Instant Pot Polenta

5 from 19 votes

Recipe by Amy + Jacky | PressureCookRecipes.com

Learn how to make Instant Pot Polenta! Save time and no need for constant stirring to make this Creamy Cheesy Polenta in Instant Pot. Comforting, thick, soft polenta makes a deliciously satisfying and versatile side dish.

Servings 6

Total Time 40

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup (195g) coarsely ground polenta (not quick-cooking)
▢ 4 cups (1L) - 4½ cups (1.125L) water or unsalted chicken stock
▢ 1 teaspoon (7g) fine salt , plus more
▢ Freshly ground black pepper
▢ 2½ tablespoons (36g) unsalted butter
▢ Optional: ½ cup - 1 cup (32g - 64g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Equipment

Instructions

Method One - Directly Cook Polenta in Instant Pot: Add ingredients in Instant Pot in the following order.
Add 1 tsp (7g) fine salt, 4 cups (1L) to 4½ cups (1.125L) unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot. Add in 1 cup (195g) coarsely ground polenta. Do NOT Mix!
With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 10 minutes, then Natural Release for 15 minutes. Remove the lid carefully.
*Pro Tip: To avoid the "Burn" Error, it's best to use Method 2. You don’t have to worry about anything sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Method Two - Pot in Pot Polenta: Add 2 cups (500ml) water, a trivet in the larger Instant Pot inner pot.
Add ingredients to your smaller stainless steel pot in the following order: add in 1 tsp (7g) fine salt, 1 cup (195g) coarsely ground polenta. Add in 4 cups (1L) to 4½ cups (1.125L) unsalted chicken stock.
Place the smaller pot on the trivet.
*Pro Tip: If you don't have a low-profile trivet, place the smaller pot directly in the water.
With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 15 minutes, then Natural Release for 15 minutes. Remove the lid carefully.
Add Butter & Season: The polenta will look a bit watery at first. Add in 2.5 tbsp (36g) unsalted butter, then mix until desired consistency with a whisk. Optionally, mix in ½ cup to 1 cup (32g - 64g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Season & Serve: Taste and season polenta with more salt if necessary. For reference, we added 1 to 2 small pinches of salt. Serve this soft & creamy polenta immediately with your favorite main dishes, sauces, or veggies.

Notes

Choosing Polenta: Coarse gritty grinds will yield a firm coarse polenta, while finer grinds will yield a creamy soft polenta. Be sure to use the right grinds depending on your preferred texture.

If you prefer fine-grained polenta for soft fluffy polenta, you can use this Italian Moretti Fioretto Polenta.

Cooking Liquid: For the cooking liquid, you can use water or unsalted chicken stock. Or you can use a mixture of water combined with unsalted chicken stock.

3-Quart Instant Pot Inner Pot: If your Instant Pot is sensitive to the "Burn" Error or you prefer a slightly easier cleanup, use the 3-Quart Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Pot for Method 2: Pot in Pot Polenta method. The 3-Quart Inner Pot will work as a pot-in-pot container in your 6-Quart to 10-Quart Instant Pots.

Serve Immediately: Polenta will thicken as you let it sit, so make sure to serve immediately.

Rate Amy + Jacky's Recipe: If you've tried our recipe, rate the recipe in the Comments section. Thank you!

Author: Amy + Jacky

Calories: 165kcal

Nutrition