Pressure cooker cooking times
Pressure cooker times (Instant Pot and other electric pressure cookers, on high pressure). The time is once the cooker is at pressure: allow another 10–15 minutes for it to come up to pressure.
Vegetables
| Food | Time | Temperature | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beetroot (beets) Whole | 15–20 min | on high pressure | Whole, on a trivet with 250 ml water; natural release. |
| Carrots Sliced | 2–3 min | on high pressure | Thick slices on a trivet with 250 ml water; quick release. |
| Globe artichokes | 10–15 min | on high pressure | On a trivet with 250 ml water; quick release. |
Potatoes
| Food | Time | Temperature | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacket potatoes (baked potatoes) | 15–20 min | on high pressure | On a trivet with 250 ml water; natural release. Crisp the skins in the oven after. |
| Boiled and mashed potatoes | 8–10 min | on high pressure | Chunks on a trivet with 250 ml water; quick release. |
Chicken, turkey and duck
| Food | Time | Temperature | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast | 8–10 min | on high pressure | With 250 ml stock; natural release for 5 minutes. |
| Chicken thighs | 10–12 min | on high pressure | Boneless, with 250 ml liquid; natural release. Bone-in take 15 minutes. |
| Chicken drumsticks and legs | 12–15 min | on high pressure | With 250 ml liquid; natural release. |
| Whole chicken | 25–30 min | on high pressure | 6 minutes per 450 g (1 lb), on a trivet with 250 ml stock; natural release. |
Beef
| Food | Time | Temperature | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beef mince (ground beef) In a sauce | 15–20 min | on high pressure | Brown with the sauté setting, then add the sauce; natural release. |
| Stewing beef and beef stew | 35–40 min | on high pressure | Natural release for 15 minutes. |
| Beef brisket | 1 h 10 min to 1 h 20 min | on high pressure | With 500 ml liquid; natural release. |
Pork, bacon and sausages
| Food | Time | Temperature | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pulled pork (pork shoulder) | 1 h 15 min to 1 h 30 min | on high pressure | Cut into 4 pieces, with 250 ml liquid; natural release. |
| Pork ribs | 25–30 min | on high pressure | With 250 ml liquid; natural release, then glaze under the grill. |
| Gammon joint | 25–30 min | on high pressure | With 500 ml liquid; natural release, then glaze in the oven. |
Lamb and game
| Food | Time | Temperature | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamb shanks | 40–45 min | on high pressure | Natural release. |
| Leg and shoulder of lamb | 1 h to 1 h 10 min | on high pressure | Boned shoulder in pieces, with 250 ml liquid; natural release. |
Rice, pasta and grains
| Food | Time | Temperature | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice White | 4–6 min | on high pressure | White rice, 1 to 1 rice to water; natural release for 10 minutes. Brown rice: 22 minutes. |
| Pasta Dried | 4–5 min | on high pressure | Half the time on the pack, with just enough liquid to cover; quick release. |
| Lentils, chickpeas and dried beans Soaked beans | 35–40 min | on high pressure | Soaked chickpeas; soaked kidney beans take 25–30 minutes; natural release. |
Tips
- “Natural release” means leaving the valve closed until the pressure drops by itself, about 10–20 minutes. It keeps meat tender.
- “Quick release” means opening the valve straight away, which stops vegetables overcooking.
- Always use at least the minimum liquid the manual gives, usually 250 ml (1 cup).
Questions
How long to cook chicken breasts in a pressure cooker?
8–10 min on high pressure. With 250 ml stock; natural release for 5 minutes.
How long to cook jacket potatoes in a pressure cooker?
15–20 min on high pressure. On a trivet with 250 ml water; natural release. Crisp the skins in the oven after.
How long to cook chicken thighs in a pressure cooker?
10–12 min on high pressure. Boneless, with 250 ml liquid; natural release. Bone-in take 15 minutes.
How long to cook carrots in a pressure cooker?
Sliced: 2–3 min on high pressure. Thick slices on a trivet with 250 ml water; quick release.
How long to cook rice in a pressure cooker?
White: 4–6 min on high pressure. White rice, 1 to 1 rice to water; natural release for 10 minutes. Brown rice: 22 minutes.
How long to cook pulled pork in a pressure cooker?
1 h 15 min to 1 h 30 min on high pressure. Cut into 4 pieces, with 250 ml liquid; natural release.
Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and the size of what you’re cooking all vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer before serving. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance, last checked 11 November 2026.