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Amazing Instant Pot Lentil Curry for Easy Vegan Meals
Looking for something fast and healthy can be tough when life gets busy. But thanks to pressure cooking and the amazing benefits of lentils, more and more people are falling in love with Instant Pot Lentil Curry. It's so easy to make, tastes fantastic, and packs a ton of nutrition—just what you need for your regular dinner options.
Why are so many folks turning to lentil dishes these days? They're loaded with protein, fiber, and tons of important nutrients. Plus, you can play around with all kinds of spices and add-ins to make the flavor work just how you like it.
Everything Cooks Together
The best thing about this dish is you'll only need one container—your Instant Pot. This cuts down on the mess afterward and makes cooking super simple. You can brown your ingredients, pressure cook everything, and even let the sauce thicken all in the same pot, saving you loads of time in the kitchen.
Set It and Forget It
Once you've cooked your onions and spices at the start, you won't need to babysit this meal. Just toss everything into your Instant Pot, punch in the time, and walk away while it works its magic. This comes in super handy when you've got a million other things to do but still want something tasty for dinner.
Fast and Simple
You won't spend much time getting things ready, and the cooking goes by in a flash. Unlike old-school methods that might take forever, your Instant Pot gets the job done in about 15-20 minutes. That's perfect when you want something good for you without standing around waiting all evening.
Mix and Match Ingredients
You can switch up the lentils depending on what you like. Go for green or brown ones if you want them to keep their shape, or try red and yellow for a smoother, softer result. Feel free to toss in whatever veggies you have on hand or play with different spice blends to create your own special version.
Getting Started
Stuff You'll Need:
- Any kind of lentils (green, brown, red, or yellow)
- Flavor base (onions, garlic, ginger)
- Seasonings (curry powder, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and others)
- Coconut milk
- Vegetable broth or plain water
- If you want: bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes
Cook Your Flavor Base:
- Start by turning on your Instant Pot's Sauté mode and adding a spoonful of oil. Avocado, olive, or coconut oil all work fine here.
- Throw in your chopped onions, crushed garlic, and shredded ginger. Cook until onions turn clear and you can smell the garlic, about 5 minutes.
- Mix in your spices—curry powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, ginger, black pepper, coriander, allspice, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Let them cook for another minute so their flavors wake up.
Putting It All Together
- Next Steps with Lentils and Liquid:
- Add your washed lentils and mix them well with all those lovely spices.
- Pour in your veggie broth or water, plus any extra vegetables like bell peppers or carrots you want to include.
- Add the coconut milk to give your curry that smooth, rich texture without any dairy.
How Long to Cook
- Timing Your Dish:
- If you're using green or brown lentils, set your pot for 15 minutes high pressure. Red and yellow lentils cook faster, more like 10-12 minutes.
- After cooking, let it sit for 10 minutes before you release any leftover pressure.
Final Adjustments
- Brighten with Citrus:
- A splash of fresh lemon or lime juice can really wake up all the flavors in your curry.
- Top It Off:
- Sprinkle some fresh cilantro or parsley on top for a nice pop of color and fresh flavor.
Packed with Protein
Lentils give you tons of protein, which makes this curry perfect if you don't eat meat. Just one bowl can cover a big chunk of what your body needs daily.
Full of Fiber
These little legumes also pack a ton of fiber that helps your digestion and can bring down your cholesterol. They'll fill you up too, so you won't be hungry again right away.
Nutrient Powerhouse
Both the lentils and veggies in this dish are stuffed with good things your body needs. You'll get iron, potassium, phosphorus and lots of other nutrients in every bite.