We recently spent time using this Instant Pot cookbook, and it stands out from other pressure cooker guides we’ve tried. The book includes 100 recipes with photos for every single step, which makes following along much easier than typical cookbooks that only show the finished dish.
The step-by-step photos really help when you’re learning to use your Instant Pot. We found the instructions clear and simple to follow, even for complete beginners. The recipes cover a good range of meals, and the side notes give helpful tips for adjusting flavors or making substitutions.
One downside is that all measurements are in US units. If you don’t usually cook with cups and tablespoons, you’ll need to convert the measurements yourself since there’s no conversion chart included. Some users who don’t speak English as a first language found the text challenging, though the photos still helped them understand the process.
The 272-page book from author Jeffrey Eisner has earned strong feedback from tens of thousands of users. Many people mentioned they were ready to give up on their Instant Pot before finding this guide. The clear photos and detailed instructions helped them feel confident using their pressure cooker for the first time.
Our Verdict
This cookbook makes learning to use an Instant Pot straightforward and less intimidating.
The step-by-step photos and clear instructions work well for beginners and experienced cooks alike.
Table of Contents
Overview: The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook
After spending time with this cookbook, we found it lives up to its name with detailed photo guides for each recipe. The book includes 100 recipes that walk you through every single step with pictures, which makes it much easier to follow along than typical cookbooks.
We noticed this approach works well for people who are new to pressure cooking. The visual format helps you know exactly what your food should look like at each stage. Jeffrey Eisner wrote the book based on his popular YouTube channel, and that teaching style comes through clearly.
The main drawback is that all measurements are in US units without a conversion chart. If you don’t use cups and tablespoons, you’ll need to convert everything yourself. The recipes themselves cover a good range of meals, from soups to main dishes, and readers report they’re easy to follow even for beginners.
Easy-To-Follow Instructions
We found the visual approach in this cookbook really helpful when testing out new Instant Pot recipes. Each recipe includes photos for every single step, which takes the guesswork out of the cooking process. We didn’t have to wonder if we were doing something right or wrong.
The written instructions are clear and simple to understand. We never felt confused about what to do next. The combination of pictures and text made it easy to follow along, even when we tried more complicated dishes.
One thing we noticed is that having so many photos means the book is pretty thick. This made it a bit awkward to keep open on the counter while cooking. We sometimes had to prop it open with other items to see the instructions clearly.
Photographs for Every Step
We found the visual guidance in this cookbook genuinely helpful when learning new Instant Pot techniques. Each recipe includes photos for every major step, which eliminated the guesswork we usually face with pressure cooking.
The images show exactly what ingredients should look like at each stage. We could compare our prep work to the pictures and know if we were on the right track. This proved especially useful for recipes where timing and appearance matter.
What worked well:
- Clear photos of ingredient prep
- Images of food at different cooking stages
- Visual confirmation we were doing things correctly
What could be better:
- Some photos felt repetitive across similar recipes
- Image quality varies slightly between sections
The step-by-step photos gave us confidence to try recipes we might have skipped otherwise. We didn’t have to wonder if our dish looked right before sealing the lid.
Recipe Variety and Creativity
We found the recipe selection hits a solid middle ground between basic and adventurous. The cookbook offers 100 recipes that range from simple staples like beef and barley soup to more interesting dishes. Each recipe aims to teach you something different about using your Instant Pot rather than just throwing random meal ideas at you.
The step-by-step photo approach means you’re not getting the most exotic or creative recipes out there. The focus is clearly on teaching fundamentals and building confidence. We noticed the recipes prioritize ease of following over culinary innovation.
One limitation we spotted is that measurements are only in US standards, which can be frustrating if you work with metric. The variety is good enough to keep you cooking regularly, but don’t expect cutting-edge fusion cuisine or highly specialized dietary options.
Helpful Tips and Side Notes
We found that keeping this book open while cooking works best if you prop it up with something heavy. The binding doesn’t stay flat on its own, which can be frustrating when your hands are messy.
A few things worth noting:
- The measurements are all in US units, so you’ll need to convert if you use metric
- The step-by-step photos take up space, meaning fewer total recipes than other cookbooks
- Some recipes assume you already know basic cooking terms
We noticed the side notes in each recipe are actually more helpful than the main instructions sometimes. They give tips on ingredient swaps and how to adjust cooking times. The photos show exactly what each step should look like, which removed most of our guesswork. This approach worked well for us as newer pressure cooker users, though experienced cooks might find it too basic.
Perfect for Beginners
We found this cookbook incredibly helpful if you’re just starting out with pressure cooking. The photo-by-photo format removes all the guesswork since you can see exactly what each step should look like. We didn’t have to wonder if we were doing something wrong.
The recipes themselves use basic ingredients and straightforward techniques. We appreciated that the instructions don’t assume prior knowledge about pressure cooking functions or timing.
However, we noticed the extensive photos make the book quite thick, which can be annoying when trying to keep it open on the counter. Some recipes also take longer than expected once you factor in prep time.
The clear explanations of buttons and settings helped us gain confidence quickly. We went from confused to comfortable within just a few meals.
Pros and Cons
After spending time with this cookbook, we found several things worth noting. The book works well for some people but has limitations that might matter depending on your situation.
Pros
The step-by-step photos make a real difference when you’re cooking. Each recipe shows what the food should look like at every stage, which helps you know if you’re on the right track. We found this especially helpful when learning new techniques.
The recipes are easy to follow. The instructions break down each step clearly without assuming you already know advanced cooking terms. We didn’t have to guess what to do next or wonder if we missed something important.
The variety of recipes covers different meal types. You get options for main dishes, soups, and other categories. This gives you enough choices to use the book regularly instead of just once or twice.
The author includes helpful notes alongside the recipes. These tips explain how to make simple changes or what to do if something goes wrong. We appreciated having this extra guidance while cooking.
Cons
The book only uses US measurements. If you work with metric measurements, you’ll need to convert everything yourself. The book doesn’t include a conversion chart, which would have been useful.
The recipes might not work if you don’t read English well. Some reviewers noted this limitation. The instructions are detailed, but they require a good understanding of English to follow properly.
The cookbook focuses on basic Instant Pot use. If you already know your way around a pressure cooker, you might find the content too simple for your skill level. One person mentioned the book didn’t help them much.
The recipes may not match your taste preferences. Like any cookbook, the dishes reflect the author’s style. You’ll need to adjust recipes if you want different flavors or ingredients.
User Experience Highlights
We found this cookbook incredibly easy to follow, even when testing recipes for the first time. The step-by-step photos for every single recipe made a huge difference compared to other Instant Pot books we’ve tried. We never had to guess what the food should look like at each stage.
The instructions were clear enough that we felt confident using our Instant Pot right away. We noticed the recipes work well for beginners who might otherwise feel overwhelmed by pressure cooking. The helpful side notes throughout the book gave us useful tips for customizing dishes.
One downside we encountered was the lack of metric conversions, which could be frustrating if you don’t use US measurements. Overall, we appreciated how the book transformed our Instant Pot from an intimidating appliance into something we actually wanted to use regularly.
New Customer Reviews
We noticed that buyers really appreciate how easy this cookbook makes learning the Instant Pot. Many people said they struggled with other pressure cooker books before finding this one, and the step-by-step photos helped them finally understand what to do.
The recipes get praised for being simple to follow. Several reviewers mentioned watching the author’s YouTube videos first, then buying the book because his teaching style worked so well for them.
A few buyers pointed out downsides. The measurements are all in US units without a conversion chart, which frustrated some international readers. One person only tried one recipe before returning their Instant Pot entirely, though they said the cookbook itself was decent.
New Instant Pot owners seem to benefit the most from this book. The visual guides and side notes apparently make the learning process much less stressful than trying to figure things out from the appliance manual alone.
Our Conclusion
After spending time with this cookbook, we can say it delivers on its promise of making Instant Pot cooking less intimidating. The photo-by-photo approach really does help when you’re figuring out what each step should look like. We found the recipes easy to follow and appreciated the helpful side notes that suggest simple variations.
The main drawback is that everything uses US measurements without a conversion chart, which can be frustrating if you work with metric. A few people also mentioned the recipes didn’t quite match their needs, so your results may vary.
Overall, this is a solid choice if you’re new to pressure cooking or want clear guidance. The book works well as a teaching tool, not just a recipe collection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which Instant Pot cookbooks are recommended for beginners in 2026?
We found this cookbook to be a strong choice for people just starting out with their Instant Pot. The visual format makes it easy to follow along, even if you’ve never used a pressure cooker before.
Each recipe includes photos of every step, which takes the guesswork out of the cooking process. We noticed that the instructions are written in simple language without assuming you already know pressure cooking basics.
The book covers a wide range of recipes from simple dishes to more complex meals. This gives you room to grow as you get more comfortable with your appliance.
What are the top Instant Pot cookbooks featuring step-by-step guides?
This cookbook stands out because it includes photographs for every single step of each recipe. We haven’t seen many other cookbooks that go into this level of detail.
The visual guides help you understand what your food should look like at each stage. This is useful when you’re learning how different ingredients react to pressure cooking.
We appreciated that the author includes helpful side notes throughout the recipes. These tips explain simple ways to adjust or add to the basic recipes.
Where can I find an Instant Pot cookbook that is highly rated on Amazon for the year 2026?
This cookbook has a rating of 4.7 stars based on over 33,000 ratings on Amazon. That puts it among the most popular Instant Pot cookbooks available right now.
The high rating reflects what we experienced when using it. The recipes work as described and the instructions are clear enough to follow without confusion.
We found that people who follow the author’s YouTube channel tend to especially like this book. It connects well with his online content if you want additional guidance.
Can I find any Instant Pot recipe books in PDF format for free?
We don’t have information about free PDF versions of this specific cookbook. Most published cookbooks like this one are sold rather than offered for free.
The book is available in both physical and digital formats through Amazon. If you prefer reading on a device, the digital version might work better for you.
We should note that the author does offer free content through YouTube and social media. You can try out some recipes there before deciding whether to buy the full cookbook.
What are the most popular Instant Pot recipes to try from 2026 cookbooks?
The cookbook includes 100 different recipes covering a variety of meal types. We tested several recipes and found them to be straightforward with good results.
Based on feedback from other users, the basic dishes tend to be the most popular for beginners. These include soups, simple meat dishes, and one-pot meals.
We noticed that the recipes don’t require hard-to-find ingredients. Most of what you need is probably already in your kitchen or easy to pick up at a regular grocery store.
The step-by-step photos make it easier to try more complicated recipes once you get comfortable with the basics. You can see exactly what your food should look like at each stage.
Are there any standout Instant Pot cookbooks from America’s Test Kitchen released by 2026?
This particular cookbook is not from America’s Test Kitchen. It’s written by Jeffrey Eisner, who runs a popular YouTube channel about Instant Pot cooking.
We can’t provide information about America’s Test Kitchen cookbooks since that’s not what we tested. This book has a different approach focused on visual step-by-step guidance.
The author’s background is in creating easy-to-follow content for home cooks. His style is more casual and beginner-friendly compared to the technical approach you might find in test kitchen publications.
One thing to keep in mind is that all measurements in this cookbook use US standards. If you’re used to metric measurements, you’ll need to convert the quantities yourself since there’s no conversion chart included.
