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Weekly Meal Plan & Printable Grocery List #3

January 25, 2019 by Susie Weinrich Leave a Comment

Free Meal plan with grocery list pin image

What should we eat this week? How do I make a family meal plan? Let me answer both of those questions with my free weekly meal plan including a printable grocery list!

Family Meal Plan

Your family needs to eat, and the job of feeding them lands squarely on your shoulders.

The key to making this job easy is MEAL PLANNING!

Plan all your meals for the week, write out your grocery list, and then head to the store to buy the groceries. Sounds easy enough, but I think a lot of us just end up at the grocery store buying the same things week after week, and then we get home and say "I have nothing to cook for dinner!"

Prevent this from happening now! Sign up for the Mom's Dinner Newsletter and have my Weekly Menu Plan and Printable Grocery List delivered to your email every Friday morning. Cross off the groceries you already have in your kitchen and head to the store completely prepared!

Weekly Meal Plan #3

I provide 4 delicious and easy dinners, with recipes, that you can make for your family this week. You simply add three more meals and your 7 day family meal plan is done. Here are three dinner categories I recommend adding to your plan :

One night out.
A leftover night (leftover re-do ideas provided below)
Kids Choice night (think pizza, chicken fingers, tacos, spaghetti, or mac n' cheese)

I have other meal plans too, if this one isn’t your jam!

Classic Chili

So, this is menu plan runs right into Super Bowl Sunday. If you are planning a party (or even if you aren’t), this Classic Chili recipe is pretty hard to beat.
Russell up some cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, green onions, and fritos, and you have yourself a killer chili bar!
Don’t forget the cornbread muffins too. My recipe is super simple and uses a yellow cake mix for a little sweetness and moisture, mixed with a jiffy corn muffin mix.

Creamy Chicken Tacos

Taco Tuesday, ya’ll! I love this recipe for Creamy Chicken Tacos. It is basically a “dump and bake” recipe. Use rotisserie chicken for even easier dinner prep. All the ingredients get mixed together and popped in the oven. Then stuff these tacos with all your favorite toppings and serve them with some chips, salsa, and guacamole.

BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

I am always a sucker for a sheet pan dinner. It is just so easy, and LOOK at all those veggies! Healthy and delicious. This BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner is topped with an awesome BBQ vinaigrette for another layer of flavor!
Serve this with a warm baguette or ciabatta bread and a little butter or extra virgin olive oil for dipping.

veggies and chicken on a sheet pan with bbq vinaigrette in a mason jar and on a spoon

Sun-Dried Tomato & Goat Cheese Pizza

Leftover Re-Do Ideas

Make awesome chili dogs with any leftover chili!! Might even be worth making extra chili.
Extra chicken taco filling can be put on top of some tortilla chips, layered with extra toppings like black beans, cheese, pickled jalapenos, for knock-out chicken nachos!
The BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan dinner leftovers would be amazing made into a BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad. Simply put the leftover veggies and chicken over spinach or romaine, top with cilantro, tomatoes, and fritos or tortilla strips. Toss with a little ranch dressing and drizzle with additional BBQ sauce. YUM!
TIP for reheating Pizza so it isn’t soggy & disgusting. Warm a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add the cold pizza slices and warm for about 1 minute, cover the pan for about another minute. The crust will be crispy again, and the cheese will be melty and delish!

Free Printable Grocery List

Head to the store with confidence that you will end up with groceries to actually make dinner for your family!

Simply cross of the items that you already have in your kitchen, and then add the items you need for the rest of the week (lunches, breakfasts, pantry staples, etc…).

Click on the image below to print the grocery list

printable grocery list from mom's dinner

I hope this makes your dinner’s go a little easier this week.

Love, Susie

Weekly Meal Plan and Printable Grocery List #2

January 18, 2019 by Susie Weinrich Leave a Comment

What should we eat this week? How do I make a family meal plan? Let me answer both of those questions with my free weekly meal plan including a printable grocery list!

Free meal plan and grocery list pin image

Family Meal Plan

Your family needs to eat, and the job of feeding them lands squarely on your shoulders.

The key to making this job easy is MEAL PLANNING!

[Read more…]

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs with Easy to Peel Shells

January 17, 2019 by Susie Weinrich 73 Comments

5-5-5 Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs is a foolproof way to make hard boiled eggs. You will have perfectly cooked eggs that slip out of the shell, every time! No more egg sticking to the shell when it’s time to peel. Hard Boiled Eggs are back on the menu, people!!

I always struggled to get the perfect hard boiled egg. It would either come out over-cooked or the shell wouldn’t peel off without taking part of the egg with it! Can you relate?

I tried all the hard boiled egg methods and none of them seemed to be fool-proof, at one point or another they would all fail. That is until I tried the 5-5-5 method of making hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot! Perfection!

Yet another reason I SUPER LOVE MY INSTANT POT!

Reader Reviews

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“I will never boil eggs on the stove again. It was so painful to get the shells off. NO more, the shells slide off. It is awesome!!!!!!!” -Chris

“I had to boil & peel 5 dozen eggs for our church annual Chicken Salad sale. This is the easier way, the shells came off so easy, no problems at all! I will no boil on the stove any longer.” -Patrice

“OMG!! I have NEVER, EVER cooked eggs and had every single one peel without ripping at least a little of the skin! Amazing. Well worth dragging the pot out if this happens every time.” – Joanne

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Hard Boiled Eggs with Easy to Peel Shells

The key to getting the shell of your hard boiled egg to simply slide off, not kidding, is the Instant Pot 5-5-5 method:

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs 5-5-5 Method

5 minutes of pressure cooking time
5 minutes of natural release time
5 minutes in an ice bath

I have made hard boiled eggs this way dozens of times and they come out perfect every time, cooked all the way thru with an easy to peel shell!

How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs in Instant Pot

The 5-5-5 method is so easy that even my husband can do it! Which is saying a lot. He is definitely not a master in the kitchen.

If you passed the Instant Pot water test, then you can make hard boiled eggs. It is actually a great recipe to start with if you are an Instant Pot Beginner.

eggs in an Instant Pot with water being poured in

Add eggs & water to the Instant Pot

Set the trivet that came with your Instant Pot in the bottom of the inner pot. Carefully lay your eggs around the trivet, I usually cook a dozen eggs at a time.

Set to pressure cook and make ice bath.

Set the pot to cook on high pressure, normal heat for 5 minutes. Then do a 5 minute natural release. While they cook, make an ice bath.

Ice bath

Remove the eggs from the pot and set into the ice bath for 5 minutes.

a hard boiled egg peeled open with two shell pieces on the table

Peel and eat

The eggs will peel so easily now! Snack on them right away or keep them in the fridge for up to a week.

More Eggs, More Time?

You can cook 6 eggs or up to 24 eggs using this 5-5-5 method. You do not need to increase the cooking time when you are increasing (or decreasing) the amount of eggs you are making.

You can also stick with the same amount of water, 1.5 cups works perfect whether you have 12 eggs or 24 eggs. The eggs do not need to be submerged in the water to cook with this method.

You just want to make sure you don’t go past the “fill line” marked on the inside of the Instant Pot stainless steel insert.

What to Make with Hard Boiled Eggs

We love to snack on hard boiled eggs with just a little salt, or you can make these Classic Deviled Eggs. These are also perfect for dying eggs with the kids for Easter.

For a great summer or spring dinner these egg salad sandwiches can’t be beat. Or if you need a killer side dish try this Potato Salad Recipe!

Classic Deviled Eggs garnished with paprika

I hope you give Hard Boiled Eggs a try in your Instant Pot.

I had eggs crack while cooking.

Every once in a GREAT while I have had an egg or two crack while cooking in the instant pot. I do believe that some eggs have a thinner shell or weak spots in the shell and are more prone to cracking with the pressure.

If this happens to you possibly try the “low” pressure instead of high pressure. You may want to increase to 6-6-5 to make sure the eggs cook through.

How to Store Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

You can store your hard boiled eggs peeled or unpeeled. They will keep in the fridge for a week. If you do store them peeled, keep them in an airtight container. Also keep a damp paper towel over top to maintain moisture.

More LOVED Instant Pot Recipes

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Did you make this recipe?

I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me

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Hard Boiled Eggs in Instant Pot

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs is the perfect way to cook your eggs. The shell peels off almost in one whole piece! You will never boil your eggs again after trying this 5-5-5 Instant Pot method.

4.95 from 67 votes

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Cook Time: 10

Resting Time: 5

Total Time: 10

Servings: eggs

Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

▢
Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

▢ 12 eggs
▢ 1 ½ cups water
▢ Instant Pot

Instructions

Set the metal trivet that came with your Instant Pot inside the pot.
Carefully lay the eggs on the trivet.
Pour the water into the pot
**You can make 6-24 hard boiled eggs with this method see the notes!
12 eggs, 1 ½ cups water
Close the pot lid and lock the pressure valve to "seal". Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.
Let the pot do a 5 minute natural release.
Release the remaining pressure with a quick release.
While the eggs cook create and ice bath in a large bowl by filling it half way with water and then loading it up with ice.
Pull the trivet/eggs out the Instant Pot and place them in an ice bath for 5 minutes.
They are ready to use!

Storing

Store in the fridge for up to a week.

Using Your Eggs

Make any of these delicious recipes with your hard boiled eggs!
Deviled Egg
Egg Salad Sandwiches
Potato Salad

Recipe Tips and Notes:

MAKING MORE EGGS: You can double, triple or quadruple the recipe! Just don’t fill the Instant Pot past the “max fill” line inside the pot. You do not need to adjust the time for more eggs. Stick with the 5-5-5

Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!

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Chicken Noodle Soup for Kids

January 15, 2019 by Susie Weinrich 45 Comments

This recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup for Kids is the perfect kid-friendly soup. It is full of flavor but not full of ingredients that kids hate. No onion, no garlic, no celery, and no green stuff! It is a homemade chicken noodle soup, with a few adjustments that make it a kid friendly dinner, perfect for your picky eaters.

Two bowls of chicken noodle soup for kids, a pile of crackers, and a few legos scattered around

It will be the dinner your kids will ask for again and again, and eat without crying.

Isn’t that what we all want, no tears at dinner.

Recipe Inspiration

I have the most wonderful niece, Ashley. She is the kind of girl you want your younger girls to look up to.

She is 21, however she eats like she is 8, sorry Ash♥. She likes a strict diet of carbs with a little sugar mixed in. She loves being in the kitchen and learning how to cook, which you know I love and am more than willing to show her everything I know.

So, over the Holidays I had her make my Chicken Noodle Soup recipe. She made it perfectly! I thought it would be her most favorite soup recipe ever. However, when she sat down to eat, she picked around the celery, chicken, and onions. She only wanted to eat the thick egg noodles (which, btw, are awesome), the carrots, and broth.

A green soup urn full of Kid Friendly Chicken Noodle Soup

That got me thinking…. most kids like a soup that only has the carrots, broth, noodles, and chicken. So why not create a kid-friendly chicken soup recipe that has a good amount of flavor, and that the kids don't have to pick around the things they hate.

And so my Chicken Noodle Soup for Kids recipe was born! I hope your kids love it.

Thanks for the recipe inspo, Ashley ♥

What Ingredients to Use in Chicken Noodle Soup for Kids

Above ALL: If you love a quiet night and a peaceful dinner, for the love of God use the noodles that your kids like to eat! I know that all pasta tastes the same, but I don't think my kids do. If I make angel hair pasta when they want penne you would think I was trying to poison them. The struggle is real.

Noodles: In this recipe I recommend using Kluski Noodles, which are very similar to the noodles in canned chicken noodle soup, or Spaetzle Swabian Egg Noodles (I get them at Aldi and they are the BEST).

You can also use Reames frozen egg noodles, if your kids love the thick noodle and the egg-y pasta flavor (It's what my niece prefers). If you use the Reames frozen noodles, just up your cooking time to 20 minutes.

Of course you can also use a tiny star shaped pasta, called Pastina, or wagon wheels, or ditalini, whatever your kids will like and eat.

Chicken: I always recommend buying a rotisserie chicken, cutting off the two breasts and dicing them up for your soup. The chicken has a lot of flavor and it is super easy. (Don't forget to save the carcass to make This Homemade Chicken Stock)

You can also use poached chicken, roasted shredded chicken, or this All Purpose Instant Pot Chicken recipe.

Whatever chicken you use, I recommend cutting it into a small dice so your kids won't complain about large chunks of chicken! So much work for such small human beings!

How to make Chicken Noodle Soup for Kids

First, do not even think about grabbing an onion or garlic. We may want those flavors in the soup, but we do not want our kids to KNOW that flavor is in there. So, we will add the onion and garlic flavors by using powder instead of the real thing. Sneaky! I call them “invisible ingredients”.

Baby Carrots cut into a small dice on a cutting board with a knife

Now, grab those baby carrots that you put into the kids lunches, the one vegetable they will actually eat. Right!?
Sauté those carrots in a little olive oil for about 5 minutes. Do not let them brown because for God’s sake, you know they will be able to taste that you burned the carrots and then your delicious soup will all of a sudden be hot garbage.
Next, add all the sneaky seasonings to add flavor, but not too much flavor, we are feeding kids after-all.

Now pour in the broth and stir in the chicken base. Increase the heat to medium/medium-high and bring the soup to a simmer.
Now serve a bowl of this soup to your kids with confidence!

I hope you give this recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup for Kids a try in your kitchen.

More Kid Friendly Food

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Did you make this recipe?

I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me

Rate This Recipe→

two bowls of chicken noodle soup for kids with legos and crackers around the table

Chicken Noodle Soup for Kids + Video

A Kid Friendly Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe that doesn’t have any ingredients that will offend your picky eaters. No onion, no celery, no garlic, and no green things!! A kid friendly dinner that still has all the delicious flavor that you want in a chicken noodle soup.

4.98 from 38 votes

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Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 30

Servings: people

Author: Susie Weinrich

Ingredients

▢ 2 teaspoon olive oil
▢ 1 cup baby carrots, diced - (can also use whole peeled carrots)
▢ ¼ teaspoon each: garlic powder, onion powder
▢ ⅛ teaspoon salt, celery salt, turmeric powder
▢ 1 teaspoon chicken base - we like Better Than Bouillon
▢ 32 oz chicken broth
▢ 1 cup cooked chicken, diced small
▢ 1 cup Kluski Noodles (up to 1 ½ cups) - Can use other types of noodles, just adjust the cooking time for your noodle type

Instructions

In a large pot, over medium/medium-low heat, sauté the carrots in the oil for 3-4 minutes.
2 teaspoon olive oil, 1 cup baby carrots, diced
Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, celery salt, and turmeric powder.
Pour in the chicken broth and add the chicken base, stir to combine.
¼ teaspoon each: garlic powder, onion powder, ⅛ teaspoon salt, celery salt, turmeric powder, 32 oz chicken broth, 1 teaspoon chicken base
Turn the heat up to medium/medium-high, and bring the pot to a simmer. Add the noodles and chicken, cook for 12-15 minutes, until the noodles are cooked thru.
Taste for additional seasoning.
1 cup cooked chicken, diced small, 1 cup Kluski Noodles (up to 1 ½ cups)

Recipe Tips and Notes:

This soup will reduce slightly as it sits, as the noodles absorb the broth, you may need to add additional broth (or water) when reheating.

COOKED CHICKEN: Grab a rotisserie chicken and shred/chop the breast meat.

Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!

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More recipes you will love

Weekly Meal Plan and Printable Grocery List #1

January 13, 2019 by Susie Weinrich 1 Comment

What should we eat this week? How do I make a family meal plan? Let me answer both of those questions with my free weekly meal plan including a printable grocery list!

Family Meal Plan

Your family needs to eat, and the job of feeding them lands squarely on your shoulders.

The key to making this job easy is MEAL PLANNING!

Prevent this from happening now! Sign up for the Mom’s Dinner Newsletter and have my Weekly Menu Plan and Printable Grocery List delivered to your email every Friday morning. Cross off the groceries you already have in your kitchen and head to the store completely prepared!

Weekly Menu Plan #1

[Read more…]

Easy Instant Pot Hamburger Soup

January 3, 2019 by Susie Weinrich 20 Comments

Instant Pot Hamburger Soup is an easy and fast instant pot dinner recipe, that only cooks for 4 minutes! This is a healthy soup recipe that is full of veggies and protein and can be easily put together on a busy weeknight.

a ladle full of hamburger soup over the instant pot

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Healthy Instant Pot Soup

I can always use a few more veggies in my diet, especially in the winter when all I want to eat is carbs and cheese. Right!?

This is a healthier instant pot soup that you can add to your dinner rotation. It is full of veggies and protein, and if you use lean ground beef (90/10) it is even healthier.

Leftovers also make an amazing lunch.

Make Ahead Instant Pot Dinner

This recipe is so easy that you really do not need to make it ahead. But, I will say that it gets even more flavorful with time, just like chili.

But, there are weeks where it’s hard to get an “easy” dinner on the table, I know from experience. So this is a great soup to throw together on the weekend and pop in the fridge for those crazy busy nights. It would also make a great lunch to take to work, or put in a thermos to send to school with your kids.

Instant Pot

I love my Instant Pot and the pot I use and recommend is the Instant Pot Duo Plus 60 6 quart 9-in-1, the main reason I love this pot is because of the size, 6 quart. I don’t think I will ever get around to using all 9 features, but they are there if I need them.

For this reason I also recommend the Instant Pot 6 quart 7-in-1, it’s a little less expensive, and it still gives you the 6 quart size.

How to Make Instant Pot Hamburger Soup

Are you ready for this…

You will only be setting the Instant Pot for 4 minutes, just like this Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili and Creamy Potato Soup. I love a fast and easy dinner recipe!

First, set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and soften the onions and garlic in the olive oil for about 3 minutes.

Now add the ground beef and slightly brown the beef for about 5 minutes. Drain as much of the fat and grease as you can from the pot before moving on.

Turn the sauté mode off and add the Worcestershire sauce, potatoes, salt, pepper, optional rosemary, beef base, tomato paste and beef broth. Give it a stir to “melt” the beef base and tomato paste into the broth.

Pop the lid on and make sure that the pressure valve is set to “seal”. Set the Instant Pot to manual pressure mode, on high, for 4 minutes. Only 4 minutes!!!

Do a quick release of the pressure.

pouring frozen veggies into hamburger soup in the instant pot

Next, add the diced tomatoes and mixed frozen vegetables. Give the soup a few good stirs to combine everything.

The heat of the pot will thaw the frozen vegetables. I love adding the veggies last because they keep a little bit of their crunch, and cool the incredibly hot soup just a tad.

Serving

Since this soup already has a ton of veggies and protein we don’t always add a side dish. But some nice crusty ciabatta warmed in the oven would go great with this soup!

More Amazing Instant Pot Soup Recipes

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I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me

Rate This Recipe→

Check Out More Soup Recipes on Mom’s Dinner

If you love having soup for dinner, especially on cold fall and winter nights, check out the complete list of Mom’s Dinner Soup Recipes!

Homemade Seasoned Oyster Crackers Recipe

December 17, 2018 by Susie Weinrich 22 Comments

If you want the TRUE and CLASSIC recipe for Seasoned Oyster Crackers this is it. It is the same recipe you will find in your Mother's recipe book or that old tattered church cookbook. No need to update a classic like Ranch Oyster Crackers, they are perfect as is. Simply made with oyster crackers, ranch dressing packet, oil, seasonings and dried dill. They only take about 5 minutes to throw together, and 15 minutes to bake. They are tangy, herby, crunchy and addictive!

Seasoned oyster crackers in a blue pot with a spoon

They are also known as Ranch Oyster Crackers, Garlic Oyster Crackers, or Dill Oyster Crackers.

Just like candy corn mix, this seasoned cracker recipe is a great homemade snack that your kids will love. Don’t all kids LOVE ranch dressing!?

Some compare these seasoned crackers to Gardetto’s or Chex Mix.

Why You’ll Love These Seasoned Oyster Crackers

This is the CLASSIC recipe for Ranch Oyster Crackers – no tinkering with the recipe on this one.

They are an irresistible crunchy snack that is great to have around, especially at the Holidays.

The combo of Ranch flavor and extra dill is so delicious.

They are a pretty easy "homemade" snack to make.

What are Oyster Crackers

The origin of the name Oyster Cracker is still unclear. But, it could be because they were used in oyster stew or clam chowder, or that they are a similar shape to an oyster or clam shell (kind of).

Traditionally Oyster Crackers are used as a soup cracker. We love to eat them in Chicken Noodle Soup or Chili.

You can find them near the saltine crackers in your local grocery store. They are usually sold in 9 oz. bags.

Seasoned Oyster Crackers Ingredients

Oyster Crackers – little round shaped saltine crackers that are perfect for snacking. Read more about them in the above section. You can find them near the saltine crackers in the grocery store.

Oil – we use a vegetable oil, canola oil, or olive oil here. These are neutral oils that won’t change the flavor of your Ranch Oyster Crackers. I would avoid extra virgin olive oil as it has a little too strong of flavor for this recipe.

The oil also helps the seasoning stick to the crackers and encourages browning on the crackers, making them nice and crispy!

dill and ranch seasoning mixture for oyster crackers

Ranch Seasonings Packet – You will want to buy the Seasonings packet… there may be a few options at the store. We have also found that Hidden Valley has the most preferred flavor.

Dried Dill, Garlic Powder, and Celery Salt – all herbs and seasonings you will find in your spice cabinet. These pack a punch of flavor for your Seasoned Oyster Crackers.

How To Make Seasoned Oyster Crackers

This is a super simple seasoned cracker recipe! These are just an overview of the steps, for further instruction head to the recipe card below.

Make Seasoning Mixture

In a large bowl combine the oil, Ranch seasoning and herbs/seasonings.

Oyster crackers being poured into a seasoning mixture

Add Oyster Crackers

Pour in the oyster crackers and toss to coat with the seasoning mixture.

spreading seasoned oyster crackers on a baking sheet for the oven

Pour Onto a Baking Sheet

Pour the seasoned crackers onto a rimmed baking sheet. Bake the crackers at 250°F for 15 minutes, tossing half way through.

a large bowl of seasoned oyster crackers

Cool and Eat

Remove from the oven and toss one more time. Let them cool for about 15 minutes. Time to snack!

Storing

Your Dill & Ranch Oyster Crackers should stay fresh for a week in an airtight container on the counter (room temp). However, they are best eaten fresh or within a day or two.

Serving Suggestions for Seasoned Oyster Crackers

This recipe for Seasoned Oyster Crackers is intended as more of a snack or appetizer. It’s excellent to make around the holidays. Have bowls in the kitchen and living room or on the bar for people to snack on.

seasoned crackers on a charcuterie board

The are super tasty added to a bowl of soup… either IN the soup or on the side!

They are wonderful added to a meat and cheese appetizer tray (charcuterie board or kids charcuterie board), or set on a bar or kitchen table for a cocktail party.

Recipe Tips To Remember

Keep the oven temp at 250°F. That gets them crispy without burning
When you stir the crackers and oil mixture make sure to get all the way to the bottom of the bowl, the oil/seasoning mixture will sink to the bottom.
Make sure to use an unflavored oil, canola, vegetable, olive oil or a blend of those oils will work great. I would avoid extra virgin olive oil for this recipe.

More Snack Recipes

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Seasoned Oyster Cracker Recipe + Video

A delicious seasoned cracker that is made with oyster crackers, ranch seasoning dill, garlic and celery salt. This is a classic Midwest recipe. It makes a great homemade snack, appetizer, or soup cracker.

4.93 from 26 votes

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Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 15

Cooling Time: 10

Total Time: 30

Servings: ounces

Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

▢
Large rimmed baking sheet

Ingredients

▢ (2) 9 oz packages of oyster crackers
▢ ¾ cup oil - (use canola, vegetable, or olive oil, or a combo of those oils)
▢ (1) 1 oz package ranch dressing dry mix
▢ 2 teaspoon dried dill weed
▢ 2 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 1 ½ teaspoon celery salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 250℉
In a large bowl whisk together the oil, ranch seasoning mix, and all the herbs/seasonings.
¾ cup oil, (1) 1 oz package ranch dressing dry mix, 2 teaspoon dried dill weed, 2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoon celery salt
Add the oyster crackers on top of the oil/seasonings. Toss and stir well to coat all the crackers.
Pro Tip: make sure you stir from the bottom up to get all the oil/seasoning on the crackers.
(2) 9 oz packages of oyster crackers
Pour out onto a large rimmed baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
Bake for 15 minutes. Giving the crackers a toss about half way thru the baking time.
Remove from the oven and toss with a spatula.
Let cool for 10-15 minutes before eating.

Storing

Store crackers in an airtight container at room temp for up to a week.
However, they are best eaten within the first day or two.

Recipe Tips and Notes:

Store the Seasoned Oyster Crackers in an air tight container for up to a week. No need to refrigerate.

Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!

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Instant Pot Creamy Potato Soup

December 13, 2018 by Susie Weinrich 8 Comments

If you are looking for one of the BEST Instant Pot Potato Soup recipes, then keep reading (or jump to the recipe). This Instant Pot Soup is made in a flash in your pressure cooker (you will only be setting your IP for 4 minutes) and it is full of flavor. It has a thick and creamy broth combined with tender chunks of potatoes.

This potato soup recipe is made without using cream cheese. Instead, it is thickened with a combo of Greek yogurt and instant potato flakes. I know, I know… instant potato flakes, ewwww! But stick with me, I would never use them to make mashed potatoes, but they are a perfect thickener in potato soup!!

RELATED: You might also like this recipe for Red Potato Soup, Creamy Potato Leek Soup, or Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana.

Recommended Instant Pot

I use the Instant Pot Duo 60 6 quart 9-in-1, it is big enough to make larger recipes, yet small enough to store. However, I don’t know that I will ever use all 9 functions, but they are there if I need them. I also recommend the Instant Pot Duo 6 quart 7-in-1.

Making a Creamy Recipe in the Instant Pot

Creamy recipes are kind of a no-no when it comes to your Instant Pot. The heating element and the pressure can creates a burn environment for anything creamy or cheesy.

However, in this recipe the main items that “cook” in the pressure cooker are just onions, potatoes, seasonings and broth. All the delicious creamy ingredients are added after the potatoes are cooked.

Ingredients

This recipe is full of simple ingredients, but combined they pack a punch of flavor!

Onion & Garlic – don’t all good dinner recipes start with onions and garlic?! These two ingredients start the flavor base for this potato soup.

Russet Potatoes – these are a good choice for potato soup (unless you are making red potato soup). They are starchy and hold up to the pressure of the Instant Pot. They make the creamiest potato soup.

Chicken Base – this is one of the secret ingredients of REALLY REALLY good soup (just like this Five Star Chicken Noodle Soup). It is like the grown up version of bouillon. You will find it in the soup aisle at the grocery store and it comes in a paste form, in a tub or jar.

Our preferred brand of chicken base is Better Than Bouillon brand.

Chicken Stock or Broth – this is the cooking liquid for your Instant Pot Potato Soup. Choosing a stock will be more flavorful than a broth. If you have a leftover chicken, you can make your own stock in the Instant Pot!

Potato Flakes (Instant Mashed Potatoes)- stay with me…don’t turn your nose up at the potato flakes!! Of course we are not making mashed potatoes with them. But I have found that they definitely have a place in my kitchen to thicken potato soup to perfection!

Potato Flakes Pro Tip: I do find there is a quality difference in Potato Flakes, so if you can, buy a better brand, like Idahoan. I like to buy the original or butter flavor potato flakes. You can experiment with fun flavors like garlic or applewood smoked bacon, but I have not tried those so I cannot give any advice on using them.

Seasonings – a mix of bay leaf, onion powder, garlic powder, Lawry’s and black pepper add to the layers of flavor.

Half & Half and Greek Yogurt- add this at the end to perfectly thicken your potato soup and make it nice and creamy.

How to Make Instant Pot Creamy Potato Soup

This is a super easy Creamy Potato Soup recipe. It will be ready in a flash. Let’s get started:

Prep Potatoes, Onions and Garlic

Peel your russet potatoes and cut them into large chunks (about 1 ½ – 2 inch). Chop the onion into a small dice, and mince the garlic.

peeled and chopped russet potatoes on a cutting board

Sauté Veggies

With your Instant Pot on sauté mode, soften the onions and garlic in the olive oil for about 5 minutes. Then stir in the spices, seasonings, chicken base, and broth. Now turn off the sauté mode.

Add Potatoes

Time to add the cubed potatoes. Give it a little stir.

Pressure Cook

Pop the lid on, and lock the pressure vent to the seal position. Set the pot to manual mode (pressure cooker), on high, for 4 minutes. I know, 4 minutes! It’s crazy!

Do a quick release of pressure. Remove the bay leaf so nobody has to crunch thru it (I’ve also heard they are poison if you actually eat the leaf, that can’t be true, can it???).

Add potato flakes and creamy ingredients.

Using the back of a spoon (or an immersion blender) lightly break up some of the larger pieces of potato to give the soup good texture. Now, slowly stir in the potato flakes.

Finally, stir in the half & half and the Greek yogurt. Let the soup cool for about 5 minutes. This will give the potato flakes time to absorb the liquid and thicken slightly.

Time to eat!

Taste the Instant Pot Potato Soup for additional seasoning, then serve!

two bowls of potato soup with a bowl of parsley to the side

Toppings For Instant Pot Potato Soup

This Creamy Instant Pot Potato Soup is amazing on it’s own, but I know everyone LOVES to load their potato soup with extra flavors and toppings.

Here are a few ideas on what toppings to serve with your potato soup:

green onions
crispy bacon
shredded cheese
sour cream
Greek yogurt
crackers
seasoned oyster crackers
Tabasco or hot sauce
parsley

More Potato Soup Recipes

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Easy Meals for House Guests

December 11, 2018 by Susie Weinrich 32 Comments

Whether it is for the holidays or just a long weekend, there will be a time when you have a house full of guests. A big part of preparing for those guests is meal planning.

What am I going to feed all those people!?

Well, let me help you know what to feed your house guests with a few practical tips, menus and recipes.

Let’s Get Started!

blue house with a black and white door and a blue bike leaning on a fence

This is amazing! Thank you for all the practical pointers. I get so stressed out with meal planning for house guests. I'm looking forward to trying your recipes. – Laura

We have our six kids and their spouses/partners coming home for Thanksgiving and this is a life saver! Thank you for all the tips and ideas!!! – Francia

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Tips for Feeding House Guest

Do not get overwhelmed, taking it step by step and making a plan will make this so much easier. Here are a few tips when planning meals for your guests:

Plan ahead for each meal- this way you will not wake up in the morning and realize that you only planned for dinners and you have nothing but Cheerios without milk, and coffee for breakfast.
Make a detailed grocery list for each meal and snacks… nobody wants to make last minute trips to the grocery store!
Plan for 50/50, at least for some of the meals, 50% store bought items and 50% homemade (hopefully some can be made ahead).
Plan at least one meal out, especially if your guests are staying for a long time.
Make what you can ahead of time.
When your guests ask what they can bring, don’t say “nothing!”. Even if it is a snack, dessert, wine, or a specialty cocktail, accept the help.

wooden dinner table set with white plates and blue napkins, with a white table runner and greenery and candles

How to Start Planning for House Guests

First, plan for how many meals your guests will be staying with you. Then, if there are any special events when you will be eating out, remove those from your list.

Next, go thru and plan what you will have for each meal. Try to plan a few easy things that can be made ahead, some things that can be store-bought that do not require any prep, and the rest homemade. Make sure to include any snacks that you will want to have in the house during their stay. Also, if this is an adult occasion, think about drinks too.

writing a list with a pen and a cup of coffee

Then, make grocery lists that are extremely detailed. Go thru each recipe and write down all the items you need to purchase that you do not already have. Make sure to add those snacks and drinks!

Now, head to the grocery store completely prepared and armed with your list!

Meal Ideas for House Guests, with Recipes

Here are a few recipes and meal ideas to make planning for and having house guests a breeze!

SAVE THIS LIST FOR LATER, PIN IT HERE

Breakfast

Breakfast starts the day. Please do not forget that your guests will be hungry in the morning! And that they will want coffee…always coffee.

Breakfast #1 Make Ahead

Sausage Egg Cups or Overnight Breakfast Casserole (make ahead)
Vanilla Yogurt with Granola
Morning Glory Muffins or Cranberry Orange Muffins (make ahead)
Fresh Fruit
Coffee (with half and half and sugar available)

Breakfast #2 Fast

Company Oatmeal (15 minutes)
Bacon
Banana Bread Muffins OR Morning Glory Muffins (make ahead)
Store Bought Pastries
Coffee (with half and half and sugar available)

Breakfast #3 Big Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs
Overnight Caramel French Toast Casserole (make ahead)
Sausage Links
Fresh Fruit
Coffee (with half and half and sugar available)

Breakfast #4 In the Kitchen

Homemade Fluffy Pancakes
Sausage Patties
Fresh Fruit
Coffee (with half and half and sugar available)

Breakfast #5 Down Home

Biscuits and Gravy
Scrambled Eggs
Fresh Fruit
Coffee (with half and half and sugar available)

Breakfast #6 Sweet Eats

Make Ahead Pecan Sticky Buns OR Coffee Cake with Cake Mix
Scrambled Eggs
Bacon
Coffee (with half and half and sugar available)

Find more breakfast recipes in the Breakfast Category!

Breakfast Recipes

Lunch

Lunch is a tough one, I usually don’t recommend planning for lunches unless it is the main event. A lot of times I find that lunch gets lost in the scramble of the day OR everyone sleeps in and has a late breakfast. Lunch is usually best planned out.

However, if you feel like you should have lunch for your guests, here are some really easy options:

Two bowls of Classic Chili with green onions

Lunch #1 Sandwiches

Hot Artichoke Chicken Salad Sandwiches OR Chicken Salad with Grapes (just use rotisserie chicken for ease)
Sweet Potato Chips or Kettle Chips
Any in-season fruit

Lunch #2 Instant Pot

Instant Pot Beef & Barley Soup OR Creamy Red Potato Soup OR find one of the many soup recipes on Mom’s Dinner! (make ahead or quick lunch)
Warm Baguette
Kale Salad (store bought)

Lunch #3 Healthy

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken (grill chicken a couple days ahead) OR Egg Salad
Kettle Chips or Terra Vegetable Chips
Green Salad (store bought)

Lunch #4 Skillet

Mediterranean Shrimp Skillet
Warm Crusty Bread (store bought)

Lunch #5 Make Ahead

Chili, Turkey Chili OR Instant Pot Chili (make ahead)
Indulgent Cinnamon Buns OR Sweet Corn Muffins (both make ahead)
Veggie Tray with Ranch or Blue Cheese Dip (make ahead or store bought)

Lunch #6 Easy Pizza Party

French Bread Pizzas (chop and prep the toppings a day or two ahead, put them on a rimmed baking sheet so you can just pull it out for lunch)
Caesar Salad (store bought)
Veggie Tray with Dip (store bought)

Dinner

Dinner tends to be the main event, where you will spend the most time, energy, and money. I definitely like to have a homemade dinner, however if you are entertaining guests for a long time do not be afraid to bring in take-out, suggest one dinner out, or do a 50% take out/50% homemade dinner.

Dinner #1 Take-Out BBQ

Pulled Pork from your favorite BBQ Restaurant (or you could make Instant Pot BBQ Pork or BBQ Chicken ahead)
Buns, Pickles, BBQ Sauce
Corn Casserole or Homemade Creamed Corn (both make ahead)
Raspberry Jello Fluff (make ahead)
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Optional Cucumber and Onions Salad (make ahead)

Dinner #2 Instant Pot

Italian Meatballs (or Instant Pot Version) OR Italian Sausage Meatballs (all make ahead)
Spaghetti
Garlic Green Beans
Caesar Salad (store bought) or Homemade Caesar Salad
Garlic Bread (store bought)

Dinner #3 Simple Dutch Oven Dinner

Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Roast
Cranberry Kale Salad (store bought)
Warm Ciabatta Bread & Butter

Dinner #8 Grilled Burgers & Fries

Grilled Pork Burgers with Garlic Cream Sauce (make sauce ahead) OR Perfect Grilled Burgers OR Grilled Turkey Burgers
Sweet Potato Fries
Grilled Vegetable Skewers (peppers, onion, zucchini, mushrooms) or Cheese Tortellini Pasta Salad
Watermelon if in season

Dinner #9 Simple Soup for a Crowd

Chicken Noodle Soup & Creamy Red Potato Soup (make both ahead)
Crackers & Cheese Slices
Tea Buns with Ham & Turkey, Mustard, and Mayonnaise

Dinner #10 Italian

Traditional Lasagna OR Veggie Lasagna OR Italian Meatloaf
Caesar Salad (store bought)
Garlic Green Beans
Garlic Bread

Dinner #11 Mexican

My Favorite Chicken Enchiladas OR Chicken Enchilada Suiza OR Beef Enchiladas
Chips & Restaurant Style Salsa (make ahead)
15 Minute Refried Beans OR Instant Pot Refried Beans
Mexican Rice
Optional – Fresh Pineapple with Citrus Herb Glaze (make ahead)
Pineapple Margaritas or Fresh Lime Margaritas

Dinner #12 Mexican Part 2

Shredded Barbacoa Beef (make ahead) OR Carnitas OR Grilled Steak Tacos
small flour tortillas (store bought)
taco toppings you love (store bought)
Guacamole, Pico De Gallo and Tomatillo Salsa (all make ahead)
Refried Beans OR Instant Pot Refried Beans
Mexican Rice
Margaritas

Dinner #13 Cajun Instant Pot

Instant Pot Cajun Rice with Chicken & Sausage
Green Lettuce Salad with Vinaigrette
Best Ever Cornbread Or Sweet Cornbread Muffins OR Buttermilk Cornbread(make ahead)

Dinner #14 Dinner Party

Crispy Chicken with Goat Cheese
Oven Roasted Asparagus
Rice Pilaf (store bought or homemade)
Warm Ciabatta Bread with a dish of extra virgin olive oil seasoned with basil, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes

Dinner #15 Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Fried Chicken from a restaurant or local grocery store
2-Minute Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce (make ahead)
Cole Slaw (store bought or make ahead)
Cheesy Potato Casserole (mix ahead)
Old Fashioned Baked Bean (mix ahead)
Jiffy Corn Casserole (mix ahead)
Best Ever Corn Bread and honey (make ahead, and make extra to serve for breakfast with maple syrup)

Dinner #16 Baked Potato Bar

Dinner #17 Feeding A Crowd

Hearty Baked Rigatoni
Caesar Salad (store bought or homemade)
Green Beans
Assorted Olives on the table
Garlic Bread (store bought)

Dinner #18 Seafood Supper

Asian Glazed Salmon
Roasted Broccoli and Peppers OR Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Asian Ramen Slaw
Fried Rice or White Rice

pork tenderloin sliced on a plate with the text Dinner written over top

Find more dinner recipes in the dinner category.

Dinner Recipes

Happy Hour Drinks!

Drinks can be just as important as food, especially if you are entertaining adults.

Make sure your bar is stocked. Here are some things I have found are the very basic bare essentials: red wine, good silver tequila, vodka, gin and whiskey, club soda, tonic water, soda (ex. Coke), olives, lemons, limes and oranges.

Of course stock your bar with more exciting things if you want to make fun cocktails, like: Cointreau, simple syrup or agave, bitters, brandied cherries, juices, jalapeno slices, liqueurs like amaretto, and vermouth, etc….

meat and cheese tray with rose wine being poured in a glass

Some big batch cocktails to have on hand:

Big Batch Grapefruit Margaritas
Margarita on the Rocks
Pineapple Margarita
Red Wine Winter Sangria (make ahead) or Summer Sangria
Cranberry Punch – guests can add tequila, vodka, rum or gin to their glass
Christmas Punch (for the Holidays)

Some classics that will be good to know how to make:

Tequila Soda or Vodka Soda
Gin and Tonic
Old Fashioned OR we love a Tequila Old Fashioned
Whiskey Soda
Martini

Some fun cocktails that will be a pop out!

Strawberry Basil Margarita or Cucumber Margarita
Lemon Drop (tequila or vodka)
Rumchata & Root Beer (great dessert drink)
Pomegranate Martini
Michelada for beer drinkers
Tequila Hot Toddy (cold night!)

Find more cocktail recipes in the drink category.

Cocktail Recipes

Something Sweet

Dessert is the only thing they will remember, some say. All of these options can be made ahead:

Find more dessert recipes in the dessert category.

Dessert Recipes

I hope these tips and menus help you host and feed your house guests with ease!

Love- Susie

Sign up for the Mom’s Dinner Newsletter, delivered every Sunday morning, straight to your email inbox. It includes all the new recipes, videos, dinner ideas for the week and fun kitchen tips and tricks.

More recipes you will love

Copycat Thin Mint Cookies

December 7, 2018 by Susie Weinrich 11 Comments

Thin Mint Cookies do not last long at our house. Even with good intentions these mint chocolate cookies only seem to last a week, at most.

thin mint cookies in a bread tin with parchment paper

One cookie at a time they disappear quickly. That is why we really love these copycat thin mints. We can have them anytime, anywhere, without having to wait on the girl scouts!

Another amazing no-bake cookie to check out are these Peppermint Bark Oreos! Easy and delicious!

How to Make Copycat Thin Mint Cookies with Ritz Crackers

These cookies could not be easier to make. You don't even have to turn on the oven which makes them a great no-bake dessert.

thin mint ritz cracker cookies in a bread tin

Melt the Chocolate

Using a double boiler (which is a pot of simmering water with a glass, heat proof, bowl fitted over top. Making sure the water does not touch the bowl). Melt the chocolate and peppermint extract together. Use your choice of chocolate- either dark chocolate melting wafers or chocolate almond bark, chopped.

We really like the Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers!

Dip the Ritz Crackers

Take the chocolate off the heat. Using a fork, dip the crackers in the chocolate making sure to coat both sides. Slightly shake the cracker on the fork to level the chocolate and get rid of the extra.

melted chocolate with a ritz cracker in the middle

Dry the Thin Mints on Parchment Paper

Lay the chocolate covered Ritz Crackers on Parchment paper or wax paper. They should set up in about 15-30 minutes.

They are ready to eat!

ritz cracker thin mint cookies and a fork dipped in chocolate

What Chocolate to Use

I use Ghirardelli dark chocolate melting wafers or chocolate almond bark to make my thin mints. Whatever you are using just make sure that you use a chocolate that will firm up as it sits.

I would not recommend using chocolate morsels/chips, your cookies will not set up the way you want them to.

up close picture of thin mint cookies with a bite taken out

Storing

Sometimes we like to put a sleeve of our girl scout thin mints in the freezer. This copycat version would be great in the freezer too. But, if you are not into frozen cookies just keep them in an airtight container on your counter for up to a week.

However, one by one they won't last long!

Perfect Edible Gift

These Ritz Cracker Cookies also make a wonderful edible gift.

At Christmas we like to give these out in little holiday tins.
Great addition to a food basket gift. They would go great in a coffee, tea, or chocolate themed basket.
May Day (May 1st), does anyone remember handing out may baskets when you were little? These would make a great May Day treat!
Add to a new mom basket.
Wonderful dessert if you are taking a meal to a family.
Perfect new neighbor treat.

I hope you try these copycat thin mint cookies in your kitchen!

More Chocolate Cookies…

Copycat Thin Mint Cookies

A homemade version of Girl Scout’s Thin Mint cookies. Ritz Crackers are covered with a chocolate spiked with peppermint extract. These are almost better than the original thin mint!

4.86 from 7 votes

Print Pin Rate Save

Prep Time: 20

Total Time: 20

Servings:

Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

▢
Parchment paper

Ingredients

▢ 10 oz Chocolate Melting Wafers (10-12 oz) - or chocolate almond bark
▢ ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
▢ 1 sleeve Ritz Crackers - about 30 crackers

Parchment paper lined sheet pan

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (you can also just lay some parchment paper on the counter).
Melt the chocolate wafers and peppermint extract over a double boiler.
Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Fit a glass or metal bowl snuggly in the top of the pot, making sure the boiling water does not touch the bowl. Place the chocolate & extract in the bowl and stir while the chocolate melts.
Remove from the heat
One at a time, place the Ritz Crackers into the chocolate. Using a fork turn it around in the chocolate to coat completely.
Pro Tip: If your chocolate starts to get tacky while you are dipping the crackers place it back on the double boiler for a minute or two until the chocolate is smooth again.
Remove the cookie from the chocolate by laying it on the fork. Let the excess chocolate drip from the cookie.
You can also lightly shake the cookie bac and forth, this will also level the chocolate on top.
Place on a parchment lined sheet pan to dry/harden. This will take about 15-30 minutes.

Recipe Tips and Notes:

Chocolate: We really like the Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers!

Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!

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Instant Pot Beef and Barley Soup

December 6, 2018 by Susie Weinrich 182 Comments

This Instant Pot Beef and Barley is SO good that William's Sonoma asked me to come in and make it for an in-store demo! The whole store smelled like savory beef stew and people lined up to have a few bites. The store was a buzz about how good this soup is, and I think I sold a few Instant Pots that day because people wanted to be able to make the recipe at home!

You will not be disappointed when you dig into a big bowl of this Beef and Barley. It is a blast of slightly thickened savory broth mixed with tender pieces of beef, carrots and onions, and the hearty barley takes it over the top! It is truly the perfect winter stew.

As of today the recipe has over 140 Five Star Reviews, here is one you can bet on:

"I've made this several times, always with delicious results. I add sliced mushrooms as others before me have suggested, and I use more Worcestershire sauce because I love it. This recipe is without question still a 5/5 without those changes; they are just my personal preferences. Thank you for such a hearty and delicious meal!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Shari

RELATED: Instant Pot Beef Stew

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Dinner with the Instant Pot

If there is one thing I can say about the Instant Pot is that it can make dinner prep super fast!!! Beef and Barley Stew is something that would normally take about an hour to prep and cook. But, with the pressure cooker it is done in a flash.

I use the Instant Pot Duo Plus 60 6 quart 9-in-1, I also recommend the Instant Pot 6 quart 7-in-1. I like these two pots because of the size, 6 quarts. This is the perfect size for just about any Instant Pot recipe you will come across.

I’m not sure I will ever use all the functions, like sterilize or yogurt. But, If I want them they are there! The functions I use most are the Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Sauté, Pressure Cook, and Bean/Chili.

I will definitely use the slow cooker mode too, but right now I’m obsessed with the quicker cooking recipes using the pressure cooking modes!

Secrets To Really Good Instant Pot Barley Soup

There are a few secrets that will ensure you have a great Beef & Barley Stew that is full of flavor.

Use a really good beef stock that has a lot of flavor. If you have homemade, great, but if not look for a beef stock instead of broth. A stock generally has more flavor.

Cooking in the Instant Pot allows you to get cooked-all-day flavor in just 20 minutes!
Use a quality Beef Base, like Better Than Bouillon Brand (see below. If you are not familiar with beef base, it comes in a jar and can be found in the soup aisle at the grocery store. It comes in a paste form and has super intense beef flavor. It is like the grown up brother of beef bouillon. I always keep beef base and chicken base in my kitchen!

Let the tomato paste sauté a little to caramelize the flavors a little, but make sure you deglaze the bottom of the pot completely before pressure cooking!
Seasoning the soup properly with salt and pepper always enhances flavors perfectly!

Instant Pot Beef Barley Ingredients

Onion, Celery, Carrots

Garlic

Stew Meat

Worcestershire Sauce

Tomato Paste

Beef Broth

Pearl Barley

How To make Instant Pot Beef and Barley Soup

Carrots, Onions, Celery and Garlic in the Instant Pot

Step 1

Add the chopped celery, onion, carrot and garlic to the instant pot to saute.

Tomato Paste, and seasonings added to a mirepiox in the Instant Pot

Step 2

Add the seasonings, Worcestershire, tomato paste and beef base.

Beef broth and barley added to the Instant Pot while making Instant Pot Beef and Barley Stew

Step 3

Now pour in the water and beef broth, scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Turn off saute mode. Add the barley.

Susie Scraping beef stew meat off a cutting board into the Instant Pot

Step 4

Add in the stew meat.

Beef and Barley Stew after it has been cooked in the Instant Pot

Step 4

Close the pot and let it cook for 25 mins. Then do a quick release.

Beef and Barley Stew being ladled out of the Instant Pot

Step 4

Let the stew cool and thicken for about 10 minutes before serving.

Serving

Serve hot bowls of Instant Pot Beef and Barley Soup just as is… you don’t really need any side dishes since it has the protein, starch and veggies in the mix.

a white bowl full of beef and barley stew on a wooden counter

But if you want to bulk up the meal you can always serve warm crusty bread on the side as well as a side salad.

Storing

Keep leftover Beef and Barley Soup in the fridge in a covered container for up to 4 days. The barley will soak up some of the liquid while it cools, so you will want to add some beef broth or water to the soup when reheating.

More Instant Pot Recipes To Love

Some of my other favorite Instant Pot Recipes are this Instant Pot Beef Stew, Chicken & Rice Soup, Cajun Rice with Chicken & Sausage, and Turkey Meatballs. Or you can check out ALL my Instant Pot recipes here.

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Easy Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs

December 4, 2018 by Susie Weinrich 28 Comments

The giveaway has ended, but enjoy this awesome free recipe!

These Ground Turkey Meatballs are super simple to make, and they cook in a flash in the Instant Pot. They are full of Italian seasonings and spices. But no onions and no fresh garlic, making it a super easy and kid-friendly dinner.

When my kids say “what’s for dinner, Mom?” and I say “turkey meatballs”, they actually say “YES”, with a fist pump!

It definitely gets a 5 star vote from my kids.

You can also try making these Instant Pot Italian Meatballs or Instant Pot BBQ Meatballs. Both are AMAZING!

And if meatballs are one of your favorite dinners, check out all the Meatball Recipes on Mom’s Dinner!

Winning with the Instant Pot

I LOVE using my Instant Pot! I am telling you it has changed ~~our~~ my dinner routine completely. I am able to set it and forget it. No standing in the kitchen, stirring, and waiting. Once it is set I can walk away, get things done, and listen for the beep.

Instant Pot in the background , turkey meatballs in a red dish

Even if I completely forget to thaw chicken for dinner, I still know I can get dinner on the table in 30 minutes, using my Instant Pot (for example my Instant Pot Chicken & Rice Soup , which is made with frozen chicken!!!).

The other thing I love about my Instant Pot is that it is takes the place of another bulky kitchen appliance, the slow cooker. To use the IP as a slow cooker simply set it to the slow cook function, set your time, and keep the pressure valve open on the top. So easy!

One thing to consider, that not a lot of people mention, is that a recipe may say it takes 10 minutes to cook, however that does not include the time that it takes the pot to come to pressure. That can be anywhere from 5 minutes to 10 minutes depending on how much food/liquid you have in the pot. But, the actual cooking time is SO much shorter than traditional oven or stove cooking that it makes up for that time.

The model I use and recommend is the Instant Pot Duo Plus 60 6 quart 9-in-1, which I absolutely love. To be honest I will probably never know how to use all 9 functions, like the yogurt or sterilize functions. But, they are there if I need them!

The main reason I love this pot is because of the size, 6 quarts. It is large enough for just about any recipe and is a great size for a family of 2 up to 8.

I would also recommend the Instant Pot Duo 60 6 quart 7-in-1, same size, just less functionality, which is probably just fine!

Instant Pot Giveaway

This giveaway has ended.

Which Ground Turkey to Use for Homemade Meatballs

This is not the time to save on calories! Ground turkey is already considered a lean protein, so go ahead and get the 93% lean turkey. The 99% lean turkey will not give you the correct flavor or texture that you want in a meatball.

Turkey meatballs in a red dish garnished with parmesan cheese and parsley

When the 99% lean turkey is cooked it can tend to resemble the texture of plastic, ewwww. Not what I am looking for in a meatball. Unless you are on a strict diet I would steer clear of the 99% lean ground turkey.

How to Make Homemade Turkey Meatballs

This is truly a super simple meatball recipe.

Put all the ingredients (except the oil and marinara sauce) in a mixing bowl. With clean hands, lightly mix the ingredients together just until they are combined.

I like to have slightly wet hands when I form the meatballs. This is a great kitchen tip to keep the turkey from sticking to your hands.

Grab about 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons of turkey mixture and roll it around in between the palms of your hands to form a ball, about the size of a ping-pong ball.

Pour about 2 teaspoons of olive oil in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place all the meatballs in the prepared Instant Pot.

I am able to get 1 layer of meatballs in my 6 quart Instant Pot. If you have to layer the meatballs, that is okay… just lay the top layer in lightly.

Pour a 24 oz jar of your favorite, store-bought marinara sauce over the meatballs. Pop the lid on, seal the vent, and set the pot to meat/stew or manual mode on high pressure for 10 minutes.

If you plan to have the meatballs with pasta, you can cook the pasta while the meatballs cook in the Instant Pot.

When the pot beeps at the end of 10 minutes (plus pressure time), do a quick release.

Lightly stir the meatballs in the marinara sauce. There may be some light browning on the bottom of the pan, that is just extra flavor!

a plate of spaghetti topped with meatballs

Serving Easy Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs

This is a super versatile recipe. It can be an appetizer, sandwich, or entree.

Turkey meatballs over spaghetti on a white plate on a wood board

At our house you will most likely find these meatballs on top of a pile of spaghetti. But here are a few ideas for serving Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs:

Appetizer with grilled or warm garlic bread
Serve over your favorite pasta
Serve over zoodles (zucchini noodles) for a low carb option
Or over a mixture of spaghetti & zoodles for a lower carb option
On a hoagie bun for a great Meatball Sub

I hope you give this recipe for Easy Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs a try in your kitchen.

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Family Meal Plan

Weekly Meal Plan #3

Classic Chili

Creamy Chicken Tacos

BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Sun-Dried Tomato & Goat Cheese Pizza

Leftover Re-Do Ideas

Free Printable Grocery List

Family Meal Plan

Reader Reviews

Hard Boiled Eggs with Easy to Peel Shells

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs 5-5-5 Method

How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs in Instant Pot

Add eggs & water to the Instant Pot

Set to pressure cook and make ice bath.

Ice bath

Peel and eat

More Eggs, More Time?

What to Make with Hard Boiled Eggs

I had eggs crack while cooking.

How to Store Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

More LOVED Instant Pot Recipes

Did you make this recipe?

Hard Boiled Eggs in Instant Pot

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Storing

Using Your Eggs

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