Quick Instant Pot Dal
The version in the recipe card is the optimal version. But if you want to make a quicker version because you are running low on time then this is the method to follow.
In this option, directly pressure cook all the listed ingredients for 8 minutes on high pressure.
Quick Release the pressure 5 minutes after the pressure cooking time is done. Open the pressure cooker and using a potato masher or a big spoon, mash the dal so all the ingredients are fused toghether.
If you derire,Do a Quick Tempering on the stove top. Just Heat Ghee in a pan, add cumin, sliced garlic and 1/4 tsp Chili powder. Switch the heat off as soon as you add chili powder. Top the dal with the temper and add juice of 1/2 lime and a handful coriander leaves.
I use a 6 qts instant pot and I love it! If you are in India and are looking to understand how I use it here, you should read my post on instant pot in India.
Variations of Instant Pot Toor Dal
There are as many variations to dal as homecooks.
To start with, you dont have to do the whole process on instant pot.I find is equally efficient to divide the work between stove top and instant pot- Make the Masala on stove top, while pressure cooking the dal in IP.I, then just mix the Masala in the IP once the pressure is released.
One way to make this dal more nutritious is adding vegetables to it.
How To Eat Toor Dal
This dal is best served with Rice or Rotis.Usually its poured over fluffy white rice or along side rotis and a vegetable curry or a fry. You can also eat it as it is like a soup.
My favourite combination is Dal, white Basmati Rice& Dry Potato fry. Sigh.I think I will make some now.You can also serve this with Jeera Rice if you please.
If you prefer you dal with plain rice, here is a post on how to make perfect everyday sona masoori rice in instant pot.
Grandmas Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
Making Instant Pot pea soup is one of the easiest ways to make this delicious classic soup. I ate this soul-warming, budget-friendly soup a lot growing up in Ukraine as I know most of you did too! Its so buttery, creamy, thick, and hearty and tastes so good, especially with the addition of smoky, salty ham!
I knew that since I took my grandmas borscht recipe and made a pressure cooker borscht version, I could do the same with her split pea soup recipe. Its one of those mouthwatering soups that gets passed on through generations but with the modern Instant Pot, the pressure cooker does all the work for you in under 1 hour!
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Instant Pot Split Pea Soup Tips And Tricks:
- The soup will thicken a lot as it cools, so serve it hot or thin it out with some broth as needed.
- I tried this recipe with and without the included seasoning packet and I really liked using the seasoning packet. It adds a great smoky flavor. Its gluten-free too. If you are sensitive to salt though, try adding only half and adjusting additional salt to your liking.
- You are free to use the pork/ham product of your choice using a leftover ham bone works great. I just toss my ham bone in a zipper-topped freezer bag after dinner and keep it in there until Im ready to make soup.
- Feel free to leave out the meat if you are looking for a meatless meal, but if you do that, be sure to add the seasoning packet for that smoky flavor. You can make this vegan by using olive oil instead of the butter and omitting the meat. Easy! Its also gluten-free as long as your meat is.
- I love this recipe with a side of my forever favorite cornbread. Sweet cornbread and smoky ham and split pea soup is so very good together.
- You can make this on the stove top by cooking it for about 40 minutes until tender or in the slow cooker on low for about 4 hours.
View the How To Make Split Pea Soup Video Here:
How To Make Instant Pot Vegan Split Pea Soup Recipe
Other Delicious Vegan Soups To Try
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To Soak Or Not To Soak
Technically, split peas dont need to be soaked, especially when cooking in the Instant Pot.
But if you want to make sure that split peas will be easier to digest, soak them with a bay leaf for at least 4 hours or overnight. Rinse thoroughly before adding to the soup. Cook time can be reduced by about 5-6 minutes.
What Ham Is Best For Soup
Any leftover ham will work for this soup. If you have the ham bone, even better. Toss that in to increase the flavor of the soup. The marrow and gelatin left in the bone will end up in your soup creating a rich flavor.
If you are purchasing ham specifically for this Instant Pot split pea soup recipe, I recommend a glazed ham or a ham shank. Ham hocks arent as meaty as other choices. You want to cut the ham into thick cubes. If you want a vegetarian version of this recipe, just omit the ham.
This soup is very similar to Instant Pot Lentil Soup so lentils can be used here as well.
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Tips For Best Results
- To create rich broth with deep flavor: If you have time, make Instant Pot bone broth first and use it as a soup base. So many health benefits come with it! Use it to sip on its own if you have any left.
- Wait 15 minutes before releasing pressure: Even after the soup is done cooking, the liquid is boiling vigorously inside the pot. Let it settle a bit to avoid starchy soup splattering all over your kitchen.
- 3 quart Instant Pot: Cut ingredients of 6-quart recipe in half and cook for the same time.
- Yellow peas. Yellow peas have a higher starch content which means the texture may differ slightly than if you were to use green peas. Neither one will require an immersion blender, because of how soft and buttery they are, but with yellow peas, you may feel the need to thin it out a bit.
Instant Pot Split Pea Soup Recipe
This Instant Pot split pea soup recipe can guarantee well-simmered and super smooth pea soup in just half the time you usually need for stovetop cooking.
Packed with ham and a mix of spices, this nutrient-dense soup is not only freezable but allows for healthy tweaks so you can easily make it compatible with your diet.
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Why Are The Peas Divided
The father of genetics Gregor Mendel used peas as the case in his genetic research in the 1860s. Peas are the ripe form of green peas: the dried pea seeds are peeled and divided, which increases the surface area of the peas. As a result, split peas do not need to be soaked and cooked faster than whole peas.
Where To Buy Ham Hock
Ham hock is a traditional ingredient in the classic version of split pea soup. Unfortunately, it can be tough to track down.
I called 3 different grocery stores in my neighborhood. 2 out of 3 said theyve run out of ham hock.
Luckily, the third one had 2 in stock that they put aside for me .
If you have a butchery in your city, it could be worth checking if they carry ham hocks or if they could order some for you. You might also check your local farmers market.
TIP: I recommend calling the meat section of your local grocery store to check unless youre already in the store to save an unfruitful trip.
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Can Instant Pot Split Pea Soup Be Frozen
This is a great freezer meal recipe. Split pea soup freezes well and will last for two to three months. Because of this, you can double or even triple the soup recipe so you have plenty to freeze. You dont even have to adjust the cooking time. A larger portion means that the Instant Pot will take longer to come to pressure, but the cooking time will be the same.
Allow the soup to cool completely before putting it in a freezer-safe container or bag. For small portion sizes, you can freeze the soup in a silicone muffin tin. When you want to eat the soup, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. You can heat small portions in the microwave or an entire pot on the stovetop.
How To Cook Split Pea Soup In An Instant Pot
Without further ado, heres a quick step-by-step guide to making this Instant Pot split pea soup recipe with illustration.
Soak the split peas overnight in cool, filtered water.
Quickly sauté butter and ham on Sauté.
Add onions, celery, and carrots.
Add salt, ground black pepper, bay leaves, and thyme.
Add the split peas.
Add chicken broth and heavy cream.
Remove the bay leaves. Cook on Steam.
Quick-release the steam, open lid and stir the soup.
Taste and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot.
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Leftover Ham Instead Of Ham Hocks
You bet. One of the best uses for a leftover ham is homemade split pea soup. In fact, I have half of a spiral cut ham in our freezer right now that I plan on turning into split pea soup.
The best kind of ham to use is bone-in. When you’re making stock, soups and stews, the bones always add the most flavor. But, if your leftover ham is boneless, it will still work.
Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
Is there anything the Instant Pot can’t do?! After scrolling through all of our amazing Instant Pot recipes, we know what your answer will be. But one of its absolute best uses is for soups. Soups, especially something like split pea, often improve with a a couple of hours of simmering and flavor melding. An Instant Pot can do it in a fraction of the time. Truly, if you take a phone call you may miss it. Here are answers to some frequently asked spilt pea questions:
What is split pea soup?
It’s one of the oldest soups we eat, dating back to the Roman ages. At its most basic, it’s a soup made from dried spit peas and ham.
What’s a split pea?
A split pea is a dried pea that has its skin removed and is then “split.” They’re low-fat, super high in protein, and they have tons of fiber.
What’s the difference between yellow and green split peas?
Green split peas tend to be a little sweeter than more mild-tasting yellow split peas.
Can I use bacon instead of ham?
Absolutely. You can also skip both, but the broth will benefit from some type of fatty element like ham or bacon.
How can I make this vegan/vegetarian?
Thought ham adds a delicious smoky flavor, it isn’t at all necessary. As far as the chicken broth, it can simply be swapped with vegetable broth or water.
Do I need to sauté the vegetables first?
What’s a substitute for leeks?
Prepping leeks can be annoying, but we love their flavor that we put up with it 🙂 A white or yellow onion is a fine sub.
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What Do You Need For This Recipe
With this Instant Pot split pea soup recipe, you can make an easy and heart-warming bowl of split pea soup in no time with a few simple and affordable ingredients.
Besides split peas, ham and unsalted chicken broth serve as the other two sources of protein for this soup. Ham adds an appetizing smoky flavor to the dish while chicken broth works in the background to help the ingredients thoroughly blend together.
Smoked turkey legs can also be a nice swap for ham. If you wish to make it completely vegan, simply leave the meat out and opt for vegetable stock or water instead of chicken broth, and olive oil instead of butter.
Red Lentils Instant Pot Cooking Times:
- Dry cooking time: 10 minutes on HIGH pressure with a 1:2 water ratio and desired herbs and spices.
- Soaked cooking time: 5 minutes on HIGH pressure with a 1:1.25 water ratio and desired herbs and spices.
- Recipe:Instant Pot Thai Red Lentil Soup from Instant Pot Eats
We know legumes are a staple for so many folks, so we hope you found this handy guide useful. Make sure to bookmark this for later and share with your Instant Pot pals to spread the word!
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Step By Step Instructions:
Turn on the Sauté button on your Instant Pot and add the oil. When it displays HOT, add the onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes until slightly translucent. Add garlic and continue to sauté for a minute. Stir in rest of veggies and seasoning and give a good mix.
Now add the green split peas . Stir well so everything is coated and mixed well. Stir in vegetables broth or water. Check the taste of the seasoning.
Press Cancel. Close the InstantPot lid with vent in sealing position. Select MANUAL setting. InstantPot will come to pressure and do the cooking. For slightly al dente peas, cook for 7 minutes at high pressure. Otherwise, cook for 10 minutes.
Once Instant Pot finishes cooking and goes to KEEP WARM mode, wait for 5 minutes and release the leftover pressure by moving the valve from SEALING to VENTING. Open the lid.
Remove bay leaf and stir the mixture well. Sprinkle some red pepper flakes and fresh cracked black pepper on the top. Serve warm with crusty bread or fresh green salad on the side. Enjoy !
Making Split Pea Instant Pot Soup In Advance
Storing: Refrigerate in an airtight container or inner pot with a lid for up to 5 days.
Its a thick soup! This Instant Pot split pea soup thickens with time. With the gelatin in the ham, even more so. It will thin out again as it warms, but you may still need to add a bit of water or broth until desired consistency is reached.
Reheating: Right after cooking, the soup will look watery. In 5-6 hours or overnight, split peas will break down further thickening the soup. Reheat on the stove top or inner pot of the Instant Pot on saute. Along with thinning it out a bit, you might also have to add a bit more salt.
Freezing: Instant Pot split pea soup recipe contains no starchy pasta or thin flesh vegetables, so its great for the freezer! Once thawed, it tastes as good as fresh. Freeze in an airtight glass container with some room for expansion for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or on a counter during the day. If in a rush, simmer covered on low, stirring occasionally.
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Instant Pot Split Peas
If you want to cook split peas in a fraction of the time without standing over a hot stove, youre in the right place!
- Ratio = 1 part split peas : 3 parts water
- Cook Time = 15 minutes
- Release = 15 minute natural release, then release any remaining pressure
Cooking split peas this way results in a soupy consistency. Its a perfect canvas for adding your favorite seasonings, such as onion, garlic, celery, herbs, salt, and pepper.
Did you find this helpful? If so, be sure to check out our Instant Pot Cooking Times Guide for perfectly cooked grains and beans every time!
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and dont forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
To Make This On The Stove Top:
Sauté the onions and garlic in the coconut oil until soft. Add the carrots and celery and sauté just until they begin to soften. Add the remaining ingredients, bring the soup up to a simmer and let simmer until the peas have broken down and thickened the soup. Add a little water as needed during cooking to offset any evaporation.
And if those two options dont work for you, here are two more split pea soups Ive made: Split Pea, Bacon & Potato Soup Chunky Split Pea Soup, Vegan Split Pea Soup.
Love Instant Pot recipes? Check out my Pressure Cooker Chicken and Rice or Pressure Cooker Red Beans!
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How To Make Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
NOTE:Smoked ham hock, neck bones, or shank adds a lot of flavor to this soup. However, you can make vegetarian split pea soup if you prefer. Just omit the ham and use vegetable stock or broth.
Dice the vegetables, smash and mince the garlic cloves, and rinse the peas.
Set your pressure cooker to sauté setting and let it preheat for a couple of minutes.
3. Add oil and sauté the veggies.
Add leek, celery, and carrots and sauté for a few minutes. Let it cook undisturbed so it starts to get golden in color.
Make a little hole in the middle of vegetables and add garlic. Let it sauté until fragrant, then stir it into the other vegetables.
4. Add smoked pork, peas, stock, and seasonings.
Mix everything together and close the lid. Be sure to latch the lid and turn the steam release valve to the close/seal position.
5. Cook on HIGH for 15-18 minutes.
NOTE: The Instant Pot needs some time to build up pressure. It takes about 15 minutes before it starts cooking.
6. Natural release of pressure.
When the cooking time ends, turn off the unit and let it perform a natural release for 10-15 minutes. Then, carefully turn the steam valve to release any remaining pressure. After all of the steam releases, the pressure cooker will let you open the lid. BE CAREFUL, its hot!
