Planning your next camping trip and looking for some easy Instant Pot camping recipes to try out? We’ve got 25 recipes, perfect for camping! With everything from breakfast to dinner, you’re sure to find a recipe that will suit your needs.
Eating good food on the road doesn’t have to be expensive or tiring. When camping out in your RV and cooking for a group, DIY meals are the way to go.
Mealtime should have an equal mix of convenience and enjoyment. Of course, you want to cook fast enough to enjoy the rest of the day, but make the dishes as flavorful and delicious as possible.
If you want the best of both worlds, why not bring an electric pressure cooker along for your next meal? Instant pot camping recipes are the key to achieving quick but yummy meals in your RV or van. After all, Instant Pots are easy to pack and even easier to use.
This blog has compiled some of our top picks for Instant Pot camping recipes. Check these out to expand your menu for your next trip.
25 Instant Pot Camping Recipes for RVers, Van Lifers & Campers
Instant Pots are great for many dishes, such as soups, stews, and even rice dishes. They're also ideal for larger groups, so it saves you time and effort in preparing hearty meals for all your companions.
Take your pick among these recipes and prepare your ingredients. Then start learning how to cook these delicious pressure cooker camping recipes.
Instant Pot Thai Peanut Noodles
Instant Pot Thai peanut noodles don't need a lot of ingredients, and they're pretty easy to make. These Thai peanut noodles are a great dinner option when you don't want to spend hours in the kitchen after a long day.
The noodles are nutty and filling, the perfect way to eliminate your exhaustion from the day. It's a yummy, low-effort meal for you and your companions to enjoy.
Sweet Potato, Chickpea and Red Lentil Soup
Of course, we've also got Instant Pot camping meals for vegetarians. This recipe is ideal if you're gluten-free or you simply want to get a nice nutritious meal while you're on the road.
Also, this soup is great if you're camping on a particularly cold night. The flavors and textures of the sweet potato, chickpeas, and red lentils make the ideal partner for a warm bowl of soup.
Perfect Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are a staple for every camping trip. They're a good source of protein to give you energy.
Eggs are filling enough to keep you satisfied as you proceed with your day but also lightweight to ensure you aren't too full to enjoy your next meal. You can never go wrong with eggs, especially when you have an Instant Pot to make things easier.
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
These honey garlic chicken thighs are filling, juicy, and flavorful, precisely what every camping meal should be. This is a recipe you'll find yourself craving, whether camping in the woods or lounging around in the comfort of your own home.
Despite being a highly flavorful and juicy dish, it's pretty simple to prepare and doesn't need much effort to cook. All you need to do is prepare your ingredients, drop them all inside, and let your crockpot do the rest.
Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes
This recipe creates a perfect blend of creamy and tangy flavors with a hint of spice. It's a comfort meal you'll definitely need for your next trip.
The sour cream neutralizes the heat of the paprika, while the paprika tones down the sour cream's tanginess. That ensures it doesn't overpower the other flavors. Overall, it's a delicious and easy dish.
Instant Pot Keto Indian Kheema
Who said that all the best meals are high-carb? This keto Indian kheema recipe is simple to follow and quick to make. When you think of a low-carb diet, you'll most likely assume that all of the filling elements of a meal have been eliminated.
You couldn't be more wrong! If you're a keto enthusiast on the road, you'll definitely enjoy cooking up this filling and beefy Indian Kheema for your next camping trip.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
This butter chicken recipe is one of the Instant Pot camping meals you'll be craving after your trip. Cooking your chicken in the crockpot allows all the butter and spices' flavors to seep into the meat of the chicken, creating a juicy and scrumptious meal.
It's ideally served during dinner when everyone is tired and starving. Create your own fine dining experience from the comfort of your RV with this flavorful and mouthwatering dish.
Instant Pot Low Carb Taco Soup with Cream Cheese
Next on our list of Instant Pot travel recipes, this soup is great comfort food, whether you're at home or on the road. It's also a great Instant Pot recipe for camping because it can be frozen and made ahead of time.
There's a reason why tacos are one of the most popular Mexican dishes. They offer a lot of variety in terms of ingredients and flavor. Take those flavors, incorporate them into a warm serving of soup, and you'll have a hearty and comforting meal to enjoy during your RV trip.
Apple Glazed Instant Pot Ribs
Are you looking to satisfy your sweet tooth but also craving some juicy ribs? Then these apple-glazed instant pot ribs are perfect for you. This recipe offers a delicious mix of sweet and savory flavors. Cooking the ribs in the Instant Pot makes the meat juicier and tender; the best way to enjoy them!
Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto with Pumpkin
This mushroom risotto with pumpkin is a comforting dish that fills up your stomach and keeps you warm after a tiring day on your trip. Risotto is often used as an appetizer for full-course meals, but when you're on a camping trip, it can become the main course on its own.
The pumpkin adds a thick texture to the dish, making it more filling and flavorful than the traditional recipe. Whip up some of this mushroom risotto with pumpkin to create a hearty meal for dinner.
Instant Pot Thai Red Curry with Chicken
Take your typical curry to the next level by making this Thai red curry with chicken in your crockpot. It's a yummy dish that only needs a small number of ingredients — perfect for lazy days when you just want to relax.
This is great for more chilly nights camping in your RV.
The spice of the dish warms you up and fills your stomach. Chowing down on a serving of this Thai red curry is one of the best ways to end a cold night on the road.
Instant Pot Chinese Style Fried Rice
Fried rice is a classic meal option when you're in a rush or low on ingredients. It's one of the best meals to prepare on a trip since you can throw any ingredient into the rice and mix it up with spices and seasoning.
You'll have a delectable meal for the entire group to enjoy. This Chinese-style fried rice recipe is a solid option for instant cooking. All you need is rice, eggs, vegetables, and soy sauce.
Instant Pot Jambalaya
There's nothing like a good serving of Jambalaya on the road. This recipe is easy to make and packed with flavor.
You've got vegetables, shrimp, sausages, and a ton of spices to ensure that there isn't a single dull bite throughout your entire meal. So dine on this hearty dish and enjoy a well-deserved, delicious meal.
Instant Pot Honey Mustard Chicken
Honey mustard chicken is a classic dish, even when you're not traveling. Make cooking more convenient on your camping trips by taking advantage of your crockpot. Honey mustard chicken is a creamy dish that is bustling with both sweet and savory flavors.
Having a crockpot makes this recipe much easier. All you need to do is take out your ingredients, add them to the pot, and wait until your honey mustard chicken is cooked to perfection.
Instant Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe
If there's one thing we're sure of, everybody loves pasta and soup. Put those two together, and you've got a mouthwatering serving of lasagna soup.
Lasagna is known for its juicy, yummy layers of pasta, cheese, and meat. While this dish isn't created with lasagna's traditional layered shape, it still incorporates the delicious flavors we all know and love.
Instant Pot Venison Stew
A warm bowl of this hearty stew is enough to help you relax and enjoy the rest of the evening. The highlight of venison stew is the meat's tenderness and the savory flavors inside the stew's base.
It's easy to prepare, too. All you need to do is add the ingredients to the pot and cook. It can also be frozen, so any leftovers can be enjoyed later.
Instant Pot Vegan Chili
Your RV may be warm, but nothing beats a nice, hearty serving of chili when you're tired and ready to hit the hay. It's packed with different spices and makes a filling meal.
Chili is one of the top comfort foods when you're exhausted, drained, or simply need a good meal to help you rest up and recuperate after a long day. This vegan chili makes for a healthy and effortless meal on your trip.
Instant Pot Apple Cider Recipe
Going camping or traveling during the fall? You must add this apple cider recipe to your list of camping meals.
Set yourself up for the holidays and get into a pre-festive mood by whipping up some of this delicious apple cider in your crockpot. You can enjoy it any time of the year, even when you're simply craving it.
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings make a filling and satisfying meal, especially on cool autumn evenings. This recipe makes the chicken perfectly tender and cooks the dumplings to perfection.
The best thing about crockpot camping recipes is that most only require you to throw the ingredients inside and let them cook, just like this recipe. This chicken and dumpling combo is a filling meal to battle cold nights in your RV.
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
One-pot camping recipes are supposed to be simple but delicious. This chicken cacciatore is an ideal example of that. If you're unfamiliar with this dish, then it's pretty much a combination of chicken thighs and vegetables mixed into a rich, Italian tomato base.
The flavors are solid and bold. It's definitely a meal that leaves a lasting impression. You may find yourself craving it even after your trip.
Teriyaki Pulled Pork Bowls with Mandarin Salsa
If your tastebuds are looking for something sweet and savory with a tinge of tart, then these teriyaki pulled pork bowls with Mandarin salsa are the perfect meal for you.
Teriyaki is undoubtedly rich in flavor. However, cooking the pulled pork inside the crockpot allows all those flavors to be absorbed by the meat, creating a juicy and tender outcome once it's done cooking.
Apple Balsamic Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Cooking pork tenderloin has never been this easy. Crockpots are one of the top ways to prepare meat on the road, as they offer different settings to cook it to perfection.
This recipe utilizes this perfectly. This apple balsamic pot pork tenderloin is irresistibly tender, delicious, and incredibly easy to prepare.
Pressure Cooker Irish Stew
Some people like to keep their soups simple, with only a few vegetables and maybe a source of protein. If you're a bit extra and love having a crowded pot of stew, this recipe was made for you.
This Instant Pot cooking recipe includes lamb, potatoes, carrots, and peas. Mix all that with spices like rosemary and thyme, and you've got a comforting bowl of Irish stew waiting for you.
Easy Instant Pot Pot Roast
Pot roast is definitely a crowd-pleaser during camping trips. It's juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. If you're looking for a way to simplify the cooking process without compromising the flavors of the dish, then cooking the pot roast like this is the way to go.
Cook the meat inside the crockpot until it's nice and tender. Serve with a side of potatoes, and you've got a feast for kings inside your RV.
Easy Lentil Tacos with Avocado Cream
Here's a vegan recipe if you want a healthier meal to enjoy on your trip. This dish is easy to prepare but satisfying to enjoy.
The texture of the lentils is similar to meat, so you can still enjoy the same meaty and chewy texture that you have with non-vegan options.
What You’ll Need
If you’re the designated chef for your trip, you may want to take some notes. Here’s a rundown of everything you’ll need to use your electric pressure cooker during the trip.
- Instant Pot: You can’t cook these recipes without the most crucial factor: the Instant Pot.
- Steamer Basket: Steamer baskets are great if you want to cook vegetables inside your pot.
- OXO Good Grips Pressure Cooker Bakeware Sling: Keep yourself safe from the heat and cook safely using these silicone grips.
- Reusable food containers: These are a must-have. They’re used to store leftovers and save space inside your fridge.
- Instant Pot recipes for camping: We’ve got the perfect ones waiting for you above!
Tips For Using The Instant Pot While Camping
Not sure how to use an instant pot while you’re camping? Using a crockpot in your RV is simple and easy, as long as you know how to manage and look after it properly. Check out some valuable tips for utilizing your electric pressure cooker efficiently.
Electricity
You’ll have limited access to electricity during camping trips, especially when boondocking. So make the most of your power by trying out some of these tips.
- Only use the Instant Pot for cooking meals for large groups. It’s quicker to clean up after and takes up less power.
- Create a detailed meal plan in advance, so you know which ingredients to use for your dishes. Choose meals compatible with your Instant Pot to avoid using other sources of electricity simultaneously.
- Instant pots offer a convenient way to cook. Still, they are best used only once daily, preferably during the day when you have a better chance of recharging your RV batteries.
Cleaning
Your instant pot will last much longer and perform better if cleaned and maintained correctly. Keep these tips in mind the next time you use your crockpot.
- Soak the pot in soapy water to remove stubborn bits of food or leftover oil.
- Wipe down the exterior of the Instant Pot after each use.
- Don’t forget to clean the lid and the sealers, as this is where bits of food and unpleasant odors may linger if uncleaned.
- White vinegar is excellent for removing odors from the Pot.
Accessories
The Instant Pot is great, but we’ve also found some valuable accessories. Use these handy accessories to enhance your efficiency.
- Instant Pot Steamer Basket: This is great for cooking steamed vegetables as a side for savory and flavorful dishes.
- Instant Pot Silicone Lid: Got something else to do before you can chow down? Use this silicone lid to keep your food warm after cooking. You can also use this to cover the pot if you wish to store the leftovers inside.
- Instant Pot Steam Diverters: These are cleverly designed to divert hot steam away from kitchen cabinets (or anything else directly above your Pot).
- Extra silicone sealing rings: are good to have with you on your trip if the built-in ring begins to wear.
- Heat-resistant gloves: You’ll be dealing with a lot of heat while using the Pot. Make sure you don’t accidentally burn your hands by using heat-resistant gloves.
Prepare Ingredients in Advance
Prepare as much as you can before leaving for the trip. Keep these essential tips in mind when preparing.
- Prepare veggies and store them in airtight containers to keep them fresh.
- Cook any meat or poultry before adding it to the Instant Pot to save time.
- Measure out spices and herbs, ready to be added to the pot.
- Create a detailed meal plan before leaving for the trip.
Instant Pot Alternatives
Don’t have an Instant Pot? Consider using some of these alternatives instead.
- Stovetop pressure cooker: If you want to save on energy, this is an excellent alternative to an electric pressure cooker.
- Slow Cookers: Slow cookers may take longer to prepare the meals, but they offer nearly as much efficiency as an instant pot.
FAQS
Can You Use an Instant Pot in Your RV?
Of course, you can! An Instant Pot is perfect for cooking in a small space like an RV. You can use your electric pressure cooker anywhere if you have a nearby power outlet or another power source.
It doesn’t take up much room, and it’s a great way to cook healthy meals on the go. Plus, it’s easy to use, so you can focus on enjoying your vacation instead of spending hours in the kitchen. So give it a try – your Instant Pot is waiting for you!
What Size Instant Pot Is Best for RVing?
Instant Pots come in different sizes, and the best size for you depends on how you’ll use them. The six-quart Instant Pot is the most popular. It’s great for an entire family but lightweight and easy to pack on the road. However, if you’re only cooking for yourself, 6 quarts is a little large unless you cook enough for leftovers or the freezer.
How Many Amps Does an Instant Pot Draw?
The Instant Pot draws between six and eight amps. This is a relatively low amount of power, so it should not strain your RV’s electrical system.
More RV Meal Ideas & Camping Recipes
Looking for more inspiration or wondering what to feed your family on your RV camping trip? Check out our other incredible RV meal ideas and some of our favorite recipes, and never be short of inspiration again.
In Conclusion
If you love your Instant Pot at home, you’ll be happy to know you can use it on the road, too. Instant Pots are great for RVing because they’re compact, easy to use, and don’t need a lot of electricity.
So, the next time you hit the road in your RV, bring along your pressure cooker and try a few of these Instant Pot camping recipes.
Angela Devaney
Angela Devaney, a former IT project management professional, embarked on an adventurous journey of full-time travel, which included touring West Africa in a converted overland truck and converting an ex-military 4×4 Sprinter van into a camper for a five-year South American expedition. She now utilizes her hands-on experience to create practical RV living and van life advice as a full-time digital media producer, reaching over a million users annually through her YouTube channel, blog, and newsletter. Angela also lends her expertise as the editor-in-chief of the Campervan Electrics Handbook.
