Here are 30 plus instant pot Indian vegetarian recipes that you can choose from to make your next healthy (and delicious) meal. This collection includes main dishes, sides, and some rice recipes for variety. Mix and match to your heart's content to come up with meal combos that work for you and your family!
Indian vegetarian recipes are generally quite wholesome as they are made with fresh produce, aromatics like onion, ginger and garlic, and of course, a few basic spices. Most of them are easy to make (thanks to the instant pot) and not intimidating at all. You'll find a lot of naturally dairy-free, gluten-free (except for the whole wheat naan), and vegan recipes in this post, so if you are on any of these diets, you have a lot of recipes to pick from!
This post will also remain a work in progress as I'll be adding more recipes to it periodically. I'm hoping that it will become your go-to resource for Indian vegetarian recipes made in the instant pot.
Suggested Combinations
A complete Indian meal consists of a main dish, usually a curry or a sabzi (a kind of 'dry' curry) along with some flatbread and/or rice. The main dish can also be a solo affair, for example, a pulao or biryani. Here are a few combinations which you can plan for in advance to make meal times stress-free.
- Aloo gobi + whole masoor dal + zeera rice
- Mushroom masala + zeera rice
- Palak paneer + dal makhani + whole wheat naan
- Rajma masala + brown rice (both can be cooked together pot-in-pot since the cooking times are similar)
- Butternut squash and chickpea curry + brown rice
- Paneer butter masala + whole wheat naan
- Paneer kali mirch + maash dal + whole wheat naan
- Egg curry + zeera rice
- Chana dal + zeera rice
These are only a few possibilities! You can go with any combination that catches your fancy and get going.
Tip: Jazz up these meals by throwing in a raita, a green chutney or a fresh salad into the mix. This onion raita, for example goes really well with most of the dishes.
Instant Pot Main Dishes
Punjabi Kadhi Pakora
Punjabi kadhi pakora is the perfect vegetarian comfort food from North India. Chickpea flour fritters (pakoras) are dipped in a thick and tangy yogurt sauce (kadhi), and the kadhi is served with white Basmati rice for a complete meal called kadhi chawal (rice).
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Sarson Ka Saag
Sarson ka saag or sarson da saag is a wonderful mix of mustard greens and three other leafy greens with a tadka (tempering) of onions and garlic in ghee. Serve with makki ki roti (maize flour flatbread) for an authentic and absolutely delightful vegetarian Punjabi meal!
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Aloo Gobi (Potato and Cauliflower Sabzi)
This is a delicately spiced aloo gobi recipe that gets its flavors from an onion and tomato base with just a sprinkling of the big three spices of Indian cooking, that is, turmeric, coriander and red chilli powders. A garnish of cilantro and green chillies gives it an extra kick. Scoop up this sabzi with fresh roti (Indian flatbread) for a simple but tasty meal.
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Paneer Kali Mirch (Cottage Cheese in Black Pepper Sauce)
Paneer kali mirch is a simple recipe but so packed with flavor thanks to freshly ground black pepper and whole spices. The sauce is mild and rich with ground cashews thrown in for creaminess.
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Paneer Butter Masala
Paneer butter masala is made with soft cubes of Indian cottage cheese in a finger-licking' nutty-buttery sauce. It comes together so easily in the instant pot, you'll hardly believe you made one of the most popular vegetarian dishes on Indian restaurant menus!
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Mushroom Masala (Mushroom Curry)
Mushroom masala is a delicious vegan addition to your collection of Indian vegetarian recipes. If you like mushrooms, you will absolutely love this Indian curry made in the instant pot with white button mushrooms, onions, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, cashews and just two common spices.
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Indian Egg Curry
Indian egg curry is a dhaba style (rustic) punjabi recipe that's easy, healthy and so tasty. Best had with naan or rice, it is guaranteed to leave you smacking your lips in delight!
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Matar Paneer (Cottage Cheese and Peas Curry)
This is a matar paneer recipe without any added cream. Soft paneer and sweet garden peas are cooked in an onion-tomato gravy topped with lots of cilantro. A simple and fresh vegetarian curry that tastes divine with roti (Indian flatbread) or rice.
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Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry with Spinach
Butternut squash and chickpea curry with spinach is a healthy, vegan and quick curry recipe made in the instant pot or stovetop. Put it together in a bowl with brown rice and some green chutney and you've made yourself a complete meal. Did I mention it is really delicious as well?
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Mumbai Pav Bhaji Recipe
Mumbai pav bhaji is an extremely popular Indian street food. Made with mixed vegetables, onions, tomatoes and spices and served with buttered dinner rolls, it is out-of-this world delish and totally addictive!
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Instant Pot Vegetable Korma
Instant Pot vegetable korma is an easy and healthy everyday recipe made in 25 minutes. Ground cashews and coconut milk add a wonderful creaminess to it. Mop up this vegan curry with fresh Indian bread or go the gluten-free route by pairing it with steamed zeera rice. Stovetop version also included!
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Lauki Chana Dal (Bottle Gourd Curry with Lentils)
Lauki chana dal sabzi is bottle gourd (also known as lauki or dudhi) cooked with chana dal (split chickpea lentils) in a very tasty, thick tomato gravy. Paired with roti or any Indian bread or plain rice, it is a healthy vegan meal that can be made easily on busy weeknights in your instant pot.
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Instant Pot Palak Paneer
Instant Pot Palak paneer is a tried and tested (and very easy and quick) recipe. Scoop up this lovely cheese and spinach curry with piping hot naan to get a taste of a much-loved North Indian dish. Vegetarian and gluten-free!
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Instant Pot Sides
Whole Masoor Dal (Brown Lentil Curry)
Whole masoor dal (brown lentils) tastes great with bread, white or brown rice, or even as a side for your main dish. A tempering of ghee, onions, garlic, and cumin takes it to the next level. These curry style brown lentils have a savory, earthy taste you won't forget in a hurry!
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📋Whole Wheat Naan
This whole wheat naan recipe makes soft and pillowy naan to go with all kinds of curries and stews. You'll never want to buy the pre-packaged naan from the supermarket once you try this authentic and healthy naan!
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Maash ki dal
Maash ki daal or white urad dal has a slightly thick texture unlike other lentils. It has a nutty, warm and savory taste that goes very well with Indian breads like naan or tandoori roti. A tempering of ginger, red or green chillies, and mint adds a kick to this vegan dal!
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Instant Pot Chana Dal
This easy chana dal recipe made in the instant pot is tasty and nutritious. It tastes amazing with both Indian bread like roti or plain rice. Serve it with a fresh salad on the side for a simple and wholesome meal.
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Bombay Potatoes (Masala Aloo)
Bombay potatoes are crispy and slightly spicy with soft insides. Baby potatoes are steamed in the instant pot or stovetop, tossed in a few spices and dressed with lemon juice, green chillies and cilantro. This vegan recipe is delicious as a side dish with your favorite curry, but it can also work as the main dish when paired with roti (Indian flatbread).
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Instant Pot Rajma Masala (Curried Kidney Beans)
Red kidney beans cooked in a thick onion-tomato gravy in the instant pot. Ladled over white or brown rice, it makes for a complete meal and a very popular North Indian dish called rajma chawal. Vegan, gluten-free and yum!
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Dal Makhani (Buttery, Curried Lentils)
Dal makhani is a gem of Punjabi cuisine. Curried Indian black lentils and kidney beans are cooked in tomatoes, spices, butter and cream. The result is a smooth, rich and intensely flavorful dal that's worthy to be served with some warm naan/rice as a complete meal, or as a side with your main dish.
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Dal Fry (Spiced Lentils)
A simple dal fry with Indian bread or rice and a curry of your choice is the ultimate comfort food and an easy, no-fuss meal. Pigeon pea lentils or toor dal is first tempered with onions, tomatoes and spices in the instant pot, then pressure-cooked to perfection.
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Instant Pot Chickpeas
Instant pot chickpeas are an easy and convenient way to get perfectly cooked chickpeas that you can use in any recipe. Once you've learned how to make chickpeas in the instant pot, you'll never use canned chickpeas again, I promise! Both soak and non-soak methods included.
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Punjabi Chole Recipe (Chickpea Curry Recipe)
This Punjabi chole recipe is a hearty vegan curry made with boiled chickpeas, onions, tomatoes and a medley of spices. It tastes divine with freshly made puri or bhatura (Indian breads), and even plain rice. Easy as 1,2,3 in the instant pot!
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Instant Pot Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese)
Instant Pot paneer or Indian cottage cheese is an easy recipe that anyone can make. All you need is whole milk and lemon juice or vinegar to get a block of soft and creamy paneer cheese. A simple, 2-ingredient recipe!
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Instant Pot Rice Recipes
Chana Pulao
Chana pulao or chana rice is an easy one-pot affair in the instant pot. Rice, chickpeas, fried onions, and spices come together in a protein-packed vegan pulao that pairs well with a fresh salad. A dead simple recipe that's going to save you lots of time in the kitchen.
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Paneer Biryani
Paneer biryani is a tasty dish with soft cubes of Indian cottage cheese layered with aromatic Basmati rice. It has the same great taste of a true biryani minus the meat. A healthy, vegetarian option for all the biryani lovers out there!
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Kashmiri Pulao (Instant Pot Fruit Pulao)
This Kashmiri pulao recipe made in the instant pot is a superb rice dish from Northern India that you will love. Long grain Basmati rice is cooked in ghee, spices, saffron, and milk and mixed with fried onions, dried and fresh fruit. Serve this fragrant pulao solo or as a side with other dishes.
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Palak Pulao With Paneer (Spinach Rice With Cottage Cheese)
Palak pulao with paneer is an easy, light and fresh pulao that's bursting with the goodness of spinach and cottage cheese. Pair it with raita (yogurt dip) and salad for a simple and fuss-free vegetarian meal.
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Mushroom Pulao
Mushroom pulao is an Indian mushroom rice recipe that makes for a tasty one-pot brunch or dinner. A simple vegan and gluten-free rice pilaf that comes together in 25 minutes in the instant pot.
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South Indian Lemon Rice
South Indian lemon rice is a beautiful, sunshine-yellow dish with anti-inflammatory turmeric and the crunch of roasted peanuts and lentils. This is a simple, one-pot meal ready in 25 minutes in the instant pot or stovetop pressure cooker. A delicious recipe that's also vegan and gluten-free!
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Jeera Rice
Jeera rice or zeera rice is steamed, aromatic Basmati rice flavored with cumin and other whole spices. It is a simple gluten-free side dish ready in 20 minutes in your instant pot or stovetop. Serve with a simple dal or as an accompaniment to the curry of your choice.
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Vegetable Pulao
Vegetable pulao in the instant pot is a fragrant and very satisfying rice dish that is made for busy weeknights. Basmati rice, mixed vegetables of your choice plus a few whole spices come together in a one-pot recipe that will be a sure hit at the dinner table! Vegan, gluten-free and ready in 30 minutes.
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Instant Pot Brown Rice
Instant pot brown rice is a dump-and-go recipe to cook perfectly soft and fluffy grains of rice...every time. Top this brown rice with your favorite dal or curry rice for a complete meal.
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Matar Pulao (Peas Pulao)
Peas pulao is white basmati rice cooked with garden peas, ginger and whole spices. Simple and tasty!
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