15 Best Indian Recipes for the Instant Pot

By Carl Hanson
January 02, 2020
Credit: Linda T

Looking for delicious recipe ideas for your Instant Pot®? May we recommend these top-rated Indian recipes? Turns out, the multi-functional Instant Pot is the perfect tool to make any number of Indian specialties -- stews and curries like butter chicken, tikka masala, and more. If you've been intimidated by the thought of making Indian food at home, these recipes will surely change your tune, while thrilling your taste buds. Give them a try!

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Instant Pot® Indian Butter Chicken

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"This luscious, deeply flavored dish is a cinch to make in an Instant Pot," says By Shauna James Ahern. Marinade the chicken in yogurt and spices, and then take it to the Instant Pot.

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Instant Pot® Shrimp Curry

Credit: Jiya Ann
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In this South Indian-inspired curry, shrimp are cooked in a creamy, spiced, onion and tomato-based gravy suffused with a subtle coconut flavor. Jiya Ann says, "Absolutely delicious and easy. Serve with rice or roti."

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Instant Pot® Chicken Biryani

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"Traditional chicken biryani made in an Instant Pot cuts down on time but not flavor," says Buckwheat Queen. "The rice comes out fluffy and the chicken comes out tender. You can't ask for more. Serve with yogurt raita to complement the spices."

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Easy Instant Pot® Chicken Tikka Masala

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"Simple and absolutely irresistible chicken tikka masala made in the Instant Pot with all the flavors of garam masala and turmeric," says Fioa. "A wonderful and easy midweek dinner option."

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Instant Pot® Pudina Pulao (Mint Rice)

Credit: Diana71
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"This is probably one of the most flavorful rice recipes you can make in just a few minutes," says Diana71. "It's a spicy mint rice recipe that is hearty and filling as a vegetarian dish. Serve this as a side dish, or you can also take it in a lunch box and have a delicious midday meal! It is also lovely with plain or Greek yogurt."

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Pressure Cooker Goat Curry

Credit: Kim's Cooking Now
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The Instant Pot does wonders here by cutting way back on the cooking time yet still delivering incredibly tender meat. "Tantalizing goat curry in a fraction of the time," says jmerar. "Serve over jasmine rice or with naan."

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Instant Pot® Indian Chicken Curry

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"This quick and easy Indian chicken curry comes together faster than you'd expect," says Fioa. "Ginger, garlic, coriander, garam masala, and chili powder make it absolutely fragrant. Serve with naan bread and basmati rice."

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Instant Pot® Easy Vegan Cranberry Orange Chutney

Credit: Fioa
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Yes, you can make chutneys in the Instant Pot! "The ultimate vegan cranberry orange chutney made easy," says Fioa. "This spiced chutney with ginger, cumin, and fennel would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving menu."

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Andrea's Dal for Instant Pot®

Credit: Linda T
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Andrea Knight says, "This variation of mixed dal was developed over a series of happy accidents and has become a household favorite. This version has more ginger and a smoother texture. It's made in the Instant Pot, and I've tried it with a variety of fats. When using coconut oil, it has sufficient flavor that I think the cilantro is unnecessary."

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Easy Instant Pot® Green Moong Dal

Credit: Fioa
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"This delicious and traditional vegan lentil curry soup is hearty, high in protein, and very simple to make in your Instant Pot," says Fioa.

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Instant Pot® Apple Mango Chutney

Credit: Fioa
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Cinnamon, cardamom, and chili flakes make this apple mango chutney a must-have condiment for your next Indian meal. 

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Curry in a Hurry

Credit: Tammy Lynn
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This hearty vegetarian curry can be made quickly thanks to a pressure cooker. "Super flavorful!" says Claudia Fischer. "Creamy, delicious, hearty."

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Instant Pot® Spicy Beef Curry Stew

Credit: France C
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Pieces of beef, potatoes, and carrots are all cooked to be perfectly tender in this spicy curry dish. Be sure to use the highest-quality curry powder you can find in this recipe, since that is where the majority of the spice flavor will be coming from. 

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Rajma (Kidney Bean Curry)

Credit: Heather
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Equal parts comforting and cost-effective, what's not to love about this kidney bean curry? "Quick, easy and delicious weeknight meal!" says sarai.

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Instant Pot® Khichdi

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"Two types of legumes, brown basmati rice, and goda masala are cooked in an Instant Pot for a traditionally flavored Indian classic," says Buckwheat Queen. "Goda masala is a coconut-based seasoning, which gives this dish a fragrant and tasty edge. Khichdi is easy to digest, so it is nice for detox or when you want something light. Leftovers warm up nicely with a touch of water. This is a simple recipe; some cooks like to add vegetables to the saute."

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State of Home Cooking: Appetite for Adventure and Cultural Heritage

We're serving up and celebrating the biggest home-cooking trends from the most enthusiastic cooks we know: our community. We crunched the data from 1.2 billion annual Allrecipes.com visits and 2.5 billion annual page views. Then we dug even further, surveying Allrecipes cooks about what's in their carts and fridges, on their stovetops and tables, and on their minds. Appetite for Adventure and Cultural Heritage is just one of the topics they're most curious about. See more of the "State of Home Cooking" special report.

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By Carl Hanson