I finally bought a pressure cooker after years of thinking it was a waste

I saw one on sale for $60 and figured I'd give it a shot. I made a big batch of dried beans in about 45 minutes instead of soaking them overnight. That alone saved me from ordering takeout twice this week, which would have been another $30. Anyone have good cheap recipes for one of these things?

4 comments

4 Comments

michael_green442mo ago

That point about cheap cuts of meat is so true. I made the best pulled pork from a shoulder that cost almost nothing, and it fell apart in like an hour. It feels like a magic trick for saving money on food.

samflores2mo ago

But is it really that much cheaper when you factor in the cook time and energy use?

mary_nelson712mo ago

Read an article last year about how pressure cookers are a total game changer for cheap cuts of meat. You can turn a tough chuck roast into something tender in under an hour. Just throw it in with some broth, onions, and carrots. It makes enough food for days and the meat costs way less than the good steaks.

blakestone12d ago

Is the time saved really worth it when you factor in the texture though? I tried a chuck roast in a pressure cooker once and it came out kinda mushy and stringy, not the same as letting it slowly break down in a Dutch oven for hours... The energy savings are nice but you lose that gradual, layered flavor you get from braising. Plus cleaning the gasket and lid is a pain.