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    Home » Recipes » Food Tips

    25 easy vegetarian Instant pot recipes (Indian & more)

    Modified: Aug 6, 2024 Published: May 28, 2021 by Sravanthi Chanda. Leave a Comment

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    5 from 2 votes
    Detailed Steps Jump to Recipe

    Are you looking for easy instant pot recipes? Here is the collection of vegetarian instant pot recipes that are delicious and easy to make at home.

    instant pot vegetarian recipes collage
    Jump to:
    • Benefits of an instant pot
    • Is an instant pot good for vegetarians?
    • Tips to use Instant Pot
    • Vegetarian Instant pot recipes
    • How to guides
    • Recipe

    Benefits of an instant pot

    Instant pot makes cooking easy and fast. Unlike stovetop pressure cookers, it doesn't require babysitting.

    Homemade cooking is easy with proper planning and the use of the right gadgets. It is also cost-effective to cook at home from scratch.

    And what about nutrients in pressure-cooked food? Like any other cooking method, pressure cooking destroys nutrients to some extent, but it is still better. You can read more about pressure cooker effects here and here.

    As I always say, variety is the key. I do use other cooking methods. The instant pot comes in handy when you are out of time.

    And cooking at home using any cooking method is always better as you know what went into your meal.

    Is an instant pot good for vegetarians?

    Yes, Instant pot is very much suitable for vegetarians and vegans. As beans and lentils are a significant source of protein for vegetarians, you can cook beans and lentils quickly and effortlessly using an instant pot.

    And I love to cook one-pot meals using an instant pot, and they are so convenient on busy days.

    You will not miss making meals at home even on your busy days with the Instant pot convenience.

    Tips to use Instant Pot

    Though Instant pot is very convenient, I follow a few things to make meals easily.

    • Do not pressure cook leafy veggies: They cook very fast, and many nutrients will be lost when cooked for a long time and under high pressure. So try to add leafy greens after the pressure cooking is done.

     Coriander, mint, baby spinach leaves, Kale, and fenugreek leaves don't need much cooking. So you can add them after releasing pressure. The remaining heat will cook these greens.

    Other leaves like amaranth, Rosella leaves can be added after the pressure release and sautéed for a couple of minutes.

    • Soak the beans and legumes: Soaking reduces cooking time to almost 50%

    Yes, it requires little planning, but it pays off.

    • Chose veggies wisely while adding to curries or rice dishes. Veggies like broccoli, zucchini will lose their texture on pressure cooking. So do not use the pressure cook option if cooking only these veggies or add these veggies after the pressure release and cook on sauté mode.

    Vegetarian Instant pot recipes

    Instant pot is one kitchen gadget using which you can make any meal. So here, you will find all instant pot recipes suitable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

    Instant pot is helpful for meal prep, so you will find some how-to guides to cook basic staples like rice, quinoa, millet, quinoa, and beans.

    Even if you are not a vegetarian, you should try these recipes, and I am sure you will not be disappointed.

    All these instant pot recipes are vegetarian (with vegan and gluten-free options), plant-based, and you can make them from scratch at home.

    Each recipe has different variations and substitutes. So you can make them easily with whatever pantry staples you have handy.

    I have made all these recipes using Instant pot 6-quart duo.

    Here are my top favorite Instant pot recipes from around the globe that you should try today! There are many instant pot recipes on this blog, and you might be interested in them.

    Quinoa pudding

    quinoa pudding in a bowl

    This quinoa pudding is a delicious alternative to your regular rice pudding. Have this a breakfast with lots of fresh fruits and nuts, or enjoy it as a guilt-free dessert.

    Vegan Penne pasta

    This Vegan penne pasta is easy to make with fresh tomato sauce (made at home from scratch) and will be ready in 30 minutes. Perfect for any meal and a kid-friendly recipe!

    Vegan chili with kidney beans

    vegan chili in a bowl

    This simple and flavorful vegan kidney bean chili recipe is easy to make from scratch with pantry staple ingredients. This recipe uses kidney beans, but you can substitute them with any beans or chickpeas.

    Pasta soup with beans & veggies

    This Instant pot vegan pasta e Fagioli is super easy to make and full of flavors. This soup will be a wholesome and complete meal that doesn't need side dishes.

    Vegetable black-eyed peas soup

    black eyed peas soup in a bowl

    This delicious black-eyed pea and mixed veggies soup is ideal for busy days. Make the soup from scratch in no time using an Instant Pot.

    Lentil soup with potato and Kale

    potato lentil kale soup in a bowl

    Hearty lentil soup with potato and kale is simply comforting. Make this nutritious soup once, and I am sure you will repeat it in your meal plans.

    Kidney beans soup

    instant pot kidney beans in a bowl

    Make this easy yet wholesome vegan kidney beans soup and enjoy it for your lunch or dinner. With few ingredients and an Instant pot, you can make this soup at home even on your busy days.

    Curried tomato rice

    instant pot tomato rice in a bowl

    This simple and flavorful Instant pot tomato rice recipe is a keeper. Though you can serve this dish as it is, you can also make tacos, burritos, salads using this.

    Brown lentils and rice pilaf

    brown lentils and rice pilaf in an instant pot

    I love one-pot rice dishes as they make a light and nourishing meal in less time. This brown lentil and rice pilaf is wholesome with veggies and makes a perfect meal by itself.

    Kidney beans and rice

    beans and rice in a bowl

    Simple rice and beans is comfort food, and using an Instant pot, make this for your dinner even on your busy days. This vegan and the gluten-free dish is very versatile, and you can serve it as pilaf, taco, burrito.

    Chana masala (Indian chickpea curry)

    Make restaurant-style Indian chickpeas curry at home using staple pantry ingredients. This chana masala recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for dinner.

    Coconut chickpea curry

    instant pot vegetable curry in a bowl along with rice

    This simple chickpea vegetable curry in a soupy coconut broth with rice or flatbread is my comfort food on any day. This flavorful mixed vegetable curry recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and protein-rich.

    Black-eyed peas curry

    This black-eyed peas curry is my favorite curry that you can serve as a side dish for rice, flatbread, and mashed potatoes. You can even have it as a soup for a busy day.

    Curried Adzuki beans

    Earthy flavored adzuki beans cooked in a base of onion and tomatoes make a tasty weeknight meal!

    Indian dal

    Instant pot makes the best dal, and this recipe is a keeper! Cook some rice along with dal using the pot in pot method, and your meal is ready in under 30 minutes.

    Millet lentil porridge

    This simple savory porridge, a perfect combo of grains and lentils, is very satiating and the best replacement for your sweet breakfast porridge. Don't worry if you do not have millets handy. You can make this recipe with rice or quinoa also.

    Instant pot healing Kitchari

    millet khichdi served in a plate

    This Indian-style dump-and-go recipe with grain and lentils is perfect for beginners to use an Instant Pot. A very versatile recipe with grains, lentils, and veggies makes a nourishing meal in no time! You can use millets, quinoa, or rice to make this Khichari recipe.

    Yellow peas curry

    yellow peas curry in a bowl

    This yellow peas and potato curry is my version of Indian street food. This curry can be a wholesome meal by itself. Or serve this along with some naan bread.

    How to guides

    I mainly use Instant pot for batch cooking, and it is helpful for meal prep. These detailed guides to cook basic staples will help you in meal prep.

    Instant pot Basmati rice

    instant pot basmati rice in a bowl

    Everyone enjoys perfect fluffy rice. As rice is our staple food, we eat it every day. See this detailed post on cooking basmati rice and various ways to flavor the rice.

    Instant pot Quinoa

    Learn how to cook and season quinoa that will not taste bland. Serve this quinoa with vegan spinach tofu curry or Indian dal, or make a simple salad.

    Instant pot Millet

    cook millet in instant pot

    Instant pot makes the best millet. Learn how to make fluffy millet and various recipes to use it.

    Instant pot Chickpeas

    instant pot chickpeas in a bowl

    Once you cook chickpeas at home, you will never buy a canned one again. This detailed post will help you cook chickpeas from scratch. I prefer soaking my chickpeas, but Instant pot helps you cook dried chickpeas in no time.

    Instant pot Black-eyed peas

    cooked black eyed peas in a bowl

    Cook perfect black-eyed peas at home using my recipe and use them in various recipes. My favorite way to enjoy them is a simple black-eyed pea salad. What is yours?

    Instant pot Kidney beans

    cooked kidney beans in a box

    Instant pot makes the best beans. With little effort, you can cook beans at home, which will save you a lot of money. Once you have cooked beans, make a salad, rice, chili, soup in no time.

    Have you tried this recipe? Provide your feedback by giving a star rating and/or leaving comments. And don't forget to share the recipe with others on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter.

    Recipe

    instant pot vegetarian recipes collage

    Easy vegetarian Instant pot recipes (Indian & more)

    By: Sravanthi Chanda
    Are you looking for easy instant pot recipes? Here is a collection of vegetarian instant pot recipes that are delicious and easy to make at home. Start making these instant pot recipes with this quick quinoa vegetable pilaf.

    Rate this recipe by clicking the stars!

    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Global
    Servings 6
    Calories 267 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups quinoa (raw)
    • 2.5 cup water or use vegetable stock
    • 1 cup carrots finely chopped
    • ½ cup green beans chopped
    • ½ cup onions chopped
    • 2 tablespoon oil
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 teaspoon ginger chopped
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper powder adjust according to your preference
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Chop the veggies and keep them aside.
      chopped veggies in a plate
    • Wash the quinoa at least 2 to 3 times, drain the water completely, and keep it aside.
    • Start the Instant pot in sauté mode.
    • Once it is hot, add oil, bay leaf, and chopped ginger.
    • Now add onions and let them fry for a minute. 
    • To these onions, now add the chopped veggies.
    • Fry the veggies for a couple of minutes and add washed quinoa.
    • Mix it once, add pepper powder, dried oregano and fry it for a couple of minutes.
    • Switch off the Instant pot and add water to the inner pot. You can check the salt at this stage and adjust it if needed.
    • Close the instant pot with its lid and cook it on manual or pressure cooker mode for 2 minutes on high pressure.
    • Once the Instant pot beeps, switch it off and wait for the pressure to release naturally.
    • Open the lid now and fluff it up.
    • And easy quinoa pilaf is ready to serve!

    Notes

    Nutrition values are my rough estimates. Please feel free to use your calculator if you rely on them for your diet.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 267kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 9gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 24mgPotassium: 428mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 3636IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 3mg
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    Sravanthi Chanda author of everydaynourishingfoods

    I'm Sravanthi Chanda and I share Indian lunch and dinner recipes on my blog. These easy-to-follow recipes are made from scratch using fresh ingredients and come with step-by-step photos, perfect for family meals.

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