Yes, you can use oil in an Instant Pot, but only in certain ways. The best time to use oil is when you’re using the sauté function. A little oil helps keep food from sticking, makes it easier to brown meat or veggies, and adds flavor. Just turn on sauté, add one or two tablespoons of oil, let it heat up, and then start cooking.
You should not add oil when pressure cooking. It won’t help and could cause problems. Oil doesn’t mix well with water, and it can get too hot at the bottom of the pot. This might burn your food or affect how the pressure builds.
Stick to oils that handle high heat, like vegetable, avocado, or canola oil. Avoid extra virgin olive oil, which can burn fast. Always measure carefully, since too much oil can make your food greasy and harder to clean up later.
If you’re using an air fryer lid with your Instant Pot, just brush or spray a little oil on the food. That’s all you need to help it crisp up.
Used the right way, oil makes your Instant Pot meals tastier and easier to cook. Just keep it simple, and you’ll get great results.
5 Things Not To Do With Your Instant Pot
If you’ve ever used an Instant Pot, you know it can do a lot of things, but you might be wondering if oil is really necessary. Well, the short answer is: yes, oil can actually help a lot! One of the main reasons you’d want to use oil in your Instant Pot is because it adds flavor to your food. Imagine sautéing some onions or garlic before adding the rest of your ingredients those flavors are going to pop and really take your dish to the next level.
Another great reason to use oil is to prevent things from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Instant Pots have a non-stick surface, but even so, things like meat or veggies can sometimes stick while sautéing. A little oil helps keep everything moving smoothly so you won’t end up with burnt bits at the bottom.
But wait, there’s more! When you use oil in the sauté function, you can brown your food. That crispy, golden-brown texture? That’s the magic of oil. It makes meats like chicken or beef more flavorful, and vegetables like potatoes or carrots a lot tastier with that perfect, crispy edge.
Lastly, using oil speeds up the sautéing process. If you’re cooking something like onions or garlic, you don’t have to wait around forever for them to soften. A little oil helps the heat spread evenly, which means you’ll get that delicious flavor fast without waiting too long.
How to Safely Use Oil in an Instant Pot
Using oil in an Instant Pot is totally fine, but you need to do it the right way. The most important thing to remember is to use oil only when the pot is on sauté mode. That’s the setting made for frying and browning, and it’s designed to handle oil safely. Don’t try to pressure cook with a lot of oil inside—that’s not what the Instant Pot is built for and could even be dangerous.
Another tip is to pick the right kind of oil. Some oils can burn really fast, like extra virgin olive oil. Instead, go for oils that can handle high heat like vegetable oil, avocado oil, or even canola oil. These will stay stable and won’t smoke up your kitchen.
You also don’t need a lot of oil. Just one or two tablespoons is usually enough to get the job done. Adding too much can make your food greasy and may even mess with how your food cooks. Less is more when it comes to oil in the Instant Pot.
When you’re cooking, try to stir your food gently. You don’t want to scratch the pot or burn anything stuck to the bottom. Just move things around with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. This helps everything cook evenly and keeps your pot in good shape.
When to Avoid Using Oil in Your Instant Pot
Even though oil can be super helpful, there are times when it’s best to skip it in your Instant Pot. The biggest one is during pressure cooking. When you’re sealing the lid and letting the pot build up pressure, oil doesn’t really help and can actually cause problems. Since oil doesn’t mix with water, it can sit at the bottom and get too hot, which might lead to burning or weird smells.
Another thing to watch out for is using too much oil. It can leave behind a greasy layer that’s hard to clean. That leftover grease can also get into the sealing ring or steam valve, which could mess with how the pot works over time. Trust me, nobody wants an Instant Pot that doesn’t seal right because of oil build-up.
If you’re using a model that has an air fryer lid or crisping function, you still don’t need much oil. It’s not a deep fryer, so just a little spritz or light brush of oil is enough. Using a bunch of oil won’t make your food crispier—it’ll just make it soggy or greasy.
So, while oil is great for sautéing and adding flavor, don’t use it when you’re pressure cooking or trying to keep your Instant Pot clean and working smoothly. Knowing when to leave the oil out is just as important as knowing when to use it.
Tips for Perfect Cooking with Oil in Your Instant Pot
If you want to get the best results when using oil in your Instant Pot, there are a few simple tips that can really help. First, always start with the oil when you’re using the sauté function. Heat up the pot, add your oil, and let it get hot before you toss in your ingredients. This helps the food brown better and keeps it from sticking.
If you’re planning to pressure cook after sautéing, try not to leave too much oil in the pot. You can drain off a little if it looks like there’s too much sitting at the bottom. That way, your dish won’t turn out greasy, and your Instant Pot won’t have to work harder than it needs to.
Be careful with how much oil you use. A tablespoon or two is usually more than enough. Any more than that and your food might feel heavy or oily. This is especially true for soups and stews—too much oil will just float on top.
When you’re browning meat or veggies, give them a minute to sit still before stirring. Letting them touch the hot oil for a bit helps them brown nicely instead of just steaming. Don’t rush it. That golden crust adds flavor and makes everything taste better.
Conclusion
So, can you use oil in an Instant Pot? Yep, you sure can—and sometimes you really should! Oil helps with flavor, keeps food from sticking, and makes browning super easy when you’re using the sauté function. It’s one of those little tricks that can make your meals taste way better with hardly any effort.
But it’s just as important to know when not to use it. During pressure cooking, oil doesn’t really help and might even get in the way. And using too much can leave your food greasy or mess with your pot’s parts over time.
Stick to a small amount, use it the right way, and you’ll be making tasty, well-cooked meals in your Instant Pot like a pro. If you’re just getting started, don’t stress—play around, see what works for you, and enjoy the process. Happy cooking!