28 Vegan Instant Pot Recipes that Aren't Soup! (2024)

FAQs

Which instant pot is best for vegans? ›

The Instant Pot Duo is a fantastic choice that's packed with every conceivable feature. Go with a the three quart unit if you're just cooking for one or two people. If you have a larger family, buy either the six or eight quart model.

In general, Instant Pots do so much more than just pressure cooking and can be used as a rice cooker, slow cooker, steamer yogurt maker, sauté pan, and a meal warmer.

The average lifespan of an Instant Pot ranges from 2-5 years, but it can last longer depending on how often it's used and how well-maintained it is. So it's safe to say Instant Pots aren't commonly being replaced, and may even be a one-time purchase.

Foods containing dairy, like milk, cream, or yogurt, should not be pressure-cooked. The high heat and pressure can cause dairy products to curdle or separate, ruining the texture, taste and flavour of the dish. Cooking fried foods is a strict no no, when it comes to pressure cookers.

Not good for cooking everything: Just like no one method is great for cooking everything, the Instant Pot isn't build to do it all. If you are not a fan of like stews and saucy things then pressure cooking might not be for you.

Cooking in an “instant pot” or pressure cooker is a great method for preparing your food on many levels — including the nutritional level, according to registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD. “Instant pot recipes are absolutely healthy as long as what you put in the recipe is healthy,” she says.

Without sufficient liquid, pressure won't build — and you'll likely get the dreaded “burn” error. Unless otherwise specified in the recipe, you'll need just enough liquid (usually water or broth) to bring the cooker to pressure. The Instant Pot manual suggests 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 cups, depending on the size of the cooker.

When it comes to breaking your Instant Pot in, it's a good idea to start with some basic foods and simple meals you're already familiar with, then slowly expand your Instant Pot repertoire from there. Try making staples like eggs, sweet potatoes, rice, or lentils using just the pressure cooker function.

Yes, it is safe to cook frozen food in a pressure cooker or an electric pressure cooker like an Instant Pot.

How do you thicken soup in an Instant Pot? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute.

Add suitable liquid to thin condensed cream-based soups and thick sauces. Maximum When pressure cooking, do not fill the inner pot higher than the PC MAX — 2/3 line as indicated on the inner pot.

SOLUTION: Open the Instant Pot and make sure there's enough liquid. If too much liquid has evaporated, the Instant Pot won't pressurize, so add more liquid if necessary. Close the Instant Pot and resume pressure cooking. If you have trouble closing the lid, move the steam release handle to the VENTING position.

The Instant Pot is awesome at cooking some of our favorite vegetarian staples, from perfectly cooked dried beans to tender, well-seasoned spaghetti squash, and smooth and creamy hummus. And as we've learned, it has the potential to make meal prep sessions a little easier, and even save time in the kitchen.

Greger of NutritionFacts notes, “Without presoaking, it takes 45 minutes in a pressure cooker to get rid of all lectins, but an hour to make kidney beans edible. So basically… cooking beans to the point where they are considered edible is more than sufficient to destroy virtually all lectin activity.”

The Viva has all the same functions as the Duo, minus the Steam function, plus a few extra such as Cake, Egg, Sous Vide, and Sterilize. The Viva has a new EasySeal Lid that automatically sets to seal for pressure cooking, whereas the Duo lid is set manually. Both models come with the same accessories.

For those who are on the lookout for a cooker that is easy to use and quick to prepare food, an aluminium pressure cooker would be the best option. However, if you prefer getting healthier and heavy-duty kitchenware, there is no doubt that a stainless steel cooker will be the apt choice for you.