The Paleo Diet and the Instant Pot - 3 Paleo Instant Pot Recipes
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The vast majority of the foods available to us these days are processed. While these foods are convenient and delicious, many of them are far from healthy. An over-reliance on processed foods can lead to obesity and nutrient deficiencies, as well as less obvious health problems like systemic inflammation or excessive gut permeability (leaky gut).
For relief from the unhealthiness of modern processed foods, many people turn to the paleo diet. This diet plan only (or at least primarily, if you're not a total fundamentalist about it) uses foods that people would have eaten during hunter-gatherer times. So, what makes the paleo diet so beneficial?
The main benefit of following a paleo diet is that your meals should be mostly free from any preservatives, chemicals, and other unhealthy additives. Many of the foods or meals in the paleo diet also help reduce inflammation and increase your iron intake. You’ll also likely deal with fewer hunger cravings, due to having a diet that’s high in protein.
There are a few notable benefits of using an Instant Pot. This kitchen appliance is small (the size of a medium-sized microwave or large crockpot) and capable of cooking meals faster than an oven or stovetop can. Plus, foods cooked in an Instant Pot retain all of their vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
So, why do the Instant Pot and the paleo diet make such a great team? With an Instant Pot, you can cook many foods faster than normal. This is particularly clear when you consider the distinction between cook time and prep time, as Instant Pot requires less supervision. Because the Instant Pot retains nutrients, you won’t have to worry about missing out on any health benefits of a paleo meal plan.
To truly understand how well the Instant Pot and paleo diet pair together, it’s time to start cooking. With that in mind, here are three great paleo recipes you can make in an Instant Pot.
1. Instant Pot Paleo Chicken Leg Quarters
This tasty recipe for chicken lovers can make almost anyone commit to the paleo diet. As you know, chicken leg quarters are delicious. Fortunately, they’re also much more inexpensive than most other types and cuts of meat.
However, you might avoid buying chicken because you don’t have time to cook it in an oven. By following the recipe below, you’ll have Instant Pot chicken legs ready to eat in only about 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken broth - 1 cup
Chicken leg quarters, skinless - 4
Garlic powder - 1 tsp
Olive oil - 2 tbsp
Salt and pepper, to taste
Recipe
Place a trivet in your Instant Pot’s inner pan.
Pour in your broth.
Season your chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Add your chicken to the Instant Pot in a single, even layer.
Close your Instant Pot’s lid, set it to high pressure, and cook for 20 minutes.
After the timer sounds, do a quick pressure release.
Open the Instant Pot, carefully take out your chicken with tongs, and coat them with olive oil.
Place your chicken in a single layer on a baking pan.
Broil the chicken for five minutes on each side (use either an Instant Pot Air Fryer or oven to complete this step).
Take out your chicken, serve, and enjoy.
2. Instant Pot Paleo Mexican Lamb
Lamb is a delicious meat that contains about 22 grams of protein per serving. If you want a great way to spice up this delicious meat, try making Mexican lamb in an Instant Pot. The blend of spices and vegetables in this dish makes it pop with flavor.
Once you try this dish, you may never want traditionally prepared lamb again!
Ingredients
Lamb - 1 pound
Onion, chopped - 1
Garlic cloves, minced - 4
Ground cumin - 2 tbsp
Salt - 1 tbsp
Sweet potatoes, roasted - 1 cup
Lettuce, shredded - ½ cup
Tomatoes, chopped, ½ cup
Greek yogurt - 1 cup
Mexican chili - 1 tbsp
Olive oil - 1 tsp
Recipe
Pour your oil, garlic, and cumin into the Instant Pot.
Set your Instant Pot to “Saute” and cook for two minutes.
Add in your lamb and all other ingredients.
Select the “Manual” setting, cook on high pressure for 40 minutes.
When the timer sounds, do a natural pressure release.
Scoop out your cooked food and serve with toppings of your choice.
3. Instant Pot Paleo Ground Beef Stew
Another food that people have enjoyed for ages is beef. Part of what makes beef such great meat is that you can cook it in many ways. Beef is also a food that’s rich in vitamins and minerals.
If you don’t want to stand around a stovetop and wait for your meat to brown, try this amazing recipe.
Ingredients
Ground beef - 1 pound
Onion, chopped - 1
Carrots, chopped - 2
Tomatoes, crushed - 2
Garlic cloves, minced - 3
Beef stock - 1 can
Coriander leaves - 1 cup
Olive oil - 3 tbsp
Garlic powder - 1 tbsp
Ground basil - 1 tbsp
Oregano - 1 tbsp
Tomato Paste - 1 tbsp
Kosher salt - 1 tbsp
Ground thyme - ½ tbsp
Cinnamon - ¼ tbsp
Recipe
Pour your oil, garlic, cinnamon, and onion into your Instant Pot.
Set to “Saute” for two minutes.
Add the beef and remaining ingredients into the Instant Pot.
Close the Instant Pot’s lid, set it to “Manual” and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes.
After doing a natural pressure release, open your Instant Pot’s lid.
Garnish with coriander leaves and serve.
As you can see, the Paleo diet and the Instant Pot make a great team. Try one or all of these recipes, and you’ll soon understand why so many people follow the paleo diet. If you’re looking for something to enjoy after your meal, try making a few of these healthy paleo dessert recipes.