40 Fantastic Vegan Instant Pot Recipes

What is an Instant Pot?Why you should trust me!Should I get an Instant Pot?Which size Instant Pot should I get?Which model Instant Pot should I get?BreakfastMain CoursesSides and DipsDessertsHow-To Guides

What is an Instant Pot?

An Instant Pot is the premier multi-function electric pressure cooker. It’s one of the most popular kitchen gadgets and is both safe and easy to use. It comes in several different sizes and models (more on that below). You can pressure cook almost anything (pressure cooking is the mostly commonly used function), as well as saute, steam, slow cook, ferment, bake, and braise.

Why you should trust me!

Should I get an Instant Pot?

Do you feel like you spend too much time in the kitchen? Do you wish you could easily batch cook staples like grains, lentils, and beans in a foolproof manner? Would you like to be able to make soups, stews, chilies, and curries that have rich, depth of flavor but that don’t require hours of slow simmering? Do you wish you could safely leave a finished meal in a pot for hours and come home to a warm meal? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should definitely get an Instant Pot! If you’d like to learn about all the wonderful things an Instant Pot can do, check out my Youtube video “10 reasons why the Instant Pot is a vegan’s best friend.”

Which size Instant Pot should I get?

All of the major Instant Pot models come in three main sizes: 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart. The 6-quart size is definitely the most popular and is sufficiently large for most needs. I recommend a 6-quart to most people because most Instant Pot recipes you’ll find online and in cookbooks were tested in 6-quart pots. This means you won’t have to do any conversions. For instance, if you make a recipe in the 8-quart Instant Pot, you usually need to add more liquid. And if you have a 3-quart model, you’ll need to cut most recipes in half (and some recipes, such as pot-in-pot recipes will be difficult or impossible to make). If you’re a first-time buyer, I recommend getting the 3-quart size only if you have a very small kitchen or are a student living in a dorm. And if you regularly cook for a bigger family, the 8-quart might make more sense. One last point. Newer models, like the Duo Nova (more on that below), come in an even larger size: the 10 quart. For all your very large family needs!

Which model Instant Pot should I get?

Instant Pot regularly introduces new models, so it can be confusing to know which model to purchase. The recommended models for beginners (as of January 2021) are the Duo Nova or the Duo (affiliate links). These two models are mostly similar, except the newer Nova has an automatic sealing lid (very useful) and an updated display. If you want a few extra features, the Duo Evo Plus (affiliate link) is an excellent option (it’s the model I currently have). The major additions? It features sous vide and bake settings and has 48 smart programs. The smart programs mean you can add in a given quantity of rice/beans/soup and the Instant Pot will automatically set the optimal time and temperature.

About the recipes listed here

You’ll find options for breakfast, main courses, side dishes, and dessert! I’ve included several of my own favorite recipes, along with inspiration from around the plant-based internet, including lots of globally-inspired vegan recipes and a few how-to posts on cooking basics. Also, a note about cook time. Some of these recipes have time ranges, and the time range might seem longer than you expect (especially for my own recipes). This accounts for the time the Instant Pot takes to come to pressure and to depressurize.