Craving Sweetgreen's Harvest Bowl? Make This Easy Copycat Recipe At Home

Why is it good to cook in a pressure cooker?

Pressure cooker recipes are very helpful because of how much time you'll save. And even though it cooks so quickly, it doesn't leave your food dry the way that other fast cooking methods can.

What cannot be cooked in a pressure cooker?

You'll want to avoid cooking crispy foods like French fries in a pressure cooker. We'd recommend using an air fryer instead — you'll still save time, but you won't have to worry about them getting mushy. (Same thing with noodles. Stick to your go-to stovetop method!)

What are the best things to cook in a pressure cooker?

You can turn all kinds of dishes into pressure cooker recipes! From Pad Thai to soups to perfecting the black beans you serve in your taco bar, keep reading for the best foods to cook in a pressure cooker.

“Pasta e fagoili” means pasta and beans, and this hearty yet simple-to-make soup has plenty and more. Comfort food at its best! (via Brit + Co Guides)

The only thing better than a homemade pho recipe is an easy homemade pho recipe. Nothing matches the taste of this homemade broth, and the basil, jalapeños, lime, and chili sauce topping are the perfect finishing touch! (via Brit + Co)

This Chinese dish can be on your table in roughly 30 minutes. From a frozen state, fish only takes 5 minutes to pressure-cook. (via Brit + Co)

Beef turns out fork-tender every time in the Instant Pot like magic. (via Brit + Co)

You can whip up this creamy chicken pasta with mushrooms and plenty of cheese in less time than it takes to order takeout. (via Brit + Co)

Eggs en cocotte sounds fancy, but these soft-cooked eggs, cooked in ramekins, can be whipped together and pressure-cooked in a matter of minutes. (via Brit + Co)

Fun fact — your pressure cooker’s rice setting does a lot more than just cook one type of grain. Try quinoa, then dress it up with your fave salad toppings. (via Brit + Co)

Pressure cook potato soup, purée it in a blender, then top it with your favorite baked potato fixings like bacon bits and green onion. (via Brit + Co)

Spicy butter chicken and basmati rice can be made at the same time in your pressure cooker. Who knew? (via Brit + Co)

Yes you can make a healthier version of the classic American-Chinese staple, and it can be made even quicker when seared and pressure-cooked in the Instant Pot. (via Brit + Co)

Salmon, sweet potatoes, and broccoli can be steamed up all together in three minutes via the ~wonders~ of the Instant Pot. This healthy pick has got to be one of our favorite pressure cooker recipes. (via Brit + Co)

Yes, you can pressure-cook chicken breast in 10 minutes. Brine it overnight for that extra flavor oomph. (via Brit + Co)

Sneak in a bunch of veggies with this frittata that’s also loaded with plenty of cheese. (via Brit + Co)

These flavorful carnitas start with pork shoulder, aromatic veggies, adobo sauce, and beer, but add your go-to herbs and seasonings to make it yours in this simple pressure cooker recipe. (via Brit + Co)

Quinoa naturally thickens this pressure cooker-made chili. All you need to worry about is what toppings to choose! (via Brit + Co)

This French Dip recipe is Pinterest’s most popular Instant Pot recipe, and once you see the step-by-step close-ups, you’ll understand why. (via Brit + Co)

Eight different vegetables, sweet Italian sausage, cannellini beans, San Marzano tomatoes, lemon, and fresh parsley make this one hearty soup to remember. (via Brit + Co)

Pressure cook a few eggs on a trivet with a bit of water for just a few minutes, and you’ll be amazed how creamy they turn out. (via Brit + Co)

This easy pressure cooker recipe reminds us exactly of summer nights (hello, juicy pineapple), and makes for a simple weeknight meal! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Pressure cooking may seem like it’s too intense for the likes of delicate eggs, but fact is, it's quite the contrary; the moist heat does wonders for keeping them fluffy and the result is perfect every time. (via Kitschen Cat)

When was the last time you cooked flaky and flavorful salmon in just five minutes? If your answer is never, then you obviously haven’t tried making it in the pressure cooker. (via Savory Tooth)

Prep this super simple shredded chicken in the pressure cooker to have on-hand for weeknight salads, tacos, wraps, and more. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Believe it or not, the types of mushrooms you choose for this dish will have a huge impact on its flavor. Try porcini, oyster, or enoki! (via Culinary Hill)

The best part about this pressure cooker recipe is the balance of flavors. It's not too bitter, and balances deep and bright flavors for a side dish you'll always want as your main! (via Forks & Foliage)

It's soup season! This pick is vegan, and the liquid smoke and paprika add just the right amount of smoky flavor you'll want on the rainiest of days. (via No Eggs or Ham)

This dish gives new meaning to one-pot pasta. Pork shoulder usually has to be cooked for many hours to yield a tender result, but with the pressure cooker, you’re looking at just one hour. (via Krumpli)

Sneaking veggies into your kiddo’s meals isn’t an easy feat. Use your pressure cooker to make quick work of this versatile marinara sauce that conceals a ton of carrots. (via Letty’s Kitchen)

If you want tender chicken infused with big flavor, look no further than the pressure cooker. Pair it with some fresh veggies and mango for tacos that pop with spice. (via The Girl On Bloor)

If anything's vodka sauce-infused, you can count us in. Plus, this pressure cooker recipe makes a hearty dish so easy. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Steel-cut oats are a more nutritious way to have breakfast, but they also take forever to cook. If you start this cinnamon-roll-flavored recipe in the pressure cooker as soon as you wake up, your breakfast will be ready in no time. (via Pressure Cooking Today)

Spiced, tender meatballs cook up in less than an hour in your pressure cooker. Serve these with bread or rice to soak up all the flavorful sauce. (via Skinnytaste)

Cooking pork loin under pressure is one of the best ways to make sure it doesn’t dry out. The pressure cooker keeps all of that juiciness in the meat. (via Savory Tooth)

Simple and nutritious lima beans and ham is one dish anyone can master with their pressure cooker. The ham infuses each bite with smokey flavor, while the beans become tender and creamy without having to be soaked the night before. (via The Blond Cook)

Sweet, tangy, salty, and meaty, this pressure cooker Korean beef comes out meltingly tender every time. Make enough for seconds! (via Damn Delicious)

Enjoy this Cajun classic without having to book a plane ticket to Louisiana, thanks to your trusty pressure cooker. (via Kitschen Cat)

Almond butter adds decadent richness to these moist dark chocolate cakes that are sweetened naturally with honey. (via Kitschen Cat)

In under 15 minutes, you could have a warm, steamy bowl of cozy oats sitting in front of you. Serve this pressure cooker recipe with some strong coffee, and you'll start your day off right. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

We will literally never say no to Pad Thai. It's the perfect dish for any time of year because even though it's served hot, the flavors are still bright enough to make it totally crave-able in the spring. This recipe will take you less than 10 minutes and will become a total crowd favorite. (via The Girl On Bloor)

This Olive Garden copycat soup recipe is concocted in the pressure cooker, allowing all of the good, comforting flavors to soak in. (via Salt & Lavender)

Soy sauce and hoisin do a bang-up job of transforming flank stank in your pressure cooker. This pressure cooker recipe is a sticky-sweet yet savory dish that you should definitely serve with fluffy white rice. (via The Blond Cook)

Our favorite way to eat our veggies? Tossed with long strands of seasoned noodles, of course. (via Kirbie’s Cravings)

Never underestimate the power of black beans. Make them on the weekend, then use them as a base for lunch and dinner all week long. (via Well Plated)

This pressure cooker recipe translates for both the Instant Pot and your stovetop, but no matter which method you go with, it'll still be overly creamy and cheesy. Yum! (via Hello Little Home)

Curry-based dishes need to be in your winter meal rotation when you're craving something different. They have just the right amount of spice to open up the sinuses, too. This one is packed with plenty of protein and veg. (via Completely Delicious)

Spicy, saucy, tender chicken for tacos, burritos, and more is super easy to whip up in your pressure cooker. Best of all, this recipe requires just three ingredients, so you don’t have to spend a ton of time rummaging through your cabinets before you get to cooking. (via Gimme Some Oven)

Give your body an anti-inflammatory boost with this golden turmeric and lentil soup. It’s healthy vegan comfort food everyone will love. (via The Girl On Bloor)

Like the boxed meals you grew up with (but way healthier), this hamburger mac and cheese is total comfort food. (via Salt & Lavender)

We suggest prepping a massive batch of these Instant Pot oats to have a dependable breakfast meal prep at the ready whenever you (or your fam) need it. (via The Girl On Bloor)

Stuffed peppers…without actually having to stuff peppers? Count us in! (via A Fork’s Tale)

Prep this amazing vegan pulled pork in the pressure cooker to fill some healthy tacos with! (via Chef Bai)

Balance out the spiciness of this chili by adding some sweet, tender butternut squash. Along with beans and chicken, it helps make this a hearty and nutritious meal. (via Put On Your Cake Pants)

Potatoes cook up ever-so quickly in your pressure cooker. Dress them in a light vinaigrette along with some other veggies for a French-inspired take on the barbecue classic. (via A Communal Table)

When you think of pressure cooker recipes, you probably picture a giant roast or a heavy meat-laden stew. This veggie soup is just the opposite, and is perfect as a light starter for any weeknight meal. (via My Food Story)

Cut through the creamy richness of chicken pasta Alfredo with a jar of salsa in this satisfying weeknight recipe. (via 365 Days of Slow Cooking + Pressure Cooking)

Making risotto can sometimes be a feat, but with the pressure cooker, it doesn't have to be. This easy recipe delivers a delicious bowl of risotto in a matter of minutes. (via Two Spoons)

This healthy meal is packed with flavor and will be sure to satisfy those Thanksgiving turkey cravings. Did we mention there are only five ingredients? That’s a dinner win at its finest. (via The Creative Bite)

Taco Tuesday is a weekly must in many households. Simplify the process by making your pork carnitas in the pressure cooker and garnish them with a little bit of fresh onion, cilantro, and cheese. (via Pressure Cooking Today)

This easy chili benefits beautifully from the sweetness in the apple and pumpkin. (via Clean Cuisine)

The way you cook ribs will forever be changed after you use a pressure cooker. This simple recipe contains ingredients you probably already have in your cupboard. (via Leite’s Culinaria)

This soup is oh-so comforting, but still light on the flavoring, thanks to the citrusy lemon. (via The Endless Meal)

Why order takeout when you can make it better and faster at home? Before everyone decides what they want, you could already have this honey sesame chicken finished and plated. (via Pressure Cooking Today)

The pressure cooker isn’t just for heavy comfort food-style dishes. Whip up these healthy pinto bean, chard, and brown rice burritos in a flash so you can eat something nutritious at the end of a long, stressful day. (via Kitschen Cat)

We tend to whip out our pressure cooker at dinner time, but it’s just as effective at churning out hands-off breakfasts, too. Cornmeal cake studded with blueberries stays ultra-moist in your cooker, making for an indulgent morning meal. (via Kitschen Kat)

When you just need a cozy meal, this lentil stew is the perfect solution. It's even more enticing, now that the cooking process is slashed when you use a pressure cooker. (via Salt & Lavender)

Don’t be put off by the green color of this hearty soup. It’s full of rich flavor, and split peas are chock-full of protein, too. (via Savory Tooth)

Cooking homemade baked beans from dried legumes takes literal hours to yield a tender result. With the pressure cooker, all that flavorful sauce is imparted into the beans in a fraction of the time for one tasty side dish. (via Kitschen Cat)

There’s no need to make a questionable dinner from a box when you can make the same thing from scratch and feel good about it. (via Chattavore)

The beauty of cooking is that you can take one of your favorite dishes and make it your own. This soup is inspired by traditional pho, but uses spiralized daikon radish instead of rice noodles for a healthy twist. (via The Sophisticated Caveman)

Steel-cut oats usually take more time than you have for breakfast in the morning, but with a pressure cooker, you can have them ready before you perfect your mascara. (via Kitschen Cat)

This rice pudding is a versatile dish that you can have for breakfast, dessert, or a quick snack. Serve it warm straight from the pressure cooker, or chill for a couple of hours if you like it cold. (via Pressure Cooking Today)

This is a delicious recipe you can make with pretty much what you almost always have in your fridge and pantry: spaghetti, pepper, some grated cheese, butter, and broth. Mix up your pasta rotation with something a little creamy and peppery this week! (via Instant Pot)

Homemade whole artichokes are a delicious and impressive appetizer for a fancy dinner party. Make a huge batch of these for your next girls’ night in, and the ladies will thank you almost as quickly as they’ll dip these in melted garlic butter or lemon aioli. (via Kalyn’s Kitchen)

One trick to producing a fantastic meal when using a pressure cooker is to finish your dish with fresh ingredients to balance the taste of the cooked food. This Italian chicken stew is full of marinated flavor and topped with lots of fresh herbs. (via Nom Nom Paleo)

Paleo pals, unite! This pressure-cooked beef stew is super easy to make, and will fill you with all the good and warm flavors you crave. (via The Endless Meal)

This rich and thick red lentil curry recipe from Vegan Richa’s Instant Pot Cookbook: 150 Plant-Based Recipes is finished with creamy coconut milk and tastes plant-based fresh and hearty at the same time. (via Instant Pot)

Any dish that can go from frozen to table in 20 minutes is a winner in our book. (via Live Laugh Rowe)

@k.ard Medicine Ball for only $1.69 each! #medicineball#fluseason#coldseason#starbucksdupe#budgettok#SephoraConcealers#DrPepperTuitionContest#halloween#fall2022♬ Halloween - KenZie DarkStar

TikTok always makes recipes look effortless. So, I took this trusty tutorial into our own hands to compare how good an at-home Medicine Ball could really be against the real one from Starbucks.

Ingredients for the Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink

• Teavana Peach Tranquility Tea Bags
• Teavana Jade Citrus Mint Tea Bags
• Honey
• Lemonade

How can I make a Medicine Ball at home?

1. Heat 1 cup of lemonade in the microwave for 45 seconds to a minute.
2. Add 1 cup of hot water and stir in 1 tablespoon honey.
3. Add one bag of Peach Tranquility and one bag of Jade Citrus Mint, then steep for a few minutes.
4. Enjoy your Medicine Ball!

How I Made The Starbucks Medicine Ball At Home

First, I embarked on an ever-iconic Target run to gather my copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball recipe ingredients. Since they were out of the exact Teavana teas I needed to replicate the TikTok recipe, I picked up two similar ones: first, the Good & Gather Organic Peach Honey Tea, and the Good & Gather Organic Mint Tea. I also picked up a jug of lemonade, and planned to use the honey I already had at home. All together, the three ingredients I needed ended up costing me about $9.50.

Step 1: Heat Lemonade

I measured a cup of lemonade, and just popped my Starbucks mug in the microwave for a minute.

Step 2: Add Water and Honey

While the lemonade was in the microwave, I set some water on in my electric kettle. Once both liquids were heated up, I measured a cup of water and combined it in the mug with a tablespoon of honey. Yum!

Step 3: Steep Tea Bags

Then, I put the two teabags in the mixture to steep. The tea wasn't overly hot either, and I steeped them for about 3 minutes before giving my homemade Medicine Ball recipe a lil' sip.

Is the homemade version of the Medicine Ball as good as the one from Starbucks?

To my surprise, my homemade Medicine Ball recipe was extremely delicious, and it mimicked the Starbucks one so closely. Before tasting, I gave my tea a sniff, and the smell was pretty much identical to the drink made in stores. The flavor hit the exact same mark.

Overall, I rate my homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball a 4.7/5.

The only detracting factors are the temperature of the drink – Starbucks steams their lemonade to make the drink super hot, and mine wasn't nearly as piping. Of course, this is just personal preference, and next time, I can heat the lemonade for a longer duration, or reheat the drink altogether. Another reason for the minimal point deduction is the drink wasn't as sweet as I expected it to be. Again, this is a personal preference, and you can add as little or as much sweetener you desire!

All of this goes to say, that a homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball is just as yummy as the one you can get at a Starbucks cafe. By following the steps above, you can make a copycat recipe that's going to satisfy your hankering for a citrusy, hot tea!

1. Get outside for at least 20 minutes everyday.

My seasonal depression is definitely perpetuated by my work setup – I work remotely full-time, which means a big chunk of my days are spent inside in isolation.

Knowing that being in nature can soothe the tension caused by not only locking in on work tasks for hours at a time, but sitting in the same place for just as long, I’ve been prioritizing getting outside for at least 20 minutes a day. Even just sipping in a breath of fresh air can provide a nice restart to a not-so-great day.

Whether it’s going for a walk, coffee run, or to let your dog out, getting outside for a change of scenery can absolutely improve your mental health.

2. Engage in exercise that feels good.

I’m lucky to have found a combination of workouts that feel good to my body and mind. Climbing, hot yoga, and outdoor walks have truly kept me sane this far in the season!

Exercising (of any kind) releases dopamine and serotonin, which arecommonly linked to treating depression. It can also improve neuroplasticity, learning, and memory in the long-term, which, to me, sounds like a win-win for everyone.

The key for committing to an exercise routine in the depths of seasonal depression (and beyond) is only engaging in workouts that bring you joy – exercise should not serve as punishment, nor does it have to be painful.

3. Delete social media when I know it’s impacting my mental health.

This one is huge. I could talk for hours – heck, even days – about how hurtful social media can be for my mental health. To make a long story short, social media (Instagram in particular) degrades my attention span, sense of reality, and self-confidence.

There was a period of time where I had screen time limits on apps like Instagram and TikTok, but I would override them 99% of the time. Now, I'm making an actual conscious effort to delete the apps off my phone entirely when I feel the doomscrolling has gone too far. It’s helped so much: I don’t feel a constant sense of FOMO (which is a massive challenge when 69% of adults use social media), pressure to buy unnecessary things, or distracted from the present moment.

Of course, I’ll still download the apps every once in a while to check in – there’s a delicate balance between wanting to feel simultaneously connected and disconnected – but the biggest part of this is maintaining the boundaries I set for myself.

If you feel like deleting social media apps cold-turkey isn’t quite the step you need to take at the moment, I suggest making use of screen time limits and sticking to them, so you can live and be present in your (real) life!

4. Prioritize seeing my friends in person.

As I mentioned, working from home is quite isolating. I know many of my friends feel isolated this time of year, even if they work in-person jobs. I don't have any family members that live very close to me, so my besties have truly become my chosen family.

Speaking from experience, having a friend group (or even just a golden best friend) to turn to in those quiet moments after the workday is the ultimate cure for loneliness, boredom, and depression. In fact,studies like this onehave shown that a positive sense of community is associated with reduced reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

So, gather your pals for a movie, craft night, potluck, or even just time to rot on the couch together. A lot of times, your friends may be feeling the exact same way you are.

5. Cook nourishing and rewarding meals.

Winter time is comfort👏 food👏 central👏, so there’s no excuse to not whip up a delectable soup or casserole fit for the season. Seasonal depression most certainly takes a toll on my executive function, though, so finding (or rather, making) the time and motivation to cook something for myself can be rough. Don’t even get me started on going to the grocery store.

That’s why I like to turn to recipes that yield big ol’ batches of food, so I can eat on leftovers for a week or so rather than cook something new every single day. Bonus points if the dish is healthy! Maybe the meal preppers are onto something…

You can find tons of delicious, easy, healthy, meal prep-friendly recipes here!

6. Be cognizant of my water intake.

As important as eating healthy is, it doesn’t mean much if you’re not hydrated. Drinking adequate amounts of water every day simply sets me right – I notice I have so much more energy than the days my water bottle’s not tied to my hip.

Experts recommend that women drink roughly 11 cups of water daily in order to benefit the body, from your immune system to your mood. I’ve been making the ritual even more enjoyable with a fun water bottle, customized with stickers and all.

7. Journal regularly.

Journaling can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hostility, as well as encourage self-awareness and resilience against the daily grind, which is why I aim to commit a tiny slice of my day to writing (or drawing). Even if there’s nothing “bad” or dramatic going on in my life, journaling about the mundane is super helpful in simply getting to know myself.

To incorporate journaling into your routine, I suggest writing right before bed, right before you wake up, or on a quick break during the day. Even just 5 minutes alone with your thoughts and your pen can transform your mindset.

You can find some really helpful journal prompts for improving your mental health here!

8. Go to therapy regularly.

Seeing a therapist on a regular basis has been a huge game-changer for me. When I started to go several years ago, I denounced therapy as a whole, but I started to really love it after a few months worth of sessions.

A good therapist can help you manage depression, stress, anxiety, and other mental health struggles, plus provide effective methods for self regulation, self awareness, communication, problem solving, and a whole lot more.

I’ve found my favorite part about therapy is having a third party to talk to about certain situations in my life – it’s been super beneficial when I want to talk through things I can’t (or don't necessarily want to) tell my close friends or family. Seeing a therapist regularly also helps me keep myself in check in terms of life, mental health, physical health, work, creative goals, and more.