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Easy Lentil Curry Bowl

Featured in Tasty Vegetarian Meals Made Simple.

Cook up a comforting lentil curry that's both hearty and simple. Start by using the Instant Pot's sauté setting to cook olive oil, onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant. Add a mix of curry powder, turmeric, cumin, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne for heat. Stir in lentils, canned tomatoes, and broth or water before sealing the pot and cooking under high pressure for 15 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then mix in coconut milk for creaminess. Adjust seasoning to taste and finish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon. Enjoy warm and stress-free!

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Emily Watson
Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 11:06:57 GMT
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Easy Lentil Curry Bowl | thefamilycooks.com

Homemade Instant Pot Lentil Curry: Flavorful Vegan Meal Anyone Can Make

Nowadays, whipping up something that's both fast and good for you can feel like a real challenge. But thanks to the magic of pressure cooking and the amazing qualities of lentils, Instant Pot Lentil Curry has become a go-to dish in many homes that care about eating well. This dish brings together easy cooking steps, fantastic taste, and tons of health perks, making it perfect for your regular dinner lineup.

More and more folks are turning to lentil dishes because they're so darn good for you. These tiny powerhouses pack a punch with loads of protein, fiber, and all sorts of important vitamins and minerals. Plus, you can play around with different spices and add-ins to make the curry just the way you like it.

Everything Cooks Together

What's really great about this dish is you just need one container – your Instant Pot. This means less dishes to wash and a much smoother cooking experience. You can brown things, pressure cook, and even make the sauce thicker all in the same pot, which saves you tons of time in the kitchen.

Almost No Babysitting Needed

Once you've quickly cooked the flavor-building ingredients, this meal practically makes itself. Just throw everything into your Instant Pot, set the timer, and walk away while it does all the work. This is super handy when you've got a packed schedule but still want something tasty and healthy on the table.

Fast and Simple

You won't spend much time getting things ready, and the actual cooking happens in a flash. Unlike old-school methods that might take forever, your Instant Pot gets the job done in just 15-20 minutes. It's perfect when you want something nutritious but don't have hours to wait around.

Mix and Match Components

You can make this curry with all kinds of lentils, and each type gives you something a bit different. Go for green or brown lentils if you want them to keep their shape better, or pick red and yellow ones if you prefer a smoother, creamier result. Don't be afraid to switch things up by tossing in different veggies and spices to match what you're craving.

Getting Started

  • What You'll Need:

    • Any type of lentils (yellow, red, green, or brown)
    • Flavor builders (onions, ginger, garlic)
    • Seasonings (turmeric, garam masala, curry powder, cumin, coriander, etc.)
    • Coconut milk
    • Water or vegetable stock
    • If desired: tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers

  • Getting Those Flavors Going:

    • Switch your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and pour in a tablespoon of oil. Coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil all work great here.
    • Toss in chopped onions, crushed garlic, and grated ginger. Cook until onions turn see-through and garlic smells amazing, around 5 minutes.
    • Mix in your spice blend – curry powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, ginger, black pepper, coriander, allspice, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Let them cook for another minute so all those flavors wake up.

Putting It All Together

  • Combining Your Main Ingredients:
    • Mix in your washed lentils, making sure they get completely covered in all those yummy spices.
    • Pour in your vegetable stock or water, along with any extra veggies like carrots or bell peppers you want to add.
    • Add the coconut milk to give your curry that smooth, rich texture without any dairy products.

How Long To Cook

  • Timer Settings:
    • If you're using brown or green lentils, cook under high pressure for 15 minutes. Red and yellow lentils cook faster, so they only need about 10-12 minutes.
    • Let the pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release whatever pressure is left.

Final Steps

  • Adding Some Zing:
    • Squeezing in some fresh lime or lemon juice really brings all the flavors together and adds a nice brightness.
  • Pretty Touches:
    • Sprinkle some fresh cilantro or parsley on top to add color and a fresh herby flavor.

Packed With Protein

Lentils give you tons of protein, which makes this dish fantastic for anyone following a vegan or vegetarian diet. Just one bowl of this curry can help you meet a big chunk of your daily protein needs.

Full of Fiber

These little legumes are loaded with dietary fiber that helps your digestion work better and can even bring down your cholesterol. All that fiber also means you'll feel full longer, so you won't be hungry again right away.

Nutrient Powerhouse

Both the lentils and the veggies in this dish are crammed with important nutrients. You'll get plenty of iron, potassium, phosphorus, and many other vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy.

Easy Lentil Curry

Learn to easily throw together a hearty and flavorful lentil curry using this Instant Pot method. With ingredients like lentils, coconut milk, and aromatic spices, it's a comforting dish for any weeknight dinner.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes

Category: Vegetarian

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Indian

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1 medium onion, finely diced.
02 1/4 teaspoon black pepper for flavoring.
03 Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped for a fresh touch.
04 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a spicy kick).
05 2 cloves garlic, finely minced.
06 1 medium ginger, about 2 tablespoons, finely grated.
07 1/2 teaspoon salt.
08 1 teaspoon curry powder.
09 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes.
10 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking.
11 1 teaspoon ground cumin.
12 Optional: red or yellow lentils for a creamier texture.
13 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric.
14 Fresh lemon juice to brighten up the dish before serving.
15 1 cup coconut milk for creaminess.
16 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed and drained.
17 2 cups vegetable broth or water for cooking.

Instructions

Step 01

Add in the cumin, turmeric, curry powder, black pepper, cayenne, and salt. Stir everything together and let them cook briefly – just until they smell amazing.

Step 02

Turn on the "Saute" mode on your Instant Pot. Add the oil and heat it until it starts to shimmer. Toss in the onion and cook till it's soft and lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ginger and garlic, and cook another 60 seconds while stirring so it doesn’t stick.

Step 03

Pour in the broth or water, followed by your rinsed lentils and diced tomatoes. Mix everything up so it’s well blended.

Step 04

Seal the Instant Pot lid, make sure the valve is on "Sealing," and press "Pressure Cook" or "Manual." Set it for 15 minutes on high pressure. Once it’s done, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes before carefully releasing any leftover steam.

Step 05

Take off the lid and gently stir in the coconut milk. Combine it well with the cooked lentils.

Step 06

Give it a taste and tweak the seasoning if needed. Serve warm, topped with fresh cilantro and a quick squeeze of lemon juice for a final boost of flavor.

Notes

  1. Lentils Tip: Use brown or green lentils for this dish if you want them to hold their shape. Red or yellow ones will give you a softer consistency.
  2. No Instant Pot? No Problem! Simply cook it all on the stovetop and adjust the time based on your lentil variety.
  3. Little Effort: Aside from sautéing in the beginning, you can basically let this meal cook itself!

Tools You'll Need

  • Instant Pot with pressure cooking option.
  • Sauté mode for browning ingredients.
  • Pressure release for steam control.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 300
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 40 g
  • Protein: 12 g