How to make Valentine's Day dinner with an Instant Pot

Whether you’re in a long-term relationship or you’re seeing someone new, taking a DIY approach to Valentine's Day can be a fun (and affordable!) way to spend the holiday. And if you and your loved one are opting for an at-home celebration this year, look no further than the Instant Pot to help you make this V-day the most memorable and tasty yet.

Why do you need an Instant Pot?
You may benefit from an Instant Pot if you're celebrating Valentine's Day at home. Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser Branded as the do-it-all device that can sear, slow cook, sauté, and bake, the Instant Pot is the one tool that can whip up a variety of dishes without dirtying up extra pans, which is ideal for a mess-free date night. Many users also rave about how user-friendly Instant Pots are; upon receiving her first Instant Pot, our managing editor managed to cook a whole week's worth of meals without repeating any dishes.

An Instant Pot can easily cook for two, making it a great gadget for romantic occasions. Already an Instant Pot user? Read on for some of my favourite menu ideas for a romantic date night.

Instant Pot recipes to make on Valentine's Day
Appetizers that look and taste amazing

This rich, creamy dip is the perfect appetizer for Valentine's Day dinner. Credit: Happy Life Blogspot

To make your dinner special, you may consider adding a couple of Valentine’s Day-themed appetizers. I personally like the idea of serving chips with an interesting dip because you can easily make the dip beforehand. This pressure cooker cheddar bacon ale dip caught my eye because of how straightforward the recipe is. With the “pressure cook” setting on the Instant Pot, you can make this dish in under 10 minutes from start to finish. It’s rich, creamy, and savoury, which is perfect for a chilly night.
Side dishes that don’t disappoint
These Instant Pot side dishes are just as impressive as the main course. Credit: Parker Feierbach / 40 Aprons

When we plan fancy meals, it’s easy to neglect the sides. If you’re a big rice fan, this simple 15-minute risotto recipe that we used to test multi-cookers may be a good choice. With a dash of saffron, this dish can easily brighten up your dinner table.

We also find these Instant Pot roasted sweet potatoes a perfect no-fuss side dish for any dinner. If you’re looking for something light on carbs, this Whole30-approved chicken tortilla-less soup is full of flavour and easy to make.

The star of the show—the mains

For the main course, creamy pasta and roasted duck breast are both good options. Credit: A couple Cooks / Crunchy Creamy Sweet

Once you’ve made decisions on the apps and sides, you can focus on the main course that will make your date night memorable. If you and your partner are meat-eaters, you may want to try recipes like succulent duck breast or flavourful beef bourguignon. All dishes require relatively short cooking time, and you can set them and forget them in advance.

But if you’re sticking to a particular diet or staying away from red meat, we can also recommend some brilliant vegetarian recipes that will make your date night special and romantic, including this pad thai stir fry. As pad thai is one of my favourite take-out foods, I was shocked to find out how quickly it can be made in an Instant Pot. If you want to play it safe with your date, you can’t go wrong with a creamy pasta dish.

Desserts to end the night on a sweet note

These delicious dessert recipes don't require too much baking knowledge to make. Credit: Paint the Kitchen Red / My Baking Addiction

Not everyone associates their Instant Pot with dessert, but these wildly popular gadgets can bake cakes and more. This Instant Pot Oreo cheesecake recipe is easy to follow, but you’ll need to buy a springform pan that can fit inside your Instant Pot.

If you don’t want to order a new springform pan to crowd your pantry, you may want to try this classic peach crisp—our editor loves it.

Which Instant Pot should you buy?
If you’re intrigued by the cooking possibilities of an Instant Pot but don’t know which one to get, you can check out all the latest Instant Pot models that we’ve compared. The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 is an excellent entry-level option but you want the best of the best we recommend the feature-rich Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 10-in-1. If you have an Instant Pot but it's been collecting dust, you may also benefit from this Instant Pot refresher course.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Get the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 for £89.99
Get the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 10-in-1 for £129.99 

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.