You cheerfully labor over perfectly prepared turkey, stuffing, gravy, side dishes, and dessert.
You lay your meal on a beautifully set table.
And everyone oohs and aaahs over what they call “the best holiday meal ever”.
This is a dream, right?
Well, maybe… maybe not. 😉
I can’t promise that everyone will oooh and aaah over your meal or that your table will be perfectly set. But I can promise this…
With a pressure cooker or Instant Pot, you can make your Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner preparations much easier and quicker than ever before, and your food will still be delicious and nutritious!
Cut down on cooking time (and even dishes) this year with these 47 Instant Pot or pressure cooker recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Turkey, lamb roast, stuffing, gravy, sweet potato casserole, green beans, and even naturally sweetened cranberry sauce… it’s all here!
And it’s all pressure cooked!
From appetizers to cranberry sauce to dessert (and everything between), there are so many reasons to love pressure cooking. It is possible to pressure cook your way through the celebration season — and have fun while you’re at it!
Turkey And Roast LambAnd Brisket, Oh My!
Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas with a traditional turkey and ham, or maybe you get a little more out-of-the-box and go for a brisket, lamb, or pork loin, these Instant Pot holiday recipes will make this year’s meal all the more special.
Paleo Turkey & Gluten-Free Gravy (Pressure Cooker)
Tender turkey and rich gravy suitable for Paleo lifestyles in just 90 minutes?! Yes, please! Viagutsybynature.com.
Instant Pot Apple Cherry Pork Loin
This is a freezer cooking recipe, so make it up now, freeze, and put in the Instant Pot on the big day! You’ll get through your Thanksgiving or Christmas meal with ease! Viaonceamonthmeals.com.
Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks
Tender and juicy, these lamb shanks are the perfect dish to tuck into on a cold, blustery day! Vianomnompaleo.com.
Maple Smoked Brisket
“Pretty dang close to smoked with an outdoor smoker”…need I say more? What a special way to celebrate the season! Viabarerootgirl.com.
Instant Pot Apple Cider Pork Loin
Moist and tender, with just the right amount of sweetness, this pork loin will look lovely on your holiday table. Viastevesacooking.com.
Instant Pot Sweet Baked Ham
If you were wondering if ham could be made in the Instant Pot, the answer is YES! Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to you! Viamelskitchencafe.com.
Don’t be a harried cook who rushes to scrape pan drippings for her gravy! With this trick, you can make your gravy in just 10 minutes and the day (or 2!) before the big meal! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
Stuffing In The Pressure Cooker
A great new way to cook your stuffing this year. Quickly “baked” in the pressure cooker and then crisped up in the oven before serving. Viapressurecookingtoday.com.
Instant Pot Bone Broth
Good cooks know that the best gravy begins with homemade bone broth. But you don’t have 12 hours to simmer bone broth! So use your Instant Pot instead! Viaraisinggenerationnourished.com.
Instant Pot Sourdough Cornbread
Does your cornbread stuffing need a traditional makeover? Try this pressure cooker sourdough cornbread for an easily digested, oh-so-yummy cornbread stuffing! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com
Pressure Cooker Turkey Legs & Turkey Gravy
Satisfyingly meaty turkey legs cook perfectly in a pressure cooker — then the cooking juices turn into a delicious gravy to ladle over your entire plate! Viapressurecookrecipes.com.
Cranberry-Braised Turkey Wings
For family members who prefer crisp skin and dark meat, these delicious turkey wings are pressure cooked in a cranberry sauce for a finger-licking good meal! Viahippressurecooking.com.
Pressure Cooked Bone-In Ham With Maple-Honey Glaze
Hey, so maybe turkey isn’t your thing, but you still want a pressure cooker Thanksgiving or Christmas main dish — look no further! Via simpleawesomecooking.com.
Creamy Mashed Side Dishes
Creamy Mashed Potatoes In The Pressure Cooker
Nothing says holiday comfort food quite like creamy mashed potatoes! Simple, perfect, easy, and quick for your holiday feast! Viapressurecookingtoday.com.
The Best Sweet Potato Casserole Ever {in the Instant Pot!}
Our famous grain-free, gluten-free, healthy sweet potato casserole is now adapted to the Instant Pot! No refined sugar, no store-bought marshmallows! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com. 25+ Homemade Marshmallow Recipes!
Lard-Whipped Parsnips With Caramelized Onions [Paleo/Whole30/AIP]
Can’t eat potatoes? There’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy something pretty close — whipped parsnips! These are lower in carbs than potatoes and full of nourishing fat! Via grazedandenthused.com.
Easy Instant Pot Cauliflower Mash
Need to fool some guests into eating a healthier side dish? Look no further than this cauliflower mash — made easy in the Instant Pot! Even the kids might be fooled! Viapressurecookermeals.com.
Pressure Cooker Mashed Turnips
If turnips are an unfamiliar veggie for you, THIS is where you should start! This yummy side dish will make your holidaymeal extra special. Viathedailymeal.com.
Sweet Pressure Cooker Carrot Puree
This simple puree is made with 5 ingredients, in 10 minutes. What a great way to get your picky eaters to love eating their veggies. Viapressurecookrecipes.com.
Instant Pot Butternut Apple Mash {Paleo, Grain-Free, AIP}
There’s already so much sugar in Thanksgiving dessert, right? No need to over-sweeten our side dishes too. This mashed butternut squash is naturally (and lightly) sweetened with apples! Viafoodandsunshine.com.
Creamy Pressure Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Not mashed potatoes and not sweet potato casserole — it’s the perfect mix! Viapressurecookrecipes.com.
Ham & Cheddar Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes
Ham + potatoes + cheese + an Instant Pot? Pure holidayheaven, if you ask me! Viaadventuresofanurse.com.
Holiday Pressure Cooker Veggies
The holiday season just isn’tcomplete without green beans. No cream of mushroom soup here, however! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
Sweet & Spicy Instant Pot Carrots
Rarely the star of a meal, the humble carrot gets dressed up in this pressure cooker side dish that’s full of color and flavor! Viathesewildacres.com.
Red, White, & Green Pressure Cooker Brussels Sprouts
Red pomegranate seeds and white toasted pine nuts look so appealing next to bright green pressure cooked Brussels sprouts! Add a splash of color to your table with this side dish! Viahippressurecooking.com.
Honey-Glazed Herbed Carrots
“A quick and tantalizingly sweet way to serve carrots with just a hint of dill. It’s sweet and savory at the same time, and the aroma of thyme and dill will tickle your taste buds.” Viamissvickie.blogspot.com.
Pressure Cooker Butternut Squash {made in 3 minutes}
There are just 5 ingredients in this simple autumn side dish. If you’re just getting your feet wet with pressure cooking, this is an easy recipe to begin with! Viacarrieonliving.com.
Instant Pot Herb-Roasted Potatoes
Tender, herb-y, and the epitome of comfort food, the humble potato has a place on every Thanksgiving and Christmas table! This recipe is found only inside our Pressure Cooking eCourse!
Pressure Cooker Stuffed Acorn Squash
Adorable and tender acorn squash makes an individual-sized cup for hearty stuffing. Viahappybellyfoodie.com.
Instant Pot Glazed Carrots
I challenge you to find an easier, more rustic holidayside dish! This one’s sure to wow your friends and family! Via feistyeats.wordpress.com.
Green Beans In An Instant Pot
Nothing fancy here… just simple, bright green beans full of flavor and nutrition because they’re pressure cooked! Viarecipesforinstantpot.com.
Sweet & Orange-y Brussels Sprouts
Your celebrationmeal doesn’t have to be loaded with starch. With maple syrup and orange zest, you can add nutrition and color to your meal! Viafoodsforlonglife.blogspot.com.
Cranberry Sauce
Naturally Sweetened Cranberry Sauce In The Instant Pot
I didn’t like cranberry sauce… until I made it myself with whole food ingredients. This naturally sweetened cranberry sauce takes just minutes in the Instant Pot. It’s even GAPS-friendly! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
Pressure Cooker Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce
You’ll never open another can of cranberry sauce again once you’ve tried this flavorful sauce! Viathisoldgal.com.
Pressure Cooker Chipotle Cranberry Sauce
A smokey twist on a classic! Add some spice and un-traditional flavor to your turkey and dressing! Viapressurecookerconvert.com.
And Of Course, Dessert!
Instant Pot Rice Pudding
You can feed a crowd with this economical, oh-so-nourishing rice pudding. Perhaps you could even provide a topping bar — with dried fruits, nuts, coconut, maple syrup, and spices — so each person can customize their dessert! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.
Pressure Cooker Baked Apples
A deceptively easy dessert, these baked apples will be a hit with grown-ups and kids alike! Viahippressurecooking.com.
Pressure Cooker Apple Cider
When your guests need something sweet and spicy to sip on after they’ve stuffed their bellies, give them this beautiful pressure cooked cider! Viathehomemadecook.com.
Instant Pot Bread Pudding {with Paleo Option} & Sauteed Caramelized Pears
A truly ethereal pleasure, warm bread pudding is cooked quickly and easily in the Instant Pot for a lovely, hearty dessert. (Or save some for breakfast the next day!) Viaeatbeautiful.net.
Pumpkin Cutie Pies
Made from scratch and with fresh pumpkin, your holiday guests will enjoy these adorable, individual pumpkin cutie pies made in a pressure cooker! Via hippressurecooking.com.
Instant Pot Christmas Pudding
A moist and fudgy traditional Christmas pudding made quick and easy in the Instant Pot or other pressure cooker! Viaeverynookandcranny.net.
Easy Instant Pot Spiced Apple Cider
Instant Pot Spiced Apple Cider is so easy to make from scratch! It’sdelicious, perfectly spiced, maple sweetened and only takes 10 minutes cook time!Viarecipestonourish.com.
Honorable Mentions & How To Make Them Nourishing:
- Instant Pot Artichoke Spinach Dip from Adventures of a Nurse — Use organic cream cheese, such as Nancy’s brand, homemade sour cream and mayo, and real bone broth. Powder your own parmesan and skip the canned stuff.
- Pressure Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole from Pressure Cooking Today — Swap the brown sugar with coconut palm sugar or sucanat. Use sprouted flour in place of all-purpose.
- Instant Pot Green Bean Casserole from Adventures of a Nurse — Skip the commercially fried onions on top and fry your own! That’s it!
- Pressure Cooker Cranberry Sauce from Pressure Cook Recipes — Swap the white cane sugar with organic evaporated cane juice.
- Homemade Cranberry Jelly from Barbara Bakes — Replace the white cane sugar with organic evaporated cane juice.
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Pie from Instantly Delicious — Instead of store-bought gingersnaps, tryour recipe for Spicy Chocolate Gingersnaps for the crust. Use coconut palm sugar or sucanat instead of brown sugar. Use organic evaporated cane juice instead of white cane sugar. Substitute full-fat coconut milk for half-and-half.
Will you be happily pressure cooking your way through the Thanksgiving and Christmas this year? What Instant Pot or pressure cooker holiday recipes will you try?
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