Never cook these 6 things in a pressure cooker - Times of India (2024)

There’s no denying that a

pressure cooker

is the most versatile and useful kitchen essential, which can make everything easy from steaming to

baking

to pressure cooking. But wait, do you know that there are certain foods that you should never cook in a pressure cooker as it may spoil the taste and texture of the

food

and also harm the pressure cooker and may turn dangerous in certain cases.

Here are six things you should always avoid cooking in a pressure cooker.

Never cook these 6 things in a pressure cooker - Times of India (1)

Dairy products
Foods containing dairy, like milk, cream, or yogurt, should not be pressure-cooked. The high heat and pressure can cause dairy products to curdle or separate, ruining the texture, taste and flavour of the dish.

Fried foods
Cooking fried foods is a strict no no, when it comes to pressure cookers. Pressure cookers are designed for cooking with moist heat, and attempting to fry food in them can be dangerous. The high pressure and steam can cause the hot oil to splatter, leading to burns and accidents. Thus, it is advised to avoid cooking foods like French fries, pakoras, or tempura in a pressure cooker.
Pasta and noodles
Delicate foods like pasta and noodles can easily get overcooked and turn mushy in a pressure cooker. These foods cook quickly on the stovetop, so using a pressure cooker for these foods may result in a soggy texture.


Never cook these 6 things in a pressure cooker - Times of India (3)

Quick cooking vegetables
Vegetables that cook quickly, such as leafy greens and tender vegetables are not suitable for pressure cooking. These vegetables can become overcooked and lose their colours and nutrients when cooked at high pressure and temperature.

Never cook these 6 things in a pressure cooker - Times of India (4)

Cakes and bakes
Baking cakes, cookies, or any other baked goods in a pressure cooker is not recommended. Pressure cookers are not designed for baking, and the texture, taste and consistency of the baked delights often turn out to be different from their usual texture.

Never cook these 6 things in a pressure cooker - Times of India (5)

Eggs in the shell
Cooking eggs in their shells inside a pressure cooker can lead to messy results. The pressure inside the cooker may cause the eggs to burst or crack, creating a mess and may also lead to harmful conditions.

Never cook these 6 things in a pressure cooker - Times of India (2024)

FAQs

Never cook these 6 things in a pressure cooker - Times of India? ›

Yes, cooking in a pressure cooker is healthy as it uses steam to cook food, the insulated and sealed body does not allow the water to evaporate thus preserving the nutrients in the food. Pressure cookers do not require oil to cook making them even healthier.

What should you never cook in a pressure cooker? ›

8 Foods You Should Never Put in Your Instant Pot
  • Fried Foods. The Instant Pot is a master at moist-heat cooking, which is precisely why fried foods fall flat. ...
  • Steak. ...
  • Burgers. ...
  • Stir-Fry. ...
  • Cream-Based Sauces. ...
  • Noodles. ...
  • Seafood. ...
  • Cookies.
Apr 8, 2020

Is cooking in a pressure cooker unhealthy? ›

Yes, cooking in a pressure cooker is healthy as it uses steam to cook food, the insulated and sealed body does not allow the water to evaporate thus preserving the nutrients in the food. Pressure cookers do not require oil to cook making them even healthier.

Why shouldn't rice be cooked in a pressure cooker? ›

Often people cook rice in a pressure cooker due to paucity of time. If you are also one of those people who use cooker to cook rice, then do not make this mistake again. This causes the starch present in rice to release a chemical called acrylamide, which is harmful for health.

Can bacteria survive a pressure cooker? ›

The pressure cookers used can inactivate up to 1010 CFU/mL bacteria and 107 CFU/mL fungi.

What is the best meat to cook in a pressure cooker? ›

You can still pressure cook leaner pieces – like eye of round and top sirloin – but these work best if they've been stuffed, shredded or rolled (with other ingredients). Best cuts of beef to use: Chuck steak, Round Roast, Shoulder, Pot roast, Ribs, Brisket, Oxtail.

Which pressure cooker is best for health? ›

Stainless steel pressure cookers are generally considered to be the better choice for health, as they are less likely to leach metals into food during cooking. Additionally, stainless steel is more resistant to corrosion and rusting, meaning it will last longer.

Is it healthy to cook potatoes in a pressure cooker? ›

bottom line. It is not possible to create carcinogenic acrylamide when cooking potatoes at the high temperatures that can be achieved by household pressure cookers. Pressure cooking and cooling potatoes produces a nutritional insoluble starch which has a lower glycemic impact.

What happens if you pressure cook milk? ›

Just like in a slow cooker, most dairy products such as cheese, milk and sour cream will curdle in an Instant Pot, no matter if you use the pressure cooking setting or the slow cooking setting. Add these ingredients after the dish cooks or avoid making the recipe in the Instant Pot altogether.

Do pressure cookers destroy nutrients? ›

Cooking methods vary in their ability to retain nutrients, and pressure cooking stands out. Research, including a study from the 1990s, suggests that pressure cooking retains about 90 to 95 percent of food nutrients, outperforming other methods like steaming, roasting, and especially boiling.

Does pressure cooking destroy lectins in tomatoes? ›

2. Pressure-cook the tomatoes. Secondly, cooking is another effective way to reduce the lectin content in foods, and pressure cooking is the most potent method.

What can happen if you are not careful with pressure cookers? ›

The main danger associated with pressure cookers is the risk of explosion. When pressure builds up inside the cooker, it can cause the lid to come off suddenly, releasing hot steam and causing burns or even serious personal injuries. The resulting explosion depends on how much pressure has built up in the cooker.

What ingredients should never go in a pressure cooker? ›

But just because this versatile gadget can technically do it all, that doesn't mean it should. In fact, there are a handful of foods that just shouldn't be pressure-cooked. Among them are dairy and fried foods, as well as burgers and steaks. These foods are not Instant-Pot-friendly for a multitude of reasons.

What can go wrong with a pressure cooker? ›

Pressure buildup: A faulty gasket can prevent the pressure from building up inside the cooker, causing it to release steam and pressure unexpectedly. Uneven heating: An old or worn gasket can cause uneven heat distribution in the pressure cooker, leading to hot spots and increasing the chances of an accident.

What cooks better in a pressure cooker? ›

While they are invaluable when it comes to braising, stewing and transforming tough cuts of meat, and cooking ingredients like dried pulses from scratch, pressure cookers are less successful with delicate foods like fish or green veg, as they use such a high heat.

Can you pressure cook anything? ›

You can cook most food in a pressure cooker. However, most people use it to cook food that takes a long time to cook with conventional methods.

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