Effortless Holiday Feasts: Master Instant Pot Recipes with McCormick Spices

This post is sponsored by McCormick® but the recipes shared and opinions expressed are my own!

Simplifying Your Holiday Season with the Instant Pot

The holiday season is finally upon us, a magical time filled with joy, connection, and, of course, incredible food! It’s a period when families and friends gather, sharing laughter, creating cherished memories, and indulging in comforting culinary traditions. Food plays a central role in these celebrations, bringing warmth and flavor to every moment. This year, let’s make your holiday preparations as smooth and enjoyable as possible by turning to your Instant Pot to craft some of your most beloved festive dishes. Imagine perfectly creamy Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, and a steaming mug of Hot Homemade Apple Cider, all made with ease. With the help of McCormick® seasonings and mixes, we’ll infuse these traditional recipes with rich, delicious flavor. Join me in harnessing the power of the Instant Pot for a stress-free and flavorful holiday season!

Your Holiday Kitchen Hero: The Instant Pot!

The holiday season can often feel like a whirlwind of activities, leaving little time for elaborate cooking. This is precisely where the Instant Pot shines as your ultimate kitchen companion. During these busy times, when oven and stovetop space are precious commodities, your Instant Pot can be a true game-changer. It not only frees up valuable space but also drastically cuts down on cooking times, making your holiday meal preparation significantly easier and more enjoyable. Imagine whipping up side dishes and beverages in a fraction of the time, leaving you more moments to spend with loved ones and less time tethered to the kitchen.

The beauty of the Instant Pot lies in its versatility and efficiency. It consistently delivers perfectly cooked results, from tender vegetables to flavorful drinks, all with minimal effort. For our holiday spread, I rely on my Instant Pot for two absolute classics: my incredibly easy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, and a comforting batch of Homemade Apple Cider. These recipes are designed to save you time and stress without compromising on the delightful flavors that define the holidays. Get ready to transform your holiday cooking with these simple yet delicious Instant Pot recipes that I’m thrilled to share below!

If you’re eager to explore more ways to streamline your cooking, be sure to check out other Instant Pot recipes to keep the culinary magic going all year round!

Elevate Every Dish with McCormick® Spices

For over a century, McCormick® has been synonymous with exceptional flavor, dedicating itself to exploring and perfecting global taste experiences that elevate every meal and memorable moment. Their commitment to quality and passion for spices have made them a trusted staple in kitchens worldwide, especially during the festive season when flavor truly takes center stage.

This holiday season, ensure your pantry is well-stocked with all your essential McCormick® favorites. You can easily find their extensive range of spices and mixes at your local Walmart, making it convenient to gather everything you need for your holiday culinary adventures. Look for the distinctive red caps and experience the difference that premium quality spices can make in your dishes. #McCormickAtWalmart makes it simple to add that special touch!

For the two delightful holiday classics we’re preparing today—creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy and fragrant Homemade Apple Cider—I specifically picked up several key McCormick® products. From my local Walmart, I got the indispensable McCormick® Turkey Gravy Mix for a quick and savory gravy, along with aromatic Nutmeg, warming Ground Ginger, classic Cinnamon Sticks, and fragrant Whole Cloves. These carefully selected spices are crucial for creating the authentic, comforting flavors that evoke the true spirit of the holidays. With McCormick®, you can be confident that every dish you serve will be infused with exceptional taste. #McCormickMakesItHome with flavor!

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes & Savory Gravy

No holiday meal is complete without a generous serving of perfectly creamy mashed potatoes, generously topped with rich, savory gravy. This dynamic duo is a true staple, and preparing it in the Instant Pot makes it incredibly quick and effortlessly easy to achieve. Once you try cooking potatoes this way, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it – it’s truly the only method I use now!

One of the perennial frustrations of making mashed potatoes is the messy, starchy water that often boils over and splatters all over your stovetop. With the Instant Pot, this common kitchen mishap becomes a distant memory! You can quickly soften potatoes to perfection in just about 8 minutes, with no messy boil-overs or scrubbing. After a quick release of pressure, simply drain any excess water, add a touch of cream and butter, and fluff with a fork. You’ll have irresistibly delicious mashed potatoes ready to serve in no time. All that’s left is the perfect complement: a velvety gravy.

This is where McCormick® Turkey Gravy Mix truly shines, and I absolutely adore it for two compelling reasons. First, this gravy comes together with remarkable speed. It requires just a few minutes on the stovetop, whisked to a smooth consistency, and then it’s ready to elevate your mashed potatoes. Second, and equally important, it boasts an incredible, rich flavor that tastes homemade without all the effort. It’s a win-win in my cookbook, delivering both convenience and exceptional taste when you’re busy hosting!

Cozy Instant Pot Homemade Apple Cider

As the air turns crisp and holiday lights begin to twinkle, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm mug of homemade apple cider. It’s a quintessential holiday classic, and taking the time to craft it from scratch at home elevates its deliciousness to another level. This Instant Pot Apple Cider recipe is truly the best beverage for fall and the entire holiday season, offering a delightful way to stay warm and cozy. Making your own spiced apple cider from fresh ingredients couldn’t be simpler when you use an Instant Pot.

This heartwarming drink is made using wholesome, fresh ingredients like crisp apples and zesty oranges, along with a carefully selected blend of McCormick® cinnamon, aromatic McCormick® ginger, a touch of maple syrup for sweetness, and fragrant McCormick® cloves. The magic truly happens as all these delicious sweet and spicy flavors are infused together under pressure in just 15 minutes of cooking time! Spiced apple cider is a beloved traditional, seasonal favorite drink that instantly evokes the festive spirit. It’s such a cozy, comforting beverage – one that both kids and adults can enjoy, making it perfect for family gatherings or a quiet evening by the fire. The aroma alone will fill your home with holiday cheer!

Simple Steps to Homemade Cider!

The first step to a truly exceptional homemade cider begins with proper fruit preparation. Core your apples and quarter your oranges – there’s no need to peel them, as the skins add extra flavor and color to your cider. This minimal prep work ensures you get all the delicious essence from the fruit without unnecessary fuss.

Next, gather all your fresh and flavorful ingredients – the prepped apples and oranges, maple syrup, and your selection of McCormick® spices including whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, ground ginger, and nutmeg. Carefully place them all into your Instant Pot, ensuring they are ready to be infused with rich, aromatic flavors. Add the specified amount of water, lock the lid, and let your Instant Pot do the rest, transforming simple ingredients into a festive beverage.

Once the Instant Pot finishes its magic and the pressure is quickly released, you’ll find the fruit beautifully softened and fragrant. This is the perfect moment to take a potato masher and gently mash up the cooked fruit. This crucial step helps extract all those wonderful, flavorful juices from the apples and oranges, ensuring your cider is as rich and aromatic as possible.

Finally, carefully strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve to separate the solids, leaving you with a smooth, clear, and fragrant apple cider. Discard the fruit solids, and your beautiful, spiced homemade apple cider is ready! Serve it hot, perhaps garnished with an extra cinnamon stick or a slice of orange, and savor the warm, inviting flavors of the season. It’s truly a hug in a mug!

This holiday season, let the Instant Pot be your secret weapon for creating memorable meals and delightful beverages with unprecedented ease. From the creamy indulgence of perfectly mashed potatoes and rich gravy to the warm, spiced embrace of homemade apple cider, these recipes, enhanced by the quality and flavor of McCormick® spices, are sure to impress. Spend less time stressing in the kitchen and more time making cherished memories with your loved ones. Embrace the joy of effortless holiday cooking and savor every delicious moment. Happy holidays, and happy cooking!