Instant Pot Pro Plus Review: My Meal Prep MVP

If you’ve spent any time on this site, you already know I’m a fan of appliances that make meal prep less of a chore and more of a “press a button and walk away” experience. I bought my Instant Pot Pro Plus during a late‑night “treat yourself” moment and it quickly became one of the most useful tools in my kitchen. As an ER nurse, time is my most precious resource; anything that helps me get food on the table without hovering over a stove immediately earns a spot on the counter.

The Pro Plus isn’t just a pressure cooker. It’s a ten‑in‑one machine that pressure cooks, slow cooks, sautés, steams, sous vides, makes rice and yogurt, cans, uses NutriBoost technology to enhance texture and flavor, and even keeps your meal warm when you’re distracted by a group chat. That might sound like marketing fluff, but those modes actually matter. I use the rice function for perfectly fluffy brown rice to serve with my lunches, the slow cook setting for shredded chicken or chili, and the pressure cook setting when I need to turn a random assortment of ingredients into a finished meal in under half an hour. There’s a sauté mode that lets you brown onions or sear meat directly in the pot before flipping over to another function, meaning fewer dirty pans.

One of the slickest features is Smart Guided Cooking through the Instant Connect app. The pot pairs with your phone so you can follow along with interactive recipes, adjust settings, or switch functions without standing by the counter watching the numbers tick down. When I’m prepping meals for the week, I’ll start a batch of steel‑cut oats or soup and then wander off to fold laundry or answer emails. The app pings me when it’s time for the next step or when my meal is done. It almost feels like having a culinary assistant who never rolls its eyes.

The Pro Plus also has NutriBoost technology, which pulses liquid gently during cooking to keep ingredients moving and prevent them from sticking. When I make things like risotto, lentil soups, or brothy stews, that motion helps coax starches out of grains, thickening the liquid without constant stirring. The result is a creamy texture that tastes like you spent ages babysitting a pot on the stove when in reality you let technology do the work.

Another reason this model gets heavy rotation in my kitchen is the quiet steam release. Pressure cookers have a reputation for sounding like steam engines when they release pressure, which can be startling if you’re not expecting it. The Instant Pot Pro Plus uses what they call WhisperQuiet technology, meaning you can vent steam at the end of cooking without waking up your household or sending your pets scurrying under the bed. Combine that with over ten built‑in safety mechanisms (including an easy‑seal lid and overheat protection) and you get peace of mind along with dinner.

Cleanup is another area where the Pro Plus shines. The inner pot is made from pro‑grade stainless steel with a thick aluminum core for even heating, and it’s dishwasher safe. There’s also a removable steam rack and an extra sealing ring included, so you’re ready for anything from steaming vegetables to making cheesecake. I’ve put the pot through some pretty serious use—meal prepping three or four dishes back to back on a Sunday—and it still looks new after a quick wash.

Capacity matters too. The 6‑quart size is perfect for batches of soup, stews, rice bowls and other meal prep staples. I can cook enough food to feed four to six people, or pack up lunches and dinners for several days. And because the pot can move from stovetop to oven to table, I’ve used it to brown meat, pressure cook, and then slide the whole thing under the broiler to melt cheese or crisp up a crust without dirtying another dish. If you’ve ever tried juggling multiple pots while sautéing vegetables in one pan and simmering sauce in another, the appeal of doing everything in a single vessel will not be lost on you.

Power output is nothing to scoff at either. With 1200 watts, the Pro Plus comes up to pressure quickly and keeps temperature steady, so you’re not waiting around while your meal prep timeline goes off the rails. It’s UL and ULC listed, which basically means someone has tested it thoroughly for safety, and that’s important when you’re dealing with pressurized steam.

So how do all these features translate to real‑world meal prep? For starters, I no longer have to choose between sleeping and cooking on my days off. I can throw in chicken thighs, broth and spices, press a button, and come back to tender shredded meat ready for tacos or salads. I can make a batch of hard‑boiled eggs using the steam function while I chop vegetables. I can slow‑cook a pot of turkey chili overnight and wake up to a week’s worth of lunches. And because the machine cleans up so easily, I don’t dread repeating the process.

Am I saying you need a high‑tech multicooker to meal prep? Absolutely not. All you really need is a stove and an oven, and a decent set of knives. But if you find yourself wishing for more time and more variety, a tool like the Instant Pot Pro Plus can help you expand your repertoire while shaving precious minutes off your cooking sessions. Consider it the power tool of the kitchen world: you can drive in nails with a hammer, but a cordless drill makes the job faster and more fun.

If you’re curious to see the Pro Plus in action or you’re thinking about adding one to your lineup, take a peek at our Best Tools page. That’s where I keep links to the gear I actually use and trust for meal prep, including this instant pot and a few accessories that make storage and cleanup even smoother. Fair warning: once you start pressure cooking your way to effortless meal prep, you may never go back to sad desk lunches again. Just remember that the goal isn’t to have the fanciest gadgets—it’s to find tools that make it easier to fuel yourself well while juggling everything else life throws at you...