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Homemade ricotta is one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make. This Instant Pot ricotta recipe costs much less than store-bought ricotta, and it tastes delicious!
Homemade ricotta cheese couldn’t be easier to make. It’s as simple as heating up some milk, adding an acid, and waiting a minute for the magic to begin.
An Instant Pot makes it even easier than my stove top homemade ricotta. The yogurt setting on the Instant Pot heats the milk up to the required 180 degrees, so all you have to do is add the vinegar and strain the mixture.
This ricotta is a great spread for crackers or a base for pancakes and muffins. I can never bring myself to buy ricotta anymore now that I know how easy and affordable it is to make my own.
Watch this short video to see just how simple it is to make ricotta:
Instant Pot Ricotta
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 tbs white vinegar
Instructions
- Pour the milk into the Instant Pot, close the lid, and set the vent to Sealing.
- Press the Yogurt button and press Adjust until you see Boil.
- Let the pot run the boil cycle. When it beeps, it means the milk has reached 180 degrees. Remove the top.
- Remove the inner pot to a trivet and pour the vinegar into the milk. Stir briefly. You’ll see the ricotta separating from the liquid. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.
- Transfer the ricotta mixture to a fine mesh strainer lined with butter muslin. Let the liquid drain for a couple minutes, and add a sprinkle of salt if desired. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate.
Nutrition Estimate
Instant Pot Ricotta Price Breakdown
This recipe costs a total of $.82 to make, and it yields about 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces). This comes out to $.07 per ounce ($.55 per cup). This is less than half the cost of store-bought ricotta, and the homemade version is so fresh and delicious! Try this recipe the next time you’re making something that calls for ricotta. You’ll never go back to the packaged version.
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Andrea says
Instead of milk, can I substitute nut milk instead, like almond milk, soy or coconut milk?
Annemarie says
I haven’t tried this with non-dairy milk. I’m not sure if it would work.
Joanne @ No Plate Like Home says
Mine was done much quicker. My Instant Pot beeped closer to 15 min or fewer. It turned out great! Thanks for sharing! I’m delighted!
Brad says
So all I got was curdled milk with almost no solids.
I have never tried any milk products in my instant pot but I followed the directions in setting the yogurt button to “boil” and it beeped and said “yo grt” after about 10 minutes so I took it out.
Any advice/suggestions on what I did wrong?
Annemarie says
I’m not sure what happened. If you try it again, I recommend using a thermometer to make sure the milk has reached 180 degrees. If your Instant Pot is working properly, this is the temperature it should reach when it beeps. Then proceed with adding the vinegar, and let it sit for 10 minutes before straining.
maggie says
not sure why, but when mine beeps on the boil setting, it’s about 150 degrees, I have to heat to 180 by using saute for about another 10 minutes.
Annemarie says
Maggie, what size Instant Pot are you using? I haven’t had that experience, but I’m glad you were able to get it to the right temperature with Saute.
Amanda says
Can I strain with something besides cheese cloth? Is there a household staple that could be an equivalent substitute? I happen to have nut milk bags, could those work? A tea towel?
Annemarie says
Nut milk bags or even a coffee filter should work. Good luck!
Irene says
I have used new pantyhose in a pinch.
Naomi R Estrada says
Do you have any recommendations for the leftover whey? I’d hate to throw it out!
Annemarie says
Yes! Use it in any baking recipe as a substitute for the liquid (e.g. muffins, cake, pancakes). Also, you can use it to soak grains, nuts, beans, etc. in order to minimize their phytic acid.
May says
EXCELLENT!! I used 2% organic lactose free milk and lemon juice. It totally worked! After moving the mixture to a cheese cloth lined strainer I let it sit for 30-40 mins. I dont think the yield was as good as you would get from full fat milk, but who cares, I was able to serve my lactose intolerant husband a yummy pasta meal with dollops of ricotta on top. He didnt realize he could love me more! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this recipe!
Annemarie says
That’s great! I’m so glad it worked well with lactose free milk.
Beverly says
1/2 gallon milk you should get 1/2 pound ricotta. I would use more vinegar. Until now I have used a pasteurizer for milk ( I have goats and plenty of goats milk ) I usually make 2 gallons of goat milk into 2 pounds of cheese. When the milk reaches 180′ I add 1 cup vinegar. SO for 1/2 gallon of milk I would add 1/4 cup vinegar.
Anastasia Baker says
Loved this recipe! It was fast and turned out great!
Annemarie says
That’s great to hear! Thanks for letting me know.
Colleen says
I’m confused……..I have a 6qt Duo with the yogurt feature. You say to push the yogurt button until it reaches boil then release the pressure when it’s done. The yogurt function is not done under pressure so there shouldn’t be any pressure to release should there????
Annemarie says
Thanks for the heads up. I updated the instructions.
Jill Ward says
Can I use plain cheese cloth instead of butter muslin?
Annemarie says
Yes, you can use cheese cloth. I recommend folding it over a couple times so the ricotta doesn’t slip through the bigger holes. Enjoy!
Rochelle says
Will this work if I make half a recipe to see if I like it? I have a Duo 8
Annemarie says
I haven’t tried it that way, but you should be able to half the recipe. Let me know how it turns out.
Rochelle says
Thank you!
Kim says
That amount of liquid is for the IP to come to pressure…so you should be able to use any amount. Obviously, don’t use so little that it boils down to nothing.
DJR says
Will be trying this soon. I’m curious to know, where do you find 4 cups of milk for 82 cents?
Annemarie says
I hope you enjoy it! I can get milk for less than $3 a gallon at Costco and Wegman’s in my area (eastern Massachusetts). This comes out to less than $.75 for 4 cups. What does milk cost in your area?
Jeanne says
I buy organic milk. In southern Delaware, best price I can find is $4 for a half gallon. No Wegmans & nearest Costco is an hour & a half drive away. I’m going to try this anyway just because I prefer homemade.Jea
jane smith says
Walmart sells their brand for 81 cents/half gallon.
Brandi says
I do not have a yogurt setting. (I have the Lux6.0) What other setting could I use and for how long?
Annemarie says
I’m not sure. Before I had my Instant Pot, I made it on the stovetop. You just need to heat the milk to 180 degrees.
Donna says
Any idea whether or not it would work with fat free or 1% milk?
Annemarie says
Yes, that milk should work, too.
Kathy says
I will try this. I am Italian and the ricotta we had in our recipes was made from goat milk and it was light and mildly sweet. We could eat it by spoon as children. I would be so excited if this came close. I might even try using goat milk some time.
Hattie says
Can I use goat milk instead of cow milk to make this recipe?
Annemarie says
I haven’t made this with goat’s milk, but I think you probably could. Please let me know if you try it!
Victoria says
I use goat milk all the time – works great! ?
amanda says
would I be able to use lactaid milk that is lactose free?
Annemarie says
I haven’t made this with lactose-free milk. Please let me know if you try it!
Diana says
Fermenting milk changes the lactose—-you should be able to tolerate it just fine.
Teresa says
Very cool, I’m excited to try this, thank you so much for this recipe. I was wondering if you could use reconstituted evaporated milk? I don’t usually buy or use regular milk or have it on hand.
Annemarie says
Teresa, I’ve never used evaporated milk for this, so I’m not sure. Please let me know if you try it!
marybeth says
can I use the porridge button
marybeth says
I don’t have a yogurt button so how should I processed?
Annemarie says
You can use the Saute button to heat the milk to 180 degrees, or heat it on the stovetop. Either way, you’ll need a thermometer to confirm the temperature.
marybeth says
ok thank you so much for the quick reply back!! def going to try this today
Ina says
I ran it a 2nd time (same milk) and this time it came to pressure, but was only 150 degrees. I decided to go ahead anyway and it seemed to curdle up just fine. it is in the fridge chilling right now. Tasted pretty good, so I think it was ok! Thanks for the recipe!
Rose says
This sounds wonderful. Could I use the same strainer I purchased for Greek yogurt to strain the ricotta?
Annemarie says
Yes, Rose, that should work fine. Enjoy!
Deana says
I’m wondering if this can be made from 2% or non-fat milk? Thanks! 🙂
Annemarie says
Yes, it can, Deana. The yield might be a bit smaller and the product will be less rich, but it’s definitely doable.
Kelly says
Can you double recipe and how long can it stay in the refrigerator? Thanks in advance.
Annemarie says
This keeps for about a week in the fridge. I haven’t doubled it, but it should work just fine. It will take a little longer for the milk to reach 180 degrees.
Jeanette says
This recipe looks great! What do you do with the leftover whey from the ricotta? (We’re “swimming” in whey at our house from making lots of Greek yogurt).
Thanks!
Annemarie says
The leftover whey is great for soaking grains before baking. You can also add it to baked goods as a substitute for other liquids, or put it in smoothies.
Jeanette says
Wonderful! I am always looking for more ways to use up whey and not waste it. Thank you for your reply.
Jaime says
Whey is also good for dogs (if you have a dog). You can drizzle it over their food.
Lisa says
It’s also a great starter for fermentation.
D says
Soups, gravy, liquid when making bread, put in smoothies, water the plants…..
Kelli McGrane says
I keep seeing posts using instapots and every time think to myself I should get one but then forget. But this ricotta looks so delicious. . .I may just have to cave and finally buy one!
Jenny Shea Rawn says
Never realized how very easy it was to make ricotta … and we love ricotta in our house! Don’t have an instantpot, but checked out your stovetop version and will be trying that.
Tawnie Kroll says
This is genius!! Need to try this asap! 🙂