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Instant Pot Red Lentil Soup with Coconut Milk

a bowl of creamy, pureed red lentil soup with coconut milk

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4.7 from 3 reviews

Red lentils are blended with ginger, carrot, apple, coconut milk and spices to make an unbelievably creamy vegan soup. 

Total Instant Pot Cooking Time: 15 minutes to reach pressure + 10 minutes at high pressure + 20 minute natural release

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil or sunflower oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 1 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 4 cups water or vegetable broth
  • 1 apple, grated (red and more sweet than tart)
  • 2 carrots, peeled and grated
  • 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
  • 1 teaspoon coriander (or curry powder)
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 cup canned coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • Cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Press the saute button on the Instant Pot and add the oil. 
  2. Add garlic, shallot and ginger. Saute 2 to 3 minutes. 
  3. Add water/broth, apple, carrot, lentils, coriander or curry powder, turmeric and salt. 
  4. Secure the lid, making sure the steam release valve is in the sealed position. 
  5. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
  6. When the cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally. 
  7. In two or three batches, blend the soup in a blender until very smooth. Be careful while blending hot soup, as it can expand and splatter. 
  8. Pour the soup back into the Instant Pot insert and press the saute button to gently re-heat the soup. 
  9. Stir in the coconut milk and lime. 
  10. Add more water/broth to thin out the soup (I usually add ½ - 1 cup more water). 
  11. Add more salt to taste. Serve with lime wedges and cilantro. I also like a bottle of hot sauce on the table to make my soup spicy. 

Notes

How to Adjust the Instant Pot Saute Heat: There are 3 levels of heat when you saute in the Instant Pot: More, Normal and Less. I often find that the setting for "More" heat is too hot, and whatever I'm sauteing or heating burns to the bottom of the pot.  To adjust the saute heat,  first press the Saute button, then press the "Adjust" button to move the red light under "Normal" or "Less."

All of my Instant Pot recipes are made in a 6-quart Instant Pot