30 Easy Instant Pot Indian Vegetarian Recipes - Simmer to Slimmer (2024)

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Looking for vegetarian recipes to make in your Instant Pot? Then this collection of fast and easy Indian curries, biryanis & side dishes is perfect for you!

30 Easy Instant Pot Indian Vegetarian Recipes - Simmer to Slimmer (1)

Instant Pot has been a boon for time-pressed families who can now have healthy and delicious meals without slaving in the kitchen for hours.

For vegetarians who rely on pulses for their protein, cooking in the Instant Pot has been a game-changer. The beans cook evenly to your desired doneness – without having to watch over it. And most diced potatoes cook in two minutes!

That’s why many call Instant Pot a game-changer.

Even if you are not a vegetarian, but like to go meatless from time to time, you’ll love this extensive collection of 30+ Instant Pot recipes. I am sure you’ll find quite a few recipes that you and your family will enjoy!

Here are my top favorite Indian Instant Pot vegetarian recipes sorted by rice dishes, curries, and side dishes.

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Aromatic Jeera Rice (Cumin rice)

Jeera rice – One whiff of this aromatic, fluffy basmati rice tempered with cumin seeds is enough to get your taste buds tingling. Learn how to make this flavorful rice in ten minutes or less.

Get the recipe!

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Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani

Instant Pot vegetable biryani is made by pressure cooking rice, vegetablesin a spicy onion-tomato gravy to create this flavorful one-pot vegetarian meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Get the recipe!

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One pot Moong dal khichdi

A wholesome and nutritious meal – Moong dal khichdi made from rice and moong dal (split lentils) is comfort food at its best. This one-pot, 5-ingredientmeal is easy on your stomach and is perfect for all ages.

Get the recipe!

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South Indian Curd Rice Recipe (Thayir sadam)

The delicate and mildflavoredcurd rice (also known as thayir sadam or yogurt rice) is a befitting finale to a sumptuousspicymeal. Learn how to make this comfort food in under 30-minutes.

Get the recipe!

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Flavorful, tangy & crunchy Lemon Rice from South India, made as a one-pot dish in Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. Make this Lemon Rice in less than 30 mins.

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Simple and authentic Vegetable & Paneer Biryani is an Indian one-pot meal with grains, vegetables, and protein. You’re going to love this flavorful dish.

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Ven Pongal Recipe

Ven Pongal Recipe – This south Indian breakfast made from rice and lentils is a great way to start your day. Pair it with sambar and chutney for a complete gastronomical experience.

Get the recipe!

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Fast & Easy Pressure Cooker Coconut Rice. Perfectly cooked rice with the sweet aroma & subtle flavor of coconut milk. Vegan & gluten free side dish!

Instant Pot Curries

Delicious, finger-licking dal and curry recipes made quickly in the Instant Pot.

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Instant Pot Dal Makhani Recipe

Restaurant-Style Dal Makhani – You've got to try this creamy delicious lentil curry that graces the menus of Indian restaurants worldwide. Learn how to replicate the flavors of this traditionally slow-cooked curry quickly in an Instant Pot

Get the recipe!

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The ultimate Indian comfort food, dal and rice is so EASY using Instant Pot. Addition of spinach & cooking rice at the same time makes this a weeknight FAV #ministryofcurry #dalrice

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Gujarati Kadhi

Kadhi is a simple yogurt-based curry that will bowl you over with its sweet and sour taste. Pair with rice and a vegetable dish for a complete meal.

Get the recipe!

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Instant Pot Vegetable Korma – mixed vegetable curry in a cashew and coconut based sauce. Packed with so much flavor and so easy to make. Vegan & gluten-free.

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Mumbai Pav Bhaji

Loaded with veggies and butter, Pav bhaji is one of the most loved street food in India. Learn how to make Pav bhaji in an Instant Pot or a traditional pressure cooker in about 30 minutes.

Get the recipe!

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Aloo Saag made in the instant pot. This spinach potato curry is a one pot meal which tastes great with rice or any bread of choice. Vegan & gluten-free.

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Punjabi Rajma Masala Curry

This quick & easy one-pot Punjabi rajma masala curry is super simple to make and loaded with rich and delicious flavors.

Get the recipe!

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Channa Masala Recipe

Punjabi Chana Masala (Choley) popularly known as the Indian Chickpea Curry in the US is a robustly flavored curry that can be quickly put together when cooked in a traditional pressure cooker or an Instant Pot.

Get the recipe!

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Black-eyed peas curry (chawli / lobia masala)

Black-eyedpeas curry, chawlior lobiamasala is a simple yet flavorful curry that pairs well with rice and roti.This particular legume curry is my favorite food – it is healthy and satisfying.

Get the recipe!

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Instant Pot Palak Paneer / Saag Paneer Recipe

This simple and easy Palak Paneer (saag paneer) recipe is a healthier take on the popular restaurant-style spinach and cottage cheese curry. Learn how to make it quickly using an Instant Pot or stovetop.

Get the recipe!

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Instant Pot Butter Paneer – the famous Indian Butter Paneer made in the Instant Pot! This has to the easiest butter paneer that you can make!

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Sambar Recipe

Sambar or Sambhar is a tangy and mildly spicy lentil-vegetable stew from the southern part of India. It is a staple in most South Indian homes and is served alongside idlis or dosas for breakfast or with rice for lunch/dinner.

Get the recipe!

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Tadka dal – one pot lentil soup

One pot recipes are the best! That’s why you’ll love this Tadka dal (tempered dal) recipe – make it in an Instant Pot or a pressure cooker – and you’ll have your meal ready in no time.

Get the recipe!

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Dal Fry

This recipe for Dal Fry is very close to my heart because it comes from my mom’s kitchen. This is my humble attempt to recreate the hearty and lip-smacking dal my mom makes in an Instant Pot. Stovetop recipe is included as well.

Get the recipe!

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Instant Pot Langarwali Dal

This recipe for creamy langarwali dal will steal your heart. Make sure to make a double batch because this delicious lentil curry will be gone in seconds.

Get the recipe!

Easy Indian side dishes that you can make in Instant Pot

These side dishes are easy to make and are perfect for busy weeknights.

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Aloo Gobhi Recipe

Aloo Gobi is a vegan and gluten-free dish that is an eternal favorite at all Indian restaurants across the globe. Learn how to make this Punjabi-style cauliflower and potato curry in less than 30 minutes using an Instant Pot or over the stovetop.

Get the recipe!

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Easy Indian Potatoes / Aloo sabzi / Batata Bhaji

Aloo Recipe – This classic Indian Potato recipe is this easy and quick side dish that is perfect for those who are new to Indian cooking. Pair with rice and dal to make a complete meal or savor it with rotis or pooris

Get the recipe!

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Jeera Aloo Recipe

Jeera Aloo Recipe – Made by sauteeing potatoes (aloo) in a tempering of olive oil and cumin (jeera) seeds, this simple yet delicious side dish is perfect for those who are new to Indian cooking. Pair with rice and dal to make a complete meal.

Get the recipe!

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Instant Pot Punjabi Dum Aloo Recipe

This easy and delicious Punjabi style Dum Aloo gravy is perfect for families who want to savor this lovely dish without spending hours in the kitchen. Leverage your pressure cooker and make it in about 30-minutes.

Get the recipe!

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Instant Pot Aloo Matar

Instant Pot Aloo matar is a delicious potato and peas curry that you can make in 30 minutes. Serve with ghee laden rotis to make it a complete meal.

Get the recipe!

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Instant Pot Beans poriyal (Green beans with coconut)

You'll love this South Indian dish, beans poriyal: a simple stir-fry of crisp green beans, light spices, and fresh coconut—perfectly cooked in an Instant Pot.

Get the recipe!

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Sukha Kala Chana (Dry Black Chickpeas)

This flavorful sukha kala chana (dry black chickpeas) dish tastes divine when served with pooris and sheera. While it is often served as prasad (religious offering) it makes for an easy side dish on busy weeknights.

Get the recipe!

New to Instant Pot? Start here

Check out this Instant Pot 101 series to get comfortable with your pressure cooker. Some of the popular posts from the series include –

  • Instant Pot Do’s and Don’ts – Things You Should Know Before Using Your Instant Pot
  • Understanding the Smart Programs – Which button to choose and when
  • 10 easy recipes to make in the Instant Pot
  • 10 Instant Pot must-have accessories
30 Easy Instant Pot Indian Vegetarian Recipes - Simmer to Slimmer (2024)

FAQs

Is instant pot useful for Indian cooking? ›

Is instant pot good for Indian cooking? Yes. The taste and texture of the Indian dishes turn out much better in the instant pot than in the stovetop pressure cooker, especially dals, curries, rice, and meat dishes.

Is instant pot worth it for vegetarian? ›

The Instant Pot is awesome at cooking some of our favorite vegetarian staples, from perfectly cooked dried beans to tender, well-seasoned spaghetti squash, and smooth and creamy hummus. And as we've learned, it has the potential to make meal prep sessions a little easier, and even save time in the kitchen.

Which Instant Pot model is best for Indian cooking? ›

MOC Recommended - My favorite and most used model that I recommend is the 6 QT Instant Pot DUO with yogurt option. This is also a perfect Instant Pot option for Indian cooking. This is available in 3, 6, or 8-quart sizes.

What is the disadvantage of Instant Pot? ›

Not good for cooking everything: Just like no one method is great for cooking everything, the Instant Pot isn't build to do it all. If you are not a fan of like stews and saucy things then pressure cooking might not be for you.

What foods should not be cooked in an Instant Pot? ›

6 Things You Should Never Cook in an Instant Pot
  1. Creamy Sauces. If there's one food group you should avoid in the Instant Pot, it's dairy. ...
  2. Fried Chicken. The best fried chicken is crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside and perfectly golden brown. ...
  3. Cookies. ...
  4. Burgers. ...
  5. Pie. ...
  6. Steak.

Do vegetables lose nutrients in Instant Pot? ›

With vegetables and fruits, the heat-sensitive nutrients (e.g., vitamin C, folate and bioactive phytonutrients) are generally most susceptible to degradation during pressure cooking. Consuming the cooking water can help restore some of these losses.

Can bacteria survive Instant Pot? ›

The pressure cookers used can inactivate up to 1010 CFU/mL bacteria and 107 CFU/mL fungi. The ultimate test for a sterilization device uses the most heat-resistant organisms, commonly Geobacillus stearothermophilus endospores. If the hardiest of microorganisms is killed, than all other microbes should die as well.

Which cookware is good for Indian cooking? ›

Stainless steel, ceramic non-stick, cast iron, earthenware, and stone are by far the best and most versatile cookware materials you can have in the kitchen to cook Indian food. They offer unmatched versatility in allowing you to cook various cuisines without being limited to only Indian cuisines.

Can we use Instant Pot from US in India? ›

India runs on 220V power and USA runs on 110V power. To avoid damages to the device, you have to use voltage converter. Most appliances are coming with universal range of 110–220v for which you dont need voltage converter but Instant pot bought in USA runs on 110v unless if they recently changed it.

Is it worth to buy Instant Pot in India? ›

so worth it! Fantastic time saver. It's a modern version of pressure cooker. The ability of instant pot to control temperature means that it can handle wide variety of foods and cook them without someone to watch over it.

Which pressure cooker is good for Indian cooking? ›

Generally, Indian kitchens have pressure cookers made from stainless steel, hard-anodized, and aluminium. Unsurprisingly, stainless steel comes out for its sturdiness, inertness, and ease of cleaning. The fact that the aluminium cooker is cheaper than the other two, gives an advantage to them.

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