I have to admit that until last week, I hadn’t been a member of the Instant Pot cult club. Yes, I have one, but I didn’t really use it much. I was kind of afraid of it, I didn’t know how to use all its functions, and I honestly just didn’t see the point.
Recently, I decided to start learning more about the benefits of pressure cookers and I have to say – I’m a believer. I even posted my first Instant Pot recipe a few days ago (African Peanut Soup) and it was like magic. 10 minutes of cooking and the sweet potatoes were completely soft.
As part of this learning process, I have been scouring all my favorite vegan food blogs to find the best vegan Instant Pot recipes on the internet – with a special focus on uses that showcase the Instant Pot’s creativity and versatility. I mean, everyone knows you can make bean soup in the thing, but did you know that it can make spaghetti, risotto, and pad thai?!
So without further ado, let’s get into these 23 vegan instant pot recipes…
Enchilada Soup
Imagine the best of chili, combined with the best of enchiladas, all cooked together in a quick, one-pot meal. Check out Vegan Richa’s Instant Pot Enchilada Soup:
Instant Pot Hummus
I have to say, making homemade hummus might be my favorite use of the Instant Pot. It just makes so much sense. you can buy an entire bag of dried chickpeas for $1 and cook them in minutes into a perfect, fresh hummus that crushes the taste of any store-bought version.
Spicy African Peanut Stew
This was my first Instant Pot recipe that I posted earlier in the week. I have to say, I loved the experience. The sweet + savory + spicy flavors of the peanut butter and sweet potatoes meld together so beautifully in the instant pot, and with a side of rice, this is quickly becoming one of my favorite 30-minute meals…
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Lentil Sloppy Joe’s
Lentil Sloppy Joe’s are a staple in my house, but what a brilliant idea to make them in the Instant Pot. The lentils cook quickly and result in a soft, meaty texture with the right blend of tomato sauce, veggies and spices in this recipe.
Instant Pot Refried Beans
My favorite thing about making homemade refried beans (in addition to them being so much fresher and more delicious) is that you can control the sodium. Refried beans typically have a week’s worth of sodium per serving, but here, you can add as much or as little salt as you want.
Minestrone Soup
A classic, comforting Minestrone soup recipe packed with veggies, beans, and pasta that you can make in 30 minutes thanks to the Instant pot…
Jackfruit Curry
An easy vegan Instant Pot curry made with warm Indian spices, jackfruit, sweet potatoes, and coconut milk. Jackfruit is the perfect stand-in for meat, and the coconut milk makes this curry extra rich and creamy.
Tofu Scramble
Who doesn’t love a good protein-packed tofu scramble for breakfast?! This version is fast, easy, and super versatile – throw in whatever veggies you have on hand and let the Instant Pot do the rest!
Instant Pot Baked Beans
Canned banked beans are great! … except for the refined sugars, additives, and preservatives. Ditch the can and make your own homemade baked beans in minutes.
Takeout-Style Tofu and Broccoli
In a testament to the versatility of the Instant Pot, Emilie made this incredible Chinese takeout-style marinated tofu and broccoli with a chili-ginger sauce for an incredible side dish – or even an entirely meal alongside a serving of rice.
Tomato Soup
This super rich vegan Instant Pot Tomato Soup is made with canned tomatoes for convenience, cashews for vegan creaminess, and all the spices you’d expect in a classic tomato soup – without the cooking time!
Baked Potatoes
I love baked potatoes, but what I don’t love is how the 350º oven heats up my whole house on already hot summer days in California. Deryn from Running on Real Food discovered that you can bake potatoes that are as delicious as they are energy efficient!
Mushroom Risotto
You may remember Risotto as that dish you have to stir constantly for 45 minutes to get just the right texture. Or… you can just throw everything into the Instant Pot and let it do all the work! Bonus: the recipe comes with a big batch of “vegan parm” to sprinkle on top.
Spaghetti?!
The idea that you can make spaghetti in an Instant Pot is just nuts. The pasta and sauce go right into the pot and come out perfectly cooked 15 minutes later…
Burrito Bowls
I love those southwestern quinoa & bean one-dish meals and the instant pot makes it easier than ever. Throw all the ingredients and voila – you have the perfect burrito bowl base that you can top with fresh avocado and lettuce.
Chili
What’s better than a classic bowl of vegan chili? How about one you can make in minutes, with one pot! This recipe even has a brilliant trick to get just the right thick chili texture…
Ramen Bowls
Yet another dish I never would have imagined could be made in an Instant Pot, but it totally makes sense. As the recipe says, “the pressure cooker is able to infuse a basic vegetable broth with so much flavor in such a short amount of time, it’s amazing.”
Lentil Gumbo
This vegan gumbo with protein-packed lentils, okra, and tons of other veggies is the perfect one-pot meal when you’re craving a warm bowl of soup. The best part is, this Instant Pot version of gumbo takes 12 minutes (not 12 hours) to cook to perfection…
Golden Lentil & Spinach Soup
Lentils are one of my favorite foods, they’re so meaty and packed with protein + fiber… and just look how gorgeous this golden lentil soup looks! Instant Pots are one of the fastest and best ways to cook lentils. Combine that with hearty veggies and the perfect seasonings for an incredible bowl of soup.
Pad Thai
Pad Thai is one of my favorite foods, so I was thrilled to discover this Instant Pot version from Healthy Slow Cooking. It has a killer sauce, lots of veggies, and the best part is that you can make it with soy curls or chickpeas (both of which sound delicious!).
Corn Chowder
This vegan Instant Pot Corn Chowder is simple, healthy, and utterly divine. Make from frozen or fresh corn, this delicious, hearty meal is great for meal prep and makes for an easy, nourishing meal.
Tuscan White Bean Soup
How ridiculously good does this Tuscan white bean soup look?! Carrots, kale, and farro.
As Susan says, “Farro, an ancient grain similar to barley, adds texture and creaminess to this vegan version of Tuscan white bean soup with carrots and kale. Use Alubia Blanca or any small white beans, such as navy beans.”
Cauliflower Tikka Masala
This Instant Pot Cauliflower tikka masala is one of the easiest curries with a perfect balance of spices, creaminess, and sweetness. Using an Instant Pot here is brilliant, as the spices can marinate the cauliflower until it’s perfectly tender.
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That’s all for today! Have you made any of these great recipes? Any others you would recommend? Let me know in the comments!
