an adjust button. How do I change the cooking temperature?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Pat, instead of adjust, hit "pressure level" button. That will change temperature 🙂
C. Ainsworth
I have the Instapot 6 quart duo, I hit the slow cook button twice to raise the temperature to high. Pressing the pressure setting did not do anything. Thanks for your post, it helped in learning how to use the slow cooker function on the instant pot
Deb Susi
Hi. Trying to use the IP as a slow cooker. I have the IP Nova Plus. The temp setting, you’re mentioning...am a little confused. By pressing my “slow cook” button on the display, I see that temps may be changing to low, normal, or “more”. I hope that means low, medium, and high. If you can, please, let me know. Thanks.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Deb. Yes, that would be correct 🙂
Cindy
I made a pork loin in my crockpot for 6.5 hrs and it is not tender yet so can I transfer it to the instant pot duo? I do not know for how long to set it to get done in 1 or 2 hours. Thank you.
Also, if this happens with other meats is there directions how to finish cooking meats or other recipes? I searched online but did not find a site.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Cindy! It will vary based on what cut of meat you are cooking, but if your meat is not tender at end of time in crock pot, you can place in Instant Pot with at least 1 cup of liquid and cook for 15-20 minutes on high pressure to finish cooking a roast. For pork loin, it can be tough to get tender at times. I would personally cut into 3-4 inch chunks and then add to pressure cooker, cover with liquid and cook for 10 minutes on high pressure to help tenderize the meat. Hope that helps a bit.
Alan Smith
oopsy? - are you really sure that High takes an extra 15 minutes per hour over Normal/Slow where time stays the same?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Alan, while it may not make sense, that is correct. The normal slow cooker function on an Instant Pot is like the low setting. The high slow cooker function on the instant pot needs the cooking time adjusted.
shan
If that is the case, a higher temp should have LESS time, not more. Not willing to take your advice on anything if something that simple is wrong here...
Kristen Chidsey
Shan,
You misunderstood. HIGH Slow cooker setting on the Instant Pot is actually lower than the high setting on a traditional slow cooker, hence the longer time.
Webb
Shan, Geez take it easy. Read what she says, read the temps. She is correct.
zed
psst, shan....most decent people would apologize at this point...
Diane Van Pelt
What if you want to stir a stew that’s on Slow Cook? What is the process to take off the lid and continue cooking?
Kristen Chidsey
Because the lid does not seal while slow cooking, you can remove the lid at any time to stir the contents. A lot of people even purchase clear glass lids for the pressure cooker to use when slow cooking.
Susanne Piché
So glad to have found this post! I am following the directions now, just in time, as I almost used a standard slow cooker recipe. Whew!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! I am so happy this helps!
Susie
Do you keep the pressure closed for soups?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Susie, yes you definitely want to keep the pressure closed for soups. Really the only time to leave it open is for keep warm or yogurt function.
Nicole Foster
I used your instructions tonight to make pot roast. It came out perfectly - thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
Oh I am so glad Nicole!! I hope this saves you so much time in the future.
William D Leahy Jr
I have made beef stew in my Instant Pot using a recipe designed for the Instant Pot. But I wanted to try a classic crock pot recipe that won't work in the Instant Pot so I decided to try the slow cooker setting.
The recipe:
Stew meat
Potatoes
Onions
Carrots
Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup (Condensed)
Can of Tomato Soup (Condensed)
Put everything in a crockpot with some salt and pepper and 2-3 bay leaves and slow cook on low for 10-12 hours (High 5-6)
So I put the meat in the Instant Pot an d browned it. Deglazed with a little wine. Added the other ingredients, mixed it and cooked it for 5.5 hours on high. The result was it wasn't even remotely cooked. So back in on medium for another 6-7 hours. The carrots were cooked but barely and the potatoes were not cooked enough. So now I've put it back on at high for another 6 or so hours.
So based on your article I probably need to cook on high for at least 7.5-8 hours, perhaps add some water or bouillon (maybe a cup? Maybe more?) and perhaps cut the potatoes in half (They were small but I put them in whole.)
Kristen Chidsey
Hi William! I am glad you found these instructions, because using your IP like a slow cooker, is more complicated then you would think.
I would cook for 8 hours, add in 1 cup stock of your choice and cut the potatoes in half.
That should work MUCH better.
Enjoy!