Vegetable Manchurian is a popular Indo-Chinese dish in which pillowy veggie balls are simmered in a mouthwatering spicy and tangy gravy sauce made with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. Here is my quick and easy version using the best store-bought veggie meatballs. Served over piping hot fried rice or noodles makes a lip-smacking meal for the family.
Indian Chinese is basically an adaptation of Chinese spices and cooking techniques to Indian tastes. I remember the "Indochinese" food sold on street carts while I was growing up in India. Dishes like Chop-suey, Schezwan, and Manchurian became immensely popular with everyone as it was tasty, quick, and affordable.
Growing up in a health-conscious family, although I loved Indochinese foods I knew that some of them were loaded with soy sauce and many were deep-fried. I then started to adopt many of those recipes and gave them a healthier twist so we can enjoy the same taste at home.
Home-made fried rice, Hakka noodles, and no-fry cauliflower Manchurian are on repeat in my kitchen, especially for quick weeknight meals. What I had never thought, of was making veg Manchurian at home. Just the thought of frying those veggie balls kept me away from making this dish.
Then, Thanks to a dear friend, I started using the IKEA veggie balls! They are sold frozen and come in handy for many recipes like malai kofta and kadhi pakoras. Since then I have also tried and loved the veggie balls sold in the frozen aisle at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.
How to Make Vegetable Manchurian
Here are the step-by-step instructions with photos. For the full recipe and printable recipe please scroll down to the recipe card below!
- Turn the Instant Pot to saute(more) mode and heat oil. Add onion, ginger, and garlic. Sauté for a minute. Add red chili flakes, frozen veggie balls, and broth. Give a quick stir (photos 1 - 4)
- Close Instant Pot with pressure valve to sealing. Pressure Cook for 4 minutes followed by Quick Release.
- Open the lid and set the Instant Pot to saute mode. Add soy sauce, chili vinegar, and sugar. Mix cornstarch with water and stir it in the gravy. Mix well and cook until the sauce comes to a gentle boil. Add more red chili flakes for a spicier taste. Garnish with cilantro and scallions. (photos 5 - 8)
Serving
Enjoy vegetable Manchurian hot over steamed rice, fried rice or noodles! Vegetable Manchurian tastes best fresh but can also be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.
Tips
MOC Pro Tips for the best Veggie Manchurian:
- Make sure to add frozen meatballs as thawed meatballs will fall apart during pressure cooking. If you have meatballs that are already thawed, then simply pressure cook the sauce and then stir in the meatballs and cook on saute mode for 5 mins.
- I like to use the low sodium Better than Bouillon Vegetable Broth in this recipe. Vegetable broth can be substituted with 2 cups of water and 1.5 teaspoons of salt
- In addition to the IKEA Veggie balls, I have also tried this recipe with Trader Joe's veggie balls. Some of my readers also have enjoyed this dish with frozen chicken meatballs
- If you double the recipe the same pressure cook time still remains the same
- For gluten-free Manchurian, use Tamari instead of soy sauce
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Gobi Manchurian
- Chilli Chicken
- Kimchi Fried Rice
- Vegetarian Pad Thai
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Ramen Noodles
- Pav Bhaji
★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.
Instant Pot Vegetable Manchurian
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ½ cup yellow onion diced
- 2 teaspoons ginger grated grated
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced minced
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes optional
- 16 frozen veggie balls IKEA, Trader Joe's or Whole foods
- 2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons vinegar I used chili vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn starch or arrowroot powder
- ¼ cup water
Garnish:
- red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
- 2 tablespoons scallions chopped
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute(more) mode and heat oil. Add onion, ginger, and garlic. Sauté for a minute. Add red chili flakes, frozen veggie balls, and broth. Give a quick stir.
- Close Instant Pot with pressure valve to sealing. Pressure Cook for 4 minutes followed by Quick Release. Open the lid and set the Instant Pot to saute mode. Add soy sauce, chili vinegar, and sugar. Mix corn starch with water and stir it in the gravy.
- Mix well and cook until the sauce comes to a gentle boil. Add more red chili flakes for spicier taste. Garnish with cilantro and scallions. Enjoy hot over steamed rice, fried rice or noodles!
Video
Notes
- Make sure to add frozen meatballs as thawed meatballs will fall apart during pressure cooking. If you have meatballs that are already thawed, then simply pressure cook the sauce and then stir in the meatballs after and cook on saute mode for 5 mins.
- I like to use the low sodium Better than Bouillon Vegetable Broth in this recipe. Vegetable broth can be substituted with 2 cups of water and 1.5 teaspoons of salt
- In addition to the veggie balls, some of my readers also have enjoyed this dish with frozen chicken meatballs
- If you are doubling the recipe, pressure cook time will still remain the same
- For gluten-free Manchurian, use Tamari instead of soy sauce
Nutrition
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Megala says
Looks so delicious & tempting !
Archana says
Thank you
Alisha says
Any substitution recommendations for the IKEA meatballs?
Archana says
Hi Alisha! Whole foods and Trader Joe's have great meatless veggie balls that you can use in this recipe.
Sandhya says
I love Manchurian and your photos look so inviting! Great instapot recipe!
Archana says
Thank you Sandhya!!
Alisha says
First Instant Pot recipe I made! I love it!
Archana says
Congrats!! I am so glad you enjoyed it!! You can also try my malai kofta recipe if you have some frozen veggie meatballs left!
Jothi says
I tried this today all the balls turned mushy when I did QR. Didn't even stir it. What did I do wrong?
Archana says
Hi Jothi! Sorry to hear. What brand meatballs did you use and did you add them frozen?
Masooma says
Hi Archana - looks like a yummy recipe that i would like to try tomorrow. Would you happen to know if i can substitute corn starch for arrowroot powder?
Archana says
Hi Masooma! Yes corn starch works
Masooma says
This was delicious! i already made it twice. Taste just as good as from our favorite restaurant. If we wanted to sub the veggie balls for cauliflower, would anything change (ex - cooking time)?
Archana says
Cauliflower cook way too fast. I would either bake cauliflower in oven or fry stove top with some spices, dipped in flour flour/water. Cook just the sauce in Instant Pot and add the crispy cauliflower in the sauce.
Rupa says
I don’t have corn flour or arrowroot. Any substitute?
Archana says
I have not tried myself, but some people use rice flour. You will have to make sure that your cook it well after adding.
ingroopa says
do we need to thaw veggie meetballs overnight in refrigerator before adding it to sauce the next day???
Archana says
No need to thaw the meatballs
ingroopa says
So if i want to deep fry the frozen meetballs then also no need to thaw?? Can i add them directly from freezer in hot oil? Will the oil spill?? actually i am hosting a party this friday and i am cooking all my own.. so wanted to know if i frozen meetballs handle hot oil or not
Archana says
If you are making manchurian there is no need to fry. But if you do decide to fry, they should be thawed and then pat dried with paper towel so all the water on the outside is absorbed. It is dangerous to add frozen meatballs to hot oil especially they have ice or water on condensation.
S says
I made this and it turned out to be a gloopy mess. Couldn't get the right flavor. What might I have done wrong? I used cornstarch, not arrow root.
Archana says
Hi the only reason I can see is the veggie balls. What brand did you use and did you add them frozen?
Nithya says
Thanks for your lovely recipes, I have tried several of them so far and they are amazing! A quick question about the Veg Manchurian, I only have refrigerated ones (not frozen). If I am adding them straight to the IP, do I need to reduce the cooking time? I'm worried that 4 minutes cooking time might make them too mushy. Thanks for your tips!
Archana says
You have to add the Manchurian after pressure cooking in done.
Lori says
I made this and it was so yummy. I will definitely make this again! Easy, fast and tasty!
Archana says
Thank you for your lovely feedback
Sahiba says
The recipe tasted yummy when I tried it with both veg and chicken calls. But the Ikea balls come out too dense after I cook. Is that how they are supposed to be? Any suggestions to make them lighter? Thanks
Archana says
Try a different brand? I like Trader Joe’s
Safia says
Hi! This looks great, can I substitute with frozen chicken balls and follow the recipe as is?
Archana says
Yes! That will work
Kelly G says
Any idea if doubling this recipe will work out ok? Do I need to change the cook time?
Archana says
Yes you can easily double the recipe. Same pressure cook time!
Shruti Parekh says
I made this last night for Diwali party and it was a major hit. One suggestion is I made it one day before and felt the meatballs were soaked in thr sauce and it was very tasty. It was a hit! Thank you!! Happy Diwali!!
Archana says
Thank you for the feedback. This is a perfect party recipe 🙂
Ronda says
Looks appetising!!! Will try it soon and let u knw the result
Pali says
Can I use tamari instead of soy sauce? That’s what I have on hand.
Archana says
Yes! You may need to add a little extra for flavors 🙂
Bansi Gondhia says
Hi what vinegars would work and any substitute for the veg broth
Archana says
I use chili vinegar. You can also use white vinegar and water can be added instead of broth. Just adjust the salt per taste.
Michael says
Hi Archana,
Thanks you for share recipe. It is easy to do and very delicious. I Love it.
Taraavi says
We’ve made this multiple times for ourselves, family and friends and it is devoured happily by all. Fantastic recipe and we love a lot of your other recipes too
Roses says
Look is yummy. I enjoyed enjoying the Asian food. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I will try to make this dish.