10 Quick Instant Pot Indian Dishes You Can Make Tonight

By metsPosted on Posted in Sport Gear

1. Instant Pot Chana Masala

Chana Masala, a staple in Indian households, is a luscious chickpea curry that packs a punch with its spices. The beauty of making it in the Instant Pot is that you can enjoy a deeply flavored dish in under 30 minutes.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)
    • 1 onion, finely chopped
    • 2 tomatoes, pureed
    • 2 green chilies, slit
    • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • Salt to taste
    • Fresh coriander for garnish
  • Instructions:
    1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat some oil.
    2. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
    3. Stir in chopped onions and cook until golden.
    4. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies; sauté for a minute.
    5. Pour in the tomato puree and cook until oil separates.
    6. Mix in the spices and soaked chickpeas. Add 2 cups of water.
    7. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
    8. Release pressure naturally, garnish with fresh coriander, and serve hot!

2. Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken is an iconic dish known for its creamy tomato sauce and tender chicken pieces. Using the Instant Pot makes it an easy weeknight dinner option that your family will love.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
    • 1 onion, finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
    • 1 can (15 oz) tomato puree
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • Salt to taste
    • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Instructions:
    1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and melt the butter.
    2. Add onions and sauté until translucent.
    3. Stir in ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
    4. Add the chicken pieces and spices, sautéing until chicken is coated.
    5. Pour in the tomato puree and mix well.
    6. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
    7. Release the pressure, stir in heavy cream, and serve with naan or rice.

3. Instant Pot Dal Tadka

Dal Tadka is a comforting lentil dish that is perfect for a quick dinner. The Instant Pot makes it easy to cook lentils to perfection while infusing them with spices and flavor.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup yellow split lentils (moong dal)
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 2 tomatoes, chopped
    • 2 green chilies, slit
    • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
    • Fresh coriander for garnish
  • Instructions:
    1. Rinse the lentils under cold water until the water runs clear.
    2. Add lentils, water (2.5 cups), turmeric, and salt to the Instant Pot.
    3. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
    4. In a separate pan, heat ghee and add cumin seeds, onions, and green chilies.
    5. Sauté until onions are golden, then add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft.
    6. Release pressure from the lentils, mix in the tempering, and garnish with fresh coriander.

4. Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani

Biryani is a fragrant rice dish layered with spices and vegetables. With the Instant Pot, you can have a one-pot meal that is both delightful and delicious.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1.5 cups basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes
    • 1 onion, thinly sliced
    • 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, beans)
    • 2 green chilies, slit
    • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 tablespoons oil
    • Fresh mint and coriander for garnish
  • Instructions:
    1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the oil.
    2. Add cumin seeds and sliced onions; sauté until golden brown.
    3. Stir in ginger-garlic paste, green chilies, and mixed vegetables.
    4. Add the soaked rice and 3 cups of water; season with salt and garam masala.
    5. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
    6. Release pressure naturally, fluff the rice, and garnish with mint and coriander.

5. Instant Pot Aloo Gobi

Aloo Gobi is a beloved vegetarian dish featuring potatoes and cauliflower. The Instant Pot makes it incredibly easy to prepare this dish with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 medium potatoes, cubed
    • 1 small cauliflower, cut into florets
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 2 tomatoes, chopped
    • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 tablespoons oil
    • Fresh coriander for garnish
  • Instructions:
    1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat oil.
    2. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
    3. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent.
    4. Stir in ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
    5. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft.
    6. Mix in potatoes, cauliflower, and spices; add 1/2 cup water.
    7. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
    8. Release pressure, garnish with fresh coriander, and serve.

6. Instant Pot Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer is a delicious spinach and cottage cheese dish that is both healthy and satisfying. The Instant Pot makes it easy to prepare this classic without losing any nutrients.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 cups spinach, washed and chopped
    • 200 grams paneer, cubed
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 1 tomato, chopped
    • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 tablespoons oil
  • Instructions:
    1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat oil.
    2. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
    3. Add onions and sauté until golden brown.
    4. Stir in ginger-garlic paste and chopped tomatoes.
    5. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Allow to cool slightly.
    6. Puree the mixture in a blender until smooth.
    7. Return the puree to the pot, add paneer cubes, garam masala, and salt.
    8. Cook for 2 minutes on sauté mode, then serve with naan or rice.

7. Instant Pot Tandoori Chicken

Marinated in yogurt and spices, Tandoori Chicken is a flavorful dish that can be quickly prepared in the Instant Pot, giving you juicy and tender chicken in no time.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 lbs chicken pieces (legs or thighs)
    • 1 cup plain yogurt
    • 2 tablespoons tandoori masala
    • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • Salt to taste
    • Fresh coriander for garnish
  • Instructions:
    1. In a bowl, mix yogurt, tandoori masala, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, and salt.
    2. Add chicken pieces and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best results).
    3. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and lightly brown the marinated chicken.
    4. Add 1/2 cup water, seal the lid, and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
    5. Release pressure, garnish with fresh coriander, and serve hot with rice or naan.

8. Instant Pot Sambar

Sambar is a South Indian lentil stew packed with vegetables and spices. Preparing it in the Instant Pot makes it a quick and nutritious meal option.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup toor dal (split pigeon peas)
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 1 tomato, chopped
    • 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrot, potato, drumstick)
    • 1 tablespoon sambar powder
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp
    • 2 tablespoons oil
    • Coriander leaves for garnish
  • Instructions:
    1. Rinse the toor dal and add it to the Instant Pot with 3 cups of water.
    2. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
    3. In a separate pan, heat oil, add onions, and sauté until golden.
    4. Add chopped tomatoes and mixed vegetables; cook until soft.
    5. Add sambar powder, tamarind pulp, and salt; mix well.
    6. Once the dal is cooked, mash it lightly and combine with the vegetable mixture.
    7. Simmer for a few minutes, garnish with coriander leaves, and serve hot with rice.

9. Instant Pot Khichdi

Khichdi is a comforting dish made with rice and lentils, seasoned with spices. It’s nutritious and can be prepared in one pot, making it a perfect quick meal.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup rice
    • 1/2 cup moong dal (yellow split lentils)
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 1 tomato, chopped
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
    • 4 cups water
  • Instructions:
    1. Rinse the rice and moong dal under cold water.
    2. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat ghee.
    3. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
    4. Add onions, sauté until soft, then add tomatoes.
    5. Mix in the rice, dal, turmeric, salt, and water.
    6. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
    7. Release pressure, stir well, and serve hot with yogurt or pickle.

10. Instant Pot Dal Makhani

Dal Makhani is a rich and creamy dish made with black lentils and kidney beans. The Instant Pot allows you to achieve that luxurious texture without hours of cooking.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup black urad dal (black lentils)
    • 1/4 cup kidney beans
    • 1 onion, finely chopped
    • 1 tomato, pureed
    • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • 1/2 cup cream
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Instructions:
    1. Soak the black lentils and kidney beans overnight.
    2. Add soaked beans and lentils to the Instant Pot with 4 cups of water.
    3. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
    4. In a pan, melt butter and sauté cumin seeds and onions until golden.
    5. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute, then add the tomato puree.
    6. Once the lentils are cooked, mix in the sautéed mixture, garam masala, and salt.
    7. Stir in the cream and simmer for 5 minutes before serving with naan or rice.

Conclusion

With these 10 quick Instant Pot Indian recipes, you can bring the rich flavors of Indian cuisine to your dinner table in no time. Whether you crave a hearty curry, a comforting lentil dish, or a fragrant biryani, the Instant Pot makes cooking these dishes easier and faster. Try them tonight and enjoy the delightful tastes of India in the comfort of your home!

10 Quick Instant Pot Indian Dishes You Can Make Tonight
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