The Instant Pot revolution: how one appliance changed the game for Southern soul food
“Are you kidding me? I use my oven as storage.” – Carrie Bradshaw
Do you relate?
In this episode about how to use the Instant Pot, Shaunda blends pop culture and practical cooking. She mentions that even fans of shows like Sex and the City can feel intimidated by cooking, but the Instant Pot levels the playing field: it simplifies processes, speeds up long-cooked dishes, and even offers baking options so you may not reach for your oven as often.
Shaunda explains how the Instant Pot can replace single-use appliances such as rice cookers and slow cookers, while delivering the same rich, buttery, seasoned flavors associated with Southern comfort food—in a fraction of the time.
What does an Instant Pot actually do?
Where to listen to the podcast:
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Shoes in the oven? A playful anecdote that starts the conversation about home cooking and appliance use.
- How Shaunda relates to pop-culture characters while embracing easy cooking tools.
- How the Instant Pot replaces devices like rice cookers, slow cookers, and steamers—and can even bake.
- Why pressure cooking intensifies flavors, making it ideal for Southern soul food recipes.
- Overview of other Instant Pot family appliances and common user questions.
Is an Instant Pot worth having? FAQs
Answers to common questions about using an Instant Pot for authentic Southern soul food and unlocking richer flavors with pressure cooking.
1. What is an Instant Pot?
An Instant Pot is a multi-function electric cooker that serves as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and more—combining many appliances into one versatile unit.
2. How does an Instant Pot work?
Pressure cooking traps steam to raise the boiling point of water, which speeds cooking and intensifies broths, sauces, and seasonings—ideal for soulful, seasoned dishes.
3. Benefits for Southern soul food cooking
Instant Pots drastically reduce traditional cooking times while delivering deep, concentrated flavors. They make staples like beans, greens, and stews faster and more consistent.
Instant Pot cooking is ideal for busy households: one pot, straight to plate. Use a cooking times chart to know how long to pressure cook meats, seafood, vegetables, eggs, rice, grains, and beans.
4. How many Instant Pots does Shaunda Necole have?
At the time of the episode, Shaunda owns multiple Instant Pot models—she continues to collect them as tools that expand her kitchen capabilities.
5. Tips for cooking Southern soul food in an Instant Pot
Shaunda provides step-by-step guides and cookbooks with seasoning and spice suggestions. Key tips include using enough liquid, layering flavors, and allowing proper pressure release for texture and safety.
No worries—beginner guides explain pressure-cooker terminology, safety, and simple recipes so you can cook confidently and quickly.
6. Can an Instant Pot be used for baking?
Yes. With the right settings and pans, many baked goods can be prepared inside an Instant Pot using steam and pressure techniques.
7. What Southern dishes can you make in an Instant Pot?
Examples include collard greens, black-eyed peas, oxtail, gumbo, and many stews—recipes adapted for pressure cooking deliver excellent flavor and texture.
8. How does the Instant Pot save time?
By combining multiple functions into one appliance and using pressure, cooking times drop from hours to minutes for many traditional dishes.
9. Other Instant Pot family appliances
The Instant Pot ecosystem includes air-fryer lids, multi-cookers with convection capabilities, and countertop ovens that extend what you can prepare for Southern soul food menus.
10. Common questions about Instant Pot cooking
Common concerns include how to release pressure safely, how to clean the pot, and how to adapt times for different ingredients. Learning a few simple techniques resolves most issues.
Instant Pot mastery: the ultimate guide to cooking soul food with ease
Resources mentioned in the episode:
- How to use Instant Pot (episode guide)
- Best Instant Pot Southern recipes for beginners (recipe collection)
If you don’t own an Instant Pot yet, a comparison guide helps you choose the right model for your needs and budget.
Episode transcript
- Episode transcript available for download (episode transcript PDF)
Did you enjoy this episode?
Do you already own an Instant Pot? Would you use one? Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe for more soul-food guidance and recipes.
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Is An Instant Pot Worth Having? | Instant Pot Southern Soul Food Black Eyed Peas
The Soul Food Pod host, Shaunda Necole, explores Instant Pot cooking for Southern soul food. She explains functions and settings that lock in flavors and intensify taste. Start with this simple Instant Pot black-eyed peas recipe to experience the method.
Equipment
- Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried black-eyed peas
- 6 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegans/vegetarians)
- 1 cup diced red onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon (or Creole seasoning for vegans/vegetarians)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chopped collard greens (fresh or pre-cooked, optional)
Instructions
- Open the Instant Pot and pour the chicken stock into the inner pot.
- Add the black-eyed peas, onion, garlic, bay leaf, paprika, red pepper flakes, thyme, bouillon, salt, pepper, collards, and optional bacon or seasoning.
- Stir to combine and ensure beans are covered with liquid.
- Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and pressure cook on high for 15 minutes.
- When cooking finishes, allow a natural pressure release for at least 10 minutes.
- Move the valve to venting to release any remaining pressure, then open the lid.
- Remove the bay leaf and serve immediately.
Notes
Allowing a natural pressure release helps beans finish cooking evenly. Adjust seasonings to taste and use vegetable stock and Creole spice blends for vegetarian versions.
Video
Recipe video and additional resources are available with the episode (video hosted on the episode page).
Nutrition
Calories: 143 kcal | Carbohydrates: 21 g | Protein: 9 g | Fat: 3 g | Fiber: 4 g
❤️ Shaunda’s Soul Food Standard
Recipes are created and tested by Shaunda Necole, rooted in African American culinary traditions with modern shortcuts that never sacrifice flavor. Measurements and techniques are verified for home cooks.
Pin or save this recipe to try later and make soulful, flavorful meals quickly with your Instant Pot.