Why I Ditched My Rice Cooker for the Instant Pot

Welcome to Set It & Forget It, a series about all the ways we rely on our slow cookers, Instant Pots, and ovens during the colder months. Whether it’s a long braise on the stove or a quick burst in the pressure cooker, one thing’s for sure: Comfort…

Welcome to Set It & Forget It, a series about all the ways we rely on our slow cookers, Instant Pots, and ovens during the colder months. Whether it’s a long braise on the stove or a quick burst in the pressure cooker, one thing’s for sure: Comfort food means comfort cooking.


For many Koreans and Korean-Americans, rice (a word which also happens to mean “meal” and “food” in Korean) is not just a means by which to sustain life—it's life itself. Which is why being tasked with the job of cooking it is a huge badge of honor in a Korean household. In my house, growing up, before I could even start making the rice, my mother had to first educate me on how it was grown (in water-logged rice patties), how to wash it (until the water runs clear), and why we soak it overnight and whisper sweet nothings into its ear (to reduce starch and to bring out any unwanted impurities).

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Mulled Cider

Mulled cider is the very best cozy drink! Infused with spices like cinnamon and cloves, you can make it in a slow cooker or on the stove. Here’s a recipe for gray days and chilly evenings by the fire: mulled cider! Not only will it lift your spirits, it makes your kitchen smell like a candle shop. Alex and I made it for friends the other day, and instantly everyone gathered around the pot, chattering and cupping their hands around the warm mugs. Yes, it cultivates community too! Mulled cider is great for entertaining (like Thanksgiving and Christmas), and it’s easy to make on the stove or a slow cooker. Ready to get started? What are mulled cider spices? Mulled cider is made with whole spices, which infuse the entire drink with that signature cozy flavor. If you taste straight apple cider, you’ll find the flavor is crisp and apple forward. But after simmering with mulling spices, the flavor blossoms into something warm and spiced. Because dried and ground spices would end up making the drink cloudy, you’ll use whole spices for the simmering. Mulled cider spices include: Cinnamon sticks Cloves Allspice berries Whole nutmeg Star anise Star anise is the […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, Vegetarian Recipes

Mulled cider is the very best cozy drink! Infused with spices like cinnamon and cloves, you can make it in a slow cooker or on the stove.

Mulled cider

Here’s a recipe for gray days and chilly evenings by the fire: mulled cider! Not only will it lift your spirits, it makes your kitchen smell like a candle shop. Alex and I made it for friends the other day, and instantly everyone gathered around the pot, chattering and cupping their hands around the warm mugs. Yes, it cultivates community too! Mulled cider is great for entertaining (like Thanksgiving and Christmas), and it’s easy to make on the stove or a slow cooker. Ready to get started?

Mulled cider

What are mulled cider spices?

Mulled cider is made with whole spices, which infuse the entire drink with that signature cozy flavor. If you taste straight apple cider, you’ll find the flavor is crisp and apple forward. But after simmering with mulling spices, the flavor blossoms into something warm and spiced. Because dried and ground spices would end up making the drink cloudy, you’ll use whole spices for the simmering. Mulled cider spices include:

  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Cloves
  • Allspice berries
  • Whole nutmeg
  • Star anise

Star anise is the most unique of all these mulled cider spices. It’s star-shaped and is available at most grocery stores. If you can’t find it, you can also buy star anise online.

Mulled cider spices

Tips for making the best mulled cider

While mulled cider isn’t rocket science, there are a few things to keep in mind when making this cozy drink. Here’s what makes this recipe your new go-to:

  • Toast the spices first. Toasting the spices for a few minutes in the pot or a skillet helps to release even more of their flavor during the simmering time. (This kick starts the incredible aroma!)
  • Garnish last. If you cook mulled cider with fruit like orange slices and apple slices, they’ll fall to the bottom and the color will fade. Instead, use them as a garnish after cooking: it looks beautiful for serving!
  • Strain if desired. Some brands of apple cider have some particulate in the bottom of the jug. This is completely expected! You can strain off any particulate that rises to the top, or just stir to re-incorporate it.
Mulled cider

Three methods: Stovetop, Slow Cooker, Instant Pot!

There are a few different ways to make mulled cider: each have pros and cons! Here’s a breakdown:

  • Stovetop method: The quickest! Only takes 1 hour. The only thing is you’ll have to watch to make sure that it stays on the lowest warming setting: it shouldn’t even come to a simmer.
  • Slow cooker method: Takes 3 hours. Totally hands off, it’s great for times when you can throw ingredients in the slow cooker while you prep other foods. Also, you can leave it on the warm setting and serve it right out of the Crock Pot.
  • Instant Pot method: Same advantages as above! Use this version if you have a pressure cooker and not a slow cooker.
Spiked mulled cider

Step it up: make spiked mulled cider!

This mulled cider is fabulous on it’s own, but you can step it up by stirring in rum at the end! The rum adds a bit of warmth and takes it to another level. Spiked mulled cider is the perfect party drink! If you’re serving a party where not everyone is drinking, you could also leave out the rum and let guests add a splash to their own drinks. The quantity in the recipe below adds only 1/2 tablespoon rum per glass: so all you need is a small swig!

Mulled cider

More cozy drinks

Looking for more cozy drinks like this one? Some of our favorite warming drinks for the season are:

  • Vegan Hot Chocolate or Gingerbread Hot Chocolate: No need for pre-made packets! Homemade hot chocolate is easy to make and turns out creamy and chocolatey.
  • Apple Cider Sangria: This cozy sangria pairs sparkling apple cider with red wine, orange and cinnamon. In a word: wow.
  • Mulled Wine: Why not make mulled wine, too? Simmer red wine with orange zest, cloves, cinnamon sticks, allspice and honey. This cozy drink will warm you from the inside out!

This mulled cider is…

Vegetarian, gluten-free, plant-based, vegan, and dairy-free.

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Mulled cider

Best Mulled Cider


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  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8

Description

Mulled cider is the very best cozy drink! Infused with spices like cinnamon and cloves, you can make it in a slow cooker or on the stove (and enjoy that aroma!).


Ingredients

  • 1 whole nutmeg
  • 10 allspice berries
  • 10 cloves
  • 2 star anise
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1/2 gallon apple cider*
  • 1/4 cup rum, optional
  • 1 small orange, for garnish
  • Whole cranberries, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Toast the spices: Add the nutmeg, allspice, cloves, star anise and cinnamon to the bottom of a pot (or to a skillet for Slow Cooker instructions). Toast over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
  2. Stovetop cooking instructions: Turn the heat to low. Pour in the apple cider and bring to below a simmer, just barely bubbling. Warm for 1 hour on low heat (don’t let it simmer). Skim off any particulate if desired, or stir to re-incorporate it.
  3. Slow Cooker & Instant Pot instructions: Place the apple cider in the slow cooker or Instant Pot (pressure cooker) with the spices. Cook on low for 3 hours OR Normal using the Instant Pot “Slow Cooker” setting.
  4. If using, stir in the rum. Garnish with orange slices and cranberries, then serve.

Notes

*Doubles easily, and fits into a standard slow cooker or Instant Pot.

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Stovetop / Pressure Cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Mulled Cider, Hot Mulled Cider, Mulled Cider Spices, Mulled Cider Recipe

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, Vegetarian Recipes

It’s an Instant Pot Cheesecake World (& We Just Live in It)

Welcome to Set It & Forget It, a series about all the ways we rely on our slow cookers, Instant Pots, and ovens during the colder months. Whether it’s a long braise on the stove or a quick burst in the pressure cooker, one thing’s for sure: Comfort…

Welcome to Set It & Forget It, a series about all the ways we rely on our slow cookers, Instant Pots, and ovens during the colder months. Whether it’s a long braise on the stove or a quick burst in the pressure cooker, one thing’s for sure: Comfort food means comfort cooking.


Instant Pot cheesecakes have gone just the tiniest bit viral. One peek at the Instant Pot Community on Facebook, and you will see post after post about cheesecakes—“New York Cheesecake #17,” to be exact. This particular cheesecake recipe was developed and blogged about by two Instant Pot devotees, Amy and Jacky, and has proliferated across the internet.

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There Are *So* Many Instant Pots to Choose From—Here’s the Right One for You

When it comes to the Instant Pot, there’s a lot to love. Primarily, the electric multi-cooker—which is a fancy term for “all-in-one pressure cooker, slow cooker, sauté pan, steamer, and more, that plugs into your wall instead of cooking over an open fl…

When it comes to the Instant Pot, there's a lot to love. Primarily, the electric multi-cooker—which is a fancy term for "all-in-one pressure cooker, slow cooker, sauté pan, steamer, and more, that plugs into your wall instead of cooking over an open flame"—can create the type of deep, caramel-y flavor typically associated with an all-day braise in under an hour. It can tenderize the toughest legumes (sans a pre-soak!) in the time it takes to watch one episode of Great British Baking Show. It can slow-cook with the best of 'em.

So it's no wonder that Instant Pot models have nabbed the top four bestseller spots on Amazon's electric pressure cooker list.

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Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes

Bust out your pressure cooker on holidays: it saves valuable stove and oven space! Here are the very best Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes everyone will love. The best time to use a pressure cooker? Thanksgiving! Yes, the Instant Pot is a genius extension of your kitchen for holiday cooking. While your oven and stovetop are occupied cooking other things, the Instant Pot can be making up a monstrous batch of mashed potatoes. Or cooking an apple crisp. Or making green bean casserole. Yes, the Instant Pot is perfect for holiday cooking. (Did we mention it’s portable?) This year, we’ll be making a few of these Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes for our various celebrations. Each and everyone of them is so, so delicious, they’re sure to become family favorites in no time. While most of these recipes are Thanksgiving sides, the stuffed squash would be a fabulous main dish. And don’t forget dessert! We’re starting to get hungry over here… PS don’t forget to try out our Vegetarian Gravy or Vegan Gravy on those fluffy mashed potatoes! Best Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes! What Instant Pot do you use? All of these Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes have been tested using an Instant Pot […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, Vegetarian Recipes

Bust out your pressure cooker on holidays: it saves valuable stove and oven space! Here are the very best Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes everyone will love.

Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes

The best time to use a pressure cooker? Thanksgiving! Yes, the Instant Pot is a genius extension of your kitchen for holiday cooking. While your oven and stovetop are occupied cooking other things, the Instant Pot can be making up a monstrous batch of mashed potatoes. Or cooking an apple crisp. Or making green bean casserole.

Yes, the Instant Pot is perfect for holiday cooking. (Did we mention it’s portable?) This year, we’ll be making a few of these Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes for our various celebrations. Each and everyone of them is so, so delicious, they’re sure to become family favorites in no time. While most of these recipes are Thanksgiving sides, the stuffed squash would be a fabulous main dish. And don’t forget dessert!

We’re starting to get hungry over here… PS don’t forget to try out our Vegetarian Gravy or Vegan Gravy on those fluffy mashed potatoes!

Best Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes!

One of the very best Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes? These perfectly creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes. Yes, mashed potatoes are so much easier in a pressure cooker! You don’t have to worry about them boiling over on the stovetop, or keep testing them to see when they’re done. Nope, just throw them in your pressure cooker and press Go! It also gets that massive pot off the stove top make way for all your other Thanksgiving prep.

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Here's an Instant Pot Thanksgiving spin on the 1950's classic green bean casserole! And this ain’t your mama’s green bean casserole: it's a fresh spin made all from scratch! It’s got crisp tender green beans and real mushrooms. The creamy sauce coats each of the beans, but isn’t gloppy. And it’s got a new take on the traditional fried onion topping: using crushed potato chips!

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Here's a standout Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipe that works as a vegetarian main dish or a side dish, too! Tender, creamy acorn squash is draped with a savory, herb-laden pecan and rice stuffing that truly makes your kitchen smell like a fall wonderland. Really! 

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Instead of sugary marshmallow sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving, how about savory mashed instead? These Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes have just the right fluffy texture. The secret? They're combined with Yukon gold potatoes to give them that classic texture. Add garlic and top with chives, and they'll be a hit with everyone around the table.

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Can you make Instant Pot Brussels sprouts? Roasted Brussels sprouts is our very favorite to eat these powerhouse vegetables. The oven makes them tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Turns out, Instant Pot Brussels are delicious too! They come out crisp tender and mixed with butter, chives, and Parmesan cheese, they’re seriously flavorful.

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May we present: Instant Pot butternut squash soup! It's spiced with sage, with a hint of cinnamon and a smoky undertone. The squash and carrot give it an electric orange hue, and it's rounded out with potato and apple for sweetness. Really, it's pure gold in a bowl! It's a star in our comforting butternut squash recipes.

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The sweet, earthy flavor of beets pairs perfectly with the tang of a balsamic dressing. Here, we’ve used our favorite Best Balsamic Dressing: which takes just 5 minutes and 5 ingredients. The balance of tangy, sweet and savory in this dressing is mind-blowing. Make this with quick Instant Pot beets, which take only about 30 minutes to cook: half the time of roasting them in the oven!

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Let us introduce the best easy Thanksgiving side dish: Instant Pot green beans! They’re super quick to put together and the zesty lemon flavor makes them a crowd pleaser. Because they’re steamed in the pressure cooker, they make space on the stovetop and oven for cooking the main dish! They take only 10 minutes to make: a speed record for the holidays!

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Why not finish this list of Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes with something sweet? This apple crisp cooks up in minutes, leaving the oven clear for holiday baking (the turkey, perhaps?). It's topped with organic granola for the crumble, and comes out sweet and cozy. A little lemon zest adds some zing, and melty vanilla ice cream puts it over the top.

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Mashed sweet potatoes

Instant Pot Thanksgiving Mashed Sweet Potatoes


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (8 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12

Description

The pressure cooker is perfect for holidays: it saves valuable stove and oven space! These Instant Pot Thanksgiving mashed sweet potatoes are perfectly creamy and sweet-savory: everyone will love them!


Ingredients

  • 3 pounds sweet potatoes*
  • 3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
  • 1 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half (or sub non-dairy milk for vegan)
  • 1 clove grated garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Thinly sliced chives, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Peel the potatoes, then cut them into large chunks.
  2. Add the potatoes to the Instant Pot. Add the kosher salt and the water. Lock the lid. Place the pressure release handle (vent) in the “Sealing” position.
  3. Cook on High Pressure for 12 minutes: Press the Pressure Cook button, making sure the “High Pressure” setting is selected, and set the time. Note that it takes about 20 minutes for the pot to “preheat” and come up to pressure before it starts cooking. (During cooking, avoid touching the metal part of the lid.)
  4. Quick release: Vent the remaining steam from the Instant Pot by moving the pressure release handle to “Venting”, covering your hand with a towel or hot pad. Never put your hands or face near the vent when releasing steam. Open the pressure cooker lid.
  5. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher directly in the Instant Pot. Then stir in the cream, grated garlic, and black pepper to the hot potatoes. Taste, and adjust seasonings as desired. Garnish with chopped chives and fresh ground pepper.

Notes

*This amount makes 12 servings and is intended for a crowd. If you’d like to make less, you can half the recipe without affecting the cook time.

  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Pressure Cooker
  • Cuisine: Thanksgiving

Keywords: Instant Pot Thanksgiving, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, recipes, thanksgiving, instant pot, pressure cooker

What Instant Pot do you use?

All of these Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes have been tested using an Instant Pot 6 Qt Multi-Use Programmable Pressure CookerThere is definitely variation between pressure cooker brands and sizes, so you may see some variation in cook time depending on the brand and size you’re using.

Understanding Instant Pot cook time

When you look at cook time with any pressure cooker, you’ll need to factor in a few more things than just the actual cook time. Keep the following in mind:

  • “Preheat” time: Once you add the ingredients to the pot, the pressure cooker requires time to come up to pressure. This time can vary depending on the recipe. Alex and I make sure to state it clearly in each of our Instant Pot recipes, so you know how long they’ll take overall.
  • Natural release: Some recipes call for a Quick Release: here you’ll immediately release the pressure and open the lid. But some recipes call for a Natural Release method, where you wait with the cover on after the cook time for the pressure to naturally release from the pot. Make sure to factor this time in when you’re planning your recipes, not just the cook time.

A note about the sealing ring

The plastic sealing rink inside the pressure cooker lid can pick up odors after cooking. Make sure to clean it fully after using it, and allow it to dry separately from the lid. A good practice is to store the Instant Pot with the lid upside down so the sealing ring is exposed to air, instead of with the lid closed onto the pot. This allows the sealing ring to air out between uses.

To remove the smell from an Instant Pot sealing ring, soak it in vinegar for a few hours. Another option is purchasing two sealing rings. We purchased 2 Instant Pot sealing rings and use one for savory recipes and one for sweet recipes. This is especially helpful if you’re making something like the apple crisp above.

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, Vegetarian Recipes

Instant Pot Applesauce

Instant Pot Applesauce is the easiest, fastest way to get homemade applesauce! You can make it as smooth or chunky as you want and the flavors are amazing. Homemade Applesauce One of my very favorite fall flavors is APPLE. Pumpkin gets a lot of love an…

Instant Pot Applesauce is the easiest, fastest way to get homemade applesauce! You can make it as smooth or chunky as you want and the flavors are amazing. Homemade Applesauce One of my very favorite fall flavors is APPLE. Pumpkin gets a lot of love and attention this time of year (and with good reason,…

The post Instant Pot Applesauce appeared first on Two Peas & Their Pod.

The Chicken Breast Recipe That Changed My Meal-Prep Game for Good

Table for One is a column by Senior Editor Eric Kim, who loves cooking for himself—and only himself—and seeks to celebrate the beauty of solitude in its many forms.

With all the solo cooking I do in my day to day, it can be hard to buy just the righ…

Table for One is a column by Senior Editor Eric Kim, who loves cooking for himself—and only himself—and seeks to celebrate the beauty of solitude in its many forms.


With all the solo cooking I do in my day to day, it can be hard to buy just the right amount of ingredients for any given recipe. But there is, for me, something so curiously satisfying about procuring only what I need for a single serving, and nothing more. An eggplant, a lemon, and a sprig of mint for a salad; a perfect boneless, skin-on duck breast from the butcher; a half-pound of shrimp for nights when all I want to eat is shrimp. No leftovers.

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Instant Pot Vegetarian Pot Chili

This is the BEST Instant Pot vegetarian chili, featuring two beans, lentils, and a robust flavor. (It’s vegan too.) Pressure cooker chili is fast and easy! Chili is the epitome of crowd-pleasing, and it’s a meal we often make for guests. So if you’ve got a pressure cooker, why not try…Instant Pot chili? This one is really the best Instant Pot vegetarian chili: it’s full of beans, veggies, and lentils to up the plant-based protein. Alex and I much prefer a pressure cooker to making Crockpot chili, which takes hours and can turn out soggy (ew!). This Instant Pot chili is full of savory, hearty flavor. In fact…we might like it the best of all of our chili recipes! How to make Instant Pot chili: a tutorial We have a secret. Instant Pot chili is not done in an instant. Ugh, I know! We’re sorry to burst your bubble. (Oh, those clever marketers over at Instant Pot!) This Instant Pot chili takes about the same amount of time to make chili on the stovetop. So why even use a pressure cooker? It’s a hands off method. Once you’re done with the saute, it’s set it and forget it! Throw everything […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, Vegetarian Recipes

This is the BEST Instant Pot vegetarian chili, featuring two beans, lentils, and a robust flavor. (It’s vegan too.) Pressure cooker chili is fast and easy!

Instant Pot Chili

Chili is the epitome of crowd-pleasing, and it’s a meal we often make for guests. So if you’ve got a pressure cooker, why not try…Instant Pot chili? This one is really the best Instant Pot vegetarian chili: it’s full of beans, veggies, and lentils to up the plant-based protein. Alex and I much prefer a pressure cooker to making Crockpot chili, which takes hours and can turn out soggy (ew!). This Instant Pot chili is full of savory, hearty flavor. In fact…we might like it the best of all of our chili recipes!

Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili

How to make Instant Pot chili: a tutorial

We have a secret. Instant Pot chili is not done in an instant. Ugh, I know! We’re sorry to burst your bubble. (Oh, those clever marketers over at Instant Pot!) This Instant Pot chili takes about the same amount of time to make chili on the stovetop. So why even use a pressure cooker? It’s a hands off method. Once you’re done with the saute, it’s set it and forget it! Throw everything in the pot and move on with your day.

Here are all the secrets to this best Instant Pot vegetarian chili (which happens to be vegan, too). For specifics, go to the recipe below.

Step 1: Dice 2 yellow onions and 1 green pepper.

The only knife skills required here is dicing two onions and a green pepper. For quick video tutorials on how it’s done, go to How to Cut an Onion and How to Cut a Bell Pepper.

Step 2: Saute the onions and peppers 6 to 7 minutes.

Turn on Saute mode of the Instant Pot and add the olive oil. Then Saute the onions, peppers, and a bit of fennel seed for 6 to 7 minutes, until tender. The fennel seed adds a meaty undertone to the chili (it’s a spice used in sausage).

Step 3: Add ingredients and pressure cook 12 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, lentils, broth, and spices to the Instant Pot. Seal the lid and pressure cook on High for 12 minutes. Note that because of the amount of ingredients in the pressure cooker, it takes about 15 minutes for the Instant Pot to “preheat” or come up to pressure. In all of our Instant Pot recipes, we like to be honest about this preheat time: this timing is included in the cook time in the recipe below.

Instant Pot chili

Step 4: Quick release! Add the beans, garlic, spices and rest 5 minutes.

Here’s where the magic happens! Because the pressure cooker can sometimes dull flavors, it’s important to add ingredients at the end to brighten it up. (We use this same technique in our Instant Pot Lentil Soup.)

Do a quick release, then add the canned beans (drained and rinsed), grated garlic (you can grate it right into the pot), and additional 1 teaspoon each of cumin and chili powder. Allow this to stand for 5 minutes to let the garlic flavor meld into the pot. Then it’s ready to eat!

Pressure cooker chili

Toppings for this Instant Pot vegetarian chili

The best part about chili? The toppings! Alex and I have found that this Instant Pot vegetarian chili absolutely needs toppings to get the final flavor, like any vegan or vegetarian chili. Here’s what we think are essential for getting the right flavor:

  1. Hot sauce or lime: It’s important to add a tangy undertone! We like hot sauce, but if you can’t do spicy try fresh squeezed lime juice.
  2. Sour cream or cashew cream: Adding a little creaminess and richness is also key. If you eat vegan or plant based, use cashew cream.
  3. Sliced green onions or fresh cilantro: The final element is a little freshness. We like sliced green onions or cilantro: it also adds a beautiful green pop.
  4. Cheese: To us, toppings 1-3 are essential. Cheese is optional, but it sure makes it taste good! Omit for vegan or use a dairy-free cheese option.
  5. Pepitas (pumpkin seeds), tortilla chips, or crackers: Another optional topping, but it’s nice to have a little crunch too! Do you like Saltines in your chili? (Here’s a homemade version.)

This Instant Pot chili recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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Instant Pot Chili

Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 to 8

Description

This is the BEST Instant Pot vegetarian chili, featuring two beans, lentils, and a robust flavor. (It’s vegan too.) Pressure cooker chili is fast and easy!


Ingredients

  • 2 medium yellow onions
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 3/4 cup brown or green lentils
  • 28 ounce diced fire roasted tomatoes
  • 28 ounce can crushed fire roasted tomatoes
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 2 teaspoons cumin, divided
  • 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 15-ounce can kidney beans
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans
  • 2 medium or 1 large garlic clove, grated
  • For serving: sour cream or cashew cream, shredded cheese, hot sauce, cilantro, sliced green onion, roasted and salted pepitas

Instructions

  1. Dice the onions. Dice the pepper.
  2. Turn on Saute mode and add the olive oil to the Instant Pot. When it is heated, add the onion, pepper, and fennel seeds and saute for 6 to 7 minutes until translucent. Add the lentils, tomatoes, broth, kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 3 tablespoons chili powder. Lock the lid of the Instant Pot. Place the pressure release handle (vent) in the “Sealing” position.
  3. Cook on High Pressure for 12 minutes: Press the Pressure Cook button, making sure the “High Pressure” setting is selected, and set the time. Note that it takes about 15 minutes for the pot to “preheat” and come up to pressure before it starts cooking. (During cooking, avoid touching the metal part of the lid.)
  4. Quick release: Vent the remaining steam from the Instant Pot by moving the pressure release handle to “Venting”, covering your hand with a towel or hot pad. Never put your hands or face near the vent when releasing steam. Open the pressure cooker lid.
  5. Add the final flavorings: Drain and rinse the beans. Stir in the beans, grate in the garlic (using a microplane is easy), and add the remaining 1 teaspoon chili powder and 1 teaspoon cumin. Allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Taste and season with additional salt and fresh ground pepper as necessary.
  6. Load it up: Load up with toppings, as they provide the final flavoring! Use sour cream or cashew cream, shredded cheese, hot sauce, cilantro, sliced green onion, roasted and salted pepitas, or your other favorite toppings. 

  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: Vegetarian / Vegan

Keywords: Instant Pot Chili, Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili, Instant Pot Vegan Chili, Pressure Cooker Chili, Pressure Cooker Vegetarian Chili, Pressure Cooker Vegan Chili

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, Vegetarian Recipes

How to Cook a Whole Head of Cauliflower in 5 Minutes

Welcome to Set It & Forget It, a new series about all the ways we rely on our slow cookers, Instant Pots, and ovens during the colder months. Whether it’s a long braise on the stove or a quick burst in the pressure cooker, one thing’s for sure: Com…

Welcome to Set It & Forget It, a new series about all the ways we rely on our slow cookers, Instant Pots, and ovens during the colder months. Whether it’s a long braise on the stove or a quick burst in the pressure cooker, one thing’s for sure: Comfort food means comfort cooking.


The regality of a whole-roasted cauliflower is indisputable. Whether it's abcV's garnish-bejeweled cauli-crown or Alon Shaya poached-then-baked centerpiece, roasting an entire head of cauliflower is one of the best ways to celebrate the cruciferous vegetable in all its glory.

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A Quick, Comforting Instant Pot Soup You Can Set & Forget

Welcome to Set It & Forget It, a new series about all the ways we rely on our slow cookers, Instant Pots, and ovens during the colder months. Whether it’s a long braise on the stove or a quick burst in the pressure cooker, one thing’s for sure: Com…

Welcome to Set It & Forget It, a new series about all the ways we rely on our slow cookers, Instant Pots, and ovens during the colder months. Whether it’s a long braise on the stove or a quick burst in the pressure cooker, one thing’s for sure: Comfort food means comfort cooking.


In the 18 years that I spent going to public school in Fulton County, Georgia, I ate my fair share of cafeteria lunches. In fact, I hardly ever packed my own lunch, and neither did my parents, who worked full-time at a beeper store on Buford Highway. This meant that I had the cafeteria menu memorized, and knew exactly which day to fill up on breakfast (because it was mystery-meat sloppy joe day) and when to leave room (because it was grilled cheese and soup day).

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