Healthy Recipes 101

The Heart of The Home Beats in The Kitchen

  • Recipe Index
  • Courses
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Beverages
  • Method
    • Air Frying
    • Boiling
    • Broiling
    • Frying
    • Grilling
    • Oven Baked
    • One-Pan
  • About

Hot Tags

  • Juices
  • Chicken
  • Salmon Recipes
  • Air Fryer
  • Instant Pot
  • Salads
Fact-checked
Side Dishes

Instant Pot Polenta Recipe

  • Instant Pot
  • Side Dishes
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Servings 4 servings
Calories 133 kcal
Instant Pot Polenta Recipe
Jump to Recipe
facebook pinterest twitter Print Recipe

With this Instant Pot polenta recipe, you can make this rich and creamy side dish in less than 30 minutes and have a dish for Gluten-Free Day (January 13th).

Before we start cooking, let’s learn a few things about this dish.

What Is Polenta?

Polenta is an Italian staple generally made with cornmeal that’s been cooked in a watery liquid to form a thick, smooth consistency. The common types of liquid used to cook polenta include water, broth, milk, or a combination of all three.

You will need to use the liquid four to five times the volume of the cornmeal to cook it.

Seasonings for polenta can be as simple as salt alone. Sometimes black pepper, Parmesan, or herbs can be added to tailor the polenta flavor to the cook’s personal preference.

Once cooked, the polenta will have a thick consistency that resembles porridge or mashed potatoes. You can serve it hot or let it cool and firm up into a loaf.

At this point, the polenta can be cut into thick bars and fried, baked, or pan-seared to get a crispy exterior.

Is This Instant Pot Polenta Healthy?

Is Instant Pot Polenta Healthy

Polenta may be high in carbohydrates, but it’s still healthy. Here’s why:

The main ingredient of a polenta recipe is cornmeal. While being relatively low in calories, it’s also a great source of fiber and complex carbohydrates.

Both fiber and complex carbs take a lot of time to digest, keeping you full for longer.

As always, this Instant Pot polenta recipe also adheres to our healthy eating guidelines. The amount of calories, saturated fat, and sodium in each recipe is within recommended limits.

Is Polenta Gluten-Free?

Yes, polenta is gluten-free.

As mentioned, polenta is a mixture of cornmeal cooked in milk and water or broth. Generally, a polenta recipe doesn’t use flour as cornmeal is a great thickener on its own.

How to Make Polenta in an Instant Pot 

Sometimes a typical stovetop polenta recipe may require you to soak the cornmeal in water before cooking. But since we are pressure-cooking the cornmeal in an Instant Pot, you can skip this step.

Ingredients

With the traditional cooking method, you have to keep an eye on the polenta and stir it constantly. Otherwise, it will become lumpy and scorched on the bottom of the pot.

Fortunately, you don’t have to put so much effort into this side dish. It’s easier and a lot less laborious with the help of an Instant Pot.

Here’s how you make our Instant Pot polenta:

Step 1: Mix the polenta

Mix the polenta

step 2 cook

Cook the polenta

Step 3: Add heavy cream

Add heavy cream

How to make Instant Pot Polenta Recipe step 4 serve

Garnish and serve

For full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions, click here to jump to the recipe section.

Tips for Cooking the Perfect Polenta

We only have one tip for you: pick the right cornmeal.

When you’re at the grocery store, skip the boxes of instant polenta. Those are for stovetop cooking. For today’s recipe, look for fine polenta, fine cornmeal, or grits.

For more easy and nutritious Instant Pot recipe, take a look at this roundup or check out our healthy Instant Pot breakfast ideas.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Polenta

To store leftover polenta, put it in an uncovered airtight container and allow it to cool before sealing with a lid. It can last up to 3 days in the fridge or a month in the freezer.

Once cooled and chilled, polenta will have a firm texture. You can either cut it into bars and pan-sear to make polenta cakes or return it to its original form.

Transfer the polenta into a small pot and add a splash of milk, water, or chicken broth. Cook over medium-low heat while stirring constantly until the polenta returns to its soft, mashed potato consistency.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover

What to Serve with Instant Pot Polenta

Polenta can go well with almost any food, but we highly recommend you pair it with a saucy, meat dish. Any meat cooked in a tomato sauce, gravy, or stew can have polenta on the side.

You can add polenta to a serving plate, put the meat on top, and ladle the sauce over. When you eat it, scoop a spoonful of polenta, meat, and the sauce to experience a delicious, savory, creamy flavor.

Other Savory Instant Pot Soup Recipes:

  • Instant Pot Chicken And Rice Soup Recipe
  • Instant Pot Mushroom Soup Recipe
  • Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
Instant Pot Polenta Recipe

Instant Pot Polenta Recipe

PRINT RATE Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest
With this Instant Pot polenta recipe, you will need to spend only 20 minutes to make this simple side dish. You won’t even break a sweat.
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 133kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 0.5 oz grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups unsalted chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp parsley roughly chopped
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Mix the polenta: Put cornmeal, salt, unsalted butter, grated Parmesan, milk, and chicken broth into your Instant Pot. Whisk well.
  • Cook the polenta: Cover with the lid. Turn the valve knob to “sealing position”. Set your Instant Pot to the “Meat Stew” program for 15 minutes.
  • Add heavy cream: Once the timer rings, carefully turn the knob to release the steam before opening the lid. Add heavy cream and stir.
  • Garnish and serve: Ladle the polenta into a bowl or deep dish. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, paprika, and black pepper on top before serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Polenta Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 133 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 18mg6%
Sodium 251mg11%
Potassium 143mg4%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 238IU5%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 78mg8%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Homemade Instant Pot Polenta Recipe
instant pot zuppa toscana recipe
Previous Recipe
Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana Recipe
air fryer potato wedges recipe
Next Recipe
Air Fryer Potato Wedges Recipe
Luna Regina

Luna Regina

facebook instagram pinterest youtube twitter linkedin
Luna is the founder and chief recipe developer of Healthy Recipes 101. Apart from cooking, she also loves reading, programming, exploring the outdoors, and collecting useless facts about everything.

Comments/ Reviews

Cancel reply
Instant Pot Polenta Recipe
Instant Pot Polenta Recipe
Recipe Rating




Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD
Recipe developed by Luna Regina on August 2, 2021 Nutritionally reviewed by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD

Latest Recipes

Shrimp Pasta Salad Recipe

Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp Pasta Salad Recipe

Shrimp Rangoon Recipe

Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp Rangoon Recipe

Salmon Salad Recipe

Salmon Recipes
Salmon Salad Recipe

Salmon Dip Recipe

Salmon Recipes
Salmon Dip Recipe

Shrimp Louie Recipe

Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp Louie Recipe

Cheeseburger Egg Rolls Recipe

Beef
Cheeseburger Egg Rolls Recipe

Top Pinterest

Banana Papaya Smoothie Recipe

Smoothies
Banana Papaya Smoothie Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie Recipe

Smoothies
Pumpkin Spice Smoothie Recipe

Strawberry Papaya Smoothie Recipe

Smoothies
Strawberry Papaya Smoothie Recipe

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie Recipe

Smoothies
Orange Creamsicle Smoothie Recipe

Pineapple Carrot Juice Recipe

Carrot Juice
Pineapple Carrot Juice Recipe

Strawberry Carrot Juice Recipe

Carrot Juice
Strawberry Carrot Juice Recipe

AS SEEN ON
eatthis
parade
bustle
insider
buzzfeed
forbes
cnn
msn
Healthy Recipes 101
We do not offer medical, dietetic, or nutritional advice. Please seek consultation from a qualified health care professional prior to any decision to alter your current diet. Learn more See additional information.
  • Recipe Index
  • Course
  • Method
  • About
  • Cooking Challenge
  • Nutrition Guidelines
  • Recipe Development
  • Cooking Tips
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

facebook instagram pinterest youtube twitter linkedin

Get our latest healthy recipes

Stay up-to-date with our latest RDN-approved recipes, kitchen tips, and healthy eating challenges.

Opt-out at any time by clicking the 'unsubscribe' link at the bottom of our email.

Visit our other Healthy101 sites:

Healthykitchen101
© 2021 Healthy Kitchen 101, LLC - All Rights Reserved
Return to Top