Yes, you can slow cook in an Instant Pot if your model has a Slow Cook button, using Normal for Low and More for High. Models without the button need a workaround.
Which Instant Pot models have a Slow Cook button
Look at the control panel. If one of the buttons says Slow Cook, your Instant Pot can do it. Duo-series and Pro models list a Slow Cook program, but features change between generations, so confirm in your manual.
Two groups need a closer look:
- Pressure-only models: some units have no Slow Cook program at all. Nothing you do in software will add it.
- Multi-lid models: the lid that goes with each function can differ. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 has both a pressure lid and an air fryer lid, so check which lid your manual names for slow cooking.
How to slow cook in an Instant Pot step by step
The process is the same on most models with the button.
- Brown first (optional). Press Sauté and brown meat in batches. Pour in a splash of liquid and scrape up the stuck bits so they don’t trigger a burn warning later.
- Add liquid and food. Add at least the minimum amount of liquid your manual lists for your pot size. Fill the pot no more than two-thirds full.
- Close the lid. Use the sealing lid with the steam valve in the Venting position, or a tempered glass lid made for your pot size.
- Press Slow Cook, then press Adjust to choose Less, Normal or More. Use Normal or More for raw meat.
- Set the time with the + and – buttons, using the conversion table below.
- Finish. Stir, and check that the food is cooked through before serving.
Less, Normal and More compared with Low and High
Instant Pot does not print exact temperatures for each level, and third-party readings vary by model. The figures below are approximate, not manufacturer specs, and the ranges can overlap.
| Instant Pot setting | Approximate temperature | Slow cooker equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Less | 170-190°F | Closer to Keep Warm |
| Normal | 195-205°F | Low |
| More | 200-210°F | High, but slightly cooler |
A Crock-Pot’s Low and High both settle near 209°F. The difference is speed: Low takes about 7 to 8 hours to get there, and High takes about 3 to 4 hours. An Instant Pot reaches its range sooner, so it behaves differently in the first hour.
Converting slow cooker times for an Instant Pot
On Normal, use the same time as the Low recipe. On More, add about 15 minutes for every hour the High recipe calls for, because More runs cooler.
| Recipe says | Instant Pot setting | Set the timer to |
|---|---|---|
| Low, 6 hours | Normal | 6 hours |
| Low, 8 hours | Normal | 8 hours |
| High, 3 hours | More | 3 hours 45 minutes |
| High, 4 hours | More | 5 hours |
| High, 6 hours | More | 7 hours 30 minutes |
Worked example: a pot roast recipe says High for 4 hours. Four hours times 15 minutes adds 60 minutes, so set More for 5 hours. Use a meat thermometer at the end, since the Instant Pot has no probe to tell you when food is done.
Liquid also behaves differently. The lid traps more steam than a typical slow cooker lid, so soups and braises may come out thinner. Start with the minimum liquid above and simmer with Sauté at the end if the sauce needs thickening.
Instant Pot vs Crock-Pot for slow cooking
Good Housekeeping’s multi-cooker tests found Instant Pot low and high slow cooking about as good as a slow cooker. The practical differences come from the build:
- Heat source: the Instant Pot heats from a base element under a stainless steel liner, while a Crock-Pot heats through the walls of a ceramic crock. Sugary sauces and thick pastes are more likely to scorch on the steel bottom.
- Evenness: ceramic holds heat gently and evenly. Stir thick dishes once midway in the Instant Pot if your model allows opening the lid.
- Temperature control: a Crock-Pot’s High is hotter than the Instant Pot’s More, which is why the time conversion above exists.
If slow cooking is your main use, a dedicated unit like the Crock-Pot 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker is simpler. If you already own an Instant Pot, it is a capable stand-in.
Best foods and safety checks for Instant Pot slow cooking
Stews, chili, soups, pot roast, pulled pork and braised chicken thighs all work well. Searing with Sauté first adds flavor that a slow cooker can’t build on its own.
Keep these safety rules in mind:
- Don’t use Less for raw meat. It may stay too cool, and food should not linger in the 40-140°F danger zone.
- Don’t slow cook large frozen cuts. Thaw them in the refrigerator first.
- Cook poultry to 165°F internal temperature, and check with a thermometer.
- Don’t run the sealing lid with the valve closed unless your manual allows it.
If your model has no Slow Cook button
You have two realistic options. First, switch to a pressure-cooking recipe for the same dish. Don’t try to convert a slow cooker time to a pressure time yourself, since pressure cooking is much faster and recipes are written differently.
Second, if your model has a Sous Vide function, Instant Pot’s own site suggests it for precise low-temperature cooking. It suits steaks, chicken breasts and eggs better than a stew.
Our Top Picks
Ready to shop? These are the top-rated options from our hands-on roundup, Crock-Pot 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Review 2026.
Hamilton Beach 10 Quart Portable Slow Cooker
Hamilton Beach 6 Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Settings
Crock-Pot 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
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Related reading: The Best Instant Pot Rice Recipes of 2026 · Crock-Pot Design Series 7-Quart Slow Cooker Review 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave my Instant Pot slow cooking while I’m out?
Follow your model’s manual. If it allows unattended use, keep the sealing lid or glass lid properly seated, set a time that ends soon after you return, and never run it with a damaged lid, cord or sealing ring.
Can I use a lid from another pot to slow cook?
No. Use the Instant Pot’s own lid or a tempered glass lid made for your pot size. A lid from another pot won’t fit the rim, so heat and steam escape and cooking times become unpredictable.
Can I halve a 6-quart slow cooker recipe for a 3-quart Instant Pot?
Yes. Halve the ingredients and keep the same cook time on Normal or More. Make sure the meat sits in hot liquid and that the pot isn’t too empty to heat the food evenly.
When should I add dairy or pasta?
Add milk, cream, cheese, pasta and fresh herbs in the last 20 to 30 minutes. Long cooking can curdle dairy and turn pasta mushy. Stir them in on Normal or More, then serve once heated through.
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