. 8 Delicious Instant Pot Soup Recipes for Quick Meals – esrecipes

8 Delicious Instant Pot Soup Recipes for Quick Meals

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Okay, let’s be real. Who doesn’t love a warm, comforting bowl of soup? But who has hours to spend simmering on the stove? Yeah, exactly. That’s where your Instant Pot comes in – your new best friend for seriously flavorful soup in a fraction of the time. Forget takeout, people! I’ve rounded up 8 ridiculously delicious soup recipes you can whip up in your Instant Pot, perfect for busy weeknights, meal prepping like a pro, or just satisfying that cozy craving. Get ready for a flavor explosion—and minimal effort!

1. Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

Seriously? Grilled cheese croutons? Don’t act surprised, it’s genius. This isn’t your grandma’s canned tomato soup (though, no shade to grandma!). We’re talking rich, creamy, slightly tangy, and elevated by perfectly cheesy, golden-brown croutons. Who knew elevating a childhood classic could be this easy?

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken, if you’re not veggie)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free!)
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp sugar (balances the acidity, trust me)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 slices bread
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese (or your favorite!)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, vegetable broth, basil, and sugar. Stir well.
  3. Cancel Sauté mode. Secure the lid and set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 8 minutes.
  4. Release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
  5. Stir in heavy cream (or coconut cream). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. While the soup cooks, make your grilled cheese croutons! Butter the bread on one side, place cheese between two slices, and cook in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and cheese is melted. Cut into cubes.
  7. Serve the soup topped with grilled cheese croutons. Because, why not?

Why You’ll Love It: This soup is the ultimate comfort food upgrade. The grilled cheese croutons add an insane level of cheesy deliciousness, and the Instant Pot makes it a breeze! FYI, I once used provolone instead of cheddar and it was…a choice. Stick with cheddar, okay?

2. Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup (The Cure for Everything)

Feeling under the weather? Craving something nostalgic? This spicy chicken noodle soup is the answer. It’s got the classic comforting vibes, but with a kick of heat. Don’t worry, you can adjust the spice level to your liking.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste!)
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 oz egg noodles

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil, onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and chicken. Cook until chicken is lightly browned.
  3. Add chicken broth, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and thyme. Stir well.
  4. Cancel Sauté mode. Secure the lid and set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 8 minutes.
  5. Release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
  6. Stir in egg noodles. Secure the lid again and set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 3 minutes.
  7. Quick release the pressure. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Why You’ll Love It: This soup is the perfect marriage of comfort and spice. The Instant Pot cooks the chicken to tender perfection, and the noodles are cooked just right—no mushiness here! Plus, it legitimately makes me feel better when I’m not feeling tip-top.

3. Hearty Lentil Soup with Sausage

Okay, hear me out: sausage in lentil soup? It’s a game-changer. This isn’t your bland, boring lentil soup. The sausage adds a smoky depth of flavor that takes this soup to a whole new level. It’s also packed with protein and fiber, making it a seriously satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 lb Italian sausage, removed from casing
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Set Instant Pot to Sauté. Add olive oil, onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.
  3. Add lentils, broth, diced tomatoes, oregano, and paprika. Stir well.
  4. Cancel Sauté mode. Secure the lid and set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 15 minutes.
  5. Release pressure naturally for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s delicious, filling, and so easy to clean up! Seriously, who wants to spend hours stirring lentil soup on the stovetop? This sausage adds a depth that you just don’t get with standard lentil soup – trust me on this one.

4. French Onion Soup (Instant Pot Edition – Yes, Really!)

French onion soup in the Instant Pot? Sounds impossible, right? Not anymore! Achieving that caramelized onion flavor is usually a process, but the Instant Pot helps accelerate things (though you’ll still need to do some Sauté work, promise!).

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 onions, thinly sliced (yellow or Vidalia work best)
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • French Bread slices, toasted
  • Gruyere cheese, shredded (it has to be Gruyère!)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Set Instant Pot to Sauté. Add butter, and cook onions, stirring frequently until softened and deeply caramelized – this will take about 20-25 minutes (be patient!). Add brown sugar and balsamic vinegar; cook for another 2 minutes.
  2. Add broth, bay leaf, salt and pepper to the Instant Pot.
  3. Cancel Sauté mode. Secure the lid and set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 8 minutes.
  4. Release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
  5. Remove bay leaf. Ladle into oven-safe bowls. Top with toasted bread and generous sprinkle of Gruyere.
  6. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly. Be careful – it gets hot!

Why You’ll Love It: Seriously, who wants to stand over a pot for an hour caramelizing onions? The Instant Pot helps drastically reduce that time, and the results are incredible. IMO, Gruyere is the only cheese that truly works in this soup.

5. Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A classic for a reason. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with healthy broccoli. This version uses the Instant Pot to develop the flavors quickly and beautifully.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Set Instant Pot to Sauté. Add olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add broccoli florets and chicken broth. Stir well.
  3. Cancel Sauté mode. Secure the lid and set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 5 minutes.
  4. Release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
  5. Stir in milk and cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Why You’ll Love It: Smooth, cheesy, and full of broccoli! It’s a sneaky way to get your veggies in – even picky eaters might love it.

6. Corn Chowder

Sweet, creamy, and seriously comforting. This corn chowder is bursting with flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned – drained)
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup potatoes, diced
  • 1 cup milk or cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add butter, onion, and garlic. Cook until softened.
  2. Add corn, potatoes, and broth. Stir well.
  3. Cancel Sauté mode. Secure the lid and set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 8 minutes.
  4. Release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
  5. Stir in milk or cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s the perfect cozy soup for a chilly day!

7. Black Bean Soup

Hearty, flavorful, and packed with protein, this black bean soup is a weeknight winner.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Sour cream, cilantro, limes for garnish (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Set your Instant Pot to Sauté. Add olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook until softened.
  2. Add black beans, broth, cumin, and chili powder. Stir well.
  3. Cancel Sauté mode. Secure the lid and set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 10 minutes.
  4. Release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
  5. Blend a portion of the soup for a creamier texture (optional). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish!

Why You’ll Love It: Easy, healthy, and filling. The possibilities for toppings are endless!

8. Chicken Tortilla Soup

A fiesta in a bowl! This chicken tortilla soup is bursting with flavor and surprisingly simple to make with your Instant Pot.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb chicken breast
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Tortilla strips, avocado, sour cream, cheese for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Set your Instant Pot to Sauté. Add olive oil, onion, and garlic, cooking until softened.
  2. Add chicken breast, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, and cumin. Stir.
  3. Cancel Sauté, lock the lid, pressure cook on manual for 10 minutes.
  4. Natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release.
  5. Remove chicken, shred it, and return it to the soup. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Serve with tortilla strips, avocado, sour cream, and cheese!

Why You’ll Love It: Delicious, comes together quickly, and the garnishes take it to the next level.

So there you have it – 8 incredible Instant Pot soup recipes to make your life easier and your taste buds happier. Go forth and soup! 🙂

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