Vegan Instant Pot recipes? Oh boy, do I have a treat for you! 🎉
Let me tell you, as someone who’s been cooking vegan meals for longer than I care to admit (let’s just say I remember when tofu was considered “exotic”), I’ve become a bit of an Instant Pot aficionado. And today, I’m spilling the beans (sometimes literally) on my favorite quick and easy vegan Instant Pot recipes.
I’ve scoured my personal recipe collection, consulted with my foodie friends, and even bribed my cat for input (she wasn’t much help, to be honest) to bring you these 8 mouthwatering dishes. They’re perfect for those days when you want something delicious but can’t be bothered to spend hours in the kitchen. Because let’s face it, sometimes we’d rather binge-watch our favorite show than babysit a pot on the stove.
So, whether you’re a seasoned vegan chef or just dipping your toes into the plant-based pool, these recipes are guaranteed to make your taste buds do a happy dance. And the best part? They’re all made in an Instant Pot, so you can set it, forget it, and pretend you’re a cooking wizard when dinner’s ready in no time.
Ready to dive in? Let’s get cooking!
Lentil Soup
Video Recipe
Ah, lentil soup. The comfort food that’s like a warm hug for your insides. This recipe is so easy, you could probably make it with your eyes closed (but please don’t, we value your fingers).
To whip up this bowl of goodness, you’ll need lentils (duh), veggie broth, diced tomatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, and your favorite spices. Throw it all in the Instant Pot, set it for 15 minutes, and voila! You’ve got yourself a hearty soup that’ll make you forget all about that sad salad you had for lunch.
Pro tip: Add a splash of lemon juice before serving. It’s like putting a party hat on your soup – it just makes everything more fun!
I once made this soup for a dinner party, and my non-vegan friend asked for seconds. And thirds. I’m pretty sure she’s considering going vegan now. Just call me the lentil whisperer.
Chickpea Curry
Get ready to spice up your life with this chickpea curry! It’s so good, you’ll want to bathe in it. (Please don’t. That would be messy and probably not very hygienic.)
For this flavor explosion, you’ll need chickpeas, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, ginger, and a blend of aromatic spices. Pop it all in the Instant Pot for about 10 minutes, and bam! You’ve got a curry that’ll make your taste buds think they’ve died and gone to flavor heaven.
Serve it over rice, quinoa, or just eat it straight out of the pot while standing over the kitchen sink. No judgment here.
Fun fact: I once made this curry for my cat-sitter as a thank you. She loved it so much, she offered to watch my cat for free if I kept supplying her with curry. I politely declined. My cat’s ego is big enough as it is.
Vegan Chili
Who says you need meat for a hearty chili? Not us! This vegan chili is so satisfying, it’ll have even the most devoted carnivores questioning their life choices.
Grab some beans (kidney, black, pinto – go wild!), veggie broth, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and your favorite chili spices. Toss it all in the Instant Pot, set it for about 20 minutes, and prepare for chili nirvana.
Top it with some vegan sour cream, avocado, or nutritional yeast for extra oomph. Or all three. I won’t tell anyone.
True story: I once entered this chili in a neighborhood cook-off. I didn’t tell anyone it was vegan until after I won first place. The looks on their faces were priceless. It was like I’d told them Santa wasn’t real. (Sorry, spoiler alert.)
Mushroom Risotto
Creamy, dreamy mushroom risotto without all the stirring? Yes, please! This Instant Pot version is so easy, it almost feels like cheating. Almost.
You’ll need arborio rice, vegetable broth, mushrooms (obviously), onion, garlic, and some vegan butter or olive oil. A splash of white wine if you’re feeling fancy (or just drink it while you cook – I won’t judge).
Set your Instant Pot for about 6 minutes, and prepare to be amazed. It’s like magic, but better because you can eat it.
Word of warning: This risotto is so good, you might be tempted to eat the entire pot in one sitting. Proceed with caution. And stretchy pants.
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito Bowl
Who needs Chipotle when you can make this bad boy at home? This burrito bowl is so colorful, it’s like a fiesta in your mouth!
You’ll need sweet potatoes, black beans, rice, corn, salsa, and your favorite Tex-Mex spices. Layer everything in the Instant Pot, set it for about 10 minutes, and get ready for a flavor explosion.
Top it with avocado, vegan sour cream, or just dive in as is. It’s your bowl, live your truth!
I once made this for a potluck, and it disappeared faster than my willpower at a vegan bakery. True story.
Mac and “Cheese”
Craving some comfort food? This vegan mac and “cheese” has got your back. It’s so creamy and delicious, you’ll forget all about that dairy stuff.
For this bowl of nostalgia, you’ll need pasta, cashews (for the “cheese” sauce), nutritional yeast, plant milk, and some spices. Cook the pasta in the Instant Pot for about 4 minutes, then blend up your sauce and mix it all together.
It’s like a warm hug for your stomach. And your soul. And your inner child who misses mac and cheese.
Confession time: I once ate an entire pot of this by myself while binge-watching a certain popular baking show. No regrets. Well, maybe a few regrets, but it was worth it.
Vegetable Biryani
Get ready to take your taste buds on a trip to flavor town with this vegetable biryani! It’s like a party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited.
You’ll need basmati rice, mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, cauliflower – whatever floats your boat), onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of aromatic spices. Layer it all in the Instant Pot, set it for about 6 minutes, and prepare for culinary bliss.
Garnish with some cashews and cilantro, and you’ve got yourself a meal fit for royalty. Or just for you, in your pajamas, on the couch. You do you.
I once made this for a date night, and let’s just say it worked like a charm. Who needs flowers when you have perfectly spiced rice, am I right?
Chocolate Lava Cake
Oh, you thought we forgot about dessert? As if! This chocolate lava cake is so good, it should be illegal. But it’s not, so let’s make it!
For this slice of heaven, you’ll need flour, cocoa powder, plant milk, oil, sugar, and a pinch of magic (okay, it’s just baking powder, but doesn’t magic sound more fun?).
Mix it all up, pour it into ramekins, and cook in the Instant Pot for about 9 minutes. When you dig in and that molten chocolate center oozes out, try not to weep with joy. Or do. I’m not here to judge your emotional response to chocolate.
Warning: Making this cake may result in sudden popularity. I made it for a friend’s birthday once, and now I’m on speed dial for all dessert emergencies. It’s a blessing and a curse.
And there you have it, folks! Eight quick and easy vegan Instant Pot recipes that’ll make your taste buds sing and your kitchen smell amazing. From hearty soups to decadent desserts, we’ve got you covered.
So dust off that Instant Pot, grab your favorite apron (mine says “Kale Yeah!”), and get ready to impress yourself (and maybe some lucky dinner guests) with these delicious vegan creations.
Remember, cooking is all about having fun and experimenting. If something doesn’t turn out perfect the first time, no worries! That’s what takeout is for. But trust me, with these recipes, you’ll be a vegan Instant Pot pro in no time.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, all this talk of food has made me hungry. I’m off to make that chocolate lava cake. For research purposes, of course. Bon appétit!