How to Naturally Release Instant Pot: Step by Step Guide

If you’ve ever found yourself standing in your kitchen wondering how to naturally release Instant Pot pressure without messing up your dinner, you’re not alone. Whether you’re cooking a tender pot roast, a hearty stew, or even delicate chicken breasts, knowing when and how to use the natural release method can make a real difference in texture, flavor, and safety.

In this guide, we’re diving deep into how to naturally release your Instant Pot the right way—with real-world tips, personal insights, and answers to all those little questions you wish someone had explained sooner. No tech jargon, no overwhelming manuals—just friendly, clear instructions you can trust.

But first, let’s answer the why: Why does this even matter?

The Instant Pot is more than a trendy kitchen gadget—it’s a pressure-powered cooking powerhouse. And once that pressure builds, it has to be released before you can open the lid safely. You’ve probably heard about quick release and natural release, but choosing the wrong one can lead to ruined food (or worse, a kitchen mess).

Natural release is especially important for foods that benefit from a gradual pressure drop, like beans, rice, broths, and meats. It keeps your meal from overcooking, helps preserve texture, and is often safer than blasting the steam out all at once.

In this post, you’ll learn:

• ✅ Exactly what natural release means (and how it compares to quick release)
• ✅ Step-by-step instructions for using natural release correctly
• ✅ How to tell if your Instant Pot is done releasing naturally
• ✅ Common mistakes to avoid and pro-level tips
• ✅ How natural release works for specific meals like chicken, soups, and rice

Whether you’re a total beginner or an Instant Pot regular looking to fine-tune your technique, this guide will help you feel confident every time you cook.

How Do I Know if My Instant Pot is Naturally Releasing?

If you’re new to pressure cooking or just not sure what to look for, it can be confusing to tell whether your Instant Pot is actually doing a natural release. You might find yourself staring at the screen, unsure if something’s gone wrong—or if dinner is just taking its sweet time. Let’s walk through exactly how to know when your Instant Pot is naturally releasing pressure and what signs to watch for.

Indicators on the Display Screen

Once the cooking cycle is complete, your Instant Pot will automatically switch to “Keep Warm” mode, and the timer on the screen will begin counting up. This is your first clue that the pressure cooking has stopped and the natural release process has started.

• Example: If your pot just finished a 15-minute pressure cook, the display might now read “L0:01”—this means it’s been naturally releasing for 1 minute.
• You don’t need to press anything—the countdown means the pot is slowly and safely releasing pressure on its own.

📝 Pro Tip: The time it takes for a full natural release depends on what you cooked. Thick soups or stews may take 20+ minutes, while rice or vegetables may only need 10–12 minutes.

Behavior of the Steam Release Valve

The steam release valve is the clearest physical indicator of what’s happening inside your Instant Pot. During natural release, here’s what to watch:

• The valve remains in the sealed position—you don’t need to touch it.
• You won’t see or hear a large amount of steam shooting out (unlike with a quick release).
• Instead, you might notice gentle hissing or intermittent steam as the pressure lowers slowly on its own.
• The float valve (the little metal pin) will stay up while the pot is still under pressure. Once pressure is fully released, the float valve will drop down with a soft click—that’s your cue the pot is now safe to open.

Is There a Natural Release Symbol on Instant Pot?

This is a common question: Is there a specific symbol for natural release on the Instant Pot? The short answer is no—there’s no dedicated icon or button labeled “Natural Release.”

Instead, your Instant Pot signals natural release by:

• Ending the cooking timer
• Switching to “Keep Warm” mode
• Counting up on the digital screen
• Keeping the steam release knob in the sealed position

So while there’s no actual symbol, these signs function as your built-in natural release indicators.

Summary:

Here’s a quick visual-style checklist:

What to Look For	What It Means
Screen says “L0:01” and counting up	Natural release in progress
No loud steam, no movement	Normal for natural release
Float valve still up	Still pressurized – don’t open yet
Float valve drops down	Pressure fully released – safe now

By learning to spot these signs, you’ll never have to guess again. And once you’re familiar, it becomes second nature—making you a smarter, safer, and more confident Instant Pot cook.

How Long Does Natural Release Take?

One of the most common questions home cooks ask is, “How long does natural release take in an Instant Pot?” The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. The time it takes for your Instant Pot to fully release pressure naturally depends on what you’re cooking, how full the pot is, and how much liquid is inside.

Let’s break it down by food type, and I’ll also share a personal real-life example for better context.

Time Estimates for Different Meals

Below are general natural release time ranges for the most common types of food. Keep in mind that elevation, Instant Pot model, and liquid content can slightly affect timing.

Soups & Stews

Estimated Natural Release Time: 10–20 minutes
Why: The high liquid content creates more steam pressure, so it takes longer to normalize. However, letting it cool slowly ensures the broth doesn’t spurt out or thin ingredients don’t overcook.

Beans

Estimated Natural Release Time: 15–25 minutes
Why: Beans retain heat and continue cooking even after the timer ends. Natural release helps avoid bean-skin splitting and mushiness.

Chicken or Meats

Estimated Natural Release Time: 10–20 minutes
Why: Pressure helps tenderize meat, and a slow release keeps moisture locked in. Quick release can toughen the meat or dry it out if done too early.

🔍 Real Example: When I cooked 4 boneless chicken thighs with broth and veggies, my Instant Pot took around 15 minutes to fully naturally release. I heard the float valve click down exactly at 14:47—yes, I timed it because I was curious!

Tip: Can You Speed It Up Slightly?

Yes—there’s a hybrid technique known as “10-minute natural release” followed by a controlled quick release. Here’s how it works:

1. Let the Instant Pot naturally release for 10 minutes (watch the L0:10 timestamp).
2. Then, gently move the steam release valve to vent, allowing the remaining pressure to escape.

This method is helpful if:

• You’re short on time
• You’re cooking something that’s mostly done but still under pressure
• You want to avoid messy splatter without waiting the full 20+ minutes

⚠️ Caution: Only use this trick for foods that won’t foam up or splatter—like chicken, rice, or firm vegetables. Avoid doing this with soups, lentils, or pasta dishes.

Key Takeaway:

There’s no exact timer for natural release, but the float valve is your best friend. When it drops, pressure is gone. Until then, be patient—it’s still cooking a bit, and often, that extra time makes the difference between “pretty good” and perfectly cooked.

Manual (Quick) Release vs Natural Release:

If you’re learning to master your Instant Pot, one of the most important things to understand is the difference between natural release and manual (quick) release. These two pressure release methods can drastically affect how your food turns out. Whether you’re after fluffy rice or fall-apart pot roast, choosing the right release method matters more than you might think.

Let’s break it down side by side—and I’ll share some personal tips along the way.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Natural Release	Quick Release (Manual)
Time	10–30 minutes (varies by meal)	Instant – steam vents immediately
Best for	Soups, meats, broths, beans	Veggies, rice, seafood, eggs
Steam Behavior	Slow, quiet, gradual	Loud, fast, often with visible steam blast
Safety	Safer for liquid-heavy meals	Can splatter or foam with certain foods
Texture Control	Retains moisture and tenderness	Stops cooking instantly – great for precision

What Is Quick Release?

Quick release (also called manual release) means you turn the steam release valve to “Venting” right after the cooking cycle finishes. This causes steam to shoot out rapidly from the valve.

• It’s fast and efficient.
• Ideal for delicate foods that can overcook in minutes (like steamed veggies or shrimp).
• Not recommended for soups or recipes with high liquid, as it can cause sputtering or food splashes.

What Is Natural Release?

Natural release means you let the Instant Pot depressurize on its own—no touching the valve, no intervention. It slowly releases the internal pressure over time, usually 10–30 minutes.

• Great for foods that need a little resting time, like roasts or rice.
• Reduces mess and improves flavor development.
• Gentler and safer for dishes that foam or bubble.

When I Use Each Method: Real Tips

Here’s how I personally decide which one to use:

• Quick release: I use this for steamed vegetables, boiled eggs, and rice pudding. These are time-sensitive and can get mushy fast.
• Natural release: I always go this route for soups, bone-in meats, lentils, and pot roasts. It’s just worth the wait—trust me.

🍖 Pro Insight: When I cooked a large beef chuck roast with veggies, I used full natural release. The meat literally fell apart with a fork, and the broth was rich and deeply flavored. If I had used quick release, it would’ve been dry and chewy.

The Hybrid Approach: Natural + Quick

Sometimes, I do a 10-minute natural release followed by quick release. It works wonders for meals that benefit from a bit of rest but don’t need a full natural cycle.

• Great for Instant Pot chicken recipes
• Minimizes risk of steam spray
• Saves time without sacrificing texture

FAQs

Curious about how natural release really works in everyday cooking? Here are the most frequently asked questions about natural release in the Instant Pot—answered simply and clearly.

How do I let my Instant Pot naturally release?

To naturally release your Instant Pot, do nothing after the cooking cycle ends. The pot will automatically switch to “Keep Warm” mode, and the display will begin counting up (e.g., L0:01). The pressure will slowly release on its own, and the float valve will drop once all the pressure has safely escaped. Only then should you open the lid.

Will my Instant Pot naturally release when turned off?

Yes, your Instant Pot will still naturally release pressure even if it’s turned off or unplugged. However, the process may take slightly longer since there’s no heat being maintained. If you turn it off at the end of cooking, just wait until the float valve drops before opening the lid.

How to tell when Instant Pot natural release is done?

You’ll know the natural release is done when the float valve drops down completely. This signals that the internal pressure has returned to normal atmospheric pressure, and it’s safe to open the lid. You might also hear a soft click when the valve drops.

Does natural release work if I unplug the Instant Pot?

Yes, unplugging the Instant Pot doesn’t affect the natural release process. Pressure will still drop on its own, but Keep Warm mode will be disabled, which may slightly slow down the release. Always wait for the float valve to drop before removing the lid, plugged in or not.

How long does natural release take for chicken?

Natural release for chicken generally takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the cut and quantity. Boneless chicken breasts may finish in about 10 minutes, while bone-in thighs or a whole bird could take closer to 20 minutes. The more liquid and pressure, the longer it may take.

What if the float valve doesn’t drop?

If the float valve hasn’t dropped after 30 minutes, something might be wrong. Check that the steam release valve is in the “Sealing” position and not stuck. Inspect the sealing ring for damage or displacement, and gently nudge the float valve (with a long utensil, never your hand) to see if it’s stuck due to food residue or pressure imbalance.

Conclusion

Learning how to naturally release Instant Pot pressure might feel like a small step, but it can have a big impact on the quality of your meals—and your confidence in the kitchen. Once you understand how it works and when to use it, you’ll cook with more ease, better results, and fewer surprises.

Here are a few key takeaways to remember:

• 🕐 Be patient: Good things really do come to those who wait. Natural release gives your food time to settle, soak in flavor, and finish cooking without chaos.
• 📌 Know your recipe: Soups, beans, broths, and meats love a natural release. Veggies and rice? Not so much—use quick release there.
• 👀 Watch the float valve: That little pin is your signal for when it’s truly safe to open the lid. Don’t rely on time alone.

In my own cooking journey, the meals that turned out the most flavorful—like shredded chicken, hearty lentils, and bone broth—were all thanks to natural release. It’s not just a method—it’s part of the Instant Pot’s magic.

Final tip? Don’t rush it. Your food is still transforming during that quiet cooldown period. Let the steam fade on its own, and your dishes will thank you for it.

If this guide helped you feel more confident using your Instant Pot, go ahead—bookmark it, share it with a friend, or leave a comment with your own release tips. Because in the end, cooking isn’t just about speed—it’s about satisfaction.