Hey there! Do you want to learn how to make instant pot polenta? Do you want to 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.
So, Just throw the polenta, water, and salt in the pot, beep-beep-boop a few buttons, and ta-da.
A hunk of butter at the end and you’re good to go. (Or, if the rest of dinner isn’t ready just yet, no big deal—the Keep Warm feature has you covered. Bless!)
I’ve included measurement guidelines for the bonuses below, but I hope you don’t worry about them too much. So, let’s get started.
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Instant Pot Polenta Flavors & Textures
Grind Types: Coarse gritty grinds yield a firm coarse polenta, while finer grinds yield a creamy soft polenta. The smaller the grain, the quicker it cooks.
Freshly Cooked Polenta Texture: Warm, soft, creamy, thick, and evenly cooked (not lumpy). And the best part
? The texture is like porridge.
Chilled Polenta Texture: It’ll solidify until it’s firm enough to slice. Then, you can bake, pan-fry, deep-fry, or grill the polenta.
Flavors: It has a very mild nutty, sweet, neutral flavor. It doesn’t have any distinct taste or flavor. This is why it’s often cooked with butter, cheese, gravy, cream, chicken stock, or vegetable stock. I have also written an article on Amazing Sorghum Recipes to Spice Up Your Kitchen.
Instant Pot Polenta Fixings
1 cup (195g) coarsely ground polenta
4 cups (1L) – 4½ cups (1.125L) water
Unsalted chicken stock
1 teaspoon (7g) fine salt, plus more
Freshly ground black pepper
Method – Instant Pot Polenta
Method One
Add ingredients to 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. Then, Add 1 cup (195g) of 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.
Pot in Pot Polenta
Add 2 cups (500ml) water, and a trivet in the larger Instant Pot inner pot.
Add ingredients to your smaller stainless steel pot in the following order: add 1 tsp (7g) fine salt, and 1 cup (195g) coarsely ground polenta. So, 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) of 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.
What Can You Serve With Instant Pot Polenta?
Since polenta doesn’t have a strong flavor, it’s a very versatile side dish to serve with a wide variety of dishes.
For example, polenta goes great with flavorful saucy main dishes, a variety of sauces, and gravy. You can also serve polenta which you might normally serve with potatoes, rice, or pasta. It can also replace the bread that goes with your meal.
You can top polenta with your favorite baked potato toppings. Enjoy it like a hot breakfast porridge, and add toppings like nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and fresh fruit. You can also eat it with butter and cheese. Well, sounds good, right? You can also read more about The Golden Cornmeal Wonder: Why Polenta is a Healthy Choice.
What Does Instant Pot Polenta Taste Like?
Made solely from corn, polenta tastes like creamy corn porridge. When cooked to perfection, the cooked corn grains will taste sweet instead of bitter or raw.
Additionally, the quality of the polenta used will undoubtedly affect its flavor. The better variety of polenta you start with, the better your recipes will taste. You can get more from this video.
Instant Pot Polenta Benefits
Instant Pot Polenta is Easy to Prepare
The perfect starter food for beginner cooks, polenta is incredibly easy to prepare. Follow these simple tips for cooking polenta to ensure that your recipe is successful every time.
Instant Pot Polenta is Low Calorie
If you’re looking to create a filling dish without packing on too many calories, then polenta is an excellent option. Polenta is often used to substitute grains like pasta and rice, as it’s lower in calories and is a source of complex carbohydrates.
Because complex carbohydrates aren’t broken down as quickly as simple carbohydrates, it’s ideal for you to watch their blood sugar levels. Another on Get Your Comfort Food Fix with Bake Polenta.
Instant Pot Polenta is a Source of Protein
Most varieties of polenta are made with one ingredient—corn. That being so, polenta offers a source of plant protein that can make sticking to a healthy, balanced diet much easier, especially for those with dietary restrictions.
If you’re following a plant-based diet, are a picky eater, or searching for more ways to include protein in your diet, polenta is an excellent option.
Conclusion
Do you enjoy cooking with instant pot polenta? I love to hear about the wonderful recipes you cook with this ingredient. Share your favorite polenta-based dishes with us in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear from you.
The classic ratio is 1 part polenta to 4 parts water, but I like to measure the polenta just a little scant of a full cup. I often use chicken broth instead of water.
Polenta is a healthy gluten-free grain and a good source of antioxidants that help protect your eyes and reduce your risk of certain chronic diseases.
As polenta is made from corn, it’s gluten-free. Semolina, on the other hand, is coarsely ground, high-gluten durum wheat used to make pasta, cakes, and bread.