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Instant Pot Creamy Coconut Lentils with Spinach

A close-up of Instant Pot Creamy Coconut Lentils with Spinach served in a white bowl.
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Make creamy, flavorful red lentils with coconut milk and spinach quickly using your Instant Pot. This recipe is simple and dairy-free.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 (13.5 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • 5 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. Set your Instant Pot to the Sauté function. Add the coconut oil. When hot, add the onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic and ginger. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  4. Pour in the rinsed red lentils and vegetable broth. Scrape the bottom of the pot to remove any browned bits.
  5. Secure the lid and set the vent to Sealing. Select Manual or Pressure Cook (High) for 8 minutes.
  6. When the cooking time is complete, allow a Natural Pressure Release (NPR) for 10 minutes, then carefully move the valve to Venting to release any remaining pressure.
  7. Open the lid. Stir in the full-fat coconut milk, salt, and pepper.
  8. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté (Low) or Keep Warm. Add the chopped spinach in batches, stirring until it wilts into the lentils, about 2 minutes.
  9. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed before serving.

Notes

  • Rinsing the red lentils removes surface starch, which helps prevent excessive foaming during pressure cooking.
  • If you prefer a thicker consistency, let the mixture simmer on the Sauté function for an extra 5 minutes after adding the coconut milk.
  • For a tangier flavor, stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice just before serving.

Nutrition

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