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10 Instant Pot Recipes for Authentic Indian Cooking

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1. Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Butter chicken, or “Murgh Makhani,” is a popular dish that beautifully blends spices with creamy tomato sauce. This Instant Pot version is not only easier but also retains the authentic flavors of traditional cooking.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
    • 1 large onion, finely chopped
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1-inch ginger, grated
    • 1 can (15 oz) tomato puree
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 2 tbsp butter
    • 2 tsp garam masala
    • 1 tsp turmeric
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • Salt to taste
  • Instructions:
    1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and melt butter. Add onions, garlic, and ginger, and sauté until onions are translucent.
    2. Add chicken pieces and cook for about 5 minutes until they are slightly browned.
    3. Mix in tomato puree, heavy cream, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and salt. Stir well to combine.
    4. Close the Instant Pot lid and set it to pressure cook for 10 minutes.
    5. Once done, allow natural release for 5 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure.
    6. Serve hot with naan or rice.

2. Instant Pot Chana Masala

This hearty chickpea dish is a staple in Indian cuisine and is packed with robust flavors. The Instant Pot makes this vegetarian dish quick and easy to prepare.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
    • 1 large onion, chopped
    • 2 tomatoes, chopped
    • 2 green chilies, slit
    • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
    • 2 tsp chana masala spice mix
    • 1 tsp turmeric
    • Salt to taste
    • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Instructions:
    1. Rinse the soaked chickpeas and add to the Instant Pot along with 3 cups of water. Set to pressure cook for 30 minutes.
    2. In a separate pan, sauté onions until golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies and cook for another minute.
    3. Add chopped tomatoes, chana masala, turmeric, and salt. Cook until tomatoes soften.
    4. Once chickpeas are done, mix in the onion-tomato mixture and simmer for 10 minutes on sauté mode.
    5. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with rice or flatbreads.

3. Instant Pot Biryani

Biryani is a fragrant rice dish traditionally made with marinated meat and spices. This Instant Pot version simplifies the process while keeping the dish flavorful.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 lb chicken, cut into pieces
    • 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed
    • 1 large onion, sliced
    • 2 tomatoes, chopped
    • 1 cup yogurt
    • 2-3 green chilies, slit
    • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
    • 2 tsp biryani masala
    • 4 cups water
    • Salt to taste
    • Fresh mint and cilantro for garnish
  • Instructions:
    1. Marinate chicken with yogurt, biryani masala, and salt for at least 30 minutes.
    2. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Cook onions until caramelized, then add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies.
    3. Add marinated chicken and cook until no longer pink. Mix in chopped tomatoes.
    4. Add rinsed rice and water. Stir gently to avoid breaking the rice.
    5. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook for 6 minutes.
    6. Allow natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure. Fluff with a fork and garnish with mint and cilantro.

4. Instant Pot Dal Tadka

Dal Tadka is a lentil dish flavored with spices and tempered with ghee. Cooking it in the Instant Pot helps to achieve the perfect consistency and depth of flavor.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup yellow lentils (toor dal or moong dal)
    • 1 large onion, chopped
    • 2 tomatoes, chopped
    • 2 green chilies, slit
    • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
    • 1 tsp cumin seeds
    • 2 tsp coriander powder
    • 1 tsp turmeric powder
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 tbsp ghee or oil
    • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Instructions:
    1. Rinse the lentils under running water until the water runs clear. Add lentils to the Instant Pot with 3 cups of water and salt.
    2. Close the lid and set to pressure cook for 15 minutes. Allow natural release.
    3. In a separate pan, heat ghee and add cumin seeds. Once they crackle, add onions and sauté until golden.
    4. Add ginger-garlic paste, green chilies, and tomatoes. Cook until tomatoes are soft.
    5. Mix in the cooked lentils and add coriander powder and turmeric. Simmer for 5 minutes.
    6. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with rice or roti.

5. Instant Pot Aloo Gobi

Aloo Gobi is a comforting vegetarian dish made with potatoes and cauliflower, seasoned with spices. The Instant Pot makes it quick and easy, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 medium potatoes, diced
    • 1 small cauliflower, cut into florets
    • 1 large onion, sliced
    • 2 tomatoes, chopped
    • 2 green chilies, slit
    • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
    • 1 tsp turmeric
    • 1 tsp cumin seeds
    • 1 tsp garam masala
    • Salt to taste
    • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Instructions:
    1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat oil. Add cumin seeds and let them crackle.
    2. Add sliced onions and sauté until golden brown. Mix in ginger-garlic paste and green chilies.
    3. Add diced potatoes, cauliflower florets, chopped tomatoes, turmeric, and salt. Stir well.
    4. Close the Instant Pot lid and set to pressure cook for 4 minutes.
    5. Allow natural release and open the lid. Stir in garam masala and garnish with cilantro before serving.

6. Instant Pot Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer is a nutritious dish made with spinach and paneer cheese. The Instant Pot preserves the vibrant green color and flavors, making it a favorite among vegetarians.

  • Ingredients:
    • 4 cups fresh spinach, washed
    • 200g paneer, cubed
    • 1 large onion, chopped
    • 2 tomatoes, chopped
    • 2 green chilies, slit
    • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
    • 1 tsp cumin seeds
    • 1 tsp garam masala
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 tbsp cream (optional)
  • Instructions:
    1. Add fresh spinach to the Instant Pot with 1/2 cup water. Close the lid and pressure cook for 2 minutes.
    2. Once done, blend the spinach with an immersion blender until smooth.
    3. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Heat oil and add cumin seeds. Once they crackle, add onions and sauté until golden.
    4. Add ginger-garlic paste, green chilies, and chopped tomatoes. Cook until tomatoes are soft.
    5. Stir in the spinach puree, salt, and garam masala. Add paneer cubes and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in cream if using.
    6. Serve with naan or rice.

7. Instant Pot Vegetable Korma

Korma is a rich and creamy dish made with assorted vegetables and spices. The Instant Pot brings all the flavors together quickly, making it a perfect choice for a flavorful meal.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, beans)
    • 1 large onion, finely chopped
    • 2 tomatoes, chopped
    • 2 green chilies, slit
    • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
    • 1/2 cup coconut milk
    • 1 tsp garam masala
    • 1 tsp coriander powder
    • Salt to taste
  • Instructions:
    1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat oil. Add onions and sauté until translucent.
    2. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies, cooking for another minute.
    3. Add chopped tomatoes, garam masala, coriander powder, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes soften.
    4. Add mixed vegetables and coconut milk. Stir well to combine.
    5. Close the lid and set to pressure cook for 5 minutes.
    6. Allow natural release and serve hot with rice or naan.

8. Instant Pot Pulao

Pulao is a fragrant rice dish often prepared with spices and vegetables. The Instant Pot simplifies the cooking process while preserving the traditional flavors.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1.5 cups basmati rice, rinsed
    • 2 cups mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, beans)
    • 1 large onion, sliced
    • 2 green chilies, slit
    • 1 tsp cumin seeds
    • 1 tsp garam masala
    • Salt to taste
    • 3 cups water
  • Instructions:
    1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat oil. Add cumin seeds and let them crackle.
    2. Add sliced onions and sauté until golden brown. Add green chilies and mixed vegetables.
    3. Stir in the washed rice, garam masala, and salt, cooking for a few minutes.
    4. Add water and mix gently. Close the lid and set to pressure cook for 4 minutes.
    5. Allow natural release and fluff the rice before serving.

9. Instant Pot Rasam

Rasam is a traditional South Indian soup made with tamarind and spices. This Instant Pot version is quick to prepare and is a comforting dish served with rice.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1/4 cup toor dal, cooked and mashed
    • 1 large tomato, chopped
    • 1 small onion, chopped
    • 1-2 green chilies, slit
    • 1 tbsp tamarind paste
    • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
    • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
    • Salt to taste
    • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Instructions:
    1. In the Instant Pot, combine cooked toor dal, chopped tomato, onion, green chilies, tamarind paste, turmeric, and salt with 4 cups of water.
    2. Close the lid and set to pressure cook for 5 minutes. Allow natural release.
    3. In a small pan, heat oil and temper mustard seeds until they splutter. Pour this tempering into the cooked rasam.
    4. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with rice.

10. Instant Pot Dhokla

Dhokla is a savory steamed cake made from fermented chickpea flour. This Instant Pot method makes it simple to prepare this popular snack or breakfast item.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup chickpea flour (besan)
    • 1/2 cup yogurt
    • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
    • 1 tsp ginger paste
    • 1 tsp green chili paste
    • 1 tsp Eno fruit salt
    • Salt to taste
    • Fresh coriander for garnish
  • Instructions:
    1. In a bowl, mix chickpea flour, yogurt, turmeric, ginger paste, green chili paste, and salt. Add water as needed to make a smooth batter.
    2. Just before steaming, mix in Eno fruit salt. The batter should froth up slightly.
    3. Pour the batter into a greased dish that fits into the Instant Pot.
    4. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot and place the dish on a trivet. Close the lid and set to steam for 15 minutes.
    5. Once done, let it cool slightly, then cut into squares and garnish with coriander before serving.

Conclusion

With the Instant Pot, preparing authentic Indian meals has never been easier or faster. These ten recipes offer a variety of flavors and ingredients, allowing you to explore the rich culinary heritage of India right from your kitchen. Whether you’re in the mood for a comforting dal or a fragrant biryani, the Instant Pot is your perfect companion for Indian cooking. Enjoy your culinary journey!

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10 Instant Pot Recipes for Authentic Indian Cooking

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