25 Wholesome Paleo Instant Pot Meals

Welcome to the ultimate guide for flavorful and convenient Paleo Instant Pot recipes! If you’re committed to a Paleo lifestyle, you know the importance of wholesome, unprocessed ingredients. And if you own an Instant Pot, you’re already familiar with its incredible ability to transform meal prep, making healthy eating faster and easier than ever. This comprehensive collection brings together the best of both worlds, offering 25 delicious and nutritious Paleo recipes that are perfect for your pressure cooker. From succulent ground beef dishes and tender chicken meals to hearty soups and vibrant side dishes, get ready to revolutionize your cooking and enjoy a wide variety of meals without compromising your dietary goals.

Collage image of 4 different Instant Pot Paleo recipes, showcasing various dishes like chicken, beef, and vegetables.

Choosing the Best Pressure Cooker for Your Paleo Journey

An Instant Pot, or any electric pressure cooker, is a game-changer for anyone following a Paleo diet. Its ability to cook food quickly, tenderize tough cuts of meat, and infuse flavors deeply makes it an indispensable tool in a health-conscious kitchen. We personally rely on this version of the Instant Pot for its reliability and versatility. However, the market offers several excellent alternatives that will perform beautifully with all the recipes in this collection.

Other highly-rated pressure cooker brands include:

  • Mueller
  • Mealthy
  • Yedi
  • Ninja Foodi

EXPERT INSIGHT: For an in-depth look at our experiences and recommendations, be sure to read our detailed and honest review of the Instant Pot Duo 6-quart model here. We share everything you need to know to make an informed decision.

Rest assured, any quality electric pressure cooker you own should work perfectly for these Paleo Instant Pot recipes. While our instructions are tailored for the Instant Pot, the principles of pressure cooking remain consistent across brands, allowing you to easily adapt these recipes to your specific appliance. The key is to embrace the efficiency and delicious results that pressure cooking brings to your healthy eating routine.


Flavor-Packed Paleo Chicken Recipes for Your Instant Pot

Chicken is a staple in many healthy diets, and for good reason: it’s lean, versatile, and absorbs flavors wonderfully. The Instant Pot takes chicken to the next level, ensuring it’s always juicy and tender in a fraction of the time. These Paleo chicken recipes are perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep, offering a variety of global inspirations to keep your taste buds excited.

Insanely Easy Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken from The Real Simple Good Life – Get ready for a zesty, spicy kick with minimal effort. This shredded buffalo chicken is fantastic in lettuce wraps or over sweet potatoes.

Bowl of shredded Instant Pot buffalo chicken with sauce pouring in from a spoon, garnished with fresh herbs.

Honey Mustard Chicken from Paleo Running Momma – A classic flavor combination made healthy and quick in your Instant Pot. Sweet and tangy, this dish is a family favorite.

Close up of honey mustard chicken in dish with sauce and spoons, ready to serve.

Teriyaki Chicken Bowls from The Wooden Skillet – Enjoy takeout flavors at home with these Paleo-friendly teriyaki chicken bowls, perfect for a balanced and satisfying meal.

Teriyaki chicken served in a bowl with rice, broccoli and carrots, creating a colorful and healthy meal.

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Meatballs from Eat the Gains – These meatballs are incredibly moist and packed with smoky BBQ flavor, making them ideal for appetizers or a main course.

Instant Pot BBQ chicken meatballs in a skillet, showcasing their delicious glaze and texture.

Instant Pot Orange Chicken from The Real Simple Good Life – A healthier take on a Chinese takeout classic, this orange chicken is sweet, savory, and wonderfully simple to prepare.

Chunks of Instant Pot orange chicken in a bowl with fresh orange wedges, highlighting its vibrant flavor.

Hearty Paleo Dinner Recipes for the Instant Pot

When it comes to satisfying Paleo dinners, the Instant Pot truly shines. It transforms tougher cuts of meat into fall-apart tender masterpieces and creates rich, deeply flavored dishes with minimal fuss. These recipes are designed to be substantial, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying delicious leftovers throughout the week.

Instant Pot BBQ Beef Brisket from The Real Simple Good Life – Indulge in fork-tender beef brisket infused with smoky BBQ flavor, ready in a fraction of the traditional cooking time.

Sliced BBQ beef brisket on a platter with BBQ sauce drizzled over it, ready to be served.

Chili Lime Instant Pot Short Ribs from What Great Grandma Ate – These short ribs are bursting with zesty chili-lime flavor and incredibly tender, making for an impressive yet easy meal.

Chili lime Instant Pot short ribs in a bowl with cilantro topping, viewed from overhead.

Instant Pot Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin from Physical Kitchness – A delightful and healthy weeknight dinner, this pork tenderloin is succulent and coated in a flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce.

Instant Pot teriyaki pork tenderloin on a plate, stacked in a row with sauce, presented at an angle.

Turkey Bacon Ranch Meatloaf from Physical Kitchness – A comforting and wholesome meatloaf packed with savory turkey, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch flavor, all made easy in the Instant Pot.

Sliced turkey bacon ranch meatloaf on a cutting board, shown at an angle.

Instant Pot Pot Roast from The Real Simple Good Life – The ultimate comfort food, this pot roast is incredibly tender and flavorful, practically melting in your mouth after cooking in the Instant Pot.

Shredded pot roast on a platter with sweet potatoes, celery and onion, a classic and hearty meal.

Comforting Paleo Soup Recipes for the Instant Pot

Nothing warms the soul quite like a bowl of homemade soup, and with your Instant Pot, you can achieve that slow-simmered flavor in a fraction of the time. These Paleo soup recipes are perfect for chilly evenings, meal prep, or when you simply need something nourishing and delicious.

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili from The Real Simple Good Life – A creamy, comforting chili loaded with tender chicken and mild spices, perfect for a lighter yet satisfying meal.

Two bowls of white chicken chili with lime, jalapeño, cilantro and sour cream (or a Paleo alternative) toppings.

Thai Chicken Zucchini Noodle Soup from The Movement Menu – Experience exotic flavors with this vibrant Thai-inspired soup featuring tender chicken and fresh zucchini noodles.

Bowl of Thai chicken soup with zoodles, limes and chopped parsley, highlighting fresh ingredients.

Stuffed Pepper Soup from Real Food with Jessica – All the delicious flavors of stuffed peppers transformed into a hearty and satisfying soup, perfect for a cozy meal.

Stuffed pepper soup in a pot with a ladle scooping some out, shown at an inviting angle.

Paleo Lasagna Soup from Unbound Wellness – Enjoy the comforting taste of lasagna in a convenient soup format, packed with rich flavors and wholesome ingredients.

Paleo lasagna soup in a bowl with basil and a dollop of dairy-free cheese, photographed from overhead.

Bacon and Sweet Potato Chili from A Calculated Whisk – A smoky and slightly sweet chili featuring savory bacon and hearty sweet potatoes, perfect for a satisfying meal.

Bacon sweet potato chili in 2 bowls with various toppings, seen from an overhead perspective.

Quick & Easy Paleo Ground Beef Recipes for the Instant Pot

Ground beef is an incredibly versatile and budget-friendly protein, making it a fantastic choice for Paleo meals. The Instant Pot helps you create incredibly flavorful ground beef dishes in record time, from classic comfort foods to exciting global flavors. These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights and offer plenty of options for family-friendly meals.

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes from The Real Simple Good Life – A nostalgic favorite, these Paleo sloppy joes are sweet, savory, and incredibly easy to make for a satisfying sandwich alternative.

Sloppy joes in a bowl with a spoon and chopped purple cabbage topping, ready to be enjoyed.

Instant Pot Meatballs from Real Food with Jessica – Perfectly cooked, tender meatballs smothered in rich sauce, ideal for serving over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.

Plate of meatballs and red sauce over spaghetti squash, a classic and healthy combination.

Instant Pot Ground Beef Bulgogi from My Heart Beets – A quick and flavorful take on Korean bulgogi, featuring savory ground beef and an irresistible marinade.

Bowl of Korean beef bulgogi with sliced green onion and sesame seeds as garnish.

Instant Pot Egg Roll in a Bowl from Wholesomelicious – All the delicious flavors of an egg roll, deconstructed into a quick, easy, and satisfying bowl meal.

Egg roll in a bowl with ground beef, cabbage, cilantro and onion, offering a fresh and healthy alternative.

Korean Sloppy Joes from What Great Grandma Ate – A unique twist on sloppy joes, featuring savory Korean-inspired flavors that are both delicious and Paleo-friendly.

Sloppy joes stuffed in potatoes that are cut in half and topped with sliced green onion, a creative and hearty serving suggestion.

Essential Paleo Side Dish Recipes for the Instant Pot

No meal is complete without a delicious side dish, and the Instant Pot makes preparing healthy, Paleo-compliant sides incredibly easy and fast. These recipes range from comforting classics to vibrant vegetable dishes, ensuring your main courses are perfectly complemented.

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes from A Calculated Whisk – Creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes made effortlessly in your Instant Pot, a perfect comforting side for any meal.

Instant Pot mashed potatoes in a bowl with a spoon and butter on top, photographed from overhead.

Creamy Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts from The Bettered Blondie – Even Brussels sprout skeptics will love this creamy and flavorful side, made quick and tender in the Instant Pot.

Creamy Brussels sprouts with bacon and a wooden spoon in the Instant Pot, ready to be served.

Perfect Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes from Kristine’s Kitchen – Achieve perfectly cooked, tender sweet potatoes every time with this simple Instant Pot method, great for mashing or serving whole.

Three perfectly cooked sweet potatoes with butter in each, arranged on a plate.

Instant Pot Creamy Cauliflower Mash from Physical Kitchness – A fantastic low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, this cauliflower mash is rich, creamy, and wonderfully satisfying.

Instant Pot creamy cauliflower mash in a bowl with butter and thyme, viewed from overhead.

Maple Instant Pot Carrots from Food With Feeling – Sweet and tender carrots glazed with maple syrup, a simple yet elegant side dish that everyone will love.

Plate of baby carrots with maple cinnamon topping, a sweet and simple side.

Paleo Instant Pot Carnitas, a savory shredded pork dish.
Rated 4.43 out of 5 stars from 7 ratings
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Paleo Instant Pot Carnitas

Prep: 10
Cook: 1 20
Total: 1 30
Servings: 8
These Paleo and Whole30 Instant Pot shredded pork carnitas are super tender, juicy and flavorful! Plus, we have 25 other Paleo Instant Pot recipes including dinner recipes, soups and side dishes!
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Ingredients

  • 3 lbs pork shoulder or butt, cut into 2 inch cubes
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 3/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice, (about 2 oranges)
  • 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice, (about 2 limes)
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp oregano, (fresh or dried)
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp chipotle powder
  • 2 tbsp ghee, (or other cooking oil)

For topping/serving:

  • romaine lettuce, (or sub Siete Tortillas or other sturdy lettuce)
  • cilantro
  • avocado
  • jalapenos, sliced
  • lime wedges

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker

Instructions

 

  • Cut pork into cubes and set aside. Prep onion and garlic as noted.
  • Combine orange juice, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt and chipotle powder in a bowl or jar and mix well.

For the Instant Pot

  • Press the sauté button on the Instant Pot and add ghee. Once hot, add in the pork and brown it on all sides. Press cancel on the Instant Pot once the pork is browned.
  • Pour the juice/seasoning mixture all over the pork cubes and add in the diced onion and garlic.
  • Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and close the pressure valve. Press the “manual” button (or “pressure cook” button) and set the time to cook for 30 minutes at high pressure. Once the time is up, let the pressure naturally release on its own for 20 minutes.
  • Manually release any remaining pressure and remove the lid. Shred the pork with two forks.
  • Serve carnitas in lettuce wedges or tortillas with your favorite toppings.

For the Slow Cooker

  • Follow the first 2 steps in the recipe above. Then, heat a pan on the stove over medium heat and add ghee. Once hot, add in the pork and brown it on all sides.
  • Once the pork is browned, add it to the slow cooker. Pour the juice/seasoning mixture all over the pork cubes and add in the diced onion and garlic.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
  • Shred the pork with two forks. Serve carnitas in lettuce wedges or tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Optional step (for crispy carnitas):

  • Set your oven to broil.
  • After shredding the pork, use a slotted spoon to remove the pork and onions from the Instant Pot and place on a large sheet pan. Spoon some of the juices from the Instant Pot over the top of the pork in the sheet pan.
  • Place in the oven to broil for 6-8 minutes, until the pork begins to develop some brown and crispy edges. Watch carefully and cook to your preference.
  • Alternatively, you can simply transfer some of the pork to a skillet over medium heat and cook it until it’s crispy, stirring occasionally. This method is easiest if you are re-heating the pork leftovers from the fridge.

Last Step:

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Notes

Nutrition facts are an estimate provided for those following a Ketogenic or low-carb diet and do not include the topping/serving items for this recipe. See our full nutrition information disclosure here. 
Calories: 214kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 4g
Course: Main Course
Author: Erica Winn
Cuisine: Mexican



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We hope this extensive collection of 25 Paleo Instant Pot recipes inspires you to create incredible, healthy meals with ease. The Instant Pot is a phenomenal tool for simplifying the Paleo lifestyle, allowing you to enjoy rich flavors and tender textures without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re craving a hearty dinner, a comforting soup, or a simple side dish, these recipes prove that eating well can also be incredibly convenient and delicious. Dive in, experiment with these fantastic options, and discover your new favorite way to cook Paleo!

Embrace the power of your pressure cooker and the benefits of a Paleo diet. Happy cooking!