Instant Pot Lentils

An easy recipe for creamy, spicy, and delicious Lentils with coconut milk, and Thai curry flavors prepared in Instant Pot for a speedy any-day dinner. Refrigerate up-to 1 week. Freeze up-to 6 months. Gluten free, Dairy-Free, Vegan. 

This Lentils recipe is super special because it is creamy, spicy, and delicious but still healthier. All is magic of Coconut Milk, Red Thai Curry and Instant Pot.

Coconut Milk:  Coconut milk adds all the flavor, and make lentils extra-creamy but without a drop of cream. It dairy free.

Instant Pot: Preparing lentils in Instant Pot makes it super-quick with perfect results every-time. No perching on stove. No need to check water many times. I have cooked lentils in Pressure Cooker all my life. So, Instant Pot's pressure cooker setting is my best buddy to make creamy perfect-cooked lentils in just 20 minutes. Pressure Cooking in Instant Pot also preserve nutrients, making it one of the best way to make lentils for dinner, any time!

Thai curry: With Red Thai curry and spices, flavor is like lentils cooked on stove, low and slow, for an hour. If you wonder what is Thai curry. I have complete collection of Homemade Thai curry paste recipes. All curry pastes go well with this Lentils Recipe. Read more about homemade Thai Curry Pastes.

So, let's make some Instant Pot Lentils today (Fragrant with Red Thai Curry and creamy with Coconut Milk)!

(Oh, if you like Lentils? Don't forget to checkout my Mujaddara (Spiced Lentils and Rice), Spicy Vegan Yellow Lentil Curry, Cabbage Lentil Soup recipes.)

CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE THAI CURRY

These Lentils recipe is very flexible. Really, you can use any Thai Curry paste you prefer. Luckily, I have shared all three Thai curry pastes on blog - Green Curry Paste, Red Curry Paste, and Yellow Curry Paste. Pick the one you like. All paste stay good for many weeks. That said, you can always use premade Thai curry paste as well. In store bought, I use Thai Kitchen Red Curry Paste. It is 100% gluten free and vegan.

CHOOSE GOOD QUALITY COCONUT MILK

Star ingredients of Instant Pot Lentils are 1) coconut milk, and 2) Thai curry paste.

I recommend to use a good quality coconut milk. Such as my favorite is Organic Thai Coconut Milk. This is unsweetened, organic and 100% vegan. I use unsweetened milk because Lentils Curry don't really need much sweetness. I only add some 1/2 tbsp sugar to balance the heat. Please use it as per your taste preference.

Whichever curry paste you use. Please make sure to always taste and adjust seasonings. Little salt, lime juice or sugar (if you really need it) will make all the difference in making these lentils your favorite go-to Lentils Recipe.

Imagine aroma of lentils cooked with coconut milk, fragrant Thai curry flavors filling kitchen. Make some tonight! It is super easy!

To prepare the lentils in Instant Pot, I start by thoroughly washing the french Green Lentils. Also, prepare the veggies - slice onion, ginger, garlic. Take out the spice.

Note: If using fresh homemade Thai curry paste. I make sure to prepare some a day before. Paste stays good for several days. So you cut the prep time to 1/4 by preparing paste in advance or use premade when in hurry.

Once Instant Pot reads "hot" on display setting. I saute the curry paste and aromatics to awaken their flavor. Then add the washed lentils, coconut milk, seasonings. Cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes.

That's it. It is THAT easy to prepare Lentils in Instant Pot. And flavor! Flavor speaks for itself. In these 20 minutes, lentils cook to creamy consistency and spices marry so well. This Red Curry Lentils will beat any store-bought or restaurant Lentils you have ever tried. I guarantee!

Let me summarize why should you try these Lentils:

1. Coconut Milk - Creamy lentils without cream. You can also make it low-fat with lite Coconut Milk.
2. Thai Curry - Use any Thai curry flavor. I used Red Curry. Green and Yellow works perfect. 
3. Lentils are Vegan, Gluten free, Nuts Free (only tree nut - coconut used).
4. French Lentils cook perfectly in 20 minutes. These still hold shape and taste super creamy.
5. Lentils stays good for up-to a week in refrigerator. Freezes well up-to 6 months.

Thaw/Re-Heat: Please note lentils soak liquid and get very thick very quickly. To thin-out, add some vegetable stock or water. Reheat. Taste and adjust seasonings such as salt, sugar, lemon juice. Add the Tempering Oil (is using) just before serving. In case thaw/re-heat, after reheating.

Make some tonight for Vegetarian Lentils and rice dinner!

What is you favorite flavor of Lentils? Leave a comment below and share with me.