Can I make Cornish Hens in the Instant Pot?

That’s what I thought when I first got my Instant Pot. I didn’t really find any recipes I liked so I created what I think is the Best Instant Pot Cornish Hens recipe.

Growing up, we never had turkey at Thanksgiving once my mom died and my dad was in charge of Thanksgiving dinner. He hated turkey, so instead he would cook us Cornish Hens. It was a once a year occurrence that we had these little birds.

My dad would put tons of onions and garlic in the Cornish Hens and they baked in the over forever. A couple years ago my dad decided he would not be cooking anymore (as little as he already did) which included Thanksgiving dinner. If I wanted a traditional or non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner, I’d be in charge of it now. Those little Cornish Hens are take so long to make, and after trying it the first year I was in charge I swapped to turkey.

However, last year I got an Instant pot and wanted to try pressure cooking Cornish Hens. I tried it the first time with just water and a second time with white wine and the water proved to be a better choice for the Cornish Hens. I shoved a half diced onion and a smashed garlic clove in each hen. Here’s the key though: the rub. First wash the Cornish Hens and pat them dry. Spread a generous portion of butter all over the Cornish Hens. Now, I’ve got a variation in case you don’t want to buy it, but I highly recommend the Tea Thyme blend from Eat More Tea. I bought it on a visit to Ann Arbor.

Ingredients for the best Instant Pot Cornish Hens:

• 2 Cornish Hens
• 1 Cup water
• 2 cloves garlic (smashed)
• 1 onion chopped
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
• (Note: You could use Tea Thyme blend from Eat More Tea in place of the seasonings listed above for the best Instant Pot Cornish Hens recipe). You would use 1-2 tablespoons of this.
• 4 tablespoons butter

Directions for cooking the best Instant Pot Cornish Hens

1. Wash Cornish hens and pat dry.
2. Rub each hen with 2 tablespoons butter
3. Mix salt, pepper and seasoning together and divide in half.
   

   Two Cornish Hens easily fit into an Instant Pot

4. Sprinkle salt, pepper and poultry seasonings on each Cornish Hen
5. Put 1 clove garlic inside each hen
6. Put 1/2 of the chopped onion inside each hen
7. Pressure cook for 28 minutes. Let them naturally release for 15 minutes.

Serve Instant Pot Cornish Hens with wild rice or roasted potatoes or vegetable of your choosing.

Want to read more about Ann Arbor (where I found the Tea Thyme spice blend used in the Instant Pot Cornish Hens recipe from Eat More Tea)?

Check out my podcast interview with Teahaus owner and tea sommelier, Lisa McDonald.

Want to know more about Ann Arbor? Read about a fabulous Moroccan restaurant in an old Taco Bell. 

Watch the video for the Best Cornish Hens Recipe in the Instant Pot: