Instant Pot Lentils
User Reviews
5
42 reviews
Excellent
-
Total Time
1 hr
-
Servings
6 - 8
-
Calories
455 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Instant Pot Lentils
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Instant Pot Lentils combine split green lentils with smoked kielbasa, vegetables, and aromatic seasonings cooked quickly under pressure. The dish balances hearty legumes with savory sausage and fresh vegetables, finished with optional Parmesan and a splash of balsamic vinegar for brightness.
Description
This recipe begins by sautéing kielbasa in ghee to develop flavor, then adding onions, shallots, garlic, cumin, and bay leaves for aromatic depth. Deglazing the pot prevents sticking. Lentils, carrots, celery, soy and fish sauces, and stock are layered and pressure cooked, allowing flavors to meld while softening the lentils efficiently.
The crushed tomatoes added on top provide acidity without stirring to maintain texture. After cooking, garnishes like balsamic vinegar and freshly grated Parmesan add extra flavor complexity. The dish offers a comforting, protein-rich meal that combines smoky, savory, and fresh elements.
Using the Instant Pot shortens cooking time while preserving ingredient texture, suitable for an everyday dinner or meal prep.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups (400g) split green lentils
- 4 cups (1L) unsalted chicken stock or vegetable stock
- 2 (0.5g) bay leaf
- 2 (228g) carrot roughly diced
- 2 ribs (209g) celery , roughly diced
- 2 tablespoons (30g) ghee vegan option - olive oil, or unsalted butter
- 1 pound (454g) smoked kielbasa sausage , sliced (omit if vegan)
- 1 (240g) onion , roughly diced
- 1 (70g) shallot , roughly diced
- 6 cloves (18g) garlic , roughly minced
- 14 oz (400g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon (2.7g) cumin seed , ground
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) soy sauce regular
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) fish sauce (you can substitute it with regular soy sauce)
Garnish:
- A dash balsamic vinegar (optional)
- Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
Instructions
- Brown Sausage: Press “Saute” button to “Sauté More” function to heat up Instant Pot. Wait until “HOT” appears on the screen (~8mins). Add 2 tbsp (30g) ghee or unsalted butter in Instant Pot. Add in sliced sausages, then saute for 5 minutes.
- Saute Onions & Garlic: Add in diced onion and shallot, then saute for 3 minutes. Add in minced garlic, 1 tsp (2.7g) ground cumin, and 2 bay leaves, then saute for another minute.
- Deglaze: Pour in ½ cup (125ml) unsalted stock, then deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom of the pot. Give it a quick mix.
- Pressure Cook Lentils: Add in 2 cups (400g) green lentils, diced carrots, diced celery, 1 tbsp (15ml) regular soy sauce, and 1 tbsp (15ml) fish sauce. Pour in 3½ cups (875ml) unsalted stock, then give it a quick mix. Layer 14 oz (400g) crushed tomatoes on top of the other ingredients in Instant Pot - do not mix!With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure Cook at High Pressure 10 minutes + Natural Release 10 minutes. Open the lid carefully.
- Thicken & Season: If desired, stir & thicken the lentils with the "Saute More" function. Taste & adjust the seasoning accordingly. *Pro Tip: For reference, add roughly 1 - 2 pinches of salt to open up the flavors & season properly.
- Serve: Garnish lentils with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. You can serve these tasty lentils as a side dish, main dish, or serve them on top of rice or pasta. *Pro Tip: You can add a dash of balsamic vinegar for another layer of flavor. Be sure to first taste test with a small portion in a separate bowl to see if you like this flavor profile before adding it to the whole pot of lentils.
Equipments used:
Notes
- Consider rating the recipe in the comments if you try it to provide feedback.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
455kcal
(23%)
Carbohydrates
45g
(15%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Cholesterol
50mg
(17%)
Sodium
931mg
(39%)
Potassium
1090mg
(23%)
Fiber
18g
(72%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
5006IU
(100%)
Vitamin C
13mg
(14%)
Calcium
90mg
(9%)
Iron
6mg
(33%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6- 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories 455 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 455kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 45g | 15% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 50mg | 17% |
| Sodium | 931mg | 39% |
| Potassium | 1090mg | 23% |
| Fiber | 18g | 72% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 5006IU | 100% |
| Vitamin C | 13mg | 14% |
| Calcium | 90mg | 9% |
| Iron | 6mg | 33% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
42 reviews
Excellent
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