Indian cuisine is known for its rich flavors, aromatic spices, and diverse dishes. The Instant Pot has revolutionized the cooking of authentic Indian curries, making them more accessible and simpler to prepare for both novices and experts alike. Sharing 30+ Instant Pot Indian curry recipes that are easy to make and have authentic flavors.
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Five Reasons to Make Indian Food in the Instant Pot
- Time Efficiency: Indian cooking often involves sauteing and simmering to develop complex flavors. The Instant Pot's pressure cooking function significantly reduces cooking times. Dishes like chicken, lentils, and beans that might typically take hours can be ready in a fraction of the time.
- Retains Nutrients: Pressure cooking retains more nutrients in food compared to other cooking methods while ensuring that your curries are not only flavorful but also nutritious.
- One-Pot Convenience: Instant Pot allows for both sautéing and pressure cooking in the same pot. This means you can brown ingredients, sauté spices, and then pressure cook—all in one vessel. This not only saves time but also reduces the number of dishes to clean up afterward.
- Authentic Flavors: The pressure cooking function in an Instant Pot helps to meld flavors together more quickly and efficiently. This means that spices, herbs, and aromatics have less time to dissipate, resulting in curries and dishes that are deeply flavorful and aromatic.
- Consistency and Precision: With programmable settings and precise temperature control, Instant Pot ensures consistency in your cooking. Whether you're making rice, lentils, or a complex curry, you can count on the Instant Pot to deliver consistent results each time.
Vegetarian, Chicken, and Seafood Indian Curries
The Instant Pot's low-pressure setting is ideal for cooking delicate veggies and seafood, ensuring consistent results every time, and the chicken is always perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful.
In this round-up, you will find classic Indian curries using a variety of vegetables, chicken, and seafood that are easy to make and have authentic flavors. Paired with warm Roti or Parathas and Rice, they make a delicious and satisfying meal.
Add a cooling side dish such as Beet Raita, Cucumber Raita, or Pumpkin Raita, or make crunchy and fresh Kakdi Koshimbir, Cabbage Salad, or Beet Koshimbir for a hearty home-cooked Indian meal that everyone will enjoy.
Best Indian Instant Pot Curry Recipes
1
Palak Paneer
I call this Palak Paneer Mommy's Helper because it is a surefire way to get nutrient-rich spinach into kids without a complaint. The flash-cooking method helps preserve the vitamins, flavor, and rich color of the spinach. Cumin seeds add a subtle earthiness, and the creamy texture of cashews is the perfect replacement for traditional heavy cream, as it seamlessly balances the pureed sauce.
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2
Paneer Butter Masala | Paneer Makhani
Paneer Butter Masala is a classic Indian dish with a creamy tomato-based sauce and luscious cubes of paneer dunked in it. This lightly spiced curry is easy to make and a crowd-pleaser, so go ahead and make it for a weeknight dinner or for your next get-together. I am also sharing some fun options to serve this finger-licking delish curry.
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3
Dum Aloo
Dum Aloo is a North Indian curry with baby potatoes simmered in onion and tomato-based gravy, spiced with turmeric, red chili pepper, garam masala, and garnished with dried fenugreek leaves. This vegetarian Instant Pot recipe is ready in under 30 minutes with creamy kid-friendly flavors that can be easily spiced down or up. A perfect weeknight dinner and a sure-hit dish for potlucks and parties!
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4
Mushroom Masala
Mushroom Masala is a versatile dish that packs in a burst of flavors from earthy mushrooms, tart tomatoes, and aromatic spices. The intense flavors are balanced with easy homemade cashew cream. Ready in under 20 minutes and savory to the last bite, this curry is sure to win you the master chef crown at your next party.
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5
Mushroom Matar Malai
In contrast to the much-loved fiery and heavily spiced curries, there are lovely subtle and mild versions that also deserve a turn in the spotlight. Creamy, mildly spiced, with a touch of sweetness, Mushroom Matar Malai is one of my family’s favorite comfort food curries. My homemade version cooks up super quick in the Instant Pot and gets lightened up for a healthy weeknight staple.
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6
Aloo Baingan | Potato Eggplant Curry
Here is an easy-to-make aloo baingan curry with tender and creamy eggplant and potatoes cooked in an earthy sauce spiced with turmeric, red chili powder, and ground coriander. One of my weeknight go-to recipes this vegan eggplant and potato curry makes for a tasty vegetarian meal served with hot roti, dal-rice, or khichdi!
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7
Batata Bhaji | Spicy Potatoes
Turmeric, mustard seeds, green chilies, ginger, and curry leaves infuse bright flavor into tender, creamy potatoes, and soft sweet onions. In under 20 minutes, Instant Pot Batata Bhaji is ready and all you need to decide is how to serve this delicious and versatile dish! It’s a light satisfying lunch or dinner side…and makes the perfect filling for crispy dosas, samosas, and more!
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8
Aloo Rasedar
Instant Pot Aloo Rasedar makes hot, nourishing meals possible even on the longest and busiest of days. Mild creamy potatoes provide the perfect foil to a zippy tomato-ginger sauce heartily seasoned with Indian spices. A few pantry ingredients and kitchen essentials are all you need to pull off a delicious potato curry in under 15 minutes.
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9
Baingan Masala | Stuffed Eggplant
Here is my simple recipe to make delicious curried stuffed eggplant also known as "Baingan Masala". This easy gluten-free and vegan curry has small baby eggplants stuffed with onion, ginger, garlic, and earthy spices. The eggplants are cooked in the Instant Pot for an authentic-tasting Indian curry that is ready in under 20 minutes.
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10
Aloo Gobi
Aloo Gobi is our go-to weeknight cauliflower curry with potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and a few basic spices that is ready in just 20 minutes. Serve with warm homemade parathas or naan and a side of raita makes for a perfect nourishing meal.
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11
Easy Malai Kofta
A classic north Indian dish, Malai Kofta is made with deep-fried vegetable dumplings {koftas} that are added to a creamy tomato-based sauce. My version of the Malai Kofta uses store-bought vegetarian meatballs to get the same authentic flavors in a fraction of time. I have included both Instant Pot and Stove Top Recipes here.
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12
Black Eyed Peas Curry | Lobia Curry
Black Eyed Peas Curry cooked in a flavorful onion, tomatoes, and coconut-based sauce with earthy flavors from turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Spiced with red chili powder and aromatic garam masala, this tasty curry served with rice or warm roti this meal is on repeat in my home.
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13
Green Bean Curry | Aloo Beans
This vegan Indian Green Bean Curry is cooked with creamy potatoes and a few earthy spices for a flavor-packed dish. Best served with hot roti or for a gluten-free meal pair it with steamed rice, either way, you have a healthy and hearty curry ready in less than 30 minutes.
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14
Instant Pot Vegetable Kurma
Vegetable Kurma is a South Indian curry with mixed vegetables cooked in a creamy coconut cashew-based sauce, lightly spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and fennel seeds.
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15
Undhiyu
A mixed vegetable casserole, Undhiyu is a delicious vegan and gluten-free Gujarati dish. It is a flavor-packed combination of baby eggplants, beans, and root vegetables cooked with warming spices, peanuts, and coconut. The best part of the casserole is the addition of veggie dumplings called "Muthia". In this easy recipe using Instant Pot Pressure Cooker, I am sharing all of my tips and shortcuts to make authentic tasting Undhiyu in no time!
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16
Mumbai Pav Bhaji
Pav Bhaji is a spicy mashed vegetable dish, served piping hot with a dollop of butter, diced red onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Accompanied by warm buttery pan-toasted rolls, this visually delightful dish is sure to fill your tummy as well as your heart!
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17
Misal Pav
Misal Pav is a vibrant meal consisting of a spicy sprouted bean curry topped with crunchy Farsan, crisp red onions, and fresh cilantro that is served with lightly buttered Pav or dinner rolls. The bold flavors of this peppery dish are accentuated with a dash of lemon, packing in an explosion of flavors in every bite.
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18
Chana Masala | Chickpea Curry
Chana Masala, also known as Chickpea Curry or Chole, is the quintessential Indian soul food. Here is my simple recipe that achieves an authentic Punjabi Chana Masala flavor without a store-bought spice blend, and the sauce is full-bodied with bold garam masala and deep tomato flavors.
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19
Dal Makhani Recipe | Madras Lentils
North Indian comfort food, Dal Makhani is a lightly spiced creamy lentil dish that is cooked to perfection with warm spices such as garam masala and turmeric. Traditionally slow-cooked for hours, this easy, hands-off Instant Pot Dal Makhani recipe delivers authentic flavor and creamy texture in less than an hour! The best part is that you can also cook brown rice at the same time using pot in pot method.
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20
Rajma Recipe | Rajma Masala
Rajma Masala is what I call my “rainy day curry” because I always have the ingredients in my pantry and don’t need a plan to pull together a super healthy and tasty meal. This vegetarian comfort food turns a few simple ingredients into a richly spiced bean curry with delicious tomato gravy that just begs to be sopped up with rice and parathas.
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21
Chana Saag
Chana Saag is a vegetarian chickpea curry cooked with greens in a tangy onion-tomato-based sauce that is perfectly spiced with turmeric, cumin seeds, and garam masala. In this Instant Pot recipe, I am also sharing how to cook pot-in-pot rice along with chickpeas. A perfect weeknight gluten-free meal that can be easily made vegan!
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22
Dill Lentils
Herbaceous dill and rich, creamy moong daal meld together in this hearty Garlic Dill Lentils dish. Cooking the dill with lentils mellows the distinctive grassy flavor of the herb. This is a common dish in India after pregnancy, but baby or no baby, this recipe is delicious, served with warm paratha or rice.
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23
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala is an Indian-restaurant favorite rich-creamy tomato-based chicken curry. Made with tender cooked chicken marinated in yogurt, red chili powder, turmeric, and garam masala, this EASY recipe is cooked in just 30 minutes using the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.
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24
Butter Chicken
EASY authentic-tasting butter chicken recipe in your Instant Pot that is ready in 30 minutes with an option to cook rice at the same time. Serve with rice and naan for a perfect home-cooked meal!
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25
Chicken Karahi
Chicken Karahi or Chicken Kadai is a spicy, homestyle chicken curry with fragrant spices and fresh ginger. This EASY recipe explains how to make this flavor-packed and authentic-tasting chicken curry in just a few simple steps using the Instant Pot.
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26
Chicken Vindaloo
Too often, restaurant Chicken Vindaloo is reduced to simply the “hottest” dish on the menu. But this iconic dish is full of bold, balanced, and complex flavors from freshly ground spices, fragrant aromatics, and the essential tang of vinegar. Kashmiri red chilies lend just the right amount of heat and that classic fiery red color without overtaking the beautiful flavors beneath.
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27
Mom's Chicken Curry
A homestyle Maharashtrian chicken curry with an earthy onion and coconut-based curry with warm flavors of fresh ginger, garlic, turmeric, and garam masala cooked in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.
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28
Achari Chicken
Achari Chicken which literally means "pickled" chicken is made with pickling spices. This North Indian curry uses an unbelievably flavorful combination of spices such as fennel seeds, nigella seeds, and fenugreek seeds for a warm, rich, pickle-flavored curry with smokey aromas.
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29
Chicken Korma
A mildly spiced Indian curry, Chicken Korma is made with whole aromatic spices like cardamom, cloves, black pepper, and cumin that are simmered in a light and flavorful yogurt-based sauce. This flavorful curry along with pot-in-pot rice makes a wholesome and healthy Dinner in under 30 minutes using Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.
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30
Shahi Chicken Korma
Shahi Chicken Korma is a rich Mughlai chicken curry cooked in a creamy-spicy gravy and garnished with golden fried nuts and raisins that add a subtle sweetness to the curry.
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31
Salmon Tikka Masala
Your taste buds will dance as you bite into this flavorful Salmon Tikka Masala. This recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare and I am sharing instructions for both Instant Pot and traditional stovetop methods.
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32
Shrimp Curry
This vibrant and mouth-watering shrimp curry is lightly spiced with aromatic whole spices and has tropical flavors from coconut milk. Easy to make this curry is ready in just 15 minutes using the Instant Pot.
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Hope you try some of these recipes for easy Indian dinner ideas. If there's a curry you enjoy that isn't featured in this compilation, please share your thoughts in the comments on this post and suggest which recipe you'd like to see on the blog next.
As always, I love your feedback and love to see your creations. Do tag #ministryofcurry on Instagram so I can see what recipes you enjoyed!
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Jeana says
Hi Archana, Don't have an instant pot and plan to cook on stove top.
Are there any adjustments needed to make other than longer cooking time?
Thanks for such great recipes!
Archana says
Hi Jeana! Some of these already have stove top instructions. Cooking covered on medium heat and adding extra water as needed are the 2 main adjustments. Cook in a heavy bottom pot, stir when needed making sure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Felix says
Do you market or recommend any particular Indian Curry Powder or paste that you use in your recipes? I love curry, thus in my early teens we had at home a lady from Trinidad that used to cook us very delicious meals with the Indian Curry she brought from Trinidad every time she used to visit her Island. I buy the curry sauce that a Chinese Food outlet prepares and sell as a side sauce to the Shrimp and Broccoli servings I always buy from them. It is a little spicy on the side and I love it. .
Archana says
Hi Felix! This is a great question. There is no concept of curry powder in Indian cuisine. What we have are different spice blends such as garam masala, chana masala, tandoori masala, sambar masala etc that make different types of curries. These spice blends are made from a few whole spices that are roasted and ground. In addition to the spice blends, curries also use other ground and whole spices like mustard seeds, cumin seeds, coriander powder, turmeric, chili powder etc. So its a combination of the ground spices that makes a curry and there are hundreds different curries using various combinations of spice mixes. I hope you find this helpful. Take a look at my five ingredient garam masala recipe and this guide on the essential Indian spices - https://ministryofcurry.com/essential-indian-spices/