This is how you make healthy Instant Pot fish and vegetables together in your pressure cooker. Cooked separately but at the same time, this flavorful dinner cooks in no time at all and comes out flaky and tender. If you’re looking to cook multiple dishes at once, pressure cooker recipes are great.

fish-in-instant-pot
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I don’t know about you but we are big fans of Instant Pot fish in our house! Let us show you how to make this and then you should go on to try our other Instant Pot recipes too. (affiliate links present)

Instant Pot Fish and Vegetables

We have created a bunch of easy pressure cooker fish recipes lately because they cook it to flaky perfection every time. You can cook another dish such as vegetables together, but separately, using these steamer insert pans or with a trivet / vegetable steamer basket.

Can I cook frozen fish in my Instant Pot?

Yes!! We have done this with our Instant Pot frozen fish similarly and believe it or not the cook time is basically the same. Since the fillets are rather thin, as long as they are separated from one another they can steam to flaky buttery bites.

If you are new to pressure cooking we have a lot of easy one pot meal recipes for you here. To begin with let’s start with a few basic tips:

For reference, this is the model I have (a 6 quart) and use for all recipe creations.

A white Instant Pot with a Star Wars theme sits on the kitchen counter, ready to tackle your favorite beef arm roast recipe. The digital display glows "On." Next to it lie a patterned cloth and some green onions, all against the backdrop of blue kitchen cabinets and a stovetop.

Pressure Cooker Ninja Foodi Fish Fillets

Such a delicious and healthy pressure cooker recipe right? Personally I think fish comes out great when it is steamed with just a bit of olive oil and a pinch of salt and spices.

I did the same thing with the mix of vegetables I cooked in the larger of the two pans and they were great and just tender enough without being too mushy.

I used 2 pieces of tilapia but you could use whichever type of fish you prefer. The pans are great at keeping the moisture in and when it’s done cooking and resting in the bit of olive oil you poured on top the flavor is pretty amazing.

Instant Pot Fish 3

Cooking them in separate pans but in your pressure cooker at the same time keeps the flavors of each in tact but allows you to walk away while they steam to perfection. Do a quick release, lift the lids on each and enjoy them together for lunch or dinner.

The possibilities for these double stackable pans though. Add cornbread or baked potatoes to the bottom and chili to the top and have a great meal too!

Why would you cook fish in your Instant Pot?

  • Cooks quickly
  • Comes out tender and full of flavor
  • No fish smell while cooking (some released when steam valve is opened)

Easy one pot meal when cooked with vegetables using this pot in pot method

instant pot fish

What you will need to make healthy Instant Pot fish and vegetable dinner

  1. Instant Pot steamer insert pans
  2. Fish – about 1 lb., skinless and deboned
    1. we used white fish, medium thickness
  3. Vegetables – sliced
    1. we used zucchini, yellow squash, carrots and onion
  4. Parchment paper
  5. Olive Oil
  6. Spices – I just lightly season with seasoned salt and basil

How long does it take to steam a piece of fish?

If you’ve never tried to pressure cook fish it is a game changer!! So flaky and tender with very little prep work or attention you need to give it along the way. Just set it and forget it until the timer goes off. 6 minutes for fresh or 8 minutes for frozen fillets is about right if set on a trivet. In stackable pans it is 28 minutes.

ninja foodi fish

How to Cook Tilapia in a Pressure Cooker

If you do not have this insert pan you can alternatively cook Instant Pot fish this way:

  • Put 1.5 c water into your pressure cooker
  • Place a trivet / steam rack at the bottom (make sure water isn’t touching bottom of rack)
  • Place your fish fillet on steam rack

Sprinkle seasonings on fish. Use whatever you’d usually season it with.

  • Close lid and steam valve
  • Set to high pressure for 2-3 minutes for fresh fish and 3-4 min. for frozen fillets (size of fish and variety will vary timing but this works well for a piece of salmon)
    • We typically cook a 3/4 lb. piece of fresh salmon for 4 minutes and it is perfect
  • Do a quick release

If you’re looking to cook fresh or frozen Instant Pot shrimp we have info on that as well as our recipe for Instant Pot shrimp alfredo pasta.

instant pot frozen shrimp

What type of fish can you cook in Instant Pot?

You can cook them all like this, on a trivet, steamed with a cup of water below! If you’re looking for more easy fish recipes we have a bunch. Like how to cook salmon fillets with a little lemon pepper and lemon juice perfectly below. With a light season with salt and pepper we can even make frozen salmon in the Instant Pot all the time too!

  • There seriously isn’t anything you can’t do with an electric pressure cooker I say. Ok, well it can’t do my laundry but I honestly don’t use my stovetop or oven anymore!

Just place the skin side down on your trivet with lemon slices and butter on high pressure for 3 minutes or so (depends on thickness of fillet). Release the pressure and perfection!

Of course if you want to cook multiple items then use the pans I used above but this is another Instant Pot fish idea.

Pressure Cooker Salmon

How do you make Instant Pot fish tacos??

  1. Use either the recipe below using white fish in the stackable pans, or the salmon recipe above
  2. Cook as directed
  3. Remove and break up into smaller pieces
  4. Add to small flour tortillas
  5. Load it up with cabbage and fish taco sauce
  6. We like a slice of avocado on the top too

We make Instant Pot tacos weekly whether it be with fish or shredded chicken in pressure cooker. It’s a cheap and healthy meal we all love so it’s on our meal rotation.

Other easy fish recipes you’ll love

  • Looking for a low carb keto meal idea?? After your pressure cooker fish is done put some inside of an avocado and this makes a really yummy meal!!
  • We love Instant Pot tilapia and air fryer tilapia for dinner too.

Have we convinced you that it’s worth getting an Instant Pot AND that this is the best way to cook fish??!! I hope so. The only close second that gets raving reviews is our smoked salmon recipe that is amazing but does take a lot more time to make and cook. SO if you’re looking for the best way to make Instant Pot fish this is it! Here’s the printable recipe and a video:

instant pot fish recipe
fish in instant pot
4.72 from 14 votes

Instant Pot Fish

By The Typical Mom
How you make healthy Instant Pot fish and vegetables together in your pressure cooker. Cooked separately but at the same time, this flavorful dinner cooks in no time at all and comes out flaky and tender. If you're looking to cook multiple dishes at once in your Instant Pot this is how you do it.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 18 minutes
Servings: 2
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Equipment

  • 1 pressure cooker
  • 1 trivet or stackable pans

Ingredients 

  • 2 pcs fish, 3/4 of a lb. or so, skinned and deboned
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 tsp seasoned salt
  • 1/4 tsp basil, or other herb of choice
  • 1-2 potato, cut into bite size chunks
  • 1 carrot, peeled and cut into 1/2" pieces
  • 1/2 onion, cut into strips
  • 1 bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1/2 c water, or 1.5 with stackable pans

Instructions 

  • In stackable pans – Put parchment paper inside the bottom larger piece of your stacked pans and pour all vegetables inside. (use zucchini and yellow squash cut into dials instead of potato for this method)
  • Pour 2 tbsp of oil oil on top and sprinkle half of your seasoned salt and basil on top. Place smaller stacked pan on top of that and put a piece of parchment paper inside of that pan. Lay pieces of fish inside, pour remainder of olive oil on top of fish with remainder of spices.
  • Put lid on and close fastener so pans are securely closed together. Pour 1.5 c. water inside your Instant Pot and lower stacked pans down inside. Close lid and steam valve and set to high pressure for 28 minutes. Do a quick release.
  • Using a trivet – Put your sliced vegetables into the bottom of your pot, then place a trivet on top of them so it sits flat. Place fish fillets on top of trivet. Pour your 1/2 c. broth or water on top of the fish so it drains down on top of everything.
  • Mix spices together and sprinkle over the top of each piece so they're seasoned. Put 1 tbsp of butter on top of each fillet. Close lid and steam valve and set to high pressure for 6 min. for fresh fish and 8 minutes for frozen. Then do a quick release when done.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 4oz, Calories: 307kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 324mg, Potassium: 519mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 7155IU, Vitamin C: 97.4mg, Calcium: 32mg, Iron: 0.9mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!
air fryer fish 2
Instant Pot Fish
Instant Pot Fish 4

About The Typical Mom

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

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4.72 from 14 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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59 Comments

      1. I haven’t used frozen fillets though typically there isn’t much of a difference in time. Maybe adjust to 30 min.

  1. I tried the recipe. I have a Fagor LUX electric pressure cooker. I have the pots too. Cooked 28 minutes. Fish and vegetables not done. Vegetables in fact not cooked at all. They are on the bottom. I put it back in and am doing an extra 15 min. Never had a problem using all Instapot recipes.

  2. I was excited to use this method and ordered the pans without reading thru. Alas! 28 minutes plus building pressure and release? Went from “no time at all” to “literally the longest anyone has ever spent making fish” ??

  3. When cooking PinP I always put water in each pot and then add the 1.5 c water in the pressure cooker. seeing your approach is very interesting. I will try this one. I’m confused about the time as I’ve never cooked anything in the pressure cooker for 28 mins, does that time include the 13 mins or so it takes to get to the high pressure level?

    1. No you set to 28 min., takes a lot longer using the pans I refer to in the post. I have instructions for setting on a trivet too by itself.

  4. 5 minutes is to long. I cook a fresh piece of Halibut High Pressure 2 minutes and release immediately and it is perfect every time. Better than in a nice restaurant.

    1. Timing depends on the size, thickness, and type of fish. I stated 5 minutes for a piece of salmon which takes a bit longer and somewhat thick.

  5. If I have a this set but the lid has steam holes should I put the vegies on the top or fish on the top?

  6. I bought this pan and am trying the fish. Looks delicious! Now that I have the pan I’m interested in other ways to use it. Seems like it makes a difference in the cooking time? Any ideas or tips? Thanks!

    1. I used mine for Christmas dinner for my family of four! Came out perfect.

      I made chicken parmesan meatloaf in the bottom pan and cornbread stuffing in the top one! Was amazing!

      I love these things. ?

      1. I too have made meatloaf in mine but w/ potatoes can you please give me your IP Cornbread stuffing recipe? It sounds amazing.

  7. 28 mins sounds like to long to cook vegs and/or fish. Is it ok because they are inside of the pans.

    1. Yes exactly. We have made this using these directions several times and it comes out to perfection using these pans but it does take a bit longer because you’re essentially steaming them inside the pot so it takes longer but is so worth it!!

    2. Call me crazy. But wouldn’t it be faster to steam the veggies in a basket for 2 minutes (QR) and then cook the fish for 3-5 mins (depending on thickness/frozen or not) than to cook together for 28? Is there another benefit to cooking them together that I’m missing?