There’s something deeply comforting about a warm bowl of soup, especially when you’re just starting your cooking journey. For many beginners, the idea of making soup from scratch can feel intimidating—long simmer times, constant stirring, and fear of overcooking. That’s exactly where Instant Pot soup recipes for beginners shine. The Instant Pot turns what used to be a slow, all-day process into something simple, fast, and almost foolproof. Imagine coming home after a long day, tossing a few basic ingredients into one pot, pressing a button, and letting the pressure cooker do the hard work for you. No hovering over the stove, no complicated techniques—just reliable, flavorful soup every single time. This is why Instant Pot soup recipes have become a favorite starting point for new home cooks who want comforting results without stress.
Beginner-Friendly Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups mixed vegetables carrots, potatoes, green beans
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the olive oil.
- Add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add mixed vegetables, broth, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully release remaining pressure.
- Open the lid, stir, taste, and adjust seasoning before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
How to Make Instant Pot Soup as a Beginner
Making Instant Pot soup for the first time is all about understanding the simple flow of the process rather than memorizing complicated rules. Start by using the sauté function, which replaces the need for a separate pan. This step helps build flavor by gently cooking onions, garlic, or spices directly in the pot. Once your base is fragrant, you simply add vegetables, protein if desired, and enough liquid to allow pressure to build safely. Beginners often worry about measurements, but soup is forgiving—roughly chopped vegetables work perfectly, and the Instant Pot ensures even cooking.
After adding everything, sealing the lid is the key moment. Make sure the valve is set to “sealing,” then select high pressure. For most beginner-friendly soups, 8 to 12 minutes is enough. The beauty of Instant Pot soup recipes for beginners is that overcooking is rare; vegetables become tender, not mushy, thanks to pressure cooking. When the timer ends, letting the pressure release naturally for a few minutes helps flavors settle and prevents splattering. Finally, you open the lid, stir, taste, and adjust seasoning. With this method, beginners quickly gain confidence and realize soup-making can be relaxing rather than stressful.
Conclusion
Instant Pot soup recipes for beginners are one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to start cooking at home. They remove complexity, save time, and consistently deliver comforting results. With just a few ingredients and one pot, beginners can create nourishing meals that taste like they took hours to prepare. Once you master a basic soup, the possibilities expand endlessly—different vegetables, spices, and proteins can transform each batch into something new. The Instant Pot doesn’t just make soup; it builds confidence in the kitchen, one warm bowl at a time.