Delicious and hearty recipe for instant pot lentils. Lentils are cooked to perfection in a coconut-based broth for a quick weeknight gourmet stew with a Caribbean flair.
The song Dindi has been covered by many different artists. It refers to a farm in Brazil the original artist used to visit with friends and family. I don't have a farm yet, but every time I harvest vegetables from my gardens like the swiss chard in this recipe I think about my future farm that will be used for family gatherings. This recipe literally was born out of me thinking of different ways to use the big leafy greens from my raised beds.
Lentil Stew Ingredients
The flavor really comes from the combination of spices with aromatics like onions, garlic, and coconut milk. The spices include: cumin, paprika, coriander, curry, and turmeric.
How To Make Lentil Stew In An Instant Pot
Step 1: Sauté the vegetables
Turn the instant pot "Saute" settings to "Normal." Once the display says "Hot" add oil and once heated add onions and saute 2 minutes before adding the garlic, celery, and carrots cooking for another 2 minutes. I like to add half the spices hear for added depth of flavor.
Step 2: Add the lentils
Toast the lentils along with the vegetables for about 30 seconds stirring a few times. This will add additional flavor.
Step 3: Add the liquids
After a good saute, add the stock, coconut milk, and remaining spices.
Step 4: finish the stew
If using greens add to the pot. Mix well and then close the lid. Cover and pressure cook 15 minutes then allow pressure to release naturally for another 15 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This is normally a main dish one-pot meal for us. However, if you want you can serve with cornbread plus a few green sides like any of the following:
Expert Cooking Tips
- Buy the freshest lentils you can find. Older lentils take longer to cook and will shed their skins during cooking. Though this doesn’t impact taste directly, it does make for highly unattractive/unappetizing lentils
- Check for pebbles before cooking. It’s worth it to sift or check for mini-pebbles when prepping lentils. It doesn’t happen often, but there is always a chance a loose pebble makes it into your bag/container.
- For more detailed advice for cooking lentils try my previous post and recipe for perfectly cooked lentils.
- Serve these lentil as a side with jerk chicken, stewed chicken, or air fryer salmon.
What Is The Best Type of Lentil for Instant Pot cooking?
Variety/type of lentil really does matter. Lentils come in different colors including yellow, green, brown, orange, and red. Each cooks differently making them ideal for different types of dishes. Green and brown which are most common tend to cook more quickly and evenly so are less likely to get mushy.
Yellow, orange, and red lentils break down more during cooking than the others. Cook them too long or too fast and they quickly become mushy. Definitely go with green or brown lentils for this recipe unless you prefer a more mushy consistency.
For other similar recipes you might like, try these:
Instant Pot Collard Greens with Brisket
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
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Equipment
- instant pot
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup lentils green or brown
- 1 medium red onion diced
- 2 celery ribs diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
- ½ tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 12 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 12 oz canned coconut milk
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 5-6 large Swiss chard or kale leaves de-stemmed and roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Turn the instant pot “saute” settings on “normal.” Once display reads “hot” add oil, heat the oil and then add onions and saute onions until soft 2-3 minutes.
- Add carrots, celery, garlic, ⅓ of the spices including the thyme. Saute another 2 minutes.
- Add lentils and another ⅓ of the spices and toast 30 seconds
- Add tomatoes, coconut milk, broth, bay leaf, chard (optional) and last of spices. Mix ingredients well. Pressure cook at 15 minutes then use natural release 15 minutes.
Notes
- Buy the freshest lentils you can find. Older lentils take longer to cook and will shed their skins during cooking. Though this doesn’t impact taste directly, it does make for highly unattractive/unappetizing lentils
- Check for pebbles before cooking. It’s worth it to sift or check for mini-pebbles when prepping lentils. It doesn’t happen often, but there is always a chance a loose pebble makes it into your bag/container.
- For more detailed advice for cooking lentils try my previous post and recipe for perfectly cooked lentils.
Heidy
Monday 24th of October 2022
I loved these instant pot lentils! So much faster and easier. The instructions were on point and easy to follow!
Ksenia
Sunday 23rd of October 2022
I make lentil stew on the stovetop all the time, but this was my first time making it in the instant pot - and it definitely won’t be my last! It tasted juicy and was so easy to do.
Ann
Sunday 23rd of October 2022
This was the first time I have cooked with lentils before, and it turned out great! Might be my new favorite thing!
Jacqueline Debono
Sunday 23rd of October 2022
I very often serve lentils as a side dish with chicken or lamb. But usually follow a French recipe. However, I love the idea of the coconut milk and spices in this version. I can just imagine how good it tastes! Pinned for later!
amy liu dong
Friday 21st of October 2022
It is so delicious and easy. This is perfect to pair with your favorite bread. Thanks for the recipe!