Savor the Sizzle: The Ultimate Collection of Instant Pot Bacon Recipes for Every Meal

For those who believe everything is better with bacon, you’ve come to the right place! The irresistible aroma, the satisfying crunch, and the deep, savory flavor of bacon can elevate any dish from good to absolutely unforgettable. And when combined with the convenience and speed of an Instant Pot, culinary magic truly happens. This comprehensive guide brings you a delectable array of Instant Pot recipes featuring bacon, designed to simplify your cooking and delight your taste buds.

Whether you’re searching for a hearty family dinner, a comforting soup to warm you on a chilly evening, or a sensational side dish that steals the show, this collection has something for everyone. We’ve rounded up a diverse selection of bacon-infused Instant Pot meals, from rich chicken bacon corn chowder to creamy pumpkin mac and cheese with crispy bacon bits. You’ll also find fantastic options catering to specific dietary needs, including delicious low-carb, gluten-free, and Whole30-compliant recipes, proving that healthy eating can still be incredibly flavorful.

The Instant Pot transforms cooking, making it easier than ever to infuse dishes with that signature smoky, salty goodness of bacon. Get ready to discover your new go-to recipes that are not only packed with flavor but also incredibly simple to prepare.

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Before diving into the delicious recipes, a quick note on the star ingredient: these recipes primarily call for American-style streaky bacon. This popular type of bacon comes in long, thin strips and is rendered from pork belly. Its rich fat content and balanced meatiness make it ideal for achieving crispy perfection and infusing dishes with incredible flavor. While there are many varieties of bacon available globally, for these Instant Pot preparations, the classic streaky bacon (especially thick-cut for a more substantial bite) delivers the best results.

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Instant Pot FAQs: Your Guide to Pressure Cooking Success

New to Instant Pot cooking or looking to brush up on your skills? This versatile appliance is a game-changer in the kitchen, especially for quick and easy bacon-infused meals. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you get started:

Why use a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot is far more than just a pressure cooker; it’s a multi-use electric appliance that revolutionizes meal preparation. Its core functions include pressure cook, steam, slow cook, rice cook, and often sauté, yogurt maker, and warmer. For many home cooks, the main draw is its incredible ability to drastically reduce cooking times while enhancing flavors. Pressure cooking locks in moisture and infuses ingredients with robust taste, making even tough cuts of meat incredibly tender in a fraction of the time. Personally, I love it for the easy cleanup – it’s perfect for those coveted dump-and-go dinners and one-pot meals, minimizing washing-up after a busy day.

What size Instant Pot do I need?

For most households, a 6-quart Instant Pot is the most versatile and highly recommended size. It offers enough capacity to comfortably prepare meals for two people or for a family of five, often leaving you with delicious leftovers to enjoy the next day. This size is ideal for a wide range of recipes, from small batches to larger family portions. If you frequently cook for bigger crowds, engage in extensive meal prepping, or have a larger family, an 8-quart model might be a better fit. Conversely, a 3-quart mini Instant Pot is perfect for single servings, side dishes, or very small households.

What brand/model should I get?

The market is flooded with excellent electric multi-functional pressure cookers today. While Instant Pot is the most recognized name, other reputable brands include Instant Pot itself (with various models like Duo, Lux, Viva, Ultra), CHEF iQ, Presto, and Comfee, to name just a few. The good news is that most models offer very similar core functionality. Therefore, the best choice for you will ultimately depend on your budget, specific cooking needs (e.g., smart features, specific presets), and available kitchen space. I am personally partial to Instant Pot; I received a 6-quart Instant Pot Duo about five years ago, and it continues to perform amazingly well. I’ve never had a reason to consider purchasing a different make or model, a testament to its reliability and ease of use.

How do I cook bacon in the Instant Pot?

Many Instant Pot recipes with bacon start by utilizing the sauté function to crisp up the bacon. This not only renders out the delicious fat (which you can then use to sauté other ingredients, adding even more flavor!) but also ensures you get those coveted crispy bits for topping your finished dish. Simply cut bacon into desired pieces, select the “Sauté” function on “Normal” or “More,” and cook until crispy, stirring occasionally. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot to proceed with your recipe.

Irresistible Instant Pot Pasta Recipes with Bacon

Transform your weeknight pasta dishes from ordinary to extraordinary with the help of your Instant Pot and, of course, bacon! Pasta recipes are not only incredibly easy to make in the Instant Pot, but they often yield a far more flavorful and creamy dish than traditional stovetop methods. The pasta cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all those delicious flavors, and the addition of bacon brings a wonderful salty, smoky depth and a delightful textural contrast. Say goodbye to multiple pots and hello to delicious one-pot wonders!

Instant Pot Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

This creamy Instant Pot Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is the perfect savory fall comfort food and a one-pot meal. The addition of pumpkin adds a subtle sweetness and velvety texture, perfectly complemented by the crispy bacon topping.

Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is loaded with succulent chicken, savory bacon, and a creamy, cheesy ranch sauce. This pressure cooker delight is a fantastic, crowd-pleasing family meal ready in a flash.

Instant Pot Chicken and Bacon Carbonara

This one-pot Instant Pot Chicken and Bacon Carbonara offers a rich, creamy, and satisfying dinner that tastes remarkably like your favorite restaurant dish. It’s the ultimate easy dinner recipe for a busy evening.

Hearty Main Dishes Featuring Bacon in Your Instant Pot

Bacon brings an unparalleled depth of flavor to savory main dishes, adding a delightful combination of sweet, fatty, and salty notes that tantalize the palate. Whether it’s forming the savory base of a sauce, wrapping around a tender cut of meat, or providing a crunchy topping, bacon transforms simple proteins into extraordinary meals. The Instant Pot ensures that these main courses are cooked to perfection, with meats becoming incredibly tender and flavors melding beautifully under pressure. Explore these satisfying Instant Pot bacon main dishes that promise to become regulars in your meal rotation.

Instant Pot Crack Chicken (Keto, Low-Carb)

This incredibly flavorful Instant Pot Keto Chicken is a fantastic option for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner. It’s wonderfully versatile – enjoy it as is for a low-carb meal or serve it on rice, pasta, or in wraps for a heartier option.

Instant Pot Spinach Bacon Crustless Quiche (Low Carb)

This Instant Pot Spinach Bacon Crustless Quiche is a remarkably versatile and delicious recipe, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light dinner. Its low-carb nature makes it a healthy choice, and you can easily customize it with your favorite ingredient swaps.

Instant Pot Bacon Wrapped Balsamic Pork

Indulge in the succulent flavors of Instant Pot Bacon Wrapped Balsamic Pork. This incredibly easy Instant Pot recipe yields tender, juicy pork enveloped in crispy bacon with a tangy balsamic glaze that your entire family will absolutely enjoy.

Comforting Instant Pot Soup Recipes Enhanced with Bacon

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm bowl of soup, and when you add bacon, you elevate it to a whole new level of deliciousness. Bacon contributes a complex salty, smoky, and umami richness that transforms the broth and provides a delightful crispy crunch for topping. The Instant Pot is a master at developing deep flavors in soups quickly, making it the perfect tool to create these hearty, bacon-infused masterpieces in a fraction of the traditional cooking time. Prepare to savor every spoonful of these satisfying Instant Pot bacon soup recipes.

Instant Pot Crab and Corn Chowder

This rich Instant Pot Crab and Corn Chowder recipe is a delightful copycat that tastes just like Bonefish Grill’s beloved soup. Made with succulent real crab, sweet corn, and garnished with crispy bacon, it’s a gourmet experience at home.

Instant Pot Crack Chicken Soup

This addictive Instant Pot Crack Chicken Soup, loaded with tender chicken, savory bacon, sharp cheddar, and creamy cream cheese, is a perfect weeknight meal that is guaranteed to please every palate.

Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana

Why dine out when you can recreate restaurant-quality flavors at home? You’re just going to adore this Olive Garden copycat recipe for Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana, a rich and hearty soup featuring sausage, potatoes, and kale, perfected with crispy bacon bits.

Instant Pot Cauliflower Chicken Chowder (Whole30, Paleo)

This Instant Pot Cauliflower Chicken Chowder with savory bacon is not only incredibly delicious but also fully Whole30 and Paleo compliant. It’s a healthy, hearty, and satisfying meal, perfect for crisp fall or cold winter days.

Easy Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Corn Chowder

Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Corn Chowder is a wonderfully delicious and super easy-to-make dish. Its creamy texture and savory flavors make it a perfect candidate to add to your weekly meal rotation all year round.

Instant Pot Mexican Beef and Bacon Soup

This Instant Pot Mexican Beef and Bacon Soup offers a deeply flavorful beef broth, studded with tender bits of beef, savory bacon, and hearty pinto beans. It’s almost like a rich Mexican Beef Stew, providing warmth and satisfaction with every spoonful.

Delicious Instant Pot Side Dishes Made Better with Bacon

Let’s be honest: what vegetable isn’t made exponentially better with the irresistible addition of bacon? Bacon transforms humble side dishes into something truly special, adding a layer of smoky flavor and a delightful textural contrast that even the pickiest eaters will appreciate. The Instant Pot helps cook these vegetables to tender perfection quickly, making them ideal accompaniments to any main course. Try these incredible Brussels sprout, green bean, and potato recipes, all elevated by the magic of bacon and your pressure cooker.

Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

These Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts with Bacon are an appealing and utterly delicious recipe, perfect as a vibrant side dish or even a flavorful main course. The bacon adds a smoky, savory counterpoint to the slightly bitter sprouts.

Instant Pot Fresh Green Beans with Bacon

Save valuable time without sacrificing an ounce of flavor by cooking fresh green beans with bacon in your Instant Pot or pressure cooker. These Southern-style fresh green beans achieve tender perfection in a mere fraction of the time, making them an ideal last-minute side.

Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potato Salad

This savory loaded baked potato salad is a flavor powerhouse, featuring tender potatoes, crispy bacon, creamy sour cream, rich mayonnaise, and fresh green onions. Complete with instructions for both stovetop or super-fast Instant Pot preparation.

Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes

This Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes recipe delivers a wonderfully flavorful and tender dish, crowned with crispy bacon on top. It’s classic Southern comfort food, prepared and on your table in under 15 minutes, making it a perfect quick and satisfying side.

Tips for Mastering Bacon in Your Instant Pot Recipes:

• Render Fat for Flavor: Always start by sautéing your bacon to render out its fat. This flavorful fat is perfect for sautéing onions, garlic, or other aromatics, building a strong flavor base for your entire dish.
• Achieve Ultimate Crispness: While bacon can be cooked in the Instant Pot, for truly crispy bacon to use as a topping, consider finishing it in an air fryer, oven, or a hot skillet after it’s rendered.
• Choose Your Bacon Wisely: While American-style streaky bacon is the go-to, feel free to experiment with different thicknesses (thick-cut for chewiness, thin-cut for quick crisping) or even varieties like pancetta or Canadian bacon if a recipe calls for it or if you want to try something new.
• Storage: Cooked bacon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making it easy to sprinkle into meals throughout the week.

Did you find the dish of your dreams in this roundup?

We hope this collection of Instant Pot bacon recipes inspires you to get cooking! From quick weeknight dinners to impressive comfort food, the combination of your pressure cooker and the magic of bacon is truly unbeatable. Tell us which Instant Pot recipes with bacon you’re most excited to make first in the comments below!