This Instant Pot Iced Tea recipe is a quick & easy way to make deliciously refreshing iced tea using your pressure cooker. This summer staple is so simple.
We are big tea drinkers in this house. Do you love tea? It is not uncommon for us to brew a pitcher of iced tea nearly every single day. The whole family loves it.
But doing it on the stove can be time-consuming. So when I learned how to make Instant Pot Iced Tea it was a game-changer. Check it out.
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So for about the first 10+ years of our marriage, the hubs & I would have a pitcher of sun tea going on the back patio almost daily. We love having fresh iced tea & it would go fast.
But then, as with many things, we learned of the dangers of sun tea. We were so bummed out that our favorite easy drink was now considered harmful due to the bacteria that can grow while it sits in the sun all day long.
Iced Tea Recipe
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We tried making it on the stove. But it was so inconvenient that we wound up making it a whole lot less. This means we were consuming a lot less liquid in the summer heat. Not good.
But the Instant Pot has been a game-changer. Just bring water to a simmer, add tea bags & baking soda (& any desired fruit), close the lid & cook for 5 minutes. Then you can strain, sweeten & chill. So simple.
Here are some commonly asked questions…
Why do I need to add baking soda?
The baking soda cuts the bitterness of the tea. This is optional, but I highly recommend it.
The tea is strong, what do I do now?
You can also add more cold water to dilute the tea a bit. I like to start strong & go from there. It’s a lot easier to reduce the strength of the tea. You can’t really make it stronger once it’s brewed.
What size Instant Pot do you use for this recipe?
I am currently using an 8-quart pot, but this recipe can be made in the 6-quart pot too. If you have one of the smaller versions (3-quart mini), I recommend cutting this recipe in half.
How long will this tea last?
This iced tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If you would like to freeze the tea – it can be done easily by portioning it out into smaller containers leaving about 1″ head space for expansion. Be sure to use containers that are freezer-safe.
I like to use zip-top bags. You can fill them and then lay them flat on a baking sheet. Freeze them flat and then once they are hardened – they can stack upright your freezer for space-saving.
What about the fruit?
You can add fruit like apples or any other fruit to the tea during the cooking process. Just strain out afterward. I prefer my tea plain, so I often leave this out unless I’m making it for a party.
Can this be made with another type or flavor of tea?
Yes – you bet. If you like to brew other flavors of tea – this will work for that. This is just the base recipe for a standard iced tea. But I have made this using salted caramel tea.
Once cooked, I portion it out into smaller containers and warm it as I need it.
**Live at High Altitude –
Because water boils at a lower temperature at high altitudes, and pressure cooking requires water to boil in order to work, some foods may need a little more cooking time.
When pressure cooking at high altitudes you want to make sure to add 5 percent to your cook time for every 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet elevation.
For example, when we lived at 4,000+ feet I would add 10 percent to my cook time. For a recipe that called for 20-minutes of cooking time, I would then cook for 22 minutes.
When pressure cooking, 1-2 minutes can make all the difference in a recipe, unlike when cooking by traditional methods.
How do I sweeten the tea?
Start with your favorite sweetener 1 tbsp at a time. Don’t go overboard with this as the tea will taste more bitter & be stronger while warm. You can always add more after it has chilled.
How to Make Iced Tea in the Instant Pot
- Carefully remove the strings from the tea bags, making sure to not accidentally pull them open. I usually just snip the string close to the base with scissors.
- Add the water, tea bags & baking soda to the pot. Stir and then close the lid.
- Set the valve to sealing and then set the pressure cooker on manual for 5 minutes.
- Allow for a natural pressure release for 15 minutes before moving the valve to vent any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the lid and remove the tea bags using a slotted spoon or strainer.
- Add your sweetener if desired while the tea is hot. But sure to stir well to dissolve.
- Place the pot in the refrigerator on top of some hot pads and allow it to chill for several hours.
- Once chilled, serve over ice.
What is the difference between a pressure cooker and an instant pot?
By today’s definition, they are virtually the same – if you are talking about an electric pressure cooker. However, a traditional pressure cooker and an instant pot are two different cooking methods.
A traditional pressure cooker is a sealed metal container that cooks food quickly by steam under increased atmospheric pressure and heats the pot to boiling point.
An Instant Pot, on the other hand, is an electric-style pressure cooker that uses the same idea for cooking foods but can do so with very little liquid. They are incredibly efficient, safer than a traditional pressure cooker, and super easy to use too. Plus they come with a multitude of other functions making them great for quick meal prep.
Pressure Cooker Iced Tea
Ingredients and Supplies for Pressure Cooker Iced Tea
- Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
- Black Teabags – regular sized
- baking soda
- fruit of choice – optional
- granulated sugar – optional
Notes
If you’d like to add any desired fruit to the tea, do so when adding all of the ingredients to the pot before cooking. Strain out the cooked fruit when removing the tea bags.
What is “natural pressure release”?
Often, an Instant Pot recipe would call for you to release all the pressure at the end of the timed pressure cycle. However, the cooking process stops when the pressure is released.
For recipes that call for a natural pressure release, you would refrain from releasing the pressure from the unit for a set amount of time. This allows for a little extra cooking time as the pressure inside naturally goes down.
At the end of the natural pressure release cycle, you would then use the valve to release the remaining pressure and stop the cooking process.
Doesn’t this just look so refreshing? It is delicious!
What to serve with Iced Tea
There are a few different ways you can enjoy iced tea. You can drink it plain, or you can add lemon, lime, or mint for a refreshing twist.
If you want something a little sweeter, you can add sugar, honey, or syrup. And if you’re feeling fancy, you can even add some fruit.
Here are some of the recipes that we like to pair with it – but honestly, we drink it with just about anything.
Here are my favorite Instant Pot Tools and Accessories!
- Instant Pot
- Non-Stick Instant Pot Insert with Silicone Lid
- Accessory Set
- Glass Lid
- Sealing Rings
- Silicone Egg Bites Mold
- Large Mesh Steamer Basket
- Complete Cook & Bake Set
If you love this Easy Iced Tea recipe, you’re going to love these other drinks too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
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Instant Pot Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 8 tea bags black tea – regular sized
- 20 ounces water
- pinch baking soda optional
- granulated sugar optional – Stevia, agave, maple syrup, honey, or any other sweetener to taste
Instructions
- Carefully remove the strings from the tea bags, making sure to not accidentally pull them open. I usually just snip the string close to the base with scissors.
- Add the water, tea bags & baking soda to the pot. Stir and then close the lid.
- Set the valve to sealing and then set the pressure cooker on manual for 5 minutes.
- Allow for a natural pressure release for 15 minutes before moving the valve to vent any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the lid and remove the tea bags using a slotted spoon or strainer.
- Add your sweetener if desired while the tea is hot. But sure to stir well to dissolve.
- Place the pot in the refrigerator on top of some hot pads and allow it to chill for several hours.
- Once chilled, serve over ice.
Notes
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Taste of the Frontier cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin says
What a creative use of the instapot!
Jena says
I love this easy recipe! Going to try it!