Instant Pot Curried Sweet Potato Chickpea Quinoa - healthy, vegan and gluten-free meal made in the Instant Pot in 30 minutes or less! Great for lunch, meal-prep and to pack in lunch boxes!

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 20 minutes
  • Total time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil (I used olive oil)
  • 3-4 large garlic cloves (chopped)
  • 1 small red onion (chopped)
  • 1 cup quinoa (180 grams, uncooked, rinsed very well, I usually rinse quinoa for 1-2 minutes)
  • 1.25 teaspoon curry powder (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 15 oz can chickpeas (rinsed & drained, or use 1.5 cups boiled chickpeas)
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes (500 grams, diced into 1" or larger pieces)
  • `1 medium red pepper (chopped)
  • 1.5 cups water (12 oz)
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1-2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 1 large lemon (juice of)

Method

  1. Wash quinoa several times under running water before using in the recipe. This helps in getting rid of that bitter taste. Set it aside.
  2. Press the saute button on the Instant Pot. Once it displays hot, add the oil to the pot and then add the chopped garlic and onion. Saute for 3 minutes until onions are softened.
  3. Add the rinsed and drained quinoa to the pot and saute for 2 more minutes.
  4. Then add the spices - curry powder, smoked paprika and cumin and saute for few seconds.
  5. Add the chickpea, sweet potato, red pepper and stir.
  6. Add in the water, salt and close the Instant Pot with its lid.
  7. Press the manual or pressure cook button with the pressure valve in the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 1 minute. Let the pressure release naturally.
  8. Open the lid and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Add cilantro.
  9. Squeeze in some fresh lemon juice and serve!

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.