• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Cozy Peach Kitchen
  • home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Nutrition & Lifestyle
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Lifestyle & Nutrition
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Lifestyle & Nutrition
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Instant Pot Recipes

    15 Easy Vegetarian Instant Pot Meals

    Published: Jan 7, 2022 · Modified: May 1, 2023 by Cassidy Reeser · This post may contain affiliate links.

    9 shares

    Learn how to cook easy vegetarian meals in the Instant Pot with this beginner's guide. This article features Instant Pot cooking tips alongside 15 delicious vegetarian recipes that make mealtime easier.

    There are so many reasons to love the Instant Pot. If you buy dry beans and grains, enjoy soups and stews, or just want some hands-off times while cooking, then the Instant Pot will probably make your life easier.

    Table of Contents hide
    1 What is an instant pot?
    2 Instant pot size
    3 Extra equipment
    4 My top tips
    5 Cooking beans
    6 Beginner vegetarian recipes
    7 15 Easy Vegetarian Instant Pot Recipes

    What is an instant pot?

    In this guide I'm using the term "Instant Pot" but I'm referring to an electric pressure cooker in general because there are many brands that make them.

    The Instant Pot is more than just a pressure cooker. It is a multicooker that includes various "smart programs" like slow cook, keep warm, and saute. It also has buttons with preset programs for beans, rice, and even yogurt.

    In vegetarian cooking, it is great for cooking pantry staples like dry beans and grains. It can also make desserts, cook eggs, and more!

    Two bowls of rice and beans with Instant Pot in the background

    Instant pot size

    There are four Instant Pot sizes: 3-, 6-, 8-, and 10-quart.

    The 6 quart Instant Pot is the most popular size and it is the one that I use. If cooking for a family of 2-4, I recommend the 6-quart pot.

    Most soups, stews, etc. rarely use larger than 6-quart pots or Dutch ovens. Because we aren't cooking meat, an 8 or 10-quart pot likely isn't necessary.

    One reason you might want a large Instant Pot in a vegetarian household is if you plan to frequently double recipes, especially soups.

    Extra equipment

    The Instant Pot comes with a stainless steel inner pot, plastic rice paddle, stainless steel trivet, measuring cup, and a condensation collector.

    There are many extra accessories available for purchase. These are the accessories that I have and find most helpful:

    • Air fryer lid: This turns your Instant Pot into an air fryer! If you already have an air fryer, this lid isn't necessary. One downside to the air fryer lid is that there isn't a lot of room in the Instant Pot, so you may need to air fry in batches.
    • Silicon egg bite molds are a necessary purchase if you plan to make egg bites.
    • Silicon mits are helpful for lifting the inner pot out of the Instant Pot.
    • Steamer basket: I use this to steam potatoes for mashed potatoes, veggies, etc. It has a silicon handle which makes it easy to lift out of the Instant Pot.

    My top tips

    Instant Pots are easy to use if you remember a few basic rules of thumb:

    1. If using the saute function, wait until the pot reads "hot" before adding oil. This is my top tip to avoid the burn error.
    2. Deglaze the pot if sauteing: This is another way to avoid the burn error. When sauteing, ingredients like onions may stick to the pot. Adding just 2-3 tablespoons vegetable broth or other cooking liquid at the end of sauteing (this is known as deglazing) helps to remove any stuck on bits which may burn during the pressure cooking process.
    3. Follow recipe instructions: When I started cooking with my Instant Pot years ago, I was super intimidated. I recommend following recipes to understand the ins and outs of pressure cooking before freestyling (unless you're just naturally a great freestyler and love experimenting, then go for it!).
    Overhead view of white bowl filled with black beans next to red onion and blue striped cloth

    Cooking beans

    The Instant Pot comes with a recipe booklet that includes a chart with cook times for common grains, dried beans, and legumes.

    This booklet is hit or miss for me, especially with dry beans. Bean cook time varies widely based on the age and size of the bean. Many beans sit in storage for years before reaching grocery store shelves, which results in a longer cook time.

    Always rinse and clean the beans before pressure cooking.

    A few notes:

    • Dry beans double in size (volume and weight) after cooking.
    • Use enough liquid to cover the beans. I aim for at least an inch of liquid.
    • Use vegetable broth and spices to infuse flavor into dry beans
    • Test at least 3 beans before confirming that they are cooked through
    • If beans aren't cooked through, simply cook on high pressure another 2-3 minutes. Repeat as needed.

    To soak or not to soak

    This is the age-old question with dry beans in general. You do not need to soak beans before cooking them in the Instant Pot, but there are certainly reasons why you might want to do so.

    Soaked beans generally cook more evenly, they cook more quickly, and they can be easier to digest than unsoaked beans.

    I recommend soaking "heartier" beans like kidney beans or chickpeas for 8-12 hours or overnight. Smaller beans like black beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, and especially lentils, do not need to be soaked before pressure cooking.

    Serious eats recommends 1 tablespoon salt per quart of soaking liquid for the most flavorful and tender beans.

    Beginner vegetarian recipes

    These are my staple, go-to, beginner Instant Pot recipes. All of these recipes are vegetarian and most are vegan (dairy-free and egg-free).

    15 Easy Vegetarian Instant Pot Recipes

    Easy to make and beginner-friendly vegetarian Instant Pot recipes. These recipes make use of pantry staples and are my go-to Instant Pot meals.

    Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice

    Brown rice and dry black beans cook at the exact same time in this meal prep staple. This recipe is the perfect meal starter to use in tacos, burritos, bowls, and more!

    Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice (Vegan)

    Another popular recipe featuring rice and beans and Cajun-inspired flavors. Great for meal prep and weeknight dinners.

    Instant Pot Quinoa Taco Salad

    Enjoy this quinoa-based taco salad cold or warm. This salad is the perfect vehicle for all of your favorite taco toppings.

    Instant Pot Red Lentil Curry with Sweet Potatoes

    If you're looking for a hearty and nutritious meal, this red lentil curry is it! It's filled with warming spices, red lentils, and sweet potatoes that all cook together at the same time.

    Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Sloppy Joes

    This childhood favorite made vegan is perfect when you need a kid-friendly weeknight meal.

    Black Bean Soup (Stove Top, Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)

    Dry black beans and a bunch of spices combine to make this smoky, flavorful black bean soup.

    Chickpea Noodle Soup (Instant Pot or Stove Top)

    This comforting soup is a meatless twist on chickpea noodle soup. It uses dry, unsoaked chickpeas and is perfect for cozy winter days!

    Creamy Vegan White Bean Soup (Instant Pot Recipe)

    This creamy vegan white bean soup is a healthy and cozy soup made with dry great northern beans. No presoaking required! Just add a few pantry staples to your Instant Pot and get ready for a comforting stew.

    Instant Pot Vegan Butternut Squash Soup

    This is a creamy, dairy-free soup made with diced butternut squash. It's perfect for soup and sandwich or soup and salad meals.

    Vegetarian Instant Pot Lentil Soup

    This fiber-packed soup is perfect for lunches and can easily be frozen for grab-and-go meals. The best part? It's ready in just about 30 minutes!

    Instant Pot Black Beans

    This is my favorite way to cook black beans in the Instant Pot. You can use this recipe as a meal starter for tacos, burrito bowls, grain bowls, you name it!

    Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats

    Steel-cut oats cook surprisingly quickly in the Instant Pot. These fall-flavored oats are great for breakfast year round.

    Instant Pot Vegan Macaroni and Cheese

    Vegan mac and cheese can be made in an Instant Pot?! Yep. It's surprisingly easy to do and takes under 30 minutes to make.

    Savory Vegan Collard Greens (Instant Pot or Stove Top)

    If you've never made collard greens before, now is the perfect time to start. Let the Instant Pot do the work for you with this southern staple made vegan.

    Instant Pot Vegan Baked Beans

    These beans aren't quite baked because there's no oven involved in the cooking process, but they sure are a delicious side for weeknight dinners, picnics, and barbecues!

    Do you have questions that I didn't answer? Leave a comment down below or shoot me an email, I'm happy to share my Instant Pot expertise.

    I also have a YouTube channel where I show step-by-step cooking videos and tips. Check out my Instant Pot videos for Butternut Squash Soup, Rice and Beans, and Red Lentil Curry.

    And don't miss these guides to plant-based eating:

    • Side view of pink glass filled with peach smoothie and a straw
      How to Make a Filling Smoothie
    • Quinoa salad in a white and blue bowl.
      5 Secrets to Easy Plant Based Dinners
    • Cubes of tofu in front of block of sliced tofu.
      Guide to Cooking Tofu (20+ Tofu Recipes)
    • Stack of glass jars with beans in them.
      30 Vegetarian Pantry Staple Recipes

    More Vegetarian Instant Pot Recipes

    • Close up of white bowl filled with vivid red tomato soup and sliced basil.
      Instant Pot Tomato Soup
    • White bowl filled with stewed kale and half of a lemon.
      Instant Pot Kale (Two Ways)
    • Overhead view of white bowl with corn chowder.
      Vegan Chipotle Corn Chowder (Stovetop or Instant Pot)
    • Close up of chickpeas in a white bowl with a sprig of rosemary.
      Instant Pot Chickpeas
    9 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Smiling portrait of a woman holding a bowl of grits and tofu.

    Hi, I’m Cassidy! I’m the registered dietitian behind Cozy Peach Kitchen, a food and nutrition blog sharing easy vegetarian recipes for every occasion.

    More about me →

    Trending now

    • Overhead view of gray bowl filled with green pasta and cherry tomatoes.
      Vegan Avocado Pesto Pasta
    • Close up of creamy macaroni and cheese
      Stovetop Gouda Mac and Cheese
    • Chickpeas, sweet potato, and spinach in a bowl with quinoa.
      Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowls with Almond Dressing
    • Slice of quinoa casserole on a white speckled plate with a gold fork.
      Vegetarian Black Bean Quinoa Casserole (Dump and Bake!)
    • Gray speckled ceramic bowl showing separated quinoa, chickpeas, pita chips, cucumber and tzatziki sauce.
      Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Balsamic Chickpeas
    • Gold spoon dripping peanut sauce off of it.
      Peanut Stir Fry Sauce

    Spring meals

    • Orzo with mushrooms in white speckled bowl
      One Pot Pesto Orzo with Mushrooms
    • Overhead view of pesto lasagna in a glass baking dish.
      Vegan Pesto Lasagna with Tofu Ricotta
    • Overhead view of large glass bowl filled with pasta salad
      Veggie Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
    • Overhead view of white bowl filled with couscous salad and a lemon wedge
      Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Salad
    • Large glass bowl filled with lentil salad on a blue cloth next to a lemon juicer
      Vegetarian Lentil Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
    • Close up of white bean salad in a pita with cucumbers.
      Tahini White Bean Salad

    Footer

    Logos

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy and Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Cassidy

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Cozy Peach Kitchen®. All rights reserved.