If you’re looking for a great vegetable side dish you can make in a pressure cooker, this Instant Pot spinach recipe is a great. Add bacon and it’s a cheap great addition to any meal.

Are you all about using your pressure cooker nowadays?? I know I am. I have made over 101 easy Instant Pot recipes and here is one focusing on vegetables! Ok so you can make this the healthy way or add a bit of bacon and/or diced pork and add a lot of flavor to it too. Either way this is a great side dish, or meal really, you can make in just minutes.
I will admit, I wasn’t a huge fan of vegetables when I was younger but after my mom served this easy spinach quiche over and over again that became of favorite of mine and I’ve been trying to incorporate more veggies in our meals ever since then.
Now my kids would probably rather eat a whole plate of vegetables instead of meat, go figure. I have tried different veggies to make and serve with meals over the years and surprisingly this buttery dish has become a favorite.

You shouldn’t have trouble finding fresh spinach in the store and it is really healthy for you so pack it in! Like I said, if you’re going for the really healthy side dish then skip the pork entirely but let me tell you it adds a wonderful flavor and aroma to this side dish.
Ingredient Notes
You are going to start off with a bag of fresh spinach leaves. You can find them bagged, fresh in bins or in large plastic containers at the store. Make sure they are brightly colored, green, without any shriveling or brown.
Yellow or white Onions diced add flavor and texture in a really cheap ways so I suggest that you add these into the mix.
Olive oil or avocado oil is necessary if you want to add meat (bacon or salted pork diced fine) that needs to be precooked before starting to pressure cook it all together.
As for seasonings I always add garlic to all my dishes and just lightly seasoned with salt and pepper is really all you need.
Diced bacon or salted pork pieces work well if you’re going that route, or leftover ham bits would work great as well if you’re making this after the holidays. Your choice…..
Ninja Foodi Option
Remember that these instructions work in a Crockpot Express or as one of our Ninja Foodi recipes as well. Using the high pressure function they all work similarly, except the latter uses the lid that is not attached.
If you want to make it crispy though you can in fact make a batch of air fryer spinach as well with this pot which is sure nice to have a choice.


Instant Pot Spinach Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup bacon, or salted pork, diced – optional
- 8 cup spinach, fresh leaves
- 3/4 cup chicken broth, or vegetable broth
- 1/2 small onion, diced
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp chili powder, or cajun seasoning, optional
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot to saute, add 1 tbsp olive oil. Saute bacon, onion and garlic for 4-5 minutes stirring on and off until pork is cooked and onions are softened. Turn pot off/cancel button.
- (deglaze your pot, link to how to do this in post) – basically you add chicken broth, scraping bottom of pan and stirring.
- Add spinach to the pot and then add seasonings. Turn pressure valve to sealing and set manual pressure on high for 4.
- Do a quick release when done and serve!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Other vegetables recipes you’ll love
If you’re looking for more Instant Pot vegetable recipes we have a lot more too, and a few more you’ll love
- How to cook spaghetti squash fast in your Instant Pot
- Pressure cooker pumpkin is so easy in your pressure cooker
- Instant Pot brussel sprouts are great too
- Here is how to cook Instant Pot greens or this easy creamed spinach recipe on the stovetop too













Made this for my friend and I. It was so yummy! I LOVE ❤️ my instant pot!!!!!
Glad it was a hit
I made this tonight for my husband. He really liked it. However, I think one and a half cups chicken broth was way too much. I had to strain it before I could put it on a plate. That was the only thing I saw when with his recipe though.
I agree. I just made it for dinner and it was delicious! I used a 3 qt pot and I also had to drain it but is was sooo good.
It says 3/4 cup broth NOT more
Yes 3/4 cup
Trying to delete comment ?. I promise I can read ;).
Hi, when do I add in the vegetable broth? I am not adding the meat. Thank you!