Instant Pot Eggplant Sweet Potato Lentil Curry. Mung Beans, lentils, spices, sweet potato and eggplant make a filling curry or soup. Use other veggies of choice. Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free Nut-free Recipe. Make it in a saucepan or InstantPot Pressure Cooker. Easily made oil-free.
This 1 Pot Sweet Potato Eggplant and Lentil Curry is easy, flavorful and comes together quickly. I make variations of this often with brown or green lentils, green mung beans, a combination of the two, different veggies and spices. The combination of earthy lentils, hearty mung beans and veggies like eggplant and sweet potato makes for an amazing meal. Use any veggies of choice.
Serve this hearty warming bowl as a soup or as dal with rice or grains or flatbread. Make it with various spice blends as garam masala or berbere or baharat (from my book (get both now with holiday deals and super low prices!).
See video below for the curry with brown lentils and mung beans.
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Vegan Butter Chickin(soycurls). GF
- Lentil Veggie Dhansak – Lentil Veggie Stew in IP. GF
- Kohlapuri Veggies – Veggies in sesame coconut sauce GF
- Mushroom Matar Masala GF
- Aloo Palak Dal- Potato Spinach Lentils in IP. GF
- Eggplant Sambhar – Eggplant Split pea soup
- Aloo Gobi – Spiced potato and cauliflower
When doubling soups and curries, double everything except water. Use atleast quarter amount less than double, so 3.5 cups water when doubled. 3 cups for thicker consistency.
Video:
Recipe Card
Instant Pot Sweet Potato Lentil Curry
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (155.25 g) lentils or a mix of (brown/green) lentils and mung beans , soaked in warm hot water for atleast 15 mins
- 1 tsp oil , or use water to saute to make oil-free
- 1/2 (0.5) onion chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic chopped
- an inch of ginger chopped
- 1/2 (0.5) or 1 hot green chile chopped
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) turmeric
- 1/2 to 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) ground cumin or ground coriander
- 15 oz tomatoes (2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup (1) (heaping) chopped eggplant , or use other hearty vegetables of choice
- 1 cup (133 g) cubed sweet potatoes
- 3/4 tsp (0.75 tsp) salt
- 2 cups (500 ml) water 3 cups for saucepan
- a big handful of spinach
- cayenne and lemon/lime to taste
- pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Soak the lentils if you havent already and get the ingredients ready, Switch the IP to saute. Add oil and let it get hot.
- Add onion, garlic, ginger, chile and a pinch of salt. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stir frequently.
- Add spices and mix in. Add tomatoes and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Mash larger pieces.
- Add the veggies, salt, lentils and water and mix in.
- Close the lid, to sealing, and cook on manual for 11 to 12 minutes (on high pressure). Let the pressure release naturally.
- Fold in spinach, cayenne and lemon./lime. Let it sit for 2 mins or saute for 2 mins.. Adjust consistency if needed by adding a bit more water or non dairy milk for creamier and mix in. Taste and adjust salt, spices (add more garam masala or curry powder if needed).
- Serve with flatbread or rice/cooked grains or as a soup with crackers.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Amy
So incredibly delicious!! Definitely making a double batch next time so we actually get leftovers. Would this freeze well or is there any ingredient you would leave out when freezing?
Vegan Richa Support
yay! yes, it will freeze
Radhika
Very glad i found this recipe. I’m not too fond of eggplant but absolutely love this recipe. It will be in our family’s rotation from now on. Ty for sharing.
Vegan Richa Support
wow, thank you! so special!
amy
Tasted good but cook time was way too long. I cut it in half (to 6 minutes) based on my previous experience with these types of root veggies (sweet potato and carrots) and soaked lentils, and everything still turned to mush, including the brown soaked lentils, which had no bite at all. Maybe next time I’ll try 3 minutes?
Richa
How long were the lentils soaked?
amy
I followed the recipe exactly, maybe 15-20 minutes is all. I’ve never soaked green or brown lentils before putting in the instant pot and they always cook in ~6 min.
Richa
The cook time is for slightly mushy lentils. Most dals have mushy lentils or they disintegrate and that is expected in dals and Indian dal curries . The veggies don’t disintegrate unless you mix them vigorously after owning the lid. You can pressure cook for 6 mins for the lentil texture you prefer.
Traci Navarrette
This is a great recipe to use up some of my garden goodies this time of year. I subbed powdered ginger for fresh since I didn’t have any fresh on hand. Healthy, easy to make, and most importantly—DELICIOUS. Another fantastic recipe!
Vegan Richa Support
good to know – glad that youu liked it
Sarah
This was so good! I made it last night with a variety of root veg and dried ginger as I was out of fresh: it was really tasty and satisfying over brown basmati on a cold winter night. Thank you!
I made the instant pot version and the consistency was just right.
Richa
Yay
Suan Greer
so yummy thank you. loved the sweet potato, made the dish. I added a 1/2 C coconut milk because I had it.
Vegan Richa Support
Awesome !
Luke Borradale
Vegan Richa recipies are better described than any nyt recipe and as a almost Vegan convert always a great meal
Jay
Thanks for this delicious and easy recipe. This is now a common dish in our kitchen menu . We have tried making it with different lentils and veggies and comes out good everytime.
Vegan Richa Support
Excellent . thank you
Keren
Delicious. The organic box came in and in it there were eggplants, sweet potatoes, hot peppers and spinach, among other vegs. So I made this and ate it on some cooked plain potatoes. I had everything minus the fresh ginger so I used powdered ginger. This is very good. The only thing is I used 1 small green hot pepper and the dish came out a tad too hot for my taste, the lemon juice did a good job of toning the heat down a bit, next time I’ll use less hp.
Richa
Awesome
RG
Hi when you talk about High Pressure
Are you talk about Soup High Pressure select or
High Pressure select?!
Thank
RG
Richa
It’s regular pressure cook or manual button. It defaults to high pressure but if yours doesn’t then select high pressure
Shilpa R.
I loved this recipe! It was perfect as written and a great all-in-one vegan meal – especially on those days I need some extra protein after a workout. LOVE!
Vegan Richa Support
wow. thank you so much. Perfect!!
Samiksha
Do you use whole or split mung beans for this recipe?
Vegan Richa Support
I used the whole green in this recipe but, I make variations of this often with brown or green lentils, green mung beans, a combination of the two, different veggies and spices.
Gelli
This is the first time I have made one of your curries and I’m very new to IP cooking. I found the end product very liquidy – more like a soup? Could you please confirm if that is the anticipated consistency and how to thicken it up? Can’t wait to make more of your vegan dishes! Thank you in advance for your reply <3
Richa
It is soupy and it thickens as it cools. But lentils vary so maybe it was spicier for you. Just blend up some of the soup and mix in to thicken
Zoe
Delicious – doubled the recipe and had no regrets (used 1.5 cups of water). Used carrots instead of eggplant and added extra veggies.
Esther
Love your recipes and I’m eager to try this one. I’m curious though. Why soak the lentils?
Richa
It is not required. Helps with digestion and cooking time.
Jenny Riley-Lemay
(Just another one of vegan richa’s recipes that is:). quick, (even without an instapot) easy, nutritious, but more importantly than all of that, DELICIOUS! It warmed my SOUL! ❤️❤️❤️ Don’t believe me??? Make it for yourself, and find out! 💕 her recipes, they never disappoint! 🙏 vegan Richa 😘
Kimberly
I just made this recipe for the first time, and it was so unbelievably amazing! It is the best Indian meal that I have made (not that I’ve made a lot yet LOL)! I can’t even get over the flavor! I really appreciate the recipes that you have posted. I am newer to your site, but everything I have made so far has far exceeded by expectations! Thank you!
Richa
awesome!! So glad you found the site!
Anne Burich
I just made this recipe and loved it. A wonderful combination of flavors and textures. I used sprouted green lentils which cook in about 5 minutes and don’t need soaking. Thanks Vegan for keeping me vegan with such great recipes!
GG
I made this a couple of days ago and it is fabulous!!!
Richa
Thanks!
Murielle Banackissa
Richa, this recipe was awesome! I was looking for a one pot meal to whip up tonight and happened to have eggplants + tomatoes + sweet potatoes (it is so rare that I have all ingredients on hand for a recipe ahaha!). Anyways, I loved it so so much. Even though it is the summer, served on a bed of quinoa and with a side of salad, this curry is absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing.
Richa
yay!
Kerry
It is cooking away in the Instant Pot right now and am going to serve it over teff porridge. I already know it’s going to be amazing and will be posting the finished dish on Instagram! Love Love your recipes!
Edit: I have posted on Instagram and now am eating. It’s off-the-chart delicious!
Richa
yay! i saw it. looks fab!
Abby
Hi Rocha, planning on making this tonight. If I want to use coconut milk, how should I adjust the water added? Planning on doubling the recipe!
Richa
you can use all coconut milk for the water or half water half coconut milk
Abigail
It was a dream!!! I’m honestly in shock by how good it turned out. Thank you so much, Richa! <3
Richa
🙂
Kerry
It is cooking away in the Instant Pot right now and am going to serve it over teff porridge. I already know it’s going to be amazing and will be posting the finished dish on Instagram! Love Love your recipes!
Geeves
I made this tonight and was surprised by how addicting and delicious this was! I kept taking spoonful after spoonful as it was cooling off for the fridge. I absolutely loved this, thank you! We are not vegan, but try to have a vegan dish at least once a week. This will be in regular rotation.
Richa
thats awesome! its just regular everyday indian meal. a lot of such indian dishes by default vegan anyway
Deborah Butler
I would like to unsubscribe please.
Richa
from what?
IPnewbie
This was delicious! I used a 14.5-oz can of diced tomatoes and unpeeled Chinese eggplant. Only had 1/2 C green lentils so had to use 1/4 C red lentils – still turned out well. My 5-year-old ate it without complaints – normally any dish with tomatoes induces meltdowns. I loved the flavors and the spinach was a great addition – nice to get some greens in there. I don’t think anyone noticed the eggplant.
IPnewbie
Also, I didn’t soak the lentils and the texture turned out fine
Richa
awesome!
Maneesha
Hi Richa! I made this last night, and it was amazing!! Thanks so much! I’m having the leftovers for lunch today, and it’s even tastier than last night! What a winner recipe!
Richa
yay!
kirsten
Hi Richa: I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong, but this is the third time this happened. Each time I make one of the IP dishes it comes out overcooked. I even reduced the time to 10 mins for this one but ran into the same problem. I have the IP-DUO does that have something to do with it? Or should the pressure be low pressure? I really want these recipes to work out
Richa
Can you explain overcooked? is it that the lentils are mushy or the veggies? Maybe its the type of the lentils.
Scott
Should I salt and press the eggplant prior to placing in the IP or does the added water help with the cooking?
Richa
you dont need to salt the eggplant. There is enough water and pressure to cook it well.
Kelly friesch
Loved this! I just got my IP. Seems to be a shortage of vegan IP recipes out there. Post more if you can!
Richa
Awesome! here you go https://www.veganricha.com/category/instant-pot
Sarah
Yummm! Do you think soaked adzuki beans would work in place of lentils?
Richa
Adzuki beans probably need 15 to 20 minutes cooking time and the veggies will overcook in that much time. You can precook the beans and use the cooked beans in the recipe, reduce the water to half, and cook on manual for 3 mins.
Rachel DellaRocco
This is a new recipe staple! I cannot wait to make this dish again!
Amy
For the tomatoes, do you mean “15 oz tomatoes equals 2 tomatoes chopped” OR a 15 oz can of chopped tomatoes or 2 tomatoes chopped? The ingredients list says ” 15 oz tomatoes 2 tomatoes, chopped”
Thank you for the recipe!
Richa
oh it should say “or”. Yes 2 juicy medium-large tomatoes should yield that much.
TJ
LOVED this recipe. One of my first IP recipes and I will definitely be making this on a regular basis.
I didn’t soak the lentils in advance and it still came out perfectly! Did 12 minutes high pressure – will make it at 11 minutes next time.
I added a green bell pepper and extra ginger. Can’t wait to add mushrooms and carrots as well.
Thanks for this amazing recipe!!!
Richa
Awesome!
Debra
If you double the ingredients should you double the water?
Richa
i would do 1.5 times water or slightly more thank 1.5 times, when doubling. everything else doubles
Cassi Montgomery
I was wondering what the serving size is? it says 4 servings but I was unable to locate how much a serving for 200 calories was.
Thank you so much! I love this website so much! I use it every week.
Richa
its for 1 of 4 serves. Multiply the values by 4. thats for the whole dish, then divide it based on how many servings you want
Diane
All I need to say is yummmmm!!!!! It was our dinner last night.
Carol
FABULOUS! I doubled the recipe except the for the water and only used 1 tsp salt.
Now we have enough for another night. Soooooo good!
Thank You as always.
Susan Rogan
I just made this and it was among the best of my curries. I used red lentils a bit of cumin AND coriander, lots more ginger than was called for, coconut cream and olive oil and a bit of lemon juice when serving.
I did not follow the amounts but did follow the ideas of what to put in, plus a bit extra on my own – eggplant, sweet potato, rutabaga, red lentil, bok choy, a can of tomatos, a green pepper and onion, and the spices. It was pretty fast and easy.
Carol
Sorry Richa I just saw the 2cups in the instructions! All is well!
Carol
When I add the lentils to the insta pot how much water! Help! You didn’t say and I’m in the middle of making it right now!
Sue
This was great last night. Can’t wait to eat the leftovers! Thanks Richa.
Richa
yay!
Susan
Could this be made in a slow cooker I wonder?
Richa
Sure. use the setting for lentils.
Nina
Thanks Richa for another fabulous recipe. Got to make this!
Cassie Autumn
How delicious! I would eat two or three (shhh) AMAZING servings of this meal! I love how easy it is as well!
Régine Bohar
My feeling exactly. I am so grateful for Richa to post these amazingly delicious and easy to make recipes.
Angela
I did not make this in an Insta pot, but in a large saucepan and simmered for an hour or so. I did add a can of coconut milk and some green curry paste at the end. Also no eggplant but lots of cauliflower. Sooooo good!